New Mexico Regulations
Hunting and fishing regulations, seasons, species information, and public access resources for the state of New Mexico.
Overview
New Mexico offers desert basins, high mountains, mesas, forests, and world-class big-game hunting — including some of the most sought-after elk and pronghorn tags in the country.
Below are quick links to seasons, species, licensing, and access information.
Season Information
- Elk (archery, muzzleloader, rifle — limited entry)
- Mule Deer & Coues Deer (draw-based)
- Pronghorn (limited entry)
- Oryx (White Sands Missile Range — lottery)
- Barbary Sheep (draw & OTC in select units)
- Ibex (lottery)
- Bighorn Sheep (Rocky Mountain & Desert — lottery)
- Black Bear & Cougar
- Turkey seasons (spring & fall)
- Small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel)
- Fishing seasons (trout, bass, walleye, catfish)
Licensing
New Mexico requires appropriate licenses for hunting and fishing activities.
- Hunting license (resident & non-resident)
- Fishing license (annual, 1-day, 5-day)
- Big-game draw applications (elk, deer, pronghorn, sheep, exotics)
- OTC opportunities (Barbary sheep, javelina, small game)
- Habitat stamp (required on federal lands)
- Harvest reporting (mandatory for all big game & turkey)
Key Species
- Elk
- Mule Deer
- Coues Deer
- Pronghorn
- Oryx
- Barbary Sheep
- Ibex
- Bighorn Sheep
- Black Bear & Cougar
- Trout (rainbow, brown, cutthroat)
- Bass, Walleye, Catfish
Public Land & Access
New Mexico offers extensive public access through national forests, BLM lands, state trust lands, and unique military-managed hunting areas.
- National Forests (Gila, Carson, Santa Fe, Lincoln, Cibola)
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands
- State Trust Lands (with permit)
- White Sands Missile Range (special hunts)
- Walk-in access & private land agreements
- Major rivers & reservoirs (Rio Grande, Elephant Butte, Navajo Lake)