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
License Costs
License | Game Hunting License |
|---|---|
Resident | $15 |
Nonresident | $65 |
Resident Youth | $10 |
Nonresident Youth | $15 |
License | Habitat Management & Access Validation |
Resident | $4 |
Nonresident | $4 |
Resident Youth | $4 |
Nonresident Youth | $4 |
License | Habitat Stamp |
Resident | $10 |
Nonresident | $10 |
Resident Youth | $10 |
Nonresident Youth | $10 |
License | Resident | Nonresident | Resident Youth | Nonresident Youth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Game Hunting License | $15 | $65 | $10 | $15 |
Habitat Management & Access Validation | $4 | $4 | $4 | $4 |
Habitat Stamp | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 |
Species Costs
Species Costs
Permits and Tags | Deer(standard) |
|---|---|
Resident | $41 |
Nonresident | $283 |
Resident Youth | $29 |
Nonresident Youth | $283 |
Permits and Tags | Deer(Quality and High Demand) |
Resident | $41 |
Nonresident | $368 |
Resident Youth | $29 |
Nonresident Youth | $368 |
Permits and Tags | Elk(standard) |
Resident | $90 |
Nonresident | $548 |
Resident Youth | $58 |
Nonresident Youth | $548 |
Permits and Tags | Elk(Quality and High Demand) |
Resident | $90 |
Nonresident | $773 |
Resident Youth | $58 |
Nonresident Youth | $773 |
Permits and Tags | Antelope |
Resident | $60 |
Nonresident | $283 |
Resident Youth | $60 |
Nonresident Youth | $283 |
Permits and Tags | Bighorn Sheep |
Resident | $160 |
Nonresident | $3173 |
Resident Youth | $160 |
Nonresident Youth | $3173 |
Permits and Tags | Bighorn Sheep Ewe |
Resident | $85 |
Nonresident | $3173 |
Resident Youth | $85 |
Nonresident Youth | $3173 |
Permits and Tags | Ibex |
Resident | $110 |
Nonresident | $1623 |
Resident Youth | $110 |
Nonresident Youth | $1623 |
Permits and Tags | Oryx |
Resident | $160 |
Nonresident | $1623 |
Resident Youth | $160 |
Nonresident Youth | $1623 |
Permits and Tags | Barbary Sheep |
Resident | $110 |
Nonresident | $373 |
Resident Youth | $110 |
Nonresident Youth | $373 |
Permits and Tags | Barbary Sheep (OTC) |
Resident | $103 |
Nonresident | $360 |
Resident Youth | $103 |
Nonresident Youth | $360 |
Permits and Tags | Black Bear |
Resident | $47 |
Nonresident | $260 |
Resident Youth | $47 |
Nonresident Youth | $260 |
Permits and Tags | Turkey |
Resident | $25 |
Nonresident | $100 |
Resident Youth | $25 |
Nonresident Youth | $100 |
Permits and Tags | Javelina |
Resident | $65 |
Nonresident | $178 |
Resident Youth | $65 |
Nonresident Youth | $178 |
Permits and Tags | Application Fee's (included in pricing above) |
Resident | $7 |
Nonresident | $13 |
Resident Youth | $7 |
Nonresident Youth | $13 |
Permits and Tags | Resident | Nonresident | Resident Youth | Nonresident Youth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Deer(standard) | $41 | $283 | $29 | $283 |
Deer(Quality and High Demand) | $41 | $368 | $29 | $368 |
Elk(standard) | $90 | $548 | $58 | $548 |
Elk(Quality and High Demand) | $90 | $773 | $58 | $773 |
Antelope | $60 | $283 | $60 | $283 |
Bighorn Sheep | $160 | $3173 | $160 | $3173 |
Bighorn Sheep Ewe | $85 | $3173 | $85 | $3173 |
Ibex | $110 | $1623 | $110 | $1623 |
Oryx | $160 | $1623 | $160 | $1623 |
Barbary Sheep | $110 | $373 | $110 | $373 |
Barbary Sheep (OTC) | $103 | $360 | $103 | $360 |
Black Bear | $47 | $260 | $47 | $260 |
Turkey | $25 | $100 | $25 | $100 |
Javelina | $65 | $178 | $65 | $178 |
Application Fee's (included in pricing above) | $7 | $13 | $7 | $13 |
Important Dates
Important Dates
Important Dates
Deadlines and draw results |
Date |
Application deadline (Big Game) |
March 19, 2025 |
Application deadline (Black bear and Turkey) |
February 12, 2025 |
Deadline for Mandatory Harvest Report (Deer, Elk, Antelope) |
February 15, 2025 |
Deadline for Mandatory Harvest Report (Barbary Sheep, Ibex and Oryx) |
April 7, 2025 |
Draw Results |
April 23, 2025 |
Deadlines and draw results | Date |
Application deadline (Big Game) | March 19, 2025 |
Application deadline (Black bear and Turkey) | February 12, 2025 |
Deadline for Mandatory Harvest Report (Deer, Elk, Antelope) | February 15, 2025 |
Deadline for Mandatory Harvest Report (Barbary Sheep, Ibex and Oryx) | April 7, 2025 |
Draw Results | April 23, 2025 |
Draw Result Dates
New Mexico Draw Result Dates
Year | 2020 |
|---|---|
Draw Result Dates | April 22 |
Year | 2021 |
Draw Result Dates | April 21 |
Year | 2022 |
Draw Result Dates | April 20 |
Year | 2023 |
Draw Result Dates | April 20 |
Year | 2024 |
Draw Result Dates | April 17 |
Year | 2025 |
Draw Result Dates | April 23 (proposed) |
Year | Draw Result Dates |
|---|---|
2020 | April 22 |
2021 | April 21 |
2022 | April 20 |
2023 | April 20 |
2024 | April 17 |
2025 | April 23 (proposed) |
Draw System
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
Nonresidents not applying with a New Mexico outfitter are limited to 6% of the total number of tags per hunt code
All applicants applying with a New Mexico outfitter are allocated 10% of the total number of tags per hunt code
The remaining 84% of the tags are allocated to resident applicants
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
Parties may apply for all species except Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, desert bighorn sheep, and ibex
The maximum number of applicants in a party is four for deer, elk, antelope and barbary sheep
The maximum number of group applicants for oryx is two
Residents and nonresidents may apply together
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
If you harvest a Rocky Mountain bighorn or desert sheep, then you cannot apply again for that species
If you harvest ibex on the once-in-a-lifetime hunt, premier oryx hunts, or elk on the Valle Vidal, then you may not apply for that hunt again.
There are no waiting periods for deer, elk, antelope, barbary sheep, or the other ibex and oryx hunt choices
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.
Getting a Tag
Draw a tag in the public draw
Purchase a landowner tag
Purchase OTC license for applicable species
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
New Mexico has a landowner tag program in place for deer, elk, and antelope
Landowner tags for elk are valid either unit-wide or private land only
Landowner tags for deer and antelope are restricted to private land only
Landowner tags are transferable
Youth tags
There are many youth-only seasons available in New Mexico
Many of the youth-only seasons offer some of the best dates
Nonresident youth hunters do not have a discount price
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.
Hunting Rules
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.
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