I do want to comment about the Baca ranch. You said the Federal goverment paid for the Ranch. Your only partially right. Alot of the money came from NM game and fish,sportsman in the state and private the Federal goverment only kicked in some of the money. It was proclaimed that the ranch be ran to not require any more money from the Goverment both State and Federal. Even though it is ran by the goverment there was no way the ranch could make it if they allowed limited access and make it just another Federal Forest. So the board that oversees the ranch came up with the idea of the Raffle tickets and the auctions so that it can self sufficient. I do know of several people that at least proclaimed to have purchased $1,000 in tickets. But none drew that I know. I do want to say that I am glad they made this place public instead of it going to the Jicarilla Apaches. It was going to be sold to them if the state did not buy it. If the Jicarrila had bought it the tags would be about $10,000 plus a registerd Jicarila guide would be required to hunt on their land. They bought the Chama Land and Cattle Company about 5 years ago along with a few more smaller ranches around the Chama area. Don't know about you but I much rather have a slim chance of hunting such a great spot as the Baca Ranch where at any time you can view 500+ head of elk.

Great Hunting this fall