New Mexico Hunting Seasons Information and Regulations
*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up to date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.
New Mexico is a great place for hunting, with its diverse array of wildlife and terrain. There are many different species that can be hunted, including deer, elk, antelope, turkey and javelina. The state offers both archery and rifle seasons as well as special opportunities such as youth hunts or guided hunts.
The hunting season in New Mexico begins in early September and runs through late April. The state is divided into four zones with different start dates and duration within each zone. Depending on the species, hunters can also apply for additional permits to hunt during certain extended periods such as the Sandhill Crane season or a Muzzleloader season.
New Mexico Deer Seasons
| Archery/Bow | Sept. 1 – 24 and Jan. 1 – 15 |
| Muzzleloader | Sept. 27 – Oct. 3 |
| General Season | Sept. 1 – Jan. 31 |
*New Mexico regulates some deer seasons by location. For more information on specific hunting dates in your part of the state, visit the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish website.
New Mexico Bear Seasons
| Bow Only (Zone 1 – 4–7, 51, 52) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 1 – 4–7, 51, 52) | Sept 25–Nov 15 |
| Bow Only (Zone 2 – Unit 2) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 2 – Unit 2) | Sept 25–Nov 15 |
| Any Legal (Zone 3 – 49, 50, 53) | Aug 16–31 |
| Bow Only (Zone 3 – 49, 50, 53) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 3 – 49, 50, 53) | Sept 25–Nov 15 |
| Any Legal (Zone 4 – 45, 46, 48) | Aug 16–31 |
| Bow Only (Zone 4 – 45, 46, 48) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 4 – 45, 46, 48) | Sept 25–Nov 30 |
| Any Legal (Zone 5 – 54, 55) | Aug 16–31 |
| Bow Only (Zone 5 – 54, 55) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 5 – 54, 55) | Sept 25–Nov 15 |
| Any Legal (Zone 6 – 39–43, 47, 59) | Aug 16–31 |
| Bow Only (Zone 6 – 39–43, 47, 59) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 6 – 39–43, 47, 59) | Sept 25–Nov 15 |
| Any Legal (Zone 7 – 56–58) | Aug 16–31 |
| Bow Only (Zone 7 – 56–58) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 7 – 56–58) | Sept 25–Nov 15 |
| Bow Only (Zone 8 – Unit 8) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal* (Zone 8 – Unit 8) | Oct 15–Nov 15 |
| Any Legal (Zone 9 – 9, 10) | Aug 16–31 |
| Bow Only (Zone 9 – 9, 10) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 9 – 9, 10) | Sept 25–Nov 15 |
| Bow Only (Zone 10 – 12, 13, 15–18, 20–24, 26, 27) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 10 – 12, 13, 15–18, 20–24, 26, 27) | Sept 25–Dec 15 |
| Any Legal (Zone 11 – 37, 38) | Aug 16–31 |
| Bow Only (Zone 11 – 37, 38) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 11 – 37, 38) | Sept 25–Nov 30 |
| Bow Only (Zone 12 – Unit 34) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 12 – Unit 34) | Sept 25–Dec 15 |
| Bow Only (Zone 13 – Unit 36) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 13 – Unit 36) | Sept 25–Nov 30 |
| Bow Only (Zone 14 – Unit 14) | Sept 1–24 |
| Any Legal (Zone 14 – Unit 14) | Oct 15–Nov 15 |
*Dates for the season vary by zone. Visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website to learn more about hunting in a specific zone or area.
New Mexico Wild Turkey Seasons
| Bow Only (2B – Carson national forest) | Apr 15–May 15, 2024 |
| Bow Only (2C – Carson national forest, youth only) | Apr 15–May 15, 2024 |
| Bow Only (2A – areas east of US 550 and north of NM 173, youth only) | Apr 15–May 15, 2024 |
| Bow Only (6B Valles Caldera national preserve) | Apr 15–Apr 30, 2024 |
| Bow and Crossbow Only (8 – Sandia ranger district) | Apr 15–May 15, 2024 |
| Any Legal (9 Marquez/LBar WMA) | Apr 15–May 15, 2024 |
| Once-in-a-lifetime (26 and 27) | May 1–May 30, 2024 |
| Youth Only (30 Washington ranch and Black river management area) | Apr 26–Apr 28, 2024, May 3–May 5, 2024 |
*Dates for the season vary by zone. Visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website to learn more about hunting in a specific zone or area.
In New Mexico, Merriam’s wild turkeys are the most prevalent subspecies. They are typically found in ponderosa pine habitats, particularly in the mountainous western United States. Additionally, they have expanded into the state’s foothills and some plains river valleys.
New Mexico Pronghorn Seasons
| Hunt Type (Zone) | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2, 7, 9, 10 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28 |
| 12 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Oct 7-9 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 13 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 15 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Oct 7-9 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 16 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 17 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 18 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2 |
| 19 (WSMR) (Oct 6-8, youth only) | |
| 20 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28 |
| 21, 24 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 22, 23 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only) |
| 25, 26, 27 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only) |
| 28 (McGregor Range) (Sep 2-3, military only) | Sep 2-3 (military only) |
| 29 (Aug 26-28, youth only) | Aug 26-28 (muzzleloader) |
| Sep 30-Oct 2 (muzzleloader) | |
| 30 (Aug 12-20, bow) | |
| 31 (north of US 380) (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 31 (south of US 380) (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 32 (east of Pecos River) (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 32 (west of Pecos River) (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9, Dec 1-15 (Roswell hunt area only, female/immature) |
| 33 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 36, 37 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 38 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
| 39 (Aug 12-20, bow) | Aug 26-28 (youth only), Aug 26-28, Sep 30-Oct 2, Sep 30-Oct 2 (mobility impaired only), Oct 7-9 |
*Dates for the season vary by zone. Visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website to learn more about hunting in a specific zone or area.
New Mexico Sheep Seasons
| Unit 28 (Dec 9-13) | Dec 30-31, Jan 6-7, 2024 |
| Units 29, 30 (Oct 10-16) | Dec 4-10, Dec 15-21, Jan 20-Feb 27, 2024 |
| Units 32, 36, 37 (Oct 10-16) | Dec 4-10, Dec 15-21, Jan 20-Feb 27, 2024 |
| Statewide | Apr 1 – Mar 31, 2024 |
*Dates for the season vary by zone. Visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website to learn more about hunting in a specific zone or area.
In the Pecos, Latir, and Wheeler Peak Wilderness, hunters hunt in the mountains between 12,000 and 13,000 feet. Due to the fact that the majority of bighorn herds live far from trailheads, horseback travel is frequently the most convenient mode of transportation.
New Mexico Ibex Seasons
| Statewide (Florida Mountains Hunt Area) | Oct 1-15, Jan 15-29, 2024, Nov 15-29, Dec 27-Jan 10, 2024 |
| Statewide | Feb 17-23, 2024, Dec 9-13, Feb 3-7, 2024, Apr 1 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| Unit 17 | Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
*Dates for the season vary by zone. Visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website to learn more about hunting in a specific zone or area.
New Mexico Oryx Seasons
| Units 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 17 | Year-round |
| Unit 18 | Year-round |
| Unit 19 | Year-round |
| Unit 20 | Year-round |
| Unit 21 | Year-round |
| Unit 28 (Dec 16-17) | Jan 6-7, 2024 |
| Statewide | Jun 1 – Mar 31, 2024 |
*Dates for the season vary by zone. Visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website to learn more about hunting in a specific zone or area.
New Mexico Javelina Seasons
| Unit 28 | Dec 9-13, Dec 30-31, Jan 6-7, 2024 |
| Units 29, 30 | Aug 15 – Feb 15 |
| Units 32, 36, 37 | Aug 15 – Feb 15 |
| Statewide | Apr 1 – Mar 31, 2024 |
*Dates for the season vary by zone. Visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website to learn more about hunting in a specific zone or area.
New Mexico Cougar Seasons
| A – 2, 7 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| B – 5, 6, 50, 51 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| C – 43, 45, 46, 48, 49, 53 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| D – 41, 42, 47, 59 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| E – 9, 10 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| G – 13, 17 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| H – 18, 19, 20 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| I – 36, 37, 38 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| J – 15, 16, 21 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| K – 22, 23, 24 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| L – 25, 26, 27 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| M – 31, 32, 33, 39, 40 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| N – 4, 52 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| O – 12 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| P – 56, 57, 58 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| Q – 28-30, 34 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| R – 54, 55 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
| S – 8, 14 | Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024 |
*Dates for the season vary by zone. Visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website to learn more about hunting in a specific zone or area.
New Mexico Small Game Seasons
| Quail | Nov. 15 – Feb. 15 |
| Dusky Blue Grouse | Sept. 1 – Dec. 31 |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove | April 1 – March 31 |
| Pheasant | Dec. 8 – 11 |
| Squirrel | Sept. 1 – Dec. 31 |
*Dates for the season vary by zone. Visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website to learn more about hunting in a specific zone or area.
New Mexico Crossbow Regulations
Crossbow Specific Regulations: In New Mexico, bear hunting with crossbows is legal; cougar; elk; deer; javelin; pronghorn; savage sheep; oryx; Ibex from Iran; horned sheep; turkey, and Unless otherwise restricted, crossbows can be used in muzzleloader or any other legal sporting arm season.
New Mexico Hunting License
Anyone hunting game species in New Mexico must have a license and purchase one. A Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV) license is also required by state law for anyone applying for or purchasing a big-game or turkey license.
In New Mexico, special drawing is used to issue the majority of public-land hunting licenses and permits for big game hunting. Small game can be hunted on public land without a license (a game hunting license is required for upland game and migratory game birds); turkey, bear, cougar, and Barbary sheep, javelina, and ibex in limited areas. For deer, pronghorn, oryx, and Barbary sheep, private-land opportunities are available over the counter. You can get a private-land elk license by getting an authorization number from a landowner.
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