New Mexico archery season offers hunters excellent game variety and breathtaking scenery. The “Land of Enchantment” offers exotic hunting opportunities for Persian ibex, Barbary sheep, and oryx. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish gives hunts by a permit lottery system and specialty hunts for veterans, youth, seniors, and disabled hunters.
New Mexico (NM) Archery Season, 2022-2023
New Mexico has population management hunts for deer, elk, oryx, ibex, Barbary sheep, and pronghorn. Some hunting lands offer public access, but many areas require owner consent. Hunting on Native American lands requires tribal permission.
When does Archery Season Start in NM?
New Mexico Deer Seasons
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Archery/Bow September 1-24* and January 1-15*
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General Season September 1-January 31*
*Season dates vary by region and take method.
New Mexico Elk Seasons
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Archery September 1-24*
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General Season October 8-December 21*
*Season dates vary by region. Hunters must obtain private-land hunt or public draw hunt permits. You must apply before March of that year. Elk draw licenses for public land have varying dates.
New Mexico Pronghorn Seasons
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Archery/Bow August 4-17*
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General Season August 13-25*
*Season dates vary by region and take method.
New Mexico Bighorn Sheep Seasons
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General Season August 5-January 31*
*Season dates vary by region and take method.
New Mexico Ibex Seasons
Archery/Bow October 1-January 29*
General Season November 15-March 26*
* Season dates vary by region and take method.
New Mexico Barbary Sheep Seasons
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Archery/Bow January 1-15*
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General Season October 8-March 31*
*Season dates vary by region and take method.
New Mexico Oryx Seasons
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General Season September 9-February 26*
*Season dates vary by region. Oryx are exotic animals. Therefore hunts are considered “once in a lifetime” hunts taking place in prime areas. Hunts for broken-horn oryx are available and applied for each year.
New Mexico Turkey Seasons
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Fall General Season November 1-30
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Fall Archery/Bow Season September 1-30
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Spring General Season April 15-May 10
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Spring Youth Season April 8-10
New Mexico Javelina Seasons
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General Season January 1-March 31*
*Season dates vary by region. Barbary sheep seasons vary by region.
New Mexico Bear Seasons
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General Season August 16-November 30*
*Season dates vary by region.
New Mexico Cougar Seasons
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Statewide General Season April 1-March 31
New Mexico offers statewide general seasons with harvest limits varying by region.
New Mexico Small Game Seasons
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Quail November 15-February 15
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Dusky Blue Grouse September 1-December 31
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Eurasian Collared-Dove April 1-March 31
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Pheasant December 8-11
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Squirrel September 1-December 31
What are the Legal Hunting Hours in New Mexico?
Authorized hunting hours start 30-minutes before sunrise to 30-minutes after sunset for furbearers, big game, and turkey.
Hunting Licenses and Permits in NM
Visit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website for more details on purchasing hunting licenses.
New Mexico Residents
A resident is a person who has lived in the state permanently for 90 days. All residents aged 18 or older must have a hunting license.
Non-Residents
Non-residents must purchase a Habitat Management & Access Validation and Habitat Stamp.
Youth Hunting Licenses
New Mexico residents and non-residents under 18 need a hunter education certificate to hunt. Residents and non-residents under 18 can buy a reduced-fee hunting license. Additional privileges or permits may be required to hunt specific game species.
Senior Hunting Licenses
New Mexico residents aged 65 or older can buy a reduced-fee license.
Disability Licenses
Physical disabilities qualify residents for a reduced-fee Resident Handicapped License. This license allows permits shooting from stationary vehicles, and they can utilize assistance tracking for killing and retrieving game. Hunters may also drive offroad. Mobility Impaired Certifications are available for residents and non-residents with a permanent mobility impairment.
Veteran and Military Licenses
Active-duty military personnel stationed in New Mexico can buy a resident hunting license. Additionally, active-duty military personnel that is New Mexico residents but stationed in other states don’t need to buy a hunting license while on leave.
New Mexico residents on active duty after April 3, 2003, are eligible for free Game-Hunting and Fishing Licenses for a year following their return to the state. Resident veterans with a 100% service-connected disability are eligible for free lifetime Game-Hunting and Fishing Licenses.
Migratory Waterfowl Requirements
Hunters aged 16 or older must buy a New Mexico Migratory Bird Permit and Federal Duck Stamp when hunting migratory waterfowl. The permit is proof of participation in the Harvest Information Program (HIP).
License Expiration
New Mexico hunting licenses are valid from April 1 to March 31 from the date of purchase. Species permits are valid during authorized seasons.
Check out our guide 30+ Hunting Rules to Keep You Safe while bowhunting in the wild.
