If you’ve ever considered applying for elk, mule deer, or pronghorn tags in New Mexico as a non-resident, this episode breaks down one of the most unique and misunderstood draw systems in Western big-game hunting. New Mexico does not use preference points or bonus points, meaning every applicant starts fresh each year with the same odds. Whether it’s your first time applying or you’ve been in the game for a decade, everyone enters on equal footing. That’s a huge advantage for newer hunters, but only if you understand how the system actually works. In this episode, Matt Hartsky explains the New Mexico draw from the ground up, including application timelines, full-fee payment requirements, how tag quotas are divided between residents, DIY non-residents, and outfitted hunters, and why your second and third choices actually matter. New Mexico’s draw is structured around three legally defined pools: roughly eighty-four percent of tags go to residents, ten percent are set aside for hunters applying through a licensed outfitter, and the remaining six percent are available to non-residents who apply on their own. That system is simple on paper, but it catches a lot of people by surprise because your odds change dramatically depending on which pool you enter. We explain the outfitter pool in detail, including how it works, when it makes strategic sense, and why some DIY hunters still take advantage of it through guide-only or semi-guided options. You’ll also hear how the random number assignment process works, how the state evaluates all three of your hunt choices before moving on to the next applicant, and why listing realistic backup codes matters if you truly want to hunt New Mexico. This episode also walks step-by-step through the full application timeline. The New Mexico big-game draw opens in mid-January and closes in mid-March, with draw results typically posted in late April. Because there are no preference points, staying consistent year after year is the only way to give yourself repeat chances at top-tier elk, mule deer, and pronghorn hunts. Matt covers required licenses, including the Game Hunting License and Habitat Stamp, and explains how New Mexico charges the full tag fee up front for every application. If you don’t draw, most of that fee is refunded automatically. Understanding these fees is critical, because payment failures are one of the most common reasons applications are rejected. For hunters new to New Mexico, this episode highlights the difference between high-demand units like the Gila and more attainable mid-tier units with solid public access and reliable harvest rates. Matt breaks down how to evaluate hunt codes, unit structures, weapon types, and season timing so you can build a realistic plan. The conversation explores why archery tags often provide better access to rutting bulls, how muzzleloader seasons create unique opportunities, and why practical hunt selection matters more than chasing legendary units with extremely low odds. If mule deer or pronghorn are your focus, you’ll hear how the northern deer units compare to the desert and prairie country farther south and east, and why certain pronghorn units give non-residents great opportunities with the right application strategy. This episode also explains why group applications can lower your odds in small pools, when it makes sense to apply individually, and how to balance your three choices to maximize opportunity. Matt shares practical strategies that veteran applicants use year after year: targeting overlooked units, mixing premium and attainable choices, and applying across weapon types to increase chances. He also covers the importance of reviewing the January proclamation each year to confirm hunt codes, weapon restrictions, and updated season dates, and how returned tags and reissued licenses offer a late-season opportunity for those willing to monitor the system. By the end, you’ll understand exactly how the New Mexico draw works,