Important Dates

Draw System

Getting a Tag

Hunting Rules

Multiple big game species are available for hunting in New Mexico, including exotics. With no preference or bonus point system in place, it is never too late to begin applying in New Mexico. Nonresident tags have challenging odds of drawing in many of the highly desired units for all species. Several less desirable units have deer and elk tags left over after the initial draw. Big bull elk, top end desert sheep and the unique opportunity to hunt ibex and oryx, make New Mexico an awesome opportunity. Ten percent of the tags for each species are set aside for clients that are contracted with a licensed New Mexico outfitter. Six percent of the tags are set aside for nonresident hunters not applying with an outfitter. The final 84 percent of the tags are allocated for the resident applicants. If there are less than 10 tags for any given hunt, then all tags are given to the resident applicants.

License costs

Species Costs

Important Dates

Tag lottery (Drawing)

New Mexico has a drawing for big game tags. When an application is drawn, the first three choices are considered before the next application is drawn. Typically most of the hunt choices are filled during this first pass and there is usually no need for a fourth choice on the application. If a fourth choice is filled out on the application, this indicates that you are willing to accept any undersubscribed tag for that species, including antlerless.

Preference points/Bonus points: New Mexico does not have a point system in place for their big game draw.

Nonresident allocation

Application choices

Four hunt choices are allowed per species, but only the first three choices are considered prior to considering the next application. Most tags are allocated during this pass, prior to any fourth choice being considered. If you list a fourth choice, then you are willing to accept any undersubscribed tag, including antlerless. Please read “Tag lottery” and “Nonresident allocation” for details on the drawing process.

Party applications

For party applications in New Mexico, the first applicant will create a new application. Upon completing the process, the applicant will receive an application number and an attach code. All subsequent applicants will need to select “attach to an existing application” then enter the application number and attach code. They will each pay separately on their own.

Withdrawing applications

You may delete your application from the draw, but doing so will forfeit your non-refundable application fee.

Waiting period

Leftover licenses

After the primary draw, New Mexico will make any leftover big game permits available to purchase over the counter in a first come, first served manner. Only residents will be able to purchase tag for the first 24 hours and then nonresidnets can purchase anything remaining.

Credit cards

Credit cards are accepted (Visa and Mastercard). Credit cards will be charged the entire species license fee applied for at the time you submit your application. If you are unsuccessful in the draw, you will receive a refund less the $20 nonrefundable application fee for each species applied for.

Hunting license

New Mexico requires all big game hunters to purchase a Game Hunting License. Big game hunters are also required to purchase an annual habitat stamp, habitat management and access validation permit.

Over-the-counter tags

Undersubscribed tags after the initial big game draw may be purchased online.

License types in New Mexico

NMGFD has established license types to organize hunts based on opportunity, trophy potential, and overall experience. Standard (S) hunts carry the lowest license fees but will offer a more a-typical hunting experience while Quality (Q) or High Demand (HD) hunts carry higher license fees but potentially better hunting conditions. Standard Hunt (S)

Deer or elk hunts which are charged a regular license fee rather than a quality or high-demand fee.

Quality Hunt (Q)

These hunts are designed to increase opportunities for a successful harvest, achieve harvests from wider selections of mature deer or elk, and/or provide a pleasurable experience based on the timing of the hunt and/or hunter density. Nonresident license fees are higher for Quality hunts.High Demand Hunt (HD)

An elk or deer draw hunt with at least 22% nonresident applicants for the previous two license years. Nonresident license fees are higher for High Demand hunts.

Landowner tags

Youth tags

Returning tags/transferring tags

There is no return or transfer of any tag allowed without written permission from the Director of the New Mexico Game and Fish Department.

Minimum age to hunt

No minimum age, but must have completed a hunter’s safety course prior to hunting, or have a mentored-youth number and be accompanied by an adult if under 11 years old.

Hunters education

Required of under 18 years old and not accompanied by an adult.

Bowhunters education

New Mexico does not require bowhunters education

Hunters orange

Hunters orange is not required in New Mexico

Weapon restrictions

Legal sporting arms for deer, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, ibex, oryx, Barbary sheep and bear (big game sporting arms): Any centerfire firearm at least .22 caliber or larger, any muzzleloading firearm at least .45 caliber or larger, any shotgun .410 caliber or larger firing a single slug (including muzzleloading shotguns), any bow or any crossbow. All firearms, except handguns, must be designed to be fired from the shoulder. Hunters must use only bullets designed to expand or fragment upon impact. Full metal jacket (FMJ) and tracer bullets are illegal. No fully automatic firearms may be used. Arrows and bolts must have broadheads (fixed or mechanical) with cutting edges. Sights on bows and crossbows may not project light (lighted pins are acceptable). No drugs may be used on arrows or bolts and they cannot be driven by explosives, gunpowder or compressed air.

Bow only: Any bow. Arrows must have broadheads (fixed or mechanical) with cutting edges. Sights on bows may not project light (lighted pins are acceptable). No drugs may be used on an arrow and arrows cannot be driven by explosives, gunpowder or compressed air. Crossbow use is legal by certified mobility-impaired hunters during bow seasons. Draw locks are illegal.

Muzzleloader, bow or crossbow only: Sporting arm in which the charge and projectile(s)is loaded through the muzzle. Only blackpowder or equivalent blackpowder substitute may be used. Use of smokeless powder is prohibited. Only open or "iron" sights may be used on muzzleloader, bow or crossbow only hunts (sporting arm type 3). Scopes, red dots or other similar sights are not allowed.

Restricted muzzleloader deer: Only a muzzleloading rifle using open sights, black powder or equivalent propellant and firing a full bore diameter bullet or patched round ball is legal. The use of in-line ignition, scopes and smokeless powder are prohibited. Bows and crossbows are legal during restricted muzzleloader deer hunts.

Hunting opportunities for military members

50% discount for resident active duty and veterans

New Mexico residents who are currently active duty or veterans are eligible to purchase all licenses, permits and stamps at a 50% discount.

Military only draw hunts on Fort Bliss

Special draws are available only to active duty service members stationed at Fort Bliss.

Resident pricing for nonresidents for Fort Bliss

Any active duty nonresident service member currently stationed at Fort Bliss will receive resident pricing on any draw hunts on the Fort Bliss military reservation.

Returning Iraq/Afghanistan resident veterans only oryx hunts

Once-in-a-lifetime draw hunts have been established for oryx in the White Sand missile area. This drawing is only available to veterans who served active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

One time free game hunting and fishing license

New Mexico residents who are National Guard or a member of the Armed Forces and were called to active duty on or after April 3, 2003 are eligible for a one time free hunting and fishing combination license for the year following their deactivation and return to the state.

Nonresident disabled active duty and veteran licenses for rehabilitation enrollees

Nonresident active duty or veterans who are involved in a rehabilitation program that involves hunting are eligible to purchase tags for deer, elk, javelina, turkey, oryx or antelope at resident costs. The program must be sponsored by the federal government or be a nonprofit organization authorized by the federal government and it must be under the direction of a military or federal VA rehabilitation center.

Resident disabled veteran game hunting and fishing

Resident veterans who have a service-related disability of less than 100% are eligible to purchase a discounted hunting and fishing license for $10.

Disabled veteran requirements

Resident veterans with a disability rating of 100% due to service-connected injuries are granted a free lifetime hunting and fishing license.