Ready to prepare for an unforgettable adventure in New Mexico Hunting Season? New Mexico’s diverse terrain and thriving elk populations have made it a popular destination for hunters statewide.
In this guide, we will provide important dates, rules, and licensing information for big game and small game hunting seasons for different game species. Keep updated!
New Mexico Elk Seasons
| Primary Management Zone Seasons | ||
| Season | Date | Unit |
| Bow-Only Hunts | Sept. 1–14 | 2, 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6C, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16A, 16B/22, 16C, 16D, 16E, 17, 21A, 21B, 23, 24, 34, 36, 45, 48, 49 and 50–53 |
| Sept. 15–24 | ||
| Muzzleloader, Crossbow and Bow Hunts | Oct. 5–9 | 2, 6A, 6C, 7, 10, 36, 45, 48, 52 and 53 |
| Oct. 12–16 | 16E, 23, 24 and 34 | |
| Oct. 12–Dec. 31 | 9, 13, 15, 17 (muzzle-loading rifl es only) | |
| Jan. 1–31, ’25 | 13 | |
| Any Legal Sporting Arm Hunts | Oct. 1-Dec.31 | 4, 21B |
| Oct. 5-Dec.31 | 5A, 5B, 12, 16B/22, 21A, 49, 50 and 51 | |
| Oct. 12-Dec.31 | 2, 10, 6A, 6C, 7, 16A, 16C, 16D, 36, 45, 48, 52 and 53 | |
| Oct. 12-Jan.31, ’25 | 36 (Antlerless only) | |
| Oct. 19-Dec.31 | 16E, 23, 24 and 34 | |
| Oct. 19-Feb.5, ’25 | 34 (Antlerless only) | |
| Jan. 1-31,2025 | 48 | |
| Youth–Only Season | ||
| Season | Date | Unit |
| Any Legal Sporting Arm Hunts | Oct. 5-9 | 13, 15 and 17 |
| Muzzleloader, Bow or Crossbow Hunts | Oct. 5–9 | 13, 15 and 17 |
| Youth Encouragement Elk Seasons | ||
| Any Legal – Youth Only | Nov. 30-Dec.4 | 5B,6A,6C,10,13,15,16A,16C,16D,16E,17,36,49,51,52,53 |
| Dec. 26-30 | 6A,6C,13,15,16A,16C,16D,16E,17,34,36,51,53 | |
| Mobility–impaired Season | ||
| Season | Date | Unit |
| Any Legal Sporting Arm Hunts | Oct. 5–9 | 16A, 16D and 34 |
| Muzzleloader, Bow or Crossbow Hunts | Oct. 5–9 | 9 |
| Special and Secondary Management Zones | ||
| Season | Date | Unit |
| Bow-only hunts | Sept. 1–24 | / |
| Any Legal Sporting Arm Hunts | Oct. 1–Dec. 31(any fi ve consecutive days) | / |
| Antlerless Only | Oct. 1–Feb. 7, 2025 | 34 |
| Antlerless Only | Oct. 1–Jan. 31, 2025 | 36 |
How To Apply To Hunt Elk In New Mexico?
The New Mexico Department offers chances for elk hunting on public lands with Draw Licenses, as well as on private properties through the Elk Private Land Use System (EPLUS).
The deadline to apply for elk draw licenses is March 20, 2024.
Non-residents cannot participate in certain hunts held on WMAs or any antlerless elk draw licenses.
Each draw application receives a random sequence number in the automated system, which is then used to match the choices on the application with available licenses or permits according to the quotas provided.
Successful applicants will receive an elk draw license/tag by mail, or they can choose the E-Tag option. The license provides details such as hunt code, unit description, sporting-arm type, season dates, and bag limit. Tags come with instructions for proper tagging.
The draw license fee is: residents $7 and non-residents $13.
New Mexico not only offers great opportunities for hunting elk, but also for other game species. Try not to limit yourself to elk hunting, and check the hunting seasons for other prey as follows.
New Mexico Upland Game Seasons
| Species | Date | Area | Bag Limit |
| Quail | Nov. 15, 2024–Feb. 15.2025 | Statewide | 15 per day / 30 in possession |
| Grouse | Sept. 1–Dec. 31 | Statewide | 3 per day / 6 in possession |
| Squirrel, Fox | Sept. 1–Dec. 31 | Statewide | 8 per day / 16 in possession |
| Pheasant | Dec. 12-15 | Statewide | 3 males per day / 6 in possession |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove | April 1, 2024–March 31, 2025 | Statewide | Unlimited |
New Mexico Turkey Seasons
Spring Over-the-Counter (OTC) License Hunts: April 15–May 15 (two bearded turkeys)
Youth-Only Spring OTC License Hunt: April 11-13 (two bearded turkeys)
Turkey Draw Permit Hunts:
| Units | Season Dates | Bag Limits |
| Units 2B & 2C Carson National Forest | Apr. 15 – May 15 | 1 bearded turkey |
| Unit 2A (Areas east of Hwy. 550 and north of NM Hwy. 173) | Apr. 15 – May 15(Youth Only) | 1 bearded turkey |
| Unit 6B Valles Caldera National Preserve1 | Apr. 15 – Apr. 30 | 1 bearded turkey |
| Unit 8 | Apr. 15 – May 15 | 2 bearded turkey |
| Unit 9 Marquez/LBar WMA Only | Apr. 15 – May 15(NM Resident Only) | 1 bearded turkey |
| Units 26 & 27 (Gould’s Turkey) | May 1 – May 30 | 1 bearded turkey |
| Unit 55A Valle Vidal | East: Apr. 15 – May 15 | 1 bearded turkey |
| West: Apr. 15 – Apr. 30 | 1 bearded turkey | |
| Fall OTC License Hunts | Sept. 1–30 (bow only) | Any one turkey |
| Nov. 1–30 (shotgun,bow or crossbow) |
New Mexico Furbearers Seasons
| Species | Date | Area |
| Badger, bobcat, fox, ringtail and weasel | November 1, 2024–March 15, 2025 | Statewide |
| Beaver and muskrat | April 1–April 30, 2024 | |
| November 1, 2024–March 31, 2025 | ||
| Nutria | April 1, 2024–March 31, 2025 | |
| Raccoon – all legal methods | April 1–May 15, 2024 | |
| September 1, 2024–March 31, 2025 | ||
| Raccoon-restricted methods | May 16–August 31, 2024 |
New Mexico Cougar Season
The Cougar season will start on April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025, and open statewide.
New Mexico Hunting Licenses
The following are the fees for licenses for Elk hunting:
| License | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Antlerless | $60 | Not Issued |
| Standard Mature-Bull or Either-Sex | $90 | $548 |
| Quality Antlerless | $60 | Not Issued |
| Quality Mature-Bull or Either-Sex | $90 | $773 |
| Junior/Senior Elk License | $58 | Not Issued |
| Game-hunting License 1 | $15 | $65 |
| Junior Game-hunting License | $10 | $15 |
| Senior or Handicapped Game-hunting License | $15 | Not Issued |
Notes:
- There will be a $9 landowner administrative fee for hunting in the Primary and Special Management Zones.
- Every hunter must have a valid license and permit if needed.
- To hunt big game, hunters need a Game-Hunting License.
- Big-game hunters must have a carcass tag for each species unless choosing the E-Tag option.
- Hunters under 17 must have Hunter Education or ‘‘mentoryouth’’ number.
- Hunters and trappers on private lands need written permission from the landowner.
To buy hunting licenses or permits, please visit the official online licensing system, and create a customer account and then you can choose to buy the license you plan to hunt.
Conclusion
As we finish our discussion on New Mexico Hunting Seasons, we trust you are ready to be well prepared for the early season in this remarkable state.
New Mexico offers top-notch elk populations, and various hunting opportunities on both public and private lands, making it a prime destination for hunters.
Be sure to review and abide by the rules and regulations established by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to ensure a responsible and sustainable hunting experience.
Recommended for Hunters and Anglers
2 comments on “New Mexico Hunting Season Dates&Licenses For 2025”
Tim Mathis
What is the price for non resident bow season for bull elk.
Lynn
Hi, you can buy a standard ”Mature-Bull or Either-Sex Elk License” for non-residents, and it costs $548.