It's kinda funny you ask about that road. I can answer any questions you have about that area. Apart from being a NM Game Warden, I happen to own some property in that area and have hunted there my whole life. Contrary to what I've read on here, expect a top notch hunt- unseen by the majority of Mule Deer hunters in the west. Short of Paying the 10K+ to hunt the Jicarilla, you couldn't ask for a better place to find a trophy Muley.
I'd discourage you from trying that road- where the road/river comes back into NM it's all private and any scenario where you could manage to access the forest would be more of a pain in the butt then just driving up from 64 to the top of Carracas mesa for access to that country. We own much of the land along the bottom of Carracas Canyon, and while we've NEVER discouraged folks from hunting on or through or place, you'd pretty much have to shoot or stab yourself for us to open the gates for you. The landowners along the border will not want you there. Period. I've know guys that work that Northwest corner of the unit from a boat on Navajo, but keep in mind that much of that is Colorado/Southern Ute land and those game wardens would hound you working in from CO like that.
Anyway, theres lot of ground to hunt. That Northeast corner of the forestlooks great on a map- but several outfitter on horseback have "discovered" it and it's not any more special than the rest of the mesa anymore.
Let me know if you have any other questions. (Maybe I'll see you up there somewhere, I drew that tag too)
Mike.
?I want as game protectors men of courage, resolution, and hardihood, who can handle the rifle, ax, and paddle; who can camp out in summer or winter; who can go on snowshoes if necessary; who can go through the woods by day or night without regard to trails" Theodore Roosevelt-1899
