New Mexico Hunting Seasons, 2023-2024
New Mexico offers not only an outstanding game variety, but also beautiful, scenic views to enjoy. The “Land of Enchantment” is one of few states that offer unusual game, such as Barbary sheep, oryx and Persian ibex.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish offers some hunts by a permit lottery system, along with specialty hunts for youth, veterans, seniors and hunters with disabilities. The state also offers some population management hunts for elk, deer, ibex, orxy, Barbary sheep and pronghorn antelope (to become eligible for these hunts, you must apply online or by telephone).
Hunting lands throughout New Mexico may vary in ownership; while some lands are public-access, many areas require landowner consent even if they are leased for public access. In addition, hunting on Native American lands requires tribal permission.
New Mexico Deer Seasons
| Archery/Bow | Sept. 1-24** and Jan. 1-15** |
| Muzzleloader | Sept. 27-Oct. 3** |
| General Season | Oct. 14-Nov. 26** |
**Season dates vary by zone and take method. For more information, visit the New Mexico Department Game & Fish’s website.
New Mexico Elk Seasons
| Archery | Sept. 1-24** |
| Muzzleloader | Oct. 8-12** |
| General Season | Oct. 1-Dec. 31** |
**Season dates vary by zone. New Mexico elk hunters can obtain a private-land hunt or public draw hunt permit, but not both in the same year. All licenses must be applied for in March of each year. Permits for public land hunting (called elk draw licenses) have varying season dates. For more information, visit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website.
New Mexico Pronghorn Seasons
| Archery/Bow | Aug. 8-Oct. 2** |
| Muzzleloader | Aug. 5-Oct. 2** |
| General Season | Aug. 26-Oct. 9** |
**Season dates vary by zone and take method. For more information, visit the New Mexico Department Game & Fish’s website.
New Mexico Bighorn Sheep Seasons
| General Season | Aug. 4-Jan. 31** |
**Season dates vary by zone and take method. For more information, visit the New Mexico Department Game & Fish’s website.
New Mexico Ibex Seasons
| Archery/Bow | Oct. 1-Feb. 7** |
| Muzzleloader | Feb. 17-23** |
| General Season | Nov. 15-Feb. 7* |
**Season dates vary by zone and take method. For more information, visit the New Mexico Department Game & Fish’s website.
New Mexico Barbary Sheep Seasons
| General Season | Oct. 10- |
**Season dates vary by zone. Barbary sheep hunts vary heavily by region. For more information on a legal hunt, visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website.
New Mexico Oryx Seasons
| General Season | Sept. 8-Feb. 25** |
**Season dates vary by zone. Oryx are considered exotic animals, and for this reason, many hunts are considered “once in a lifetime” hunts. This kind of hunt takes place in premiere regions, though hunts for broken-horn oryx and youth hunts are also available and can be applied for each year.
New Mexico Turkey Seasons
| Fall General Season | Nov. 1-30 |
| Fall Archery/Bow Season | Sept. 1-30 |
| Spring General Season | April 15-May 15 |
New Mexico Javelina Seasons
| General Season | Jan. 1-March 31** |
**Season dates vary by zone. Barbary sheep hunts vary heavily by region. For more information on a legal hunt, visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website.
New Mexico Bear Seasons
| General Season | Aug. 16-Dec. 15** |
**Season dates vary by zone. For more information on hunting in a particular zone or area, visit the New Mexico Game and Fish Department website.
New Mexico Cougar Seasons
| Statewide General Season | April 1-March 31 |
New Mexico offers a statewide general season, though harvest limits may vary by area.
New Mexico Small Game Seasons
| Quail | Nov. 15-Feb. 15 |
| Dusky Blue Grouse | Sept. 1-Dec. 31 |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove | April 1-March 31 |
| Pheasant | Dec. 7-10 |
| Squirrel | Sept. 1-Dec. 31 |