New Mexico
Disclaimer: Season dates are gathered on a best-effort basis and may contain errors or be outdated. Always verify dates, bag limits, and regulations directly with New Mexico NMDGF before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in New Mexico
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 1 station in New Mexico. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
Deer
Deer - McGregor Range
Firearm
Dec. 19 — Dec. 20
Zone: Unit 28 McGregor Range
Deer - WSMR
Firearm
Jan. 22-24, '27 — Jan. 24, '27
Zone: Unit 19 WSMR
Deer - WSMR
Firearm
Jan. 8-10, '27 — Jan. 10, '27
Zone: Unit 19 WSMR
Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Oct. 31 — Nov. 4
Zone: Various GMUs
Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Nov. 7 — Nov. 11
Zone: Various GMUs
Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Nov. 14 — Nov. 18
Zone: Various GMUs
Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sept. 1 — Sept. 24
Zone: Various GMUs (statewide draw)
Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Oct. 24 — Oct. 28
Zone: Various GMUs
Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Sept. 27 — Oct. 3
Zone: Various GMUs
Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer
Archery - Late
Jan. 1 — Jan. 15, '27
Zone: Various GMUs
Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer
Youth Only - Firearm
Nov. 21 — Nov. 29
Zone: Various GMUs
Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Premium Statewide
Sept. 1 — Jan. 31, '27
Zone: Statewide
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Nov. 14 — Nov. 18
Zone: Various units statewide
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Oct. 24 — Oct. 28
Zone: Various units statewide
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Nov. 7 — Nov. 11
Zone: Various units statewide
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Oct. 31 — Nov. 4
Zone: Various units statewide
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Sept. 27 — Oct. 3
Zone: Various units statewide
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Premium Statewide
Sept. 1 — Jan. 31, '27
Zone: Statewide
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Oct. 17 — Oct. 21
Zone: Various units statewide
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader - Restricted
Sept. 27 — Oct. 3
Zone: Units 9, 52
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Youth Firearm
Nov. 21 — Nov. 29
Zone: Various units statewide
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Archery
Jan. 1 — Jan. 15, '27
Zone: Various units statewide
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Dec. 12 — Dec. 16
Zone: Various units
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sept. 1 — Sept. 24
Zone: Various units statewide
Mule Deer/White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Nov. 25 — Nov. 29
Zone: Various units
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Either Sex
Nov. 21 — Nov. 25
Zone: Units 21, 23, 24, 26
White-tailed Deer
Firearm
Dec. 5 — Dec. 13
Zone: Units 21, 23, 26
White-tailed Deer
Firearm - Either Sex
Dec. 5 — Dec. 13
Zone: Units 21, 23, 26, 27
Turkey
Gould's Turkey
Spring Draw Once-in-Lifetime
May 1 — May 30
Zone: Units 26 & 27
Gould's Turkey
Draw - Spring Once-in-a-Lifetime
May 1 — May 30
Zone: Units 26 & 27
Turkey
Fall Archery OTC
Sept. 1 — Sept. 30
Zone: Statewide (with closed areas)
Turkey
Spring Youth Only OTC
April 10 — April 12
Zone: Statewide open units
Turkey
Draw - Spring
April 15 — May 15
Zone: Units 2B, 2C (Carson NF), 2A east area, Unit 8, Unit 9 Marquez/LBar WMA, Units 55A Valle Vidal
Turkey
Fall Firearm OTC
Nov. 1 — Nov. 30
Zone: Statewide (with closed areas)
Turkey
Spring OTC
April 15 — May 15
Zone: Statewide (with closed areas)
Wild Turkey
Fall Bow
Sept. 1 — Sept. 30
Zone: Statewide (excluding closed areas)
Wild Turkey
Fall Firearm
Nov. 1 — Nov. 30
Zone: Statewide (excluding closed areas)
Wild Turkey
Youth Spring OTC
April 10 — April 12
Zone: Statewide open units
Wild Turkey
Spring OTC
April 15 — May 15
Zone: Statewide open areas
Wild Turkey
Spring Draw
Apr. 15 — May 15
Zone: Units 2B & 2C Carson NF; Unit 2A; Unit 6B; Unit 8; Unit 9; Valle Vidal
Bear
Black Bear
Draw - WMA
Aug. 1 — Aug. 31
Zone: Various WMAs (Units 2, 4, 9, 54, 55A)
Black Bear
Firearm Early
Aug. 16 — Aug. 31
Zone: Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13
Black Bear
Draw Permit
Aug. 1 — Aug. 31
Zone: Various WMAs and Valle Vidal
Black Bear
Archery Draw
Aug. 1 — Aug. 31
Zone: Unit 57 Sugarite Canyon State Park
Black Bear
Draw - Spring Valle Vidal
Apr. 15 — May 20
Zone: Unit 55A Valle Vidal
Black Bear
Draw Permit
Apr. 15 — May 20
Zone: Unit 55A Valle Vidal
Black Bear
Firearm
Sept. 25 — Dec. 15
Zone: All zones statewide
Black Bear
Archery
Sept. 1 — Sept. 24
Zone: All zones statewide
Black Bear
Firearm
Sept. 25 — Nov. 15
Zone: Most zones
Black Bear
Firearm - Early
Aug. 16 — Aug. 31
Zone: Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13
Black Bear
Draw - Sugarite Canyon
Aug. 1 — Aug. 31
Zone: Unit 57 Sugarite Canyon State Park
Black Bear
Youth Draw
Aug. 1 — Aug. 31
Zone: Unit 2
Black Bear
Archery
Sept. 1 — Sept. 24
Zone: All open bear management zones
Elk
Elk
Firearm
Dec. 19 — Dec. 23
Zone: Various units
Elk
Firearm
Oct. 1 — Oct. 5
Zone: Various units
Elk
Firearm
Oct. 24 — Oct. 28
Zone: Various units statewide
Elk
Firearm - Antlerless
Nov. 14 — Nov. 18
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Firearm - Antlerless
Nov. 7 — Nov. 11
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Antlerless Firearm
Feb. 6-10, '27 — Feb. 10, '27
Zone: Unit 34
Elk
Firearm
Nov. 7 — Nov. 11
Zone: Various units statewide
Elk
Youth Encouragement Antlerless
Dec. 26 — Dec. 30
Zone: Various units
Elk
Youth Encouragement Antlerless
Nov. 28 — Dec. 2
Zone: Various units
Elk
Firearm
Nov. 14 — Nov. 18
Zone: Various units statewide
Elk
Archery
Sept. 1 — Sept. 14
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Firearm - Antlerless
Dec. 12 — Dec. 16
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Youth Encouragement - Antlerless
Dec. 26 — Dec. 30
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Antlerless Firearm
Nov. 21 — Nov. 25
Zone: Various units
Elk
Youth Encouragement - Antlerless
Nov. 28 — Dec. 2
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Muzzleloader
Oct. 10 — Oct. 14
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Archery
Sept. 15 — Sept. 24
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Firearm - Antlerless
Nov. 21 — Nov. 25
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Antlerless Firearm
Jan. 23-27, '27 — Jan. 27, '27
Zone: Units 34, 36
Elk
Firearm
Oct. 17 — Oct. 21
Zone: Various units statewide
Elk
Antlerless Firearm
Dec. 12 — Dec. 16
Zone: Various units
Elk
Muzzleloader
Oct. 10 — Oct. 14
Zone: Various units statewide
Elk
Firearm - Late Antlerless
Feb. 6 — Feb. 10, '27
Zone: Unit 34
Elk
Firearm
Oct. 31 — Nov. 4
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Antlerless Firearm
Nov. 28 — Dec. 2
Zone: Various units
Elk
Firearm - Late Antlerless
Jan. 23 — Jan. 27, '27
Zone: Units 34, 36
Elk
Firearm
Oct. 24 — Oct. 28
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Archery
Sept. 1 — Sept. 14
Zone: Various units statewide
Elk
Antlerless Firearm
Dec. 5 — Dec. 9
Zone: Various units
Elk
Archery
Sept. 15 — Sept. 24
Zone: Various units statewide
Elk
Firearm - Antlerless
Dec. 5 — Dec. 9
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Firearm - Premium Statewide
Sept. 1 — Jan. 31, '27
Zone: Statewide
Elk
Firearm
Oct. 17 — Oct. 21
Zone: Various GMUs
Elk
Premium Statewide
Sept. 1 — Jan. 31, '27
Zone: Statewide
Elk
Firearm
Oct. 31 — Nov. 4
Zone: Various units statewide
Elk - APRE Archery
Archery
Dec. 5 — Dec. 9
Zone: Units 12, 37
Elk - APRE Archery
Archery
Dec. 19 — Dec. 23
Zone: Unit 34
Elk - McGregor Range
Firearm
Dec. 12 — Dec. 16
Zone: Unit 28 McGregor Range
Elk - Valle Vidal
Archery Once-in-Lifetime
Sept. 1 — Sept. 14
Zone: Unit 55A Valle Vidal
Elk - Valles Caldera
Archery
Sept. 1 — Sept. 14
Zone: Unit 6B Valles Caldera
Waterfowl
Ducks, Geese
Firearm
Zone: Statewide
Dove
Mourning Dove / White-winged Dove
Firearm
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Pheasant
Youth Only - Draw - Jackson Lake WMA
Dec. 5 — Dec. 5
Zone: Jackson Lake WMA
Pheasant
Youth Only - Draw - W.S. Huey WMA
Dec. 5 — Dec. 5
Zone: W.S. Huey WMA
Pheasant
Draw - W.S. Huey WMA
Dec. 12 — Dec. 12
Zone: W.S. Huey WMA
Pheasant
Youth Only - Draw - Bernardo WMA
Oct. 17 — Oct. 17
Zone: Bernardo WMA
Pheasant
Firearm - OTC
Dec. 10 — Dec. 13
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Falconry
Sept. 1 — Feb. 28, '27
Zone: Statewide
Ring-necked Pheasant
Youth Draw
Oct. 17 — Oct. 17
Zone: Bernardo WMA
Ring-necked Pheasant
Youth Draw
Dec. 5 — Dec. 5
Zone: Jackson Lake WMA
Ring-necked Pheasant
Firearm OTC
Dec. 10 — Dec. 13
Zone: Statewide
Ring-necked Pheasant
Draw
Dec. 12 — Dec. 12
Zone: W.S. Huey WMA
Ring-necked Pheasant
Youth Draw
Dec. 5 — Dec. 5
Zone: W.S. Huey WMA
Ring-necked Pheasant
Falconry
Sept. 1 — Feb. 28, '27
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Quail
Falconry
Sept. 1 — Feb. 28, '27
Zone: Statewide
Quail (Scaled, Gambel's, Bobwhite, Montezuma)
Firearm OTC
Nov. 15, '26 — Feb. 15, '27
Zone: Statewide
Scaled/Gambel's/Bobwhite/Montezuma Quail
Firearm
Nov. 15, '26 — Feb. 15, '27
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Dusky (Blue) Grouse
Firearm - South Zone
Sept. 1 — Dec. 31
Zone: South Zone (south of I-40)
Dusky (Blue) Grouse
Firearm - North Zone
Sept. 1 — Dec. 31
Zone: North Zone (north of I-40)
Dusky (Blue) Grouse
Firearm OTC
Sept. 1 — Dec. 31
Zone: Statewide
Dusky Grouse
Falconry
Sept. 1 — Feb. 28, '27
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Falconry
Sept. 1 — Feb. 28, '27
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Abert's/Red/Gray/Fox Squirrel
Firearm
Sept. 1 — Dec. 31
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Falconry
Sept. 1 — Feb. 28, '27
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel (Abert's, Red, Gray, Fox)
Firearm OTC
Sept. 1 — Dec. 31
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Badger, Bobcat, Fox, Ringtail, Weasel
Trapping/Hunting
November 1, 2026 — March 15, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Beaver, Muskrat
Trapping/Hunting - Fall
November 1, 2026 — March 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Beaver, Muskrat
Trapping/Hunting
April 1 — April 30, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Beaver, Muskrat
Trapping/Hunting
November 1, 2026 — March 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Nutria
Trapping/Hunting
April 1, 2026 — March 31, 2027
Zone: Rio Hondo in Chaves and Lincoln counties
Nutria
Trapping/Hunting
April 1, 2026 — March 31, 2027
Zone: Rio Hondo (Chaves and Lincoln counties)
Raccoon
All Legal Methods - Fall
September 1, 2026 — March 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon
All Legal Methods
September 1, 2026 — March 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon
Restricted Methods
May 16 — August 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon
Restricted Methods
May 16 — August 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon
All Legal Methods
April 1 — May 15, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Small Game
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Firearm
April 1 — March 31, '27
Zone: Statewide
Big Game
Barbary Sheep
Firearm - OTC
Apr. 1 — Mar. 31, '27
Zone: Statewide (except WMAs, WSMR, Ft. Bliss GMU 19, draw areas of GMUs 28-30, 32, 36-37)
Barbary Sheep
Archery
Jan. 1 — Jan. 15, '27
Zone: Units 29, 30 and 32, 36, 37
Barbary Sheep
Firearm
Dec. 4 — Dec. 10
Zone: Units 29, 30 and 32, 36, 37
Barbary Sheep
Archery - Draw
Jan. 1 — Jan. 15, '27
Zone: Units 29, 30, 32, 36, 37
Barbary Sheep
Firearm
Jan. 20 — Feb. 27, '27
Zone: Units 29, 30 and 32, 36, 37
Barbary Sheep
Firearm - Draw
Oct. 10 — Feb. 27, '27
Zone: Units 28 (McGregor Range), 29, 30, 32, 36, 37
Barbary Sheep
OTC Any Legal
Apr. 1 — Mar. 31, '27
Zone: Statewide (excluding WMAs, WSMR, Fort Bliss, and draw areas of GMUs 28, 29, 30, 32, 36, 37)
Barbary Sheep
Firearm
Oct. 10 — Oct. 16
Zone: Units 29, 30 and 32, 36, 37
Barbary Sheep
Firearm
Dec. 15 — Dec. 21
Zone: Units 29, 30 and 32, 36, 37
Barbary Sheep - McGregor
Firearm
Dec. 26 — Jan. 3, '27
Zone: Unit 28 McGregor Range
Barbary Sheep - McGregor
Firearm
Dec. 12 — Dec. 16
Zone: Unit 28 McGregor Range
Ibex
Archery
Oct. 1 — Oct. 15
Zone: Unit 25 (Florida Mountains)
Ibex
Youth Firearm Once-in-Youth
Dec. 27 — Jan. 10, '27
Zone: Unit 25 Florida Mountains
Ibex
Archery
Jan. 15 — Jan. 29, '27
Zone: Unit 25 Florida Mountains
Ibex
Archery - Late
Jan. 15 — Jan. 29, '27
Zone: Unit 25 (Florida Mountains)
Ibex
Firearm - Youth Once-in-a-Youth
Dec. 27 — Jan. 10, '27
Zone: Unit 25 (Florida Mountains)
Ibex
Firearm Once-in-Lifetime
Nov. 15 — Nov. 29
Zone: Unit 25 Florida Mountains
Ibex
Firearm - Once-in-a-Lifetime
Nov. 15 — Nov. 29
Zone: Unit 25 (Florida Mountains)
Ibex
Archery
Oct. 1 — Oct. 15
Zone: Unit 25 Florida Mountains
Oryx
Firearm - Fort Bliss
Jan. 2 — Jan. 3, '27
Zone: Unit 28 McGregor Range/Fort Bliss
Oryx
McGregor Range Firearm
Dec. 19 — Jan. 3, '27
Zone: Unit 28 McGregor Range
Oryx
Firearm - WSMR Once-in-a-Lifetime
Sept. 4 — March 7, '27
Zone: Unit 19 WSMR (Stallion Range and Rhodes Canyon)
Oryx
Off-Range Firearm
Jun. 1 — Mar. 31, '27
Zone: Statewide off-range
Oryx
Firearm - Resident Veteran Once-in-a-Lifetime
Oct. 16 — Oct. 18
Zone: WSMR Rhodes Canyon
Oryx
Once-in-Lifetime Firearm
Sept. 4 — Mar. 7, '27
Zone: Unit 19 WSMR
Oryx
Firearm - Senior (70+)
Feb. 1 — Feb. 28, '27
Zone: Statewide off-range
Oryx
Firearm - Fort Bliss
Dec. 19 — Dec. 20
Zone: Unit 28 McGregor Range/Fort Bliss
Oryx
Firearm - Youth Once-in-a-Youth
Oct. 2 — Oct. 4
Zone: WSMR Stallion Range
Oryx
Firearm - Broken Horn
Sept. 4 — Mar. 7, '27
Zone: WSMR (Stallion Range and Rhodes Canyon)
Oryx
Broken-Horn Firearm
Sept. 4 — Mar. 7, '27
Zone: Unit 19 WSMR
Oryx
Youth Once-in-Youth
Oct. 2 — Oct. 4
Zone: Unit 19 WSMR Stallion Range
Oryx
Senior Off-Range Firearm
Feb. 1 — Feb. 28, '27
Zone: Statewide off-range
Oryx
Resident Veteran Once-in-Lifetime
Oct. 16 — Oct. 18
Zone: Unit 19 WSMR Rhodes Canyon
Oryx
Firearm - Off-Range
Jun. 1 — Mar. 31, '27
Zone: Statewide off-range
Migratory Birds
Band-tailed Pigeon
Firearm
Zone: Statewide
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Firearm OTC
April 1 — March 31, '27
Zone: Statewide
Light Goose
Conservation Order
Feb. 1 — March 10, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Light Goose Conservation Order
Firearm
Feb. 1 — March 10, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Sandhill Crane - Draw
Draw - Southwest/Estancia Valley/Middle Rio Grande
Zone: Southwest NM, Estancia Valley, Middle Rio Grande Valley
Sandhill Crane - Draw
Firearm
Zone: SW, EV, and MRGV hunt areas
Sandhill Crane - Eastern
Firearm
Zone: Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, Roosevelt counties
Sandhill Crane - Eastern
Firearm - Eastern Hunt Area
Zone: Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, Roosevelt counties
Waterfowl (Ducks and Geese)
Firearm
Zone: Statewide
Pronghorn
Pronghorn
Muzzleloader - WSMR
Sept. 5 — Sept. 6
Zone: Unit 28 McGregor Range
Pronghorn
Youth Only - Muzzleloader
Aug. 1 — Aug. 3
Zone: Unit 4
Pronghorn
Youth Only - Firearm
Aug. 29 — Aug. 31
Zone: Various GMUs
Pronghorn
Firearm
Oct. 3 — Oct. 5
Zone: Various GMUs
Pronghorn
Firearm
Sept. 26 — Sept. 28
Zone: Various GMUs
Pronghorn
Firearm - Female/Immature
Dec. 1 — Dec. 15
Zone: Unit 32 (Roswell Hunt Area)
Pronghorn
Archery
Aug. 15 — Aug. 23
Zone: Various GMUs
Pronghorn
Firearm
Oct. 3 — Oct. 5
Zone: Various units statewide
Pronghorn
Youth Muzzleloader
Aug. 1 — Aug. 3
Zone: Units 4, 50, 52
Pronghorn
Muzzleloader
Aug. 22 — Aug. 24
Zone: Units 4, 50, 52
Pronghorn
Firearm
Aug. 29 — Aug. 31
Zone: Various units statewide
Pronghorn
Firearm
Sept. 26 — Sept. 28
Zone: Various units statewide
Pronghorn
Firearm
Aug. 29 — Aug. 31
Zone: Various GMUs
Pronghorn
Archery
Aug. 15 — Aug. 23
Zone: Various units statewide
Pronghorn - McGregor
Muzzleloader
Sept. 5 — Sept. 6
Zone: Unit 28 McGregor Range
Pronghorn - Roswell
Firearm
Dec. 1 — Dec. 15
Zone: Unit 32 Roswell Hunt Area
Pronghorn - WSMR
Youth Firearm
Oct. 2 — Oct. 4
Zone: Unit 19 WSMR
Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion (Cougar)
Firearm OTC
April 1, 2026 — March 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide (all zones)
Mountain Lion / Cougar
Firearm - OTC
April 1, 2026 — March 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide (all open cougar management zones)
Bighorn Sheep
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Firearm - Ram
Sept. 11 — Jan. 15, '27
Zone: Various GMUs
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Firearm - Ram
Sept. 11 — Jan. 3, '27
Zone: Various GMUs
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Firearm - Ewe
Sept. 19 — Oct. 7
Zone: GMU 45 Pecos
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Firearm - Ewe
Sept. 19 — Oct. 7
Zone: GMU 45 (Pecos)
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Archery - Ewe
Sept. 4 — Sept. 13
Zone: GMU 45 (Pecos)
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Archery - Ewe
Sept. 4 — Sept. 13
Zone: GMU 45 Pecos
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Firearm - Ram
Aug. 6 — Jan. 31, '27
Zone: Various GMUs
Javelina
Javelina
Firearm
Feb. 1 — Mar. 31, '27
Zone: Statewide
Javelina
Firearm Draw
Feb. 1 — Mar. 31, '27
Zone: Units 19, 23-27 and statewide
Javelina
Archery Draw
Jan. 1 — Jan. 31, '27
Zone: Units 19, 23-27
Javelina
Archery
Jan. 1 — Jan. 31, '27
Zone: Units 19, 23-27
Javelina
Firearm - Military Only
Dec. 26 — Dec. 27
Zone: Unit 28 McGregor Range
Javelina
Firearm OTC
Feb. 1 — Mar. 31, '27
Zone: Statewide excluding Units 19, 23-28
Javelina
Archery OTC
Jan. 1 — Jan. 31, '27
Zone: Statewide excluding Units 19, 23-28
Javelina - McGregor
Firearm
Dec. 26 — Dec. 27
Zone: Unit 28 McGregor Range
Coyote
Coyote
Hunting
Zone: Statewide