Blue Hills Elk Ranch

Majestic mesas, a familiar landmark of southwestern New Mexico, covered in pinon, juniper, and cedar, along with open meadows of gramma grass and wildflowers make up the terrain and landscape of Blue Hills Elk Ranch.

Spectacular sunrises over the Sawtooth Mountains in the wee hours of the morning, distant views of the snowcapped, 11,300 foot, Mount Taylor in the winter months, along with the anticipation of seeing elk, antelope, mule deer, predators, small game, and a variety of feathered friends enhance the surroundings of Blue Hills Elk Ranch, making each day an adventure in itself.

The Blue Hills Elk Ranch is located at a comfortable elevation of 7,200 feet, between Pie Town and Grants, in New Mexico’s largest county, Catron County. Situated in Game Management Unit 12 the ranch received 5 highly coveted rifle elk tags. Healthy gramma grass and numerous drinkers provide feed and water for 70 to 80 AUM year-round on approximately 5,430 acres of deeded lands and 640 acres of state leased lands.

Unique to hunting in southwestern New Mexico, the Blue Hills Elk Ranch typically receives 5 rifle elk permits annually. Several trophy bulls scoring over 375 have been taken in Unit 12 over the past several years, and no doubt others will be taken in years to come. Other hunting in the area, and on the ranch, includes mountain lion, black bear, coyotes, and other small game species.

Historically Blue Hills Elk Ranch runs a minimum of 70 to 80 cows year round, although this number can increase to 100 with good precipitation. The ranch is divided into 4 pastures with good water distribution throughout. The north portion of the ranch has one well and storage tank, and 2 dirt tanks. Natural lakes in the northeast corner provide additional water for livestock and wildlife. A very good, 480 foot well on the south portion of the ranch is solar powered with a 220 horse submersible pump. It supplies a 5,000 gallon water storage tank and pipeline to 3 large rubber tire tanks in 3 separate pastures. The south portion of the ranch has 2 dirt tanks.

Heading north from The Blue Hills Elk Ranch to Grants and I-40 takes approximately 45 minutes and from I-40 east to Albuquerque takes approximately 1 hour. The famous little community of Pie Town is about 30 minutes south of Blue Hills Elk Ranch.

Blue Hills Elk Ranch experiences four splendid seasons. Rocky red bluffs covered in winter snow, the early warmth of spring, sudden summer thunderstorms, and fall pastures of green grass and wildflowers exemplify the beauty of Blue Hills Elk Ranch. Located in a semi-arid climate, the ranch receives an annual precipitation of 11 inches. Average high temperatures are in the 70s and average low temperatures are in the 30s with the sun shining 275 to 300 days a year.

Over 6,000 acres of magnificent country with scenic views in all directions, terrain that ranges from grassy meadows to rocky bluffs and rolling pinon juniper covered mountains, 5 rifle elk tags in an excellent hunting area, and the capacity to run a minimum of 70 to 80 cows year round, amounts to a fantastic ranch with a multitude of surrounding beauty and recreational