Hunting Seasons & Licensing · NM
New Mexico Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonNew Mexico offers unique hunting opportunities in the American Southwest, with species including elk, mule deer, Coues white-tailed deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, oryx (on White Sands), javelina, and black bear. The state manages over 9 million acres of public land. New Mexico uses a drawing system for most big game, with a unique lottery that does not use preference or bonus points — every application has equal odds regardless of how many times you have applied.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Archery | Sep 1 – Sep 24, 2025 | 1 elk per license | Bow and arrow |
| Elk | Rifle | Oct through Nov (varies by unit) | 1 elk per license | Rifle, muzzleloader |
| Mule Deer | Rifle | Oct through Nov (varies by unit) | 1 deer per license | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Pronghorn | Rifle | Aug through Oct (varies by unit) | 1 pronghorn per license | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Oryx | General | Varies — multiple seasons | 1 oryx per license | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Barbary Sheep | General | Feb through Mar (varies by unit) | 1 sheep | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Black Bear | General | Aug through Nov (varies by zone) | 1 bear per year | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Javelina | General | Jan through Mar (varies by unit) | 1 javelina | Rifle, handgun, bow, muzzleloader |
| Mountain Lion | General | Apr 1 – Mar 31 (year-round) | 1 lion per year | Rifle, bow, handgun |
Elk (Archery): Draw required. Some OTC licenses in select units.
Elk (Rifle): All rifle tags by draw
Mule Deer (Rifle): Draw required
Pronghorn (Rifle): Draw required
Oryx (General): White Sands Missile Range. Draw required. Unique to New Mexico.
Barbary Sheep (General): Draw required. Canadian River Canyon and other areas.
Black Bear (General): OTC license available. Season may close early if harvest quota is reached.
Javelina (General): Draw required in most units
Mountain Lion (General): OTC license. Hound hunting permitted.
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merriam's Turkey | Spring | Apr 15 – May 15, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey per license | Shotgun, bow |
| Merriam's Turkey | Fall | Sep through Nov (varies by unit) | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Merriam's Turkey (Spring): Draw required
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scaled Quail | General | Nov 15 – Feb 15, 2026 | 15 daily | Shotgun |
| Gambel's Quail | General | Nov 15 – Feb 15, 2026 | 15 daily | Shotgun |
| Mourning Dove | General | Sep through Nov (split season) | 15 daily | Shotgun |
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Jan | 7 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Central Flyway.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Year-round | 10 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Jackrabbit | General | Year-round | No limit | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $24 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $125 | — |
| Resident Elk License | $50 (bull) / $35 (cow) | If drawn |
| Non-Resident Elk License | $550 (bull) / $300 (cow) | — |
| Resident Deer License | $38 | — |
| Non-Resident Deer License | $315 | — |
| Draw Application Fee | $6 per species | — |
| Youth (under 18) | Reduced fees | — |
| Habitat Stamp | $5 | Required for all hunters |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
New Mexico uses a purely random drawing system — there are no preference points and no bonus points. Every applicant has equal odds every year regardless of how many times they have applied. This is unique among western states and means a first-time applicant has the same chance as someone who has applied for 20 years. Applications are due in mid-March. Some archery elk and bear licenses are available over the counter. The draw system applies to elk, deer, pronghorn, oryx, Barbary sheep, javelina, bighorn sheep, and turkey.
Harvest Reporting
New Mexico requires mandatory harvest reporting for all big game species. Hunters must check in their harvest through the NMDGF online system or by phone within specified timeframes. All big game must be tagged immediately upon harvest. CWD surveillance is active — mandatory testing in designated areas.
New Mexico Wildlife Resources
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Operation Game Thief: 1-800-432-4263
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.