North-central New Mexico, specifically the Jicarilla Ranger District on the Carson National Forest, boasts rugged country home to elk, mule deer and other species. But getting to a portion of it became difficult after access was cut off via a route locals call La Fragua Road.

The New Mexico Game and Fish Department’s Open Gate Hunting and Fishing Access program took notice and identified a spot where constructing a short cutoff road from Dead Horse Tank Road would restore access. That’s where the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation stepped up. RMEF donated more than $12,000 and the state of New Mexico covered the remainder of the $50,000 project. So now hunters and others who enjoy the outdoors can access La Fragua Canyon, American Mesa and surrounding public land that totals about 11,000 acres.

So far, RMEF opened or improved access to more than 1.2 million acres across 23 states. Opening and improving public access is key to RMEF’s conservation work. To learn more about the sites and boundaries of RMEF access projects near you or your favorite hunting area, turn on the RMEF layer in the onX Hunt App.