Big game hunting for 2011 in the Santa Fe National Forest begins with bow hunting September 1 and continues with rifle hunting through November and December in areas monitored by Site Stewards.  Also, some areas in the Jemez and Garcia may be affected by closure following the Las Conchas fire, so be sure to check with team leaders in those areas.

As you plan your site visits we encourage you to be especially aware of your surroundings. Stewards should wear some international orange clothing article and avoid "typical big game colors" white, black, tan, and brown. Note that the "any legal sporting arm" hunts start on a Saturday and end on Wednesday at sundown. Thursday and Friday are not hunting days for firearms.  However, bow hunting does occur on these days.  Also, hunting activity is most intense during early morning hours and late afternoon, so mid-day hikers are less likely to encounter hunters.

The summary below of the State's big game hunting proclamation is for the areas we monitor. For the official proclamation and maps of hunting units, go to: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/index.htm

Caja del Rio - included in Game Unit 6C. Likely little hunting activity but here are the dates:

•  Deer: Sept. 1-22 (bow hunting);
  Oct. 1-5 (muzzleloaders);
  Oct.15-19, Nov 5-9 (any legal sporting arm).

• Elk: Sept. 1-15, 16-22 (bow hunting);
  Oct. 8-12 (muzzleloaders);
  Oct. 15-19, 22-26, Oct.29-Nov.2, Nov.25-30, Dec. 26-30 (any legal sporting
  arm).

Gallina - included primarily in Unit 5B with a few sites in Unit 5A.

5B: (Llaves area and east to Chama R.)

• Deer: Nov. 5-9, 23-27 (any legal sporting arm).
• Elk: Sept. 1-15, 16-22 (bow hunting);
  Oct. 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, Oct.29-Nov.2, Nov. 25-29, Dec.17-21 (any legal sporting arm).
  

5A: (Continental Divide and points west.)

• Deer: Sept.1-22 (bow hunting);
  Nov. 8-14 (any legal sporting arm).
• Elk: Sept. 1-22 (bow hunting);
  Oct. 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-Nov 2 (any legal sporting arm).

Garcia - included in Game Unit 6C.

• Deer: Sept. 1-22 (bow hunting);
  Oct. 1-5 (muzzleloaders);
  Oct.15-19, Nov.5-9 (any legal sporting arm).

• Elk: Sept. 1-15, 16-22 (bow hunting);
  Oct. 8-12 (muzzleloaders);
  Oct. 15-19, 22-26, Oct.29-Nov.2, Nov.25-30, Dec. 26-30 (any legal sporting arm).

Jemez - included in Game Unit 6A.

• Deer: Sept. 1-22 (bow hunting);
  Oct. 1-5 (muzzleloaders);
  Oct.15-19, Nov. 5-9 (any legal sporting arm).
• Elk: Sept. 1-15, 16-22 (bow hunting);
  Oct. 8-12 (muzzleloaders);
  Oct. 15-19, 22-26, Oct. 29-Nov.2, Nov. 25-29, Dec. 26-30 (any legal sporting arm).

Rio Chama - included in Game Unit 6C.

• Deer: Sept. 1-22 (bow hunting);
  Oct. 1-5 (muzzleloaders);
  Oct.15-19, Nov. 5-9 (any legal sporting arm).

• Elk: Sept. 1-15, 16-22 (bow hunting);
  Oct. 8-12 (muzzleloaders);
  Oct. 15-19, 22-26, Oct.29-Nov.2, Nov.25-30, Dec. Dec. 26-30 (any legal sporting arm).

Pecos - included in Game Unit 43.

• Deer: Sept. 1-22 (bow hunting);
  Sept. 24-30 (muzzleloaders);
  Oct. 22-26, Oct. 29-Nov. 2 (any legal sporting arm).
• Elk: Sept. 24-28 (any legal sporting arm).