NEW MEXICO LAWS & REGULATIONS

What are the Laws and Regulations for Hunting in New Mexico?

The Game & Fish of New Mexico mission is to conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state using a flexible management system that ensures sustainable use for public food supply, recreation and safety. When hunting seasons begins, all hunters must have a hunting license as well as other required permits unless they are exempt. It is unlawful to hunt from a powered-on vehicle or use any aircraft to locate any wild game. It is also illegal to discharge 150 yards to public roads or occupied buildings. State law prohibits any interference with other hunters who are lawfully hunting as it will be a petty misdemeanor of harassment. It is illegal to trespass private land along with destroying the natural habitats of all species. No hunter shall poison, sell, buy, or willfully waste any game, unless is specified to do so.

*Visit New Mexico’s Hunting Regulations Guide for More Information*

FEATURED ANIMALS

ibex

The Ibex hunt can be a very difficult hunt as it is only a draw hunt. To successfully hunt the ibex, hunters must apply for a draw tag, have a valid hunting license, as well as an ibex permit. The daily bag limit for the ibex in New mexico varies on the area hunters are hunting.

General Season: Dec. 6 – March 26, 2021
Archery Season: Oct. 1 – 15, 2020 ; Jan. 15 – 29, 2021

*Seasons differ based on different locations – Visit New Mexico’s Ibex Seasons and Bag Limits/Restrictions for more information*

pronghorn

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish estimated between 40,000 and 45,000 pronghorn in the state. All pronghorn hunters must have a valid hunting permit, a prongorn permit, and a carcass tag. The daily bag limit and horn restrictions varies in different areas.

General Season: Aug. 15 – 27, 2020
Archery Season: Aug. 4 – 12, 2020

*Seasons differ based on different areas – Visit New Mexico’s Proghorn Seasons and Bag Limits/Restrictions for more information*

orynx

Native to the Kalahari Desert, the African oryx, or gemsbok (Oryx gazella), is a large antelope that now lives in southern New Mexico. State law rerquires all hunters must possess a valid license, an orynx permit, and a carcass tag. All successful oryx harvests must be tagged. Those who have held an once-in-a-lifetime oryx license may apply for a broken-horn oryx hunt. No hunter shall hunt more than one (1) male or female orynx.