SANTA FE – A total of 499 deer licenses left over from the 2025-2026 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT on Wednesday, June 25, through the Department’s Online License System.
This first-come, first-served sale will only be open to New Mexico residents during the first 24 hours. If any licenses remain after the first 24 hours, the sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. June 26.
To buy a leftover license, hunters must possess a 2025-2026 Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing License. Hunters may buy the Game Hunting License, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Licenses, Permits and Stamps link under License Sales 2025.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to purchase the Game Hunting and Fishing License and other stamps for the current license year in advance of the sale opening, if not already purchased. Hunters are further advised to log in prior to 10 a.m. on June 25 for the best chance to get a leftover license, as these licenses are expected to sell quickly.
Hunters must provide a valid mailing address at the time of purchase. Unless the applicant selects the e-tag option, a physical license/tag will be mailed to the hunter for all approved purchases within 14 days.
If you are planning to purchase a leftover license, you must have completed all mandatory 2024-2025 harvest reporting requirements prior to the purchase. If a harvest report is not completed, your purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on rejected purchases.
