Mangas, NM 87829(Catron County)

Mangas Hunting Ranch New Mexico: World-class is no exaggeration when describing the exceptional trophy elk hunting on the renowned Mangas Ranch in west-central New Mexico. On the Mangas Ranch, geography, genetics, and habitat have combined to create an entire ecosystem that produces some of the largest bull elk on the planet. The Mangas Ranch is indeed a land of giants well-known for amazing numbers of trophy bulls that have free access to its approximately 50,000 acres (25,500 deeded). Simply put, the Mangas Ranch controls nearly 80 square miles of the finest trophy elk habitat anywhere.

The Mangas Ranch has been developed for years into one of Americas premier hunting destinations. A new luxury home and a 6,000-square foot log Lodge crown the many improvements on the ranch. The luxury home has two bedrooms, a spectacular great room, and high end finishes throughout. The Lodge is designed with hunting guests in mind. With six bedrooms, five and one half baths, and wraparound deck, it treats guests luxuriously. A new shop, two caretakers homes, office, corrals, barn, cattle handling facilities, and drive-in meat cooler complete the outstanding facilities on the ranch, all ready-to-roll for the next hunting season.

Straddling both sides of the Continental Divide, the Mangas Ranch ranges in elevation from 7300 to 8200 feet, which makes it ideally situated for supporting many square miles of pinion pine and alligator juniper forest, interspersed with grassy meadows and ponderosa pines. Much of the ranchs terrain is rolling, and a good network of ranch roads provides vehicular access throughout. With wildlife and livestock management in mind, dozens of water sources have been developed throughout the ranch, utilizing electric, wind and solar power.

The abundant water rights of Mangas Ranch are as valuable as gold in this part of New Mexico and have allowed the ranch to have been run as a profitable mid-sized cattle operation for years. Two irrigation wells can combine for up to 700 gallons/minute and are permitted for use of 453 acre/feet of water annually. Three pivots can be used to irrigate up to 164 acres for livestock, crop production, or wildlife. Alternatively, the rights have the potential to be transferred for pond or lake development. In any event, the presence of plentiful water on the Mangas Ranch is a huge ingredient for maintaining it as a big game mecca.

With over 30 landowner bull elk licenses likely each year in one of the worlds best trophy elk units, Mangas Ranch is a hunting ranch of legendary possibilities. Add in over-the-counter antelope and deer tags, and it is a hunting ranch that most only dream about. As a combination cattle/hunting ranch or a hunting resort alone, the potential for this spectacular piece of western New Mexico may be unmatched anywhere in the United States. With excellent year-round access, the land of giants is located only 2.5 hours from Albuquerque, 3.5 hours from Santa Fe, and 5 hours from Phoenix, Arizona.