Overview
Known For
New Mexico is a big game hunter’s paradise, with elk, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, mountain lion, black bear, javelina, and pronghorn to pursue. Plus hunting for wild turkeys, small game, upland birds, and waterfowl makes New Mexico a standout state.
Terrain
From the Rocky Mountains in the north-central part of New Mexico to the plains on its eastern border, New Mexico’s terrain is quite diverse. Generally, the state is broken up into multiple regions: the Great Plains, the Colorado Plateau, the Rocky Mountains, and the Basin and Range region.
New Mexico Hunting Seasons
| Season | Start Date | End Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Antelope – Muzzleloader (Private Land) 1
Unit 4. Youth only.
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Aug 5, 2023 | Aug 7, 2023 |
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Antelope – 2nd Muzzleloader Limited
Units 29 , 50, and 52 (Youth only) |
Aug 5, 2023 | Aug 7, 2023 |
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Antelope – Bow Private Land
Unit 4
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Aug 8, 2023 | Aug 16, 2023 |
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Antelope – Bow (Private Land)
Unit 14, 46, 48, 54, 55
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Aug 12, 2023 | Aug 20, 2023 |
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Antelope – Bow Limited
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Aug 12, 2023 | Aug 20, 2023 |
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Antelope – 1st Muzzleloader Limited
Unit 50, 52
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Aug 26, 2023 | Aug 28, 2023 |
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Antelope – Any Weapon (Private Land) 1
Unit 14, 46, 48, 54, 55
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Aug 26, 2023 | Aug 28, 2023 |
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Antelope – Any Weapon Limited – Youth 1
Youth Only. Units 2, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 47, 56, 58, 59
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Aug 26, 2023 | Aug 28, 2023 |
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Antelope – Any Weapon Limited 1
Units 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 47, 56, 58, 59.
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Aug 26, 2023 | Aug 28, 2023 |
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Antelope – 4th Muzzleloader Limited
Unit 28 (McGregor Range)
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Sep 2, 2023 | Sep 3, 2023 |
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Antelope – Any Weapon – Mobility Impaired
Mobility Impaired Only. Units 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 47, 56, 58, 59.
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Sep 30, 2023 | Oct 2, 2023 |
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Antelope – Any Weapon (Private Land) 2
Unit 14, 46, 48, 54, 55
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Sep 30, 2023 | Oct 2, 2023 |
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Antelope – Any Weapon Limited 2
Units 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 47, 56, 57, 58, 59. |
Sep 30, 2023 | Oct 2, 2023 |
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Antelope – 3rd Muzzleloader Limited
Unit 29
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Sep 30, 2023 | Oct 2, 2023 |
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Antelope – Any Weapon (Private Land) 3
Unit 14, 46, 48, 54, 55
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Oct 7, 2023 | Oct 9, 2023 |
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Antelope – Any Weapon Limited 3
Units 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 24, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 47, 56, 58, 59.
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Oct 7, 2023 | Oct 9, 2023 |
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Antelope – Any Weapon Limited – Youth 2
Youth Only. Units 41, 47, 56, 57, 58, 59
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Oct 14, 2023 | Oct 16, 2023 |
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Bear – Early Any Weapon
Zone 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11. See regulations for units. Dogs allowed.
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Aug 16, 2023 | Aug 31, 2023 |
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Bear – Bow
Zone 1-14. Dogs are not allowed. |
Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 24, 2023 |
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Bear – Late Any Weapon
Zone 1-14. Seasons vary depending on unit. See regulations. Dogs allowed.
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Sep 25, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 |
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Bobcat
Statewide
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Nov 1, 2023 | Mar 15, 2024 |
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Coyote
No limit. No closed season.
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Jan 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Deer – Bow (Private Land)
Unit 8, 46, 54, 55. Private lands only. Unlimited tags available in most areas.
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Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 24, 2023 |
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Deer – Premium Statewide
Statewide.
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Sep 1, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Deer – Early Bow Draw Limited
Unit 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 56, 57, 58, 59.
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Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 24, 2023 |
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Deer – Early Restricted Muzzleloader
Unit 9, 52. Special restrictions on muzzleloader type. See regulations
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Sep 27, 2023 | Oct 3, 2023 |
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Deer – 1st Muzzleloader Limited
Unit 2, 7, 10, 14, 41, 42, 45, 47, 48, 56, 57, 58, 59.
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Sep 27, 2023 | Oct 3, 2023 |
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Deer – Muzzleloader (Private Land)
Units 8, 46, 54, 55 and 55B private lands only. Unlimited tags available in most areas.
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Sep 27, 2023 | Oct 3, 2023 |
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Deer – 2nd Muzzleloader Limited
Unit 6
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Sep 30, 2023 | Oct 4, 2023 |
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Deer – Any Legal Weapon (Private Land)
Unit 8, 46, 54, 55, 55B. Sesaon dates vary by unit. Check regulations for unit specific dates. Private lands only. Unlimited tags available in most areas.
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Oct 14, 2023 | Nov 26, 2023 |
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Deer – Late Restricted Muzzleloader
Unit 33. Special restrictions on muzzleloader type. See regulations
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Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 25, 2023 |
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Deer- 3rd Muzzleloader Limited
Unit 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43.
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Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 25, 2023 |
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Deer – Any Weapon Draw Limited
Unit 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59. Seasons vary by unit. Please check regulations.
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Oct 21, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Deer – 6th Muzzleloader Limited
Unit 12
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Oct 28, 2023 | Nov 1, 2023 |
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Deer – 4th Muzzleloader Limited
Unit 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.
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Oct 28, 2023 | Nov 1, 2023 |
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Deer – 5th Muzzleloader Limited
Unit 34
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Nov 4, 2023 | Nov 8, 2023 |
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Deer – 7th Muzzleloader Limited
Unit 19
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Dec 2, 2023 | Dec 6, 2023 |
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Deer – Late Bow Draw Limited
Unit 2, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41
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Jan 1, 2024 | Jan 15, 2024 |
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Duck – Central Flyway North and South Zone
September Teal. See regulations for bag limits.
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Sep 10, 2022 | Sep 18, 2022 |
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Duck – Central Flyway – North Zone
See regulations for bag limits.
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Oct 8, 2022 | Jan 11, 2023 |
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Duck – Pacific Flyway – North and South Zone
See regulations for bag limits.
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Oct 19, 2022 | Jan 31, 2023 |
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Duck – Central Flyway – South Zone
See regulations for bag limits.
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Oct 28, 2022 | Jan 31, 2023 |
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Elk – Muzzleloader 3 (Private Land)
Unit 13. Antlerless elk only (Also includes Crossbow and Archery) (License limited to any five consecutive days within a season listed).
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Jan 1, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 |
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Elk – Bow – Early (Private Land)
Unit 2, 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6C, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16A, 22, 16C, 16B/22, 16C16D, 16E, 17, 21A, 21B, 23, 24, 34, 36, 45, 48, 49, 50-53.
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Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 14, 2023 |
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Elk – Bow – Late (Private Land)
Unit 2, 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6C, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16A, 22, 16C, 16B/22, 16C16D, 16E, 17, 21A, 21B, 23, 24, 34, 36, 45, 48, 49, 50-53.
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Sep 15, 2023 | Sep 24, 2023 |
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Elk – Premium Statewide
Statewide. Check regulations for more info.
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Oct 1, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Elk – Bow Limited
Seasons vary by unit. See regulations.
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Oct 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Elk – Any Weapon Limited
Seasons vary by unit. See regulations.
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Oct 1, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Elk – Any Weapon 1 (Private Land)
Unit 4. License limited to any five consecutive days within a season
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Oct 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Elk – Muzzleloader 1 (Private Land)
Unit 2, 6A, 6C, 7, 10, 36, 45, 48, 52, 53 (Also includes Crossbow and Archery) (License limited to any five consecutive days within a season listed)
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Oct 7, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Elk – Youth Any Weapon (Private Land)
Unit 16C, 16E, 23, 24, 34.
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Oct 7, 2023 | Oct 11, 2023 |
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Elk – Youth Bow & Muzzleloader (Private land)
Unit 13, 15, 17. Limited to 5 consecutive days within the hunt period.
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Oct 7, 2023 | Oct 11, 2023 |
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Elk – Muzzleloader Limited
Seasons vary by unit. See regulations.
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Oct 7, 2023 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Elk – Any Weapon 2 (Private land)
Unit 5A, 5B, 12, 16B/22, 21A, 21B, 49, 50, 51
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Oct 7, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Elk – Any Weapon 3 (Private land)
Unit 2, 10, 6A, 6C, 7, 16A, 16C, 16D, 36, 45, 48, 52, 53.
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Oct 14, 2023 | Dec 13, 2023 |
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Elk – Muzzleloader 2 (Private Land)
Unit 9, 13, 15, 16E, 17, 23, 24, 34 (Also includes Crossbow and Archery) (License limited to any five consecutive days within a season listed).
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Oct 21, 2023 | Dec 13, 2023 |
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Elk – Any Weapon 4 (Private Land)
Unit 16E, 23, 24, 34.
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Oct 31, 2023 | Dec 13, 2023 |
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Statewide
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Nov 1, 2023 | Mar 15, 2024 |
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Goose – Central Flyway Dark
Dark goose daily bag limit of 5.
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Oct 17, 2022 | Jan 31, 2023 |
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Goose – Pacific Flyway South
Canada goose daily bag limit 4, white-fronted daily bag limit 10, light goose daily bag limit 20.
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Oct 17, 2022 | Jan 31, 2023 |
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Goose – Central Flyway Light
Light goose daily bag limit of 50.
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Oct 17, 2022 | Jan 31, 2023 |
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Goose – Pacific Flyway North 2
Canada goose daily bag limit 4, white-fronted daily bag limit 10, light goose daily bag limit 20.
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Nov 2, 2022 | Jan 31, 2023 |
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Goose – Central Flyway MRGV Dark
Canada and White-fronted goose daily bag limit of 2.
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Dec 19, 2022 | Jan 31, 2023 |
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Goose – Central Flyway Conservation Order
Light goose no limit.
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Feb 1, 2023 | Mar 10, 2023 |
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Grouse – Dusky (Blue)
Daily bag limit of 3. 6 in possession |
Sep 1, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 |
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Javelina – Statewide OTC
Statewide except Unit 19, 23-28. JAV-1-100, JAV-1-104 and JAV-2-103 Hunts: Javelina will be in small, isolated groups except in Units 23–27. |
Jan 1, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 |
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Mountain lion – Statewide
Before hunting, hunters must verify their preferred zone is still open. Check online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/information-by-animal/big-game/cougar or call: 1-877-950-5466. Mandatory Cougar Identification Course NMDGF requires all cougar hunters to successfully complete a cougar identification course. The cougar ID number is issued upon successful completion of the course through your NMDGF online account. |
Apr 1, 2023 | Mar 31, 2024 |
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Pheasant – Statewide OTC
Excludes Valencia County. Daily bag limit of 3 males. 6 in possession |
Dec 8, 2023 | Dec 11, 2023 |
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Quail – Statewide
Daily bag limit of 15.
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Nov 15, 2022 | Feb 15, 2023 |
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Sandhill Crane – Eastern
Sandhill crane daily bag limit of 3.
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Oct 29, 2022 | Jan 29, 2023 |
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Sandhill Crane – Middle Rio Grande Valley 4
Sandhill crane daily bag limit of 3.
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Jan 7, 2023 | Jan 8, 2023 |
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Sandhill Crane – Southwestern 2
Sandhill crane daily bag limit of 3.
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Jan 7, 2023 | Jan 8, 2023 |
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Sandhill Crane – Middle Rio Grande Valley 5
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Jan 14, 2023 | Jan 15, 2023 |
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Bighorn Sheep – Desert Ram
Unit 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 27. Seasons vary by unit. Please see regulations.
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Aug 18, 2023 | Jan 3, 2024 |
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Bighorn Sheep – Rocky Mountain Ewe
Unit 45, 49, 50, 53. Bow Only. Seasons vary by unit. See regulations.
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Sep 1, 2023 | Sep 10, 2023 |
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Bighorn Sheep – Rocky Mountain Ewe
Unit 45, 49, 50, and 53. Seasons vary by unit. See regulations.
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Sep 16, 2023 | Oct 4, 2023 |
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Bighorn Sheep – Rocky Mountain Ram
Unit 16B, 22, 23, 24, 45, 53, 55, 49, 50, 58. Seasons vary by unit. See regulations.
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Jan 1, 2024 | Jan 31, 2024 |
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Turkey – Spring Youth Only OTC
An early youth-only turkey hunt is available April 7–9 in all open units for spring hunting. Draw-permit areas are not open for youth-only spring OTC hunting, unless specified on the permit. |
Apr 7, 2023 | Apr 9, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring OTC
Areas Open for Spring OTC License Hunts: April 15–May 15 STATEWIDE: Except the following CLOSED AREAS: Unit 2A (areas east of U.S. Hwy. 550 and north of NM Hwy. 173); Unit 2B (areas in the Carson National Forest), Unit 2C (areas in the Carson National Forest); Units 6B, 8, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31; Bernardo WMA, Jackson Lake WMA, La Joya WMA, Marquez/LBar WMA, Prairie Chicken WMAs, Red Rock WMA, Valle Vidal, W.S. Huey WMA. |
Apr 15, 2023 | May 15, 2023 |
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Turkey – Spring Limited
Unit 2A (Areas east of U.S. 550 and north of NM Hwy. 173) – ) – Any Legal – Youth Only Unit 2B and 2C (Carson National Forest) – Any Legal Unit 6B (Valles Caldera National Preserve) – Any Legal – Apr. 15–30 *Hunter orientation required. Unit 8 – Any Legal *Shotgun, bow or crossbow, except in Sandia Ranger District which is bow and crossbow only. Unit 9 – Marquez/L Bar WMA – Any Legal – NM Resident Only Unit 26 and 27 (Gould’s Turkey) – Any Legal – Once-in-a-Lifetime – May 1–May 30 Unit 30 Washington Ranch and BLM Black River Management Area 3 (Youth Only) – Any Legal Apr. 28–30 (TUR–1–107) & May 5–May 7 (TUR–1–108)
Unit 55A – Valle Vidal – Any Legal (east side only from 5/1–5/15) |
Apr 15, 2023 | May 15, 2023 |
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Turkey – Fall Bow OTC
STATEWIDE: Except the closed areas listed below. CLOSED: Unit 2A (areas east of U.S. Hwy. 550 and north of NM Hwy. 173); Unit 2B (areas in the Carson National Forest); Unit 2C (areas in the Carson National Forest); Units 6B, 8, 14, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 38, 49, 50, 53; Bernardo WMA, Bill Evans WMA, Edward Sargent WMA, Jackson Lake WMA, La Joya WMA, Lake Roberts WMA, Marquez/LBar WMA, Prairie Chicken WMAs, Red Rock WMA, Rio Chama WMA, Sugarite Canyon State Park, Valle Vidal and W.S. Huey WMA. |
Sep 1, 2023 | Nov 30, 2023 |
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Turkey – Fall Any Weapon OTC
STATEWIDE: Except the closed areas listed below. CLOSED: Unit 2A (areas east of U.S. Hwy. 550 and north of NM Hwy. 173); Unit 2B (areas in the Carson National Forest); Unit 2C (areas in the Carson National Forest); Units 6B, 8, 14, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 38, 49, 50, 53; Bernardo WMA, Bill Evans WMA, Edward Sargent WMA, Jackson Lake WMA, La Joya WMA, Lake Roberts WMA, Marquez/LBar WMA, Prairie Chicken WMAs, Red Rock WMA, Rio Chama WMA, Sugarite Canyon State Park, Valle Vidal and W.S. Huey WMA. |
Nov 1, 2023 | Nov 30, 2023 |
The most accurate draw odds, harvest data, and application trends for hunters.
Toprut is designed to help hunters research, plan, and apply for hunts and tags every year.
- View draw odds for 11 western states.
- Explore comprehensive information on elk, deer, antelope, moose, sheep, mountain goat, and bison.
- Research using advanced filtering based on residency, species, weapon, and preference points.
- View success rates, harvest data, and applicant numbers to monitor trends.
New Mexico Draw Specifics
NEW MEXICO – ALL SPECIES
Point System
- New Mexico does not have any type of point system – all tags are issued via a random draw
- All applicants have the same chance to draw in their respective application type (Resident, Nonresident, Outfitter)
Tag Allocation
- A minimum of 84% of the total number of tags available for a given hunt are allocated to residents
- A maximum of 10% of the total number of tags available are allocated to applicants that have contracted with a licensed New Mexico guide or outfitter
- A maximum of 6% of the total number of tags available for a given hunt are allocated to nonresidents
- If you are curious about how they round these percentages for the final quotas, there is probably more information than you wanted to know available in this Toprut article from 2020
Understanding the Draw Odds
- In New Mexico, we include 1 draw odds column in our List View, Odds
- For each application, New Mexico considers your first 3 hunt choices before moving to the next application
- This makes calculating your true draw odds rather complex
- The odds we list are for a single applicant, Choice #1
- For information about how to maximize your chances in New Mexico, read this
Other Tips
- Review and consider using our special Draw Odds Calculator if you are curious about your draw odds by individual hunt choice
New Mexico Licenses, Permits, and Regulations
New Mexico hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish website. Click below to view the website.
Hunting GPS Maps
Every New Mexico hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. New Mexico hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of game management units, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for New Mexico.
Game Management Units
New Mexico is broken into many game management units (GMUs). Units 17 and 16-B are world-renowned for having some of the biggest bull elk. Every year these GMUs produce a few bulls pushing at or above the 400″ mark. It’s not uncommon to see many in those units between 330” – 350”. Click below to view New Mexico’s game management units in more detail through an interactive map.
Hunting Layers
NM Private Lands
Over 1,100,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in New Mexico. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.
NM Gov Lands
onX has the most accurate public lands maps with over 45,000,000 acres in New Mexico to help you plan your next adventure. Tap any public land parcel to learn more.
NM GMUs
New Mexico Bear, Big Game, Navajo Big Game and Cougar Game Management Units. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.
Includes 4 Sublayers
- Bear Mgmt Zones
- Game Mgmt Units
- Cougar Mgmt Zones
- Navajo Big Game Units
NM Possible Access
onX has mapped 21,000 acres of possible access lands in New Mexico including timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.
NM Open Gates
The New Mexico Game and Fish Open Gates. All hunters are expected to know the rules of the program. Please hunt responsibly and have a safe legal hunt.
NM Unitized Ranches
The New Mexico Game and Fish Unitized Ranches. All hunters are expected to know the rules of the program. Please hunt responsibly and have a safe legal hunt.
Elk Private Lands Use System(EPLUS)
New Mexico Elk Private Lands Use System(EPLUS)
NM State Land Hunting Points
The New Mexico State Trust land hunting access points, locations to access State Trust Lands that are open to the public for Hunting.
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- 975 million acres of public land
- 10,668 unique hunting units
- 421 map overlays and counting
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