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)
Individuals 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
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
| Name | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bernardo Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
| Bluebird Mesa Wildlife Management Area | NA | NA | GAIN |
| Edward Sargent Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
| Hammond Tract Wildlife Management Area | NA | Fishing | Pending |
| Jackson Lake Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
| La Joya Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
| Laguna del Campo | NA | Fishing | Pending |
| Marquez/LBar WildlifeManagement Area | Hunting | N/A | GAIN |
| Navajo Wildlife Management Area | NA* | NA* | Pending |
| Pine River Wildlife Management Area | NA | Fishing | Pending |
| Retherford Wildlife Management Area | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Rio Chama Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
| Rio Chama Fishing Easement | NA | Fishing | Pending |
| San Juan Fishing Easement | NA | Fishing | Pending |
| W.A. Humphries Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | NA | GAIN |
| Water Canyon Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | NA | GAIN |
Northeast Area
| Name | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charette Lakes Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
| Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
| Elliott Barker Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
| McAllister Lake Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | NA | GAIN |
| Bert Clancy WMA / Pecos River Complex | NA | Fishing | GAIN |
| Rio de los Pinos Wildlife Management Area | NA* | Fishing | Pending |
| Springer Lake | NA | Fishing | Pending |
| Tres Piedras Wildlife Management Area | NA | NA | Pending |
| Urraca Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | NA | GAIN |
| Wagon Mound Lake Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | NA | GAIN |
| Tucumcari Lake Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
| Eagle Nest WMA (Outside State Park Boundary) | NA | NA | Pending |
Southwest Area
| Name | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Canyon Lake Wildlife Management Area | NA | Fishing | GAIN |
| Bill Evans Wildlife Management Area | NA | Fishing | GAIN |
| Heart Bar Wildlife Management Area | NA | Fishing | GAIN |
| Lake Roberts Wildlife Management Area | NA | Fishing | GAIN |
| Mimbres River Tract | NA | NA | GAIN |
| Red Rock Wildlife Management Area | NA | Fishing | GAIN |
| Socorro-Escondida Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
| Double E Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | NA | GAIN |
| River Ranch Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | NA | GAIN |
| San Simon Cienega Wildlife Management Area | NA | NA | Pending |
Southeast Area
| Name | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandhills Prairie Conservation Area | Hunting | NA | GAIN |
| Prairie Chicken Wildlife Management Areas | Hunting | NA | GAIN |
| W.S. Huey Wildlife Management Area | Hunting | Fishing | GAIN |