North America
The Christmas Ranch is located along I-25, 9 miles south of Wagon Mound New Mexico in game unit 46. We are a family run cattle operation as well as a northern New Mexico hunting destination. We offer premier antelope and elk hunting on the families 15,000 acre ranch that is all deeded ground. There is no draw for our unit so having to deal with applications is not an issue on our ranch. Matt and Will Christmas are fifth generation ranchers from both sides of their family. They have run the hunting on Christmas Ranch for over 20 years now. The ranch has produced many antelope that have exceed the 82 inch Boone and Crockett mark for the record book. The ranch consistently produces 300 to 320 class elk with 100% success over the last 15 years. Several bulls have been taken that are bigger than 320, however 315 is the ranch average. Christmas Ranch has been 100% success on all antelope hunts over the last 20 years. We are a family run all inclusive operation that can cater to any hunters needs. We also book hunts in Africa for one of the premier operations in South Africa. We are happy to help with any questions and packages to be put together for your hunting needs. South Africa is an amazing hunting opportunity for any hunter as well as any family looking for the adventure of a lifetime. Please feel free to reach out with any questions regarding any hunts in North America or South Africa as we are happy to help.
Deposits and Booking
A 50% deposit will book the hunt for that season, with the full balance paid by August 15th. If a hunter has to cancel we will try to re-sell the hunt to fill the canceled spot. Deposits will only be refunded if the hunt has been rebooked by the Outfitter. Deposits and Balances are non-refundable if the hunt is canceled within 30 days of the start of the hunting season. We will work with hunters if possible but cannot roll over hunts to the following year due to a cancelation.
All hunts include meals lodging and guiding, as well as gutting and quartering your animal. The pricing does not include state license fees, taxidermy work, or any meat processing beyond quartering in the field. Hunters will be required to provide their own firearm, ammo, as well as hunting clothes, boots, binoculars, and any other personal effects needed during the hunt.
What To Expect On The Hunt
Hunters should zero their rifles 1 1/2 inches high at 100 yards from the bull’s-eye. This will allow most rifle calibers to be accurate from 230 yards and under. We highly recommend hunters bring at least a 270 caliber or larger for elk. A 30 caliber rifle is adequate and will do the best job on an elk. We require hunters use a 243 or larger caliber for pronghorn and recommend hunters use their most accurate rifle they are comfortable with. Most shots are 300 yards and under for both elk and antelope. Hunters should expect to do a lot of glassing and once we find an animal of interest, stocking to that animal to make a decision on harvesting it. Most of the terrain is not very extreme to walk on, however the ranch elevation is between 6000 and 6500 feet above sea level. Hunters should be in good enough shape to walk more than a mile without stopping. We strongly encourage hunters to be in the best physical shape they can be for the best hunt possible. Once the animal has been taken, Your guide will provide pictures of you and the animal, and will field dress the animal to be taken back to the lodge for further processing. Your guide will then quarter your animal and put it in your cooler to be further processed at your discretion. We do not process game meat beyond quartering.Â
We will hunt in the mornings and evenings, and will enjoy a relaxing lunch at camp every day. Hunters will be in the field before daylight during elk and deer season and will typically arrive back at the lodge after dark. During Antelope season we will leave the camp shortly after daylight and typically glass and stalk after goats most of the day. Hunters will typically shoot off of tripod shooting sticks. We usually hunt all day during Antelope season.
Price
Bull Elk-$10,000
Cow Elk-$2,000
Antelope-$6,500
Mule Deer-$10,500
Bear-$6,500
Lion-$6,500
Turkey-$3,500/two birds
Caping-$50
Guest fee-$150/day to be paid in advance.
Firearm Rental-$100/Day
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If a hunter wounds an animal we will only hunt for that animal. Any blood drawn is considered a wound. Hunters will not be allowed to hunt for a different animal if one is wounded.
Hunters will pay the entire hunt cost for wounding or killing game of the wrong species. New Mexico Game and Fish will be notified immediately if multiple animals or animals of the wrong species are wounded or killed. Hunters will not be allowed to continue to hunt if this occurs and no money will be refunded.
Hunters will be liable for any and all Livestock injured or killed.
