Learn more about the New Mexico guide draw process when utilizing this draw strategy when applying for hunts as a resident or nonresident and how it can improve your draw odds
Brady Miller's 2023 New Mexico oryx was taken in the guided draw with Black Horn Guide Service.
You can access Guided Draw Odds for New Mexico easily on Insider.
If you'd like to hunt in New Mexico for the 2025 season with an outfitter and are looking to improve your odds of drawing a tag, the New Mexico guide draw is a great way to increase your chances!
The deadline to apply for all species in New Mexico is March 19, 2025, at 5 p.m. MT. Note: This is also the deadline for the guided draw. You can apply online here.
Every year, New Mexico allocates a certain number of tags for residents and nonresident applicants who apply through a licensed New Mexico outfitter.
In the New Mexico draw, the draw system works this way: a minimum of 84% of the licenses are allocated to residents, 6% of draw licenses are allocated to nonresidents who apply without an outfitter, and 10% of draw licenses are allocated to applicants who apply with a registered New Mexico outfitter in the guide draw.
Both residents and nonresidents can apply with a guide and be considered to draw from the guide pool of permits.
When applying for the guided draw, you'll still need to purchase a non-refundable hunting license. Learn more about applying in New Mexico, tag fees and much more on our New Mexico State Profile.
New Mexico’s draw allocates up to 10% of all available big game licenses for each hunt code to someone applying through a licensed New Mexico outfitter. To apply in the 10% special drawing pool, a New Mexico outfitter shall execute a written contract with each applicant. Contracts must be signed and dated by all parties before applying in the guide drawing.
Note: It is unlawful for an outfitter or guide to contract with themselves or to guide themselves. A New Mexico outfitter may release a contracted hunter-client to another New Mexico outfitter provided that the original contract was valid, in place prior to the application deadline, and only if it is mutually agreed upon and signed by all parties.
A New Mexico outfitter shall ensure that each hunter-client who obtains a license through the 10% special drawing pool is accompanied by the outfitter or their registered guide for at least two days during the contracted dates of the hunt in the area where the hunter's license is valid. Accompanied means that the outfitter or their registered guide physically escort the hunter in the field during the hunter’s license hunt dates.
A hunter-client who obtains a license through the 10% guide draw and chooses to hunt beyond their contracted hunt dates must carry a copy of the contract while hunting if it had not been submitted electronically to the registrar at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled hunt. As stated above, it is unlawful to hunt with a license obtained through the 10% special drawing pool without being accompanied by — and contracted with — a New Mexico Outfitter or their guide for at least two days during the hunt. The guide must accompany the hunter for the first two days of their hunt.
Contracts are required by law. In an effort to protect both parties, contracts must designate the terms, hunt dates, guide to hunter-client ratio, and compensation charged. Contracts must be signed prior to applying in the draw or for private land hunts, prior to hunting. Read the contract carefully before signing it. The outfitter is only legally required to provide what is in the contract.
Draw odds can be significantly better in the New Mexico guide draw because fewer applicants are willing or able to apply with an outfitter.
If you apply in New Mexico with the mindset that when you draw, you'll use an outfitter, then the guide draw is for you. Additionally, an outfitter will be able to help you in selecting a unit that may fit your goals and objectives. Having a guide in your corner will also greatly improve your chances of harvesting an animal that meets your expectations.
You can see the draw odds for the New Mexico guided draw on our standalone Draw Odds page or you can see the guided draw odds on Filtering. Once you're on either of those pages, you will select New Mexico and then Guided. From there, select the species you're interested in. You can also research these hunting opportunities on our mobile app under the Research section.
For more application insights, you can also check out our updated New Mexico application strategy articles that will be released soon:
This article was initially released on February 20, 2024, and has been updated with more information.
To apply for the 10% guided draw, you need a registered New Mexico outfitter to execute a written contract with each special drawing pool applicant. Contracts must be signed and dated by all parties prior to the application for any special drawing pool license.
Next, apply online like normal here.
Then, once you get into the draw, select your species and hunt. Make sure that you select yes under the "Enter Outfitter Info For Outfitted Hunts Only."
This will open up a new section. There, you will check the box that you have a signed contract with the outfitter, and you'll enter the outfitter's number.
Next, you need to fill out the carcass tag requirement, add it to the cart, and check out.
