Public Comment

The following Game Commission documents are available for public comments. We encourage your participation.

See also Meetings and Agendas for State Game Commission meeting notices, agenda item briefings, and calendar.

Public Meetings

The Department will be hosting public meetings to hear input from the public regarding proposed hunting rule changes. Meetings will be held in:

The meetings will include information on proposed changes to the rules governing hunting for deer, elk, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, oryx, ibex, bighorn sheep, javelina, turkey and migratory birds. The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the proposals.

If you are unable to attend these meetings in person, the Department offers virtual attendance via Zoom. Click here to register for the March 11 meeting or here to register for the March 12 meeting.

Click here for additional details

Proposals Under Consideration

Click title below to open/close the proposal under consideration:

The Department opened the Bighorn sheep rule 19.31.17 at the February 20, 2026 State Wildlife Commission Meeting. We are currently accepting public comment on the proposed changes. To enter your comments into the official rule making record, please email them to:
DGF-Bighorn-Rule@dgf.nm.gov

Summary of Bighorn Sheep Rule Changes 26

The Department opened the deer rule 19.31.13 at the February 20, 2026 State Wildlife Commission Meeting. We are currently accepting public comment on the proposed changes. To enter your comments into the official rule making record, please email them to:
DGF-Deer-Rule@dgf.nm.gov

Summary of Deer Rule Changes 26

The Department opened the elk rule 19.31.14 at the February 20, 2026 State Wildlife Commission Meeting. We are currently accepting public comment on the proposed changes. To enter your comments into the official rule making record, please email them to:
DGF-Elk-Rule@dgf.nm.gov

Summary of Elk Rule Changes 26

The Department opened the Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Persian Ibex rule 19.31.12 at the January 9, 2026 State Wildlife Commission Meeting. We are currently accepting public comment on the proposed changes. To enter your comments into the official rule making record, please email them to:
DGF-Exotics-Rule@dgf.nm.gov

Summary of Exotics Rule Changes 26

The Department opened the Javelina rule 19.31.21 at the January 9, 2026 State Wildlife Commission Meeting. We are currently accepting public comment on the proposed changes. To enter your comments into the official rule making record, please email them to:
DGF-Javelina-Rule@dgf.nm.gov

Summary of Javelina Rule Changes 26

The Department opened the Migratory Game Bird rule 19.31.6 at the January 9, 2026 State Wildlife Commission Meeting. We are currently accepting public comment on the proposed changes. To enter your comments into the official rule making record, please email them to: DGF-waterfowl@dgf.nm.gov

Summary Proposed Changes Migratory Game Bird 19.31.16 NMAC

The Department will open the Pronghorn rule 19.31.15 at the upcoming March 20, 2026 State Wildlife Commission Meeting. We are currently accepting public comment on the proposed changes. To enter your comments into the official rule making record, please email them to: DGF-Pronghorn-Rule@dgf.nm.gov

Summary Proposed Changes Pronghorn Antelope 26

The Department opened the Turkey rule 19.31.16 at the January 9, 2026 State Wildlife Commission Meeting. We are currently accepting public comment on the proposed changes. To enter your comments into the official rule making record, please email them to: DGF-Gamebird@dgf.nm.gov

Summary Proposed Changes Turkey 19.31.16 NMAC

How to identify changes that are proposed in draft rules:

  • Only sections of the rule which are highlighted are being proposed for changes.
  • Underlined sections of draft rule are being proposed as new language.
  • Strikethrough sections of draft rule are being proposed to be deleted.
  • A clean version of each affected draft rule in proposed final form is also being provided.

Rule Development Process

pdf - Rule Procedures 19_30_17 NMAC
pdf - Rule Process and Development Information Rev 3-29-24

The Department revises rules for hunting game every 4 years and migratory game birds (waterfowl) each year.  Involving hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts is invaluable during the review to ensure that their perspectives help influence hunting seasons and license numbers for the next four years.  As the process develops, proposed adjustments to the various rules will be available for public review.  The State Game Commission, when finalizing the rules later this year, will consider all public comments, harvest and survey data, as well as biological information on population sustainability and management goals.