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.
EPLUS PMZ and SPZ Landowner Lists
July 1 @ 8-11 AMVisit 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.
The Department of Game and Fish is transitioning to an online system for the EPLUS program!
EPLUS landowner elk authorizations for the Primary Management Zone are now available to view in your New Mexico Department of Game and Fish online account. If you haven't already become familiar with logging in to view your online EPLUS account, see below or refer to this document for step-by-step instructions.Click here to begin the login process. If you are having trouble signing into your account, you can click the Recover Username and/or Password option next to the Login button. Please call the Information Center at 888-248-6866 or email ispa@dgf.nm.gov if you need additional assistance to access your online account.Once logged in, click the Ranch Owners option in the menu to view your ranches. If the Ranch Owners option does not appear, then your EPLUS ranch account has not been linked to your customer account; please email the EPLUS program for assistance. You must be the Authorized Ranch Contact on record to complete the linking process.Electronic copies of your account statements can also be printed from [...]
Department reschedules leftover license sale
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has announced the rescheduling of its annual leftover license sale after technical issues prevented customers from purchasing licenses through the Department's online license system on Wednesday morning. The sale will now be open to New Mexico residents beginning Wednesday, July 16 at 10 a.m. MDT. Any remaining licenses will then be made available to nonresidents beginning Thursday, July 17 at 10 a.m. MDT. "We understand we had a technical failure," Department director Michael Sloane said. "In order to be fair and equitable to all, we are going to re-run the license sale." Details regarding available licenses will be released to the public in the coming days. The Department has updated this release to note that the leftover license sale has been postponed indefinitely, and a new date for the sale has yet to be determined. The updated release [...]
Non-resident shed hunter license topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled two public meetings regarding the proposed creation of a non-resident shed hunter license.Members of the public are invited to attend either public meeting in order to provide comments.July 17, 2025, Albuquerque, 6 p.m.Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NMRegister in advance to attend virtuallyJuly 24, 2025, Las Cruces, 6 p.m.Attend in person at 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NMRegister in advance to attend virtuallyDetails regarding the proposed license, along with information about how to attend and participate virtually, will be available on the Department web page.Comments on the proposed license can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Non-Resident Shed Hunter License, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email at DGF-ShedHunter@dgf.nm.gov; or in person at the meetings listed above.
Leftover draw licenses go on sale June 25th
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 [...]