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Hunting Seasons and Dates

When Can I Hunt in New Mexico?

Let’s start planning your hunting season!

This guide features the most recent information available from the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish (NMGF), and we’ll continue to update it as new season details are released.

While this is a great starting point for planning your hunts, be sure to consult official NMGF resources for the most accurate and up-to-date information on season dates, regulations, and other key details.

Deer

Private Land Hunts (Units 8, 46, 55A, and 55B)

  • Bow:
    • Unit 8: September 1 – 24, 2025 and January 1 – 15, 2026
    • Unit 46, 54, 55A & B: September 1 – 24, 2025
  • Muzzle: September 27 – October 3, 2025
  • Any Legal:
    • Unit 8: October 18 – 22, 2025
    • Unit 46: October 18 – 22 and 25 – 29, 2025
    • Units 54, 55A & B:
      • October 18 – 22 and 25 – 29, 2025, and November 26 – 30, 2025
      • Youth Only: November 22 – 30, 2025

Draw Hunts

  • Premium Statewide Hunt (Any Legal): September 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Bow:
    • Units 2A, 2B, 7, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41: September 1 – 24, 2025 and January 1 – 15, 2026
    • Units 2C, 8, 19: January 1 – 15, 2026
    • Units 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6C, 10, 12, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 51B, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59: September 1 – 24, 2025
    • Units 23, 24, 27: September 1 – 24, 2025, January 1 – 15, 2026, and January 16 – 31, 2026
    • Unit 57: September 1 – 24 and November 1 – 30, 2025
  • Muzzle:
    • Units 2A, 2B, 2C, 5A, 5B, 7, 9, 10, 14, 41, 42, 45,47, 48, 56, 57, 58, 59: September 27 – October 3, 2025
    • Units 6A & 6C: October 4 – 8, 2025
    • Units 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, & 27: November 1 – 5, 2025
    • Units 19: December 6 – 10, 2025
    • Units 29, 30, 31, & 32: October 18 – 22, 2025
    • Unit 33: October 25 – 29, 2025, November 22 – 30, 2025 and December 26, 2025 – January 1, 2026
    • Unit 34: November 8 – 12, 2025
    • Units 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, & 43: October 25 – 29, 2025
  • Any Legal:
    • Units 2A, 5B, 6A, 6C, 7, 15, & 51A: November 1 – 5, 2025
    • Units 2B, 4, & 10: October 25 – 29, November 1 – 5 and 8 – 12, 2025
    • Units 2C, 9, 12 & 43: November 8 – 12, 2025
    • Unit 5A: November 11 – 17, 2025
    • Units 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, & 22: November 8 – 12 and 15 – 19, 2025
    • Units 14 & 55 E.S. Barker WMA: October 25 – 29
    • Unit 19: November 28 – 30, 2025 and January 9 – 11, 2026
    • Unit 21: November 8 – 12 and 15 – 19, and December 6 – 24, 2025
    • Units 23, 24, & 27: November 8 – 12, 15 – 19, and 22 – 26, and December 6 – 14, 2025
    • Unit 23 (Burrow Mountain Only): November 8 – 16 and December 6 – 14, 2025
    • Units 25, 36, 37, 38, & 39: November 8 – 12 and 15 – 19, 2025
    • Unit 26: November 8 – 12 and 15 – 19, and December 6 – 14, 2025
    • Unit 28: December 20 – 21, 2025
    • Units 29 & 30: October 25 – 29 and November 8 – 12, 2025
    • Units 31, 33, & 40: November 1 – 5 and 15 – 19, 2025
    • Unit 32: November 1 – 5 and 8 – 12, 2025, and January 16 – 31, 2026
    • Unit 34: November 1 – 5, 15 – 19, and 22 – 26, 2025
    • Unit 41: October 25 – 29, November 1 – 5 and 22 – 30, and December 13 – 17, 2025
    • Unit 42: October 25 – 29, November 1 – 5 and 26 – 30, 2025
    • Units 45, 48, 52, 53: November 1 – 5 and 8 – 12, 2025
    • Units 47, 49, 50, 51B, 54, & 55 Colin Neblett WMA: October 25 – 29 and November 1 – 5, 2025
    • Units 55 Urraca WMA, 56, & 57: October 25 – 29 and November 1 – 5, 2025
    • Units 58 & 59: October 25 – 29, November 1 – 5, and December 13 – 17, 2025

New Mexico also offers Youth Only Days for Draw Hunts. Check the official hunting guide for details.

Elk

Primary Management Zone Seasons

  • Bow Only (Units 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, & 50–53): September 1 – 14 and 15 – 24, 2025
  • Muzzleloader, Crossbow, and Bow:
    • Units 6A, 6C, 7, 10, 16E, 36, 23, 24, 45, 48, 52, & 53: October 11 – 15, 2025
    • Unit 34: October 18 – 22, 2025
    • Units 13, 15, & 17 (muzzle-loading rifles only): October 18 – December 31, 2025
  • Any Legal:
    • Units 4 & 21B: October 1 – December 31, 2025
    • Units 5A, 5B, 12, 16B/22, 21A, 49, 50, & 51: October 11 – December 31, 2025
    • Units 10, 6A, 6C, 7, 16A, 16C, 16D, 36, 45, 48, 52, & 53: October 18 – December 31
    • Unit 6 (Antlerless only): October 18, 2025 – January 31, 2026
    • Units E, 23, 24, & 34: October 25 – December 31, 2025
    • Unit 34 (Antlerless only): October 25, 2025 – February 11, 2026
  • Youth Only:
    • Any Legal (Units 6C, 16E, 23, 24, & 34): October 11 – 15, 2025
    • Muzzleloader, Crossbow, and Bow (Units 3, 15, & 17): October 11 – 15, 2025
  • Mobility-Impaired:
    • Any Legal (Units 6A, 16D, & 34): October 11 – 15, 2025
    • Muzzleloader, Crossbow, and Bow (Unit 9): October 11 – 15, 2025

Draw Hunts

  • Premium Statewide Elk Hunt (Any Legal): September 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Bow:
    • Units 2, 4, 5A, 5B, 6A-C, 7, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16A-E, 17, 18, 24, 29, 30, 36, 42, 47, 59, 45, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 55A, 56, 57, 58: September 1 - 14 and 15 – 24, 2025
    • Units 12: September 1 - 14 and 15 – 24, and December 13 – 17, 2025
    • Units 21A-B, 23, & 34: September 1 - 14 and 15 – 24, and December 20 – 24, 2025
    • Unit 37: September 1 - 14 and 15 – 24, and December 6 – 10, 2025
  • Muzzle:
    • Units 2, 6A-C, 7, 9, 10, 36, 45, 48, 52, 53, 54, 55, & 55A: October 11 – 15, 2025
    • Unit 9 Marquez/LBar WMA: October 11 – 15, 18 – 22, and 25 – 29, 2025
    • Units 13 & 15: October 18 – 22 and 25 – 29, November 22 – 26, and December 6 – 10 and 13 – 17, 2025 (NM residents only)
    • Unit 16E, 23, 24, & 34: October 18 – 22
    • Unit 17: October 18 – 22 and 25 – 29, November 22 – 26, and December 6 – 10 and 13 – 17, 2025 (NM residents only)
    • Unit 51: December 6 – 10, 2025
  • Any Legal:
    • Units 2: October 18 – 22 and December 13 – 17, 2025
    • Units 4 & 5A: October 11 – 15, 18 – 22, 25 – 29, and November 1 – 5, 2025
    • Unit 4 Humphries and Rio Chama WMAs: October 11 – 15, 18 – 22, and November 1 – 5, 2025
    • Unit 5B: October 11 – 15, 18 – 22, 25 – 29, and November 1 – 5 and 8 – 12, and December 20 – 24, 2025
    • Units 6A, 54, & 55 Colin Neblett WMA: October 18 – 22, 25 – 29, and November 8 – 12, 2025
    • Unit 6B: October 18 – 22 and 25 – 29, November 1 – 5, 8 – 12, 22 – 26, 29 – December 3, and December 6 – 10, 2025
    • Unit 6C: October 18 – 22 and 25 – 29, and November 8 – 12 and 22 – 26, 2025
    • Units 7 & 24 Including Ft. Bayard Management Area: October 18 – 22 and 25 – 29, 2025
    • Unit 10: October 18 – 22, November 16 – 19, and December 6 – 10, 2025
    • Unit 12: October 11 – 15, 18 – 22, and 25 – 29, November 15 – 19, 22 – 26, and 29 – December 3, and December 6 – 10, 2025
    • Unit 14, 39, 43, 42, 47, & 59: October 1 – 5, 2025
    • Unit 16A, C, D, & E: October 11 – 15, 18 – 22, 25 – 29 and December 6 – 10 and 13 – 17, 2025
    • Units 16B & 22: October 11 – 15, 18 – 22, and 25 – 29, 2025
    • Unit 21A: October 11 – 15, 18 – 22, 25 – 29 and December 6 – 10, 2025
    • Unit 21B: October 1 – 5, 18 – 22, 25 – 29, November 22 – 2, 29 – December 3, December 6 – 10 and 13 – 17, 2025
    • Unit 23: October 11 – 15, 25 – 29 and December 6 – 10 and 20 – 28, 2025
    • Unit 24 Excluding Ft. Bayard Management Area: December 20 – 24, 2025
    • Unit 28 McGregor Range Only: December 13 – 17, 2025
    • Units 29 & 30: October 1 – 5 and 11 – 15, 2025
    • Unit 34: October 11 – 15, 25 – 29, November 19 – December 3, December 6 – 10 and 13 – 17, 2025, January 24 – 28 and February 7 – 11, 2026
    • Unit 36: October 18 – 22, November 1 – 5, December 6 – 10, 13 – 17, 2025, and January 24 – 28, 2026
    • Unit 37: October 1 – 5, 18 – 22, and November 22 – 26, 2025
    • Unit 38 & 56: October 1 – 5 and 18 – 22, 2025
    • Unit 45: October 18 – 22 and 25 – 29, 2025
    • Unit 48: October 18 – 22, 25 – 29, November 15 – 19, and December 6 – 10, 2025
    • Unit 49: October 11 – 15, 18 – 22, November 8 – 12 and 15 – 19, 2025
    • Unit 50: October 11 – 15, 18 – 22, November 8 – 12 and 22 – 26, 2025
    • Unit 51: October 11 – 15, 18 – 22, and 25 – 29, November 8 – 12, 15 – 19, and 22 – 26, 2025
    • Unit 52: October 18 – 22 and 25 – 29, November 15 – 19 and 22 – 26 and December 6 – 10, 2025
    • Unit 53: October 18 – 22, 25 – 29, November 15 – 19 and 22 – 26, 2025
    • Unit 55A ES Barker WMA: October 11 – 15, 2025
    • Unit 55A Urraca WMA: October 18 – 22, November 8 – 12, 15 – 19, and 22 – 26, 2025
    • Unit 55A Valle Vidal: October 18 – 22, 25 – 29, November 1 – 5, 8 – 12, and 15 – 19, 2025
    • Units 57 & 58: October 1 – 5, 18 – 22, and December 13 – 18, 2025

Check the official New Mexico hunting guide for Youth Only dates.

Pronghorn

Private Land Hunts

  • Bow:
    • Unit 4: August 5 – 13, 2025
    • Units 14, 41, 42, 46, 47, 48, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, & 59: August 9 – 17, 2025
  • Muzzle:
    • Unit 4: August 23 – 24, 2025
  • Any Legal:
    • Units 4, 50, & 52: August 16 – 18, 2025
    • Units 14, 41, 42, 46, 47, 48, 54, 55, 56, 58, & 59: August 23 – 25, September 27 – 29, and October 4 – 6, 2025
    • Unit 57: September 27 – 29, 2025

Draw Hunts

  • Bow:
    • Units 2, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43/8, 47, 56, 57, 58, & 59: August 9 – 17, 2025
    • Units 50 & 52: August 5 – 13, 2025
  • Muzzle:
    • Unit 28 McGregor Range Portion of Ft. Bliss: August 30-31, 2025
    • Unit 29: August 23 – 25 and September 27 – 29, 2025
    • Units 50 & 52: August 16 – 18 and 23 – 25, 2025
  • Any Legal:
    • Units 2, 7, 9, 10, & 20: August 23 – 25, 2025
    • Units 12, 15, & 16: August 23 – 24 and October 4 – 6, 2025
    • Units 13, 17, 31, 32 East of Pecos River, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43/8, 47, 56, 58, & 59: August 23 – 24, September 27 – 29, and October 4 – 6, 2025
    • Units 18, 21, 24, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, & 57: August 23 – 25 and September 27 – 29, 2025
    • Unit 19 White Sands Missile Range Only: October 3 – 5, 2025
    • Units 32 West of Pecos River: August 23 – 24, September 27 – 29, October 4 – 6, and December 1 – 15, 2025
    • Units 50 & 52: August 16 – 18, 2025

Bighorn Sheep

Dates vary based on GMU, the species (Rocky Mountain vs Desert Bighorn), and the allowed gender of sheep you hunt.

Season dates begin August 6 and run through January 31, 2026.

Ibex

2025 Dates: Draw Licenses

  • Bow: January 15 – 29, 2025
  • Muzzle: February 22 – 28, 2025
  • Any Legal: February 1 – 5, 2025
  • Over-the-Counter (Statewide, Any Legal): April 1 – >arch 31, 2025

2025-2026 Dates: Draw Licenses

  • Unit 25:
    • Bow: October 1 – 15, 2025 and January 15 – 29, 2026
    • Muzzle: February 21 – 27, 2026
    • Any Legal: November 15 – 29, December 13 – 17, December 27, 2025 – January 10, 2026, and February 7 – 11, 2026
  • Over-the-Counter (Statewide, Any Legal): April 1 – March 31, 2026

Turkey

Spring

  • Any Legal:
    • Units 2B, 2C Carson National Forest, 8, 9 Marguez/LBar WMA: April 15 – May 15, 2025 (including Youth Only)
    • Unit 2A (Youth Only): April 15 – May 15, 2025
    • Unit 6B Valles Caldera National Preserve: April 15 – 30, 2025
    • Units 26 & 27: May 1 – 30, 2025 (Gould's Turkey, Once-in-a-Lifetime)
    • Unit 55A Valle Vidal: April 15 – May 15, 2025 (East Side), April 15 – 30, 2025 (Wes Side)

Fall

  • Bow Only: September 1 – 30, 2025
  • Shotgun, Bow, Crossbow: November 1 – 30, 2025

Bear

Over-the-Counter Seasons

  • Bow (Zones 1-14): September 1 – 24, 2025
  • Any Legal:
    • Zones 1 & 2: September 25 – November 15, 2025
    • Zones 13: September 25 – November 30, 2025
    • Zones 8 & 14: October 15 – November 15, 2025
    • Zones 3, 5, 6, & 9: August 16 – 31 and September 25 – November 15, 2025
    • Zones 4, 11 & 13: August 16 – 31 and September 25 – November 30, 2025
    • Zone 10: September 25 – December 25, 2025
    • Zone 12: August 16 – 31 and September 25 – December 15, 2025

Draw Hunts

  • Any Legal (Units 2, 4, 9, 54, & 55A: August 1 – 31, 2025
  • Any Legal (Unit 55A Valla Vidal Only): April 15 – May 20, 2025
  • Bow (Unit 57 Sugarie Canyon State Park): August 1 – 31, 2025

Upland Game

  • Quail: November 15, 2025 – February 15, 2026
  • Grouse: September 1 – December 31, 2025
  • Squirrel: September 1 – December 31, 2025
  • Pheasant: December 11 – 14, 2025
  • Dove:
    • North Zone: September 1 – November 29, 2025
    • South Zone: September 1 – October 28, 2025 and December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026
  • Pigeon:
    • Regular Season: September 1 – 14, 2025
    • Southwest Season: October 1 – 14, 2025
  • Sandhill Crane:
    • Eastern Hunt: October 25, 2025 – January 22, 2026
    • Estancia Valley Hunt S: November 1 – 4, 2025 and 6 – 9, 2025
    • Southwestern: November 1 – 9, 2025 and January 3 – 4, 2026
    • MRGV Hunts: Dates vary from November 15, 2025 through January 11, 2026

Migratory Game Birds

We'll update the dates for 2025-2026 when they're released by the State of New Mexico this summer.

Central Flyway Seasons

  • Ducks & Coots:
    • North Zone: October 11, 2025 – January 14, 2026
    • South Zone: October 28, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • North and South Zones:
    • September Teal: September 13 – 21, 2025
    • Gallinules: September 13 – November 21, 2025
    • Sora & Virginia Rail: September 13 – November 21, 2025
    • Snipe: October 11, 2025 – January 25, 2026
    • Dark Goose: October 17, ,2025 – January 31, 2026
    • MRGV Dark Goose: December 19, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Light Goose:
    • October 17, 2025 – January 31, 2026
    • Conservation Order: February 1 – March 10, 2026

Pacific Flyway Seasons

  • Goose:
    • North Zone: September 27 – October 12, 2025 and November 2, 2025 – January 31, 2026
    • South Zone: October 17, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • North and South Zones:
    • Ducks, Coots, & Gallinules: October 19, 2025 – January 31, 2026
    • Scaup: October 19, 2025 – January 12, 2026
    • Sora & Virginia Rail: September 13 – November 21, 2025
    • Snipe: October 17, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Youth Waterfowl

  • Central Flyway (North): October 4 – 5, 2025
  • Central Flyway (South): October 25 – 26, 22025
  • Pacific Flyway (North & South): October 11 –12, 2025

Javelina

Draw Hunts

  • Statewide (Youth Only): February 1 – March 31, 2025
  • Units 19, 23-27: January 1 – 31, 2025 and February 1 – March 31, 2025
  • Unit 28 McGregor Range: December 27 – 28, 2025

Over-the-Counter Licenses (Statewide, Excluding Units 19, 23-28): January 1 – 31 and February 1 – March 31, 2025

Cougar

April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026

Coyote

No closed season.

New Mexico
Fishing Hunting