State Game Commission (SGC) Lands include Wildlife Management Areas and other properties owned, managed, or controlled by the New Mexico State Game Commission.

State Game Commission Lands

State Game Commission (SGC) Lands include Wildlife Management Areas and other properties owned, managed, or controlled by the New Mexico State Game Commission. SGC Lands are managed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for the benefit of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. New Mexico’s SGC Lands also provide public access for hunting, fishing, and wildlife-associated recreation.

Hunting and Fishing

Properly-licensed hunters and anglers can access designated SGC Lands for hunting and fishing. Special access restrictions, license and validation requirements, and rules apply for those hunting and fishing on SGC Lands; see the Rules & Info tab above. Visit the Publications page for current hunting and fishing rules and information.

Wildlife-Associated Recreation (Gaining Access Into Nature)

Gaining Access Into Nature logo - New Mexico Department of Game and FishIndividuals who enjoy wildlife-associated recreation, other than hunting or fishing, can access designated SGC Lands through the Gaining Access Into Nature (GAIN) program. Potential GAIN activities available on SGC Lands include: wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. GAIN activities are implemented in a manner that avoids impacting licensed hunting and fishing activities on SGC Lands. Special access restrictions, license and validation requirements, and rules apply to those recreating on SGC Lands; see the Rules & Info tab above.

Fish Hatcheries

Fish hatchery access is governed separately from other SGC Lands. Fish hatchery rules and access information can be found by visiting the Fish Hatcheries page.

WMA: Prehistoric to Present

Prehistoric to Present Uses of Wildlife Management Areas in New Mexico

Rules and Information

Special access restrictions, license and validation requirements, and rules have been set to protect wildlife, fish, and their habitats along with public safety on SGC Lands. Please thoroughly read, understand, and follow all of the rules and information below. For questions or more information about SGC Land access, rules, and information, please contact (888) 248-6866 or ispa@dgf.nm.gov.

Designated Lands

Specific SGC Lands have been designated for hunting, fishing, and/or GAIN access. Lands not designated for access are closed. All SGC Lands are not open to all activities. Please see the tabs above for a table by region of SGC Lands designated for access and the activities for which each is open.

License and Validation Requirements

To Access SGC Lands Designated for Hunting or Fishing: Each hunter or angler must possess a Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV) and the proper license valid during dates published for the respective SGC Land in the New Mexico Hunting and Fishing Rules and Information. Each properly-licensed hunter or angler may be accompanied by up to three (3) guests.

To Access SGC Lands Designated for Wildlife-Associated Recreation/GAIN Activities: A group of up to four (4) adults must possess at least one (1) hunting license, fishing license, trapping license, or Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV), valid for the current license year. Youth under the age of 18 are exempt from license and validation requirements.

You may purchase a license or validation (HMAV) from any Department office, license vendor, by phone at 888-248-6866, or through the Department’s Online License System.

General Rules and Information

Visit the link below to find rules and information applicable to all SGC lands.

Specific Rules and Information

In the regional tabs above, click on links in the respective table to see additional rules and information that are unique to a particular SGC Land designated for access. Visitors to SGC Lands must also follow all rules posted on site. Notice: The rules and information for specific SGC Lands are in the process of being updated; please check back often for changes. Contact (888) 248-6866 or ispa@dgf.nm.gov for more information..

Northwest Area

Click area name from the quick reference table to view full PDF details.

*See linked PDF.
NameHuntingFishingGAIN
Bernardo Wildlife Management AreaHuntingFishingGAIN
Bluebird Mesa Wildlife Management AreaNANAGAIN
Edward Sargent Wildlife Management AreaHuntingFishingGAIN
Hammond Tract Wildlife Management AreaNAFishingPending
Jackson Lake Wildlife Management AreaHuntingFishingGAIN
La Joya Wildlife Management AreaHuntingFishingGAIN
Laguna del CampoNAFishingPending
Marquez/LBar WildlifeManagement AreaHuntingN/AGAIN
Navajo Wildlife Management AreaNA*NA*Pending
Pine River Wildlife Management AreaNAFishingPending
Retherford Wildlife Management AreaPendingPendingPending
Rio Chama Wildlife Management AreaHuntingFishingGAIN
Rio Chama Fishing EasementNAFishingPending
San Juan Fishing EasementNAFishingPending
W.A. Humphries Wildlife Management AreaHuntingNAGAIN
Water Canyon Wildlife Management AreaHuntingNAGAIN

Northeast Area

Click area name from the quick reference table to view full PDF details.

*See linked PDF.
NameHuntingFishingGAIN
Charette Lakes Wildlife Management AreaHuntingFishingGAIN
Colin Neblett Wildlife Management AreaHuntingFishingGAIN
Elliott Barker Wildlife Management AreaHuntingFishingGAIN
McAllister Lake Wildlife Management AreaHuntingNAGAIN
Bert Clancy WMA / Pecos River ComplexNAFishingGAIN
Rio de los Pinos Wildlife Management AreaNA*FishingPending
Springer LakeNAFishingPending
Tres Piedras Wildlife Management AreaNANAPending
Urraca Wildlife Management Area
HuntingNAGAIN
Wagon Mound Lake Wildlife Management AreaHuntingNAGAIN
Tucumcari Lake Wildlife Management AreaHuntingFishingGAIN
Eagle Nest WMA (Outside State Park Boundary)NANAPending

Southwest Area

NameHuntingFishingGAIN
Bear Canyon Lake Wildlife Management AreaNAFishingGAIN
Bill Evans Wildlife Management AreaNAFishingGAIN
Heart Bar Wildlife Management AreaNAFishingGAIN
Lake Roberts Wildlife Management AreaNAFishingGAIN
Mimbres River TractNANAGAIN
Red Rock Wildlife Management AreaNAFishingGAIN
Socorro-Escondida Wildlife Management AreaHuntingFishingGAIN
Double E Wildlife Management AreaHuntingNAGAIN
River Ranch Wildlife Management AreaHuntingNAGAIN
San Simon Cienega Wildlife Management AreaNANAPending

Southeast Area

NameHuntingFishingGAIN
Sandhills Prairie Conservation AreaHuntingNAGAIN
Prairie Chicken Wildlife Management AreasHuntingNAGAIN
W.S. Huey Wildlife Management AreaHuntingFishingGAIN