The ins and outs about New Mexico draw system for big game hunts to help you prepare to apply. If you're considering applying in New Mexico, this article is for you
New Mexico offers exceptional big game hunting with opportunities to pursue species such as elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, antelope, and bighorn sheep, and even some exotic species like aoudad, ibex, and oryx. The state's diverse landscapes include rugged mountains, vast deserts and lush forests that provide varied and challenging hunting experiences. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) regulates hunting through a draw system for many species to ensure sustainable populations. Hunters must navigate the state’s distinct climate and terrain, making each hunt a unique and rewarding adventure.
Before applying, it's essential to thoroughly understand New Mexico's draw and point system. By carefully planning and strategically managing your applications, you can enhance your chances of securing a tag and enjoying all that New Mexico has to offer.
Be sure to check out our Application Strategy articles to learn in-depth research and application tips when it comes time to apply in New Mexico.
New Mexico has a random draw system for all species. There is no preference or bonus point system. This means that every applicant is on an equal playing field to draw — even if this is the first year they are applying in New Mexico.
New Mexico has an interesting tag distribution where nonresidents are eligible to draw up to 6% of the total tags for a hunt. Applicants who apply with a licensed outfitter are eligible to draw up to 10% of the tags. However, neither of these percentages is guaranteed to any one application group and residents are guaranteed a bare minimum of 84% of the tags. The total number of permits for each hunt should be considered before applying. There are minimum numbers of permits required for nonresidents to have a chance to draw (6%). Make sure that there are enough permits for the hunts you apply for to offer you a chance in the draw. Every year, nonresident applicants apply for hunts that they have no chance to draw because there are not enough total permits.
Up to 10% of the permits for each hunt are allocated to applicants through the draw who have a signed agreement with a guide/outfitter. Both residents and nonresidents can apply with a guide and be considered to draw from the guide pool of permits. Once you have an agreement with a guide, you will apply in the draw with their guide number. If you enter the draw with a guide/outfitter and draw a permit, you are required to hunt in the field with that guide for a minimum of two days.
The draw odds are typically better for applicants applying with an outfitter. If you can afford a guided hunt in New Mexico, applying with a guide is a great way to improve your chances of drawing a permit.
New Mexico allows applicants to include up to five hunt choices when they apply. In the draw, they will consider your first three choices before moving to the next applicant.
To further explain: once your application is considered, they will attempt to allocate your first hunt choice. If no licenses remain for that choice, then they will consider your second choice. If no licenses remain for your second choice, then they will consider your third choice. If no licenses are remaining for the third choice, they will then move to the next application. Fourth and fifth choices are only considered if there are leftover permits after every application has been considered in the draw.
Because of the way New Mexico conducts its draw, there is some strategy in how you stagger your hunt choices. First, applicants should apply for a hunt for their first, second and third choice on their application. All of those choices matter and will be considered in the draw. Second, we recommend that you apply with the best hunt (worst odds) as your first choice and then select progressively better odds (average hunts) as your second and third choices. The reasoning behind this strategy is that, with a random draw, you never know what position your application will be in the draw. Your application could be one of the first selected in the draw and, as such, you want to receive the best permit/hunt possible. If your first hunt choice had better odds than your second and third choices, you are essentially wasting those choices.
Groups may apply together with up to four applicants for deer, elk, antelope and Barbary sheep, and up to two people for oryx and ibex. Nonresidents and residents can apply together in a party. A party application is treated as a single application in the draw. If selected, all applicants on the application will receive a license provided there are enough licenses to offer one to each applicant. New Mexico will not over-allocate the license quota to cover a group application. In the case that residents and nonresidents apply together, nonresident licenses are pulled from the nonresident quota. When applying as a party, one applicant will apply first and, upon completing the process, will receive a party application number. The rest of the party will then select “attach to an existing application” and then enter the application code.
Learn more information about hunting applications, draw systems, hunt regulations, tag allocations, and more in our State Profile sections:
