Ruidoso, NM 88345(Lincoln County)

This part of New Mexico, Lincoln County is steeped in the history of Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County range war. John Tunstalls ranch was located southeast of Picket Ranch. The ranch is surrounded by other large ranches and joins the 486,000-acre Mescalero Apache reservation along the ranches western boundary.

The Mescalero elk genetics consistently produce 300-360 B&C world class elk. Both the quality and the quantity of mature bulls is present on the ranch. The elk season is in a non-core area which provides for an elk season from Oct 1st Dec 31st. An over-the-counter tag can be purchased for any consecutive 5 days during this period. The ranch is also located in an EPLUS-Secondary zone, so no specific elk management goals are set, and the license is over the counter with unlimited number of tags for the ranch. The ranch is in NM Fish and Game Units 32 and 36. There is an outfitter currently guiding hunts on the ranch.

The ranch has produced 180 + B&C mule deer. The other wildlife present on the ranch include Muir Quail, Merriams turkey, barbary sheep, black bear, bobcat, coyote, and fox.

The carrying capacity of the ranch for cattle is 300 animal units. The cattle operation is currently operated by an adjoining ranch.

The roads on the ranch are what set this ranch apart from others. The caliche base roads provide access to all parts of the ranch, so that hunting and recreation are accessible on the entire ranch. There are 4 gravel pits that have a large stockpile of crushed gravel available for road repairs, or new road construction.

The ranch features Burro Lake, as well as 7 water wells which feed miles of pipelines that supply water to drinkers and dirt stock tanks, located throughout the ranch. This investment by the owner has greatly benefited the distribution of wildlife throughout the entire ranch. It has also helped utilize the available grazing for the cattle operation.

The ranch structures include 2 houses and a barndominium hunting lodge that sleeps 10.