High Desert Ranch

High Desert Ranch operates a family-owned hunting operation on 70,000 acres in the foothills of the Capitan Mountains near Bloomfield, New Mexico. The core hunting area spans 3,200 acres of Class A preserve where they've developed and managed a trophy desert mule deer herd since 2004.

The ranch closes to hunting for extended periods to allow the mule deer herd to mature and multiply. The result: a 2:1 buck-to-doe ratio and consistent sightings of mature bucks. Desert mule deer here are slightly smaller-bodied than Rocky Mountain mule deer, paler in color, with smaller rump patches and dark tail lines. Hunters regularly see hundreds of deer on each outing.

Hunting methods include tower blinds, ground blinds, tree stands, still hunting, and spot-and-stalk through heavy juniper and pinion pine cover. Guides help with field judging, and hunters can choose their weapon. Most shots occur under 300 yards, though the on-site rifle range supports practice out to 1,000 yards for those wanting extended-range confidence.

Bucks exceeding 200 inches are available—call for pricing. Additional mature bucks can be taken during any hunt at guide-quoted prices. A 50% non-refundable deposit (transferable to another hunter) reserves dates; balance due 20 days prior. Cash, check, and major credit cards accepted.

Completed in January 2010, the lodge anchors the hunting experience. Twenty-five-foot ceilings with heavy logs, a double-sided fireplace in the great room, and multiple lounge areas with flat-screen TVs set the atmosphere. Ten guest rooms feature two queen-size log beds each, private bathrooms, and full showers. Two handicap-accessible rooms have king beds with easy facility access.

The dining room, managed by certified chef Zan Mauler, prepares multi-course meals where hunters share the day's stories. A full bar, custom pool table, and bon fire pit provide evening gathering space. WiFi reaches all rooms and the business center, though disconnecting is entirely optional.

Non-hunters welcome at $150 per night. Private rooms available for an additional $100 per night.

1,000-Yard Rifle Range Hunt Manager Brian Cline and founder Steve Foutz routinely practice extended-distance shooting and can assist any hunter with shooting skill improvement. Understanding ballistics across varying distances is critical for confident hunting.

Professionally Designed Sporting Clays Course Five shooting stations with two throwing machines per stand, plus three alternative shooting positions per station. The course delivers variable trajectories, angles, speeds, elevations, distances, and target sizes for realistic upland hunting preparation.

Steve Foutz founded HDR on the principle: "dream big and never compromise quality." The ranch closed to commercial hunting for six years (2004–2010) while the mule deer herd matured. The primary goal remains becoming the preferred mule deer hunting destination in the country through optimized game management.

Brian Cline, Hunt Manager, was introduced to hunting in Colorado and has spent years refining skills specifically for mule deer and coues deer. He's a skilled marksman who works directly with clients to ensure successful harvests and memorable experiences.

The ranch sits at elevations between 5,000 and 6,200 feet in east-central New Mexico, roughly 28 miles east of Corona on Highway 247. Flights arrive daily into Albuquerque or Roswell. Terrain transitions from rolling grassland dotted with cholla cactus at lower elevations to juniper, pinion pine, and ponderosa forests at higher elevations.