New Mexico Hunting Seasons 2025: Dates, License&Regulations

Ready to prepare for an unforgettable adventure in the New Mexico Hunting Season? New Mexico’s diverse terrain and thriving elk populations have made it a popular destination for hunters statewide.

In this guide, we will provide important dates, rules, and licensing information for big game and small game hunting seasons for different game species. Keep updated!

New Mexico Deer&Elk Seasons

In 2025 – 2026, the deer and elk season schedules have some changes in the season dates and hunting units. Here are the details to check before going on a trip:

Elk Seasons and Zones

📅Resource: Elk Seasons Printable Calendar.

Deer Hunting Seasons and Zones

📅Resource: Deer Seasons Printable Calendar.

How To Apply For Draw Hunt In New Mexico?

The New Mexico Department offers chances for big game like deer and elk hunting on public lands with Draw Licenses, as well as on private properties.

The deadline to apply for draw licenses is March 20.

Non-residents cannot participate in certain hunts held on WMAs or any antlerless elk draw licenses.

Each draw application receives a random sequence number in the automated system, which is then used to match the choices on the application with available licenses or permits according to the quotas provided.

Successful applicants will receive an elk draw license/tag by mail, or they can choose the E-Tag option. The license provides details such as hunt code, unit description, sporting-arm type, season dates, and bag limit. Tags come with instructions for proper tagging.

The draw license fee is: residents $7 and non-residents $13.

New Mexico not only offers great opportunities for hunting big game, but also for other game species. Try not to limit yourself to elk hunting, and check the hunting seasons for other prey as follows.

New Mexico Waterfowl Seasons

The waterfowl seasons are more complicated as it is divided into different species from different flyways.

*For Youth Waterfowl seasons, youth hunters can only take ducks, coots, and gallinules in the Pacific Flyway; and only ducks and coots in the Central Flyway.

New Mexico Upland Game Seasons

📅Resource: Upland Game Seasons Printable Calendar.

New Mexico Turkey Seasons and Bag Limits

Spring Over-the-Counter (OTC) License Hunts: April 15–May 15 (two bearded turkeys)

Youth-Only Spring OTC License Hunt: April 11-13 (two bearded turkeys)

Turkey Draw Permit Seasons:

📅Resource: Turkey Seasons Printable Calendar.

New Mexico Migratory Bird Seasons

Here are some common rules you should know:

• Permit Required: Hunters need different types of permits to hunt migratory birds, such as the Free Band-tailed Pigeon Permit, Light Goose Conservation Order Permit, Sandhill Crane Permit, etc.
• Ammo: Only use USFWS-approved nontoxic shot.
• Hunting Hours (Migratory Birds): Legal shooting time is from ½ hour before sunrise until sunset.
• No Shooting from Vehicles/Boats: It’s illegal to fire at protected species while in or on a motor vehicle or boat.
• Allowed Methods: You can use decoys, blinds, and dogs when hunting migratory game birds.
• Illegal Methods: Baiting is strictly prohibited.
• Banded Birds: If you harvest a banded bird, you must report it.
• Sandhill Crane Hunts: You’ll need to apply for a drawing online or by phone. The deadline is August 13, 2025.
• Youth Hunts: Hunters must be 17 or younger and fully licensed. They don’t need a special permit, but they must be accompanied by an older, licensed hunter.

New Mexico Furbearers Seasons

*No open seasons for the following furbearer animals: mink, river otter, black-footed ferret, marten, Mexican wolf, lynx or coatimundi.

📅Resource: Furbearer Seasons Printable Calendar.

New Mexico Big Game Seasons

Bear Seasons

*Except for the bear hunting licenses, hunters also need to apply for a bear draw permit to hunt in the specific season. The deadline is Feb. 12, 2025. Each hunter may only take one bear per year.

Cougar Seasons

Date: April 1, 2025–March 31, 2026

Bag Limits: Two cougars

The season may close earlier if the harvest numbers have reached 90% of the total limit. So, before planning your hunt, you should check the quotas and see if your preferred zone is still open for hunting.

Pronghorn Seasons

*The legal Pronghorn you can hunt is as follows:

• MB: A pronghorn with at least one horn longer than its ears.
• ES: Either sex (any one pronghorn).

📅Resource: Pronghorn Seasons Printable Calendar.

New Mexico Hunting Licenses

These are the licenses that you can directly buy over the counter:

For drawing licenses and permits that you need to apply for, the fees are different:

Notes:

• There will be a $9 landowner administrative fee for hunting in the Primary and Special Management Zones.
• Every hunter must have a valid license and permit if needed.
• To hunt big game, hunters need a Game-Hunting License.
• Big-game hunters must have a carcass tag for each species unless choosing the E-Tag option.
• Hunters under 17 must have a Hunter Education or ‘‘mentor youth’’ number.
• Hunters and trappers on private lands need written permission from the landowner.

To buy hunting licenses or permits, please visit the official online licensing system, create a customer account, and then you can choose to buy the license you plan to hunt.

Conclusion

As we finish our discussion on New Mexico Hunting Seasons, we trust you are ready to be well prepared for the early season in this remarkable state.

New Mexico offers top-notch elk populations, and various hunting opportunities on both public and private lands, making it a prime destination for hunters.

Be sure to review and abide by the rules and regulations established by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to ensure a responsible and sustainable hunting experience.