Lower Montane Ranch is a rare 143 acre inholding that is completely surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of Carson National Forest. The property offers unmatched privacy, sweeping views of the Tusas Valley, and exceptional big game hunting at 9,000 feet in the heart of northern New Mexico's high country. Located in GMU 51A, the property qualifies for EPLUS elk authorizations as a Small Contributing Ranch, with 2026 licenses conveying, along with OTC opportunities for mule deer, bear, mountain lion, turkey, and small game. Featuring seasonal water, diverse timber and grassland habitat, and 100% mineral rights with historic mining claims, this is a truly unique holding with strong recreational, ranching, and income potential, just minutes from Tres Piedras and within easy reach of Santa Fe.
Property Attributes
143 acres
100% Mineral Rights (convey with property)
Seasonal Stream
Propert...
Property Use: Hunting, Ranching
Elevation: 9,000 ft
Surrounded by tens of thousands of acres of National Forest
Seasonal access via Forest Road 91
Special Use Permit - Private access
Vegetation: pines, aspens, fir, and native grasses.
Hunting
Elk and deer are plentiful year round on the Lower Montane. Located in GMU 51A the property qualifies for EPLUS elk licenses, Over-the-Counter (OTC) deer, bear, Mt. lion, turkey, and small game hunting opportunities. As a Small Contributing Ranch (SCR) the Lower Montane is entered into the landowner drawing for a mature bull, either sex archery, or antlerless tag. The ranch has historically received at least 1 antlerless authorization per year. 2026 EPLUS authorizations will convey to the buyer.
Elk
51A EPLUS
Small Contributing Ranch
Contact Broker for 2026 awarded license type
Mule Deer
51A
Over-The-Counter
Archery - Sep. 1-24, 2026
Any Legal Weapon - Oct. 31 - Nov. 4
Black Bear
Over-The-Counter
Zone 1 Quota Applies
Archery - Sep 1- 24
Any Legal Weapon - Sep 15 - 25
Mt. Lion
Over-The-Counter
Zone B
April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027; see regulations for further details
Turkey
Over-The-Counter
Spring - April 15 - May 15
Fall - Archery - Sep 1-30; Shotgun - Nov 1-30
Access
Current access to the property from Tres Piedras is from Forest Service Rd 91 via FSR 42 and US Highway 64. The current landowner has filed for a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the US Forest Service to obtain permanent private access from FS Rd 91 to the property. The SUP will be conveyed with the property to the new owner.
Mineral Rights
The current landowner possesses 100% of the mineral rights for the property. The property is made up of multiple mining claims and historic mines are present. Mineral rights will be conveyed to the new owner with the purchase.
Income Opportunities
Hunting
Cattle Grazing
Mining
Location
Tres Piedras, NM: 20 minutes(small town)
Ojo Caliente, NM: 45 minutes (small town, hot springs resort)
Espanola, NM: 1.25 Hours (hospitals, restaurants, grocery stores)
Santa Fe, NM: 1.75 Hours (hospitals, airport, restaurants)
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