Property Description

Canon Bonita Ranch is an unparalleled and exceptional property that rarely becomes available on the market. Sprawling across 5,580± deeded acres of prime hunting land, this ranch is located in Mora County, New Mexico, East of Wagon Mound. An additional 880± acres of New Mexico State Land lease and 153± acres of landlocked BLM land bring the total to 6,613± expansive acres. Additionally, the property features a well-maintained 2 bed/1 bath home nestled in a scenic canyon and offers stunning views and complete privacy.

For over 25 years, the current sellers have dedicated themselves to wildlife management and habitat restoration, working with organizations such as NRCS, Fish and Wildlife, RMEF, and NWTF.  The sellers have worked with a wildlife biologist since 2016 to do a 5-year study on Mule Deer movement and habitat usage (some Mule Deer still carry the tracking collars). [NOTE: All wildlife on the property are free range and the only fencing is for cattle].  The property's Big Game sanctuaries, feeding areas, and year-round water sources continue to produce exceptional trophy Mule Deer and Elk, and support other game species like Bear, Mountain Lion, Turkey, and various small game.

Hunters will find the Canon Bonita Ranch a dream come true. The property is located in Game Management Unit 47, and offers private land, Over-the-Counter (OTC) Mule Deer licenses, private land OTC Elk licenses (obtained through a specific ranch code), OTC Bear licenses (with quota), OTC Mountain Lion licenses (with quota), and OTC Turkey licenses.

The Canon Bonita Ranch combines open meadows, deep canyons, thick vegetation, and Ponderosa Pines to provide a diverse habitat for wildlife. With a solar well, multiple windmills, natural springs, and seasonal dirt tanks, the property is well-watered, ensuring that wildlife has access to water year-round.

Canon Bonita Ranch is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a sprawling hunting property with a rich history of wildlife management and habitat restoration. The property is ready for its next stewards to continue its legacy of preserving and enhancing the natural habitat, wildlife, and ecosystem.

HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS

The Ranch has worked with Resource Management Services (a range land consultant) since 2003. An extensive watershed restoration program was implemented in 1995 and is still ongoing. The program started with brush control by hand (loppers and chain saw), then progressed to a skid steer and a front-end loader, with hired thinning crews employed periodically. A controlled burn program was initiated in 1997 and prescribed burns have been performed ranch-wide on an 8-10 year cycle (prescribed burns occurred in 1997, 2007, and 2015). In 2007, a riparian restoration project was started in the main canyon, repairing head cuts, building rock weirs, filter dams, cross veins, low water crossings, etc. From 2007 to 2021, approximately 75 structures consisting of 3.5 miles of improvements were built in the main canyon. In addition, another 75 structures were built in many of the smaller drainages.

CATTLE UTILIZATION

Canon Bonita Ranch has been managed for wildlife as a top priority since 1995. Cattle have been utilized as a range management tool only when there is an abundance of water and grass to sustain a high number of cattle (approx. 600 cows or 1,000 - 1,500 yearlings), and only during the winter months for a short period of time (Dec 15 - Apr 15). Yearlings are preferred because they utilize the rough country better. Winter-only grazing reduces the impact on wildlife and allows all grass seed to go back into the ground every year.  In addition, the dormant grasses are grazed only once, and the ranch is cleaned up for the next growing season. The number of cattle is managed to ensure that at least half of the water and half the grass is left for wildlife after the cattle leave.  With a high cattle stocking rate, the ranch makes the same amount of money in a four month period as it would if there were 125 head year-round, but with less impact on the ranch and on wildlife.   

 PROPERTY ATTRIBUTES

• 5,580± deeded acres
• 880± acres of New Mexico State Land Lease
• 153± acres Landlocked BLM 
• Vegetation includes Juniper, Pinon, Ponderosa Pine, Scrub Oak, and native grasses
• Access is off Highway 120 (paved). 
• Elevation 5,800-6,700 ft
• Three windmills
• One solar well 
• Natural springs
• Total of 14 seasonal dirt tanks 
• Private, interior two-track roads
• The ranch has not been grazed for the past several years

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 IMPROVEMENTS

• House built in 2000 (2 bed/1 bathroom, plus loft)
• In-floor radiant heat
• Well water to the house
• 20 ft storage container
• 5,000-gallon water storage at solar well

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 HUNTING/RECREATION

• UNIT 47
• Elk, Mule Deer, Turkey, Bear, and Mountain Lion hunting
• Private land, Over-The-counter (OTC), Mule Deer license.
• Private land Elk licenses are OTC through a specific ranch code.
• Private Land OTC Bear licenses with quota
• OTC Mountain Lion licenses with quota
• OTC Turkey licenses
• Located 50 minutes away is the NRA Whittington Center, which is easily accessible from I-25. More than 33,300 acres and 25 ranges are devoted to shooting for any discipline. Exceptional guided and unguided hunts, expert firearms training, lodging, cabins and camping, youth programs, a museum, a pro shop, and much more.
• Morphy Lake State Park (located 1 hour and 22 minutes away) is a lake stocked with rainbow trout and offers excellent fishing. Canoeing is also popular and this pristine scenic spot offers a unique opportunity for primitive camping. 
• Angel Fire Resort is a year-round mountain resort in northern New Mexico (23 miles from the town of Taos, 100 miles from Wagon Mound), offering great skiing and nestled into the Southern Rocky Mountains. With more than 2000 vertical feet, served by six ski lifts, three terrain parks, night skiing, and a tubing hill, Angel Fire Resort is the place to be for families!
• Taos Ski Valley is the largest ski resort in New Mexico, with almost 1,300 skiable acres. Located 20 miles north of Taos, 72 miles north of Santa Fe, 129 miles from Wagon Mound, and 150 miles north of Albuquerque, this northern New Mexico ski area offers a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and a great variety of runs. Taos Ski Valley sits at a base elevation of 9,200 feet and offers year-round activities, including summer mountain biking, hiking, and scenic lift rides for those searching for a view.

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LOCALE

• 34 minutes (38 miles) from Springer, NM
• 46 minutes (53 miles) from Las Vegas, NM
• 1 hour 6 minutes to Raton, NM
• 1 hour 25 minutes to Trinidad, CO
• 1 hour 44 minutes to Angel Fire, NM
• 49 minutes to Las Vegas, NM Municipal Airport
• 1 hour 47 minutes to Santa Fe Regional Airport
• 2 hours 26 minutes to Albuquerque International Sunport
• 3 hours 14 minutes to Colorado Springs Airport