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.
Governor’s Special Hunt Auction Closes Today
Proceeds to benefit Game Protection Fund and Department mission-related projects and programs NEW MEXICO — The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is auctioning eight hunting packages online through June 22 to raise funds for wildlife conservation programs, with proceeds supporting the state's Game Protection Fund. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has authorized the auction pursuant to 2007 legislation. The Department has partnered with Ducks Unlimited to offer the New Mexico Governor's Special Hunt Auction online in 2025. Funds from the public auction support the Game Protection Fund and are used solely for Department mission-related projects and programs. The auction is live now and closes June 22 at 8 p.m. MDT. This year's hunting packages include:Exotics Hunt Package that includes:an either-sex oryx license andan either-sex Barbary sheep license;Coues deer license in Game Management Units (GMUs) 23, 24, 26 or 27;Elk license in GMUs 34 or 36;Elk license in GMUs 16 A-E;Elk license [...]
Department reminds hunters of reductions in 2025-2026 private-land pronghorn licenses
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is reminding hunters that available private-land pronghorn licenses in northeastern New Mexico will be limited for the 2025-2026 license year. Four years of aerial surveys have shown a decrease in fawn and adult female pronghorn survival rates in northeastern New Mexico. As a result, the Department has capped the number of private-land pronghorn licenses to be sold in Game Management Units 41, 42, 47, 56, 57, 58 and 59. To see the number of licenses per hunt code, please visit the private-land pronghorn hunting section in the 2025-2026 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet. Private-land pronghorn licenses for all hunt codes will be available online, at license vendors and by phone at 888-248-6866. However, because of potential time constraints involved in purchasing licenses for northeastern hunt codes in person or by phone, the Department strongly encourages all potential private-land pronghorn license buyers in these [...]
2025 New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Show Opens Feb. 14
2025 New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Show Opens Feb. 14 Feb. 14-16, 2025 • Manuel Lujan Building • Expo NM Love to get out? The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is pleased to invite you to the 2025 Outdoor Adventures Show, sponsored by Ram Motors RV & Truck Center, Waypoint Vehicle Upfitters, Ducks Unlimited, The Archery Shoppe and the City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department! The show takes place Friday, Feb. 14 through Sunday, Feb. 16, in the Manuel Lujan Building at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. Admission to the show will be $5 for adults or free to youth age 17 and younger, as well as anyone who holds a valid New Mexico hunting and fishing license. The popular calling contests are back, with the addition of a new duck-calling contest. The contests begin at noon Saturday with the turkey-calling contest, sponsored [...]
ATTENTION 2025-2026 Draw Applicants
The Department of Game and Fish strongly recommends that all draw applicants for 2025-26 hunts verify their contact information and provide a valid e-mail address and phone number in their online licensing system account.Please contact the Department at 888-248-6866 if you need assistance updating or creating your account.White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and Fort Bliss:WSMR and Fort Bliss use the contact information you provide in your account to communicate specific hunt information necessary if you are successful, including payment of the mandatory access fee.Don't miss out on a potential once-in-a-lifetime hunting opportunity because we can't contact you!!!The Department strongly recommends that you DO NOT wait until the last minute to provide your documents. Due to the influx of draw applications at the end of the application period, the Department cannot guarantee that your documents will be entered into the system if they are submitted after March 14, 2025.The Department further strongly recommends that hunters [...]
Public Meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to Meet July 15
LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Habitat Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee. Habitat restoration project opportunities that have been jointly developed by the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and the Department will be presented. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting. An agenda will be posted on the Habitat Stamp website prior to the meeting. Monday July 15, 2024, Las Cruces, 9 a.m. Attend in person at SW Area Office, 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88011 Register in advance to attend virtually A meeting agenda along with information about how to attend virtually will be available on the Department webpage, https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/public-land-user-stamp/. Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Public Land User Stamp, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; or by email, PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov, or in person at the [...]