Hunting News
The latest hunting news and press releases, including important reminders for the current hunting season, from the New Mexico Department of Wildlife. See additional wildlife news in Conservation News. Department-wide news can be found under Home → NMDOW News.
Leftover draw licenses go on sale July 8
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife will have 537 leftover deer licenses from the 2026-2027 big-game draw available for sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, through the Department's Online License System. The leftover license sale will be open exclusively to New Mexico residents for the first 24 hours. If licenses remain, the sale will open to nonresidents at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 9. Hunters must possess a 2026-2027 Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing License before purchasing a leftover deer license, and should buy any required stamps before the sale opens. Hunters planning to purchase a leftover license should also complete all mandatory 2025-2026 harvest reporting requirements before July 8. Purchases that fail the post-sale audit because of incomplete harvest reporting will be rejected, and only the license fee will be refunded. For more information, hunters and outfitters may contact the Department's Information Center at 888-248-6866 or email [...]
EPLUS PMZ Landowner List
EPLUS PMZ Landowner List July 6 @ 8-11 AM Visit the EPLUS webpage to learn more about the program. Click on the “How do I obtain a Primary or Special Zone authorization or Secondary Zone Ranch Code?” menu item to obtain a copy of the lists.
Department reduces number of Persian ibex licenses
SANTA FE — For the upcoming 2026–2027 license year, the Department is reducing the number of Persian ibex licenses based on the most recent population data. These adjustments are necessary to support long‑term population stability and maintain future hunting opportunities. The Department will discontinue female/immature (F/IM) ibex licenses, reduce the number of either‑sex (ES) licenses, and eliminate the over‑the‑counter ibex hunt. For updated information please refer to the IBEX Hunt Table. For customers that have questions please contact the Department’s Information Center at 888-248-6866 or ispa@dgf.nm.gov.
Department announces 25% discount for SNAP recipients
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife announced that residents who receive Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are now eligible for a 25% discount on hunting and fishing licenses. The initiative expands access to outdoor recreation and supports food security for New Mexicans. “This discount will help make hunting and fishing more accessible to thousands of New Mexicans,” Department director Mike Sloane said. “With this discount, eligible participants will have increased accessibility to healthy, natural food sources." Between Jan. 1-10 each year, the New Mexico Health Care Authority will provide the Department with a list of current SNAP recipients. This is in accordance with requirements outlined in Senate Bill 5, which was passed by the New Mexico State Legislature during its 2025 session. Individuals who become eligible for SNAP benefits after Jan. 10 will be required to visit one of the Department's offices located in Santa Fe, [...]
Hunters encouraged to stay informed and be on the lookout for New World Screwworm
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact only, Information Center: 888-248-6866, ispa@dgf.nm.gov Media contact only, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov New Mexico Department of Agriculture Media contact, Jenny Green: 575-202-4249; jgreen@nmda.nmsu.edu New Mexico Livestock BoardContact, Samantha Holeck, DVM, State Veterinarian: 505-841-6161; samantha.holeck@nmlb.nm.gov SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, New Mexico Department of Agriculture and New Mexico Livestock Board are encouraging hunters to help prevent the spread of New World screwworm among wildlife, livestock, pets and people. New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a foreign animal disease and poses a serious threat. The fly’s larvae infest open wounds, where they feed on living tissue. The New World screwworm (NWS) was eradicated from the United States decades ago, but recent detections in Mexico pose a risk of northward spread. At this time, it has not been detected [...]