Applying for Big Game Hunts in New Mexico

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2012-2013 
All Hunters Must Purchase A New License All hunters wishing to purchase or apply for any big game or turkey license, MUST FIRST PURCHASE an annual Game-hunting License or combination Game-hunting and Fishing License. By itself, a Game-hunting License is valid for hunting all small game, both upland and migratory game birds. The purchase of a Game-hunting and Fishing License is valid for fishing in addition to hunting small game. Junior, senior, handicapped and military Game hunting and fishing licenses are also available for those who qualify.

No More Paper Applications
The Department is going paperless for ALL draw applications. The paper application no longer exists. Applicants may call (505) 248-6866 to submit an application by phone from Feb. 2 through March 20. Full

Fee Up Front 
The application fee and full license fee will be charged at the time the application is submitted. Credit cards, debit cards and “electronic checks” are acceptable forms of payment.

Oryx Draw 
Deadline Moved The deadline to apply for oryx draw licenses or oryx population management hunts has been moved to the second spring draw, March 28, 2012. The results of the drawing will be posted at the same time as all other biggame draw results

Application Editing Changes 
Applicants will NOT be able to edit their applications once their application has been paid for; they will only be able to delete. If an applicant deletes an application, they may reapply. However, they again will be charged an application fee AND the full license fee. Deleted applications will be refunded in May. Therefore, it is very important that the application is complete and correct (it includes all hunters in the party, hunt codes are correct, etc.) before submitting it

New Draw Quotas Established 
State Law now requires:
 • 84% of public draw hunt licenses go to New Mexico residents,
 • 10% of public draw hunt licenses go to residents and nonresidents contracting with a New Mexico Registered Outfitter,
 • 6% of public draw hunts go to nonresidents who choose not to use a New Mexico Registered Outfitter. 

New Mexico Residents Only for Cow Elk Hunts 
Only New Mexico residents are eligible to apply for Antlerless (A) Elk Draw Licenses. Nonresidents are allowed to apply for Either Sex (ES) and Mature Bull (MB) Elk Draw Licenses and they are allowed to hunt any legal elk on private lands.

WMA Hunt Restrictions 
Only New Mexico residents will be allowed to apply for hunts held exclusively on State Game Commissionowned Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Nonresidents may still apply for hunts that occur concurrently on both WMAs and public lands

ALL Youth Hunters Must Have a Hunter Education Certification Number 
All youth hunters, younger than 18, must have a Hunter Education certification number from New Mexico or another state, prior to purchasing their Game-hunting License or Game-hunting and Fishing License. This certification number is required even if they only will be applying for an Archery Draw Hunt.

Ten Percent Applicant Pool 
To be eligible to apply for the 10% outfitted applicant pool, all applicants must have a signed contract with a New Mexico Outfitter PRIOR to applying.

Click here for a complete list of changes for 2012-2013.