Unit 2C, New Mexico

Elevation ranges from approximately 5,500 feet to 7,300 feet. The unit boundary runs from the US 550 / San Juan River junction at Bloomfield, east along the San Juan River to Largo Canyon, then southeast along Largo Canyon to its junction with Cereza Canyon, then southeast along Cereza Canyon to the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation boundary. The western three-quarters of the unit consists of broad sagebrush flats, low rolling hills, and sandstone ridges dissected by dry canyon washes — most notably Largo Canyon and Cereza Canyon. The terrain is generally moderate and accessible by 4WD vehicle. Sandy soils dominate much of the lower terrain, making tracking conditions favorable. No designated wilderness areas are present in the unit.

Primary highway access is via US Highway 550, which anchors the northwestern boundary, and US Highway 64, which meets US 550 in the northeast corner at Bloomfield. The unit is managed predominantly by the BLM Farmington Field Office (6251 College Blvd., Suite A, Farmington, NM 87402; 505-564-7600), which administers over 1.4 million acres in the San Juan Basin. BLM lands account for approximately 403,000 acres within the unit and are generally open to dispersed access. A network of county roads and oil-and-gas field roads crisscrosses the unit; maintained gravel and dirt roads provide good vehicular access throughout, though some oilfield roads are gated by operators. Hunters should use caution due to daily heavy oilfield truck traffic. US Forest Service land within the unit is limited (approximately 13,568 acres, associated with the Carson National Forest on the northeastern fringe). State Trust Land within the unit (approximately 46,976 acres) is accessible to licensed hunters under the NMDGF-State Land Office easement: a valid hunting license grants access during the open season and for a 14-day pre-season scouting window; ATVs are restricted to established roads only. Private land constitutes only about 11% of the unit. The Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation borders the southeastern portions of the unit and is not open to general public hunting. Angel Peak Scenic Area and Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness are managed by BLM in the broader region but are outside unit 2C boundaries.

The dominant cover type is shrub/scrub (approximately 80% of the unit), composed primarily of sagebrush across the flats and benches. Pinyon-juniper woodland occurs on the ridges and canyon rims throughout the unit. The northeastern corner transitions to ponderosa pine forest. Oak brush, bitterbrush, and other browse shrubs occur at mid-elevations along canyon walls. Willow and tamarisk line the bottoms of washes and the San Juan River corridor. Grassland and herbaceous cover accounts for roughly 13% of the unit; evergreen forest (ponderosa pine) approximately 5%.

Mule deer are the signature species and primary draw for hunters; the unit is regarded as one of New Mexico's premier trophy mule deer destinations, with resident bucks documented in the 195–236 inch Boone and Crockett range. San Juan County, which contains much of the unit, is cited as a top county nationally for B&C mule deer entries. The resident deer population is largely non-migratory, though seasonal influx from the adjacent Jicarilla Apache Reservation and southern Colorado occurs. The 2023–2024 NMDGF forecast identified the Northwest region (including GMU 2C) as having high deer densities with regional targets of 29 bucks per 100 does and 39 fawns per 100 does. Elk are present in both resident and migratory herds, with a 5-year average bull-to-cow ratio of 34 bulls per 100 cows; typical bulls average 290–320 inches with trophy potential above 330 inches. Five-year average success rates for elk: archery 20%, muzzleloader 40%, rifle 48%. Pronghorn antelope are also present and huntable in the unit. Black bear and cougar are present and huntable statewide under over-the-counter licenses; bear and cougar densities in this basin/shrubland unit are lower than in adjacent forested units. No bighorn sheep, oryx, Barbary sheep, javelina, or turkey are established as huntable populations in this unit.