Migratory Birds Seasons & Regulations
License Information
Habitat Management & Access Validation
A Habitat Management & Access Validation (HMAV) must be purchased and possessed by all hunters, trappers and anglers, except individuals 17 years of age and younger, resident anglers 70 years and older (free fishing license) and 100% Disabled-Veteran card holders. Only one stamp each license year is required. Fees are used to: lease access to private lands for public use; provide public access to landlocked public land; and provide improvement, maintenance, development and operation of State Game Commission property for fish and wildlife habitat management. The HMAV will automatically be added to the shopping cart with your first purchase of a hunting, fishing or trapper license if required.
Habitat Improvement Stamp
Hunters and anglers must purchase and possess a current Habitat Stamp to use U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in New Mexico, except anglers
11 years of age and younger and 100% disabled resident veterans in conjunction with privileges covered by the Disabled-Veteran card. Only one stamp is required each license year for these lands. The stamp is not required on other public property or on private property. The stamp is not required in Unit 28 which is predominately BLM property under military withdrawal. Funds from the sale of Habitat Stamps are used to improve wildlife habitat. All hunters, trappers and anglers are encouraged to purchase a Habitat Stamp.
Harvest Information Program Number (HIP)
Each license year, migratory bird hunters must obtain a HIP number. Every hunter must possess a separate permit number for each state in which they hunt migratory birds.
Duck Stamp
Federal law requires all waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older to carry a valid federal Migratory Bird Hunting & Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) which is signed in ink across the face. Stamps are available online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us or www. duckstamp.com and at U.S. Post Offices, NMDGF offices and at all license vendors. A valid hunting license that displays 'Federal Duck Stamp' meets the federal requirement for 45 days from the date of purchase.
Reduced-Fee Licenses for Juniors
Reduced-fee licenses for resident junior game-hunting & fishing and junior game-hunting (resident and nonresident) are available to individuals 17 years of age and younger at the time of purchase, on or after April 1, 2022.
Hunter Education or Mentor-Youth Hunter Number Required Individuals younger than 18 years of age must either: 1) possess a Hunter Education number from New Mexico or another state; or 2) possess a New Mexico Mentor-Youth Hunter number. Certification and/or registration numbers will be printed on all hunter’s Game Hunting Licenses once completed.
Youth Hunts
To qualify for youth hunts, applicants must be 17 years of age or younger on opening day of the hunt and must possess a Hunter Education number or a Mentor-Youth Hunter number.
Federal Youth Waterfowl Days
No application or special hunt permit is required. Youth hunters must be 17 years of age or younger and fully licensed. Hunters 16 years of age and older must possess a federal Duck Stamp. An adult 18 years of age or older must accompany the youth in the field (the adult may not hunt ducks, coots or gallinules but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth days). For more information about this hunt, see page 25.
New Mexico Residency Requirements
To qualify for New Mexico resident license(s), an individual must meet one of the follow- ing criteria:
- A United States citizen who has resided in N.M. for a period of not less than 90 days immediately preceding the date of application (or purchase) for the license, has been domiciled in N.M. and has not claimed residency elsewhere for any purpose. Tem- porary or seasonal residents and home owners or P.O. box holders, who maintain a primary residence outside of N.M., do not qualify for resident licenses.
- A citizen of another country who is legally in the United States and has actually lived in N.M. for at least 90 days immediately preceding his/her license application (or pur- chase).
- A student, not otherwise entitled to claim residence, who is attending any educational institution in N.M., has attended and actually has lived in the state for at least one full semester immediately preceding the application (or purchase) for a license. Students must present a certificate or letter verifying their enrollment and attendance from the proper authorities of the educational institution.
- A member of the U.S. military, not otherwise entitled to claim residence, who is permanently assigned to a military installation located within N.M. and who presents with his/her application a certificate or letter that verifies the military assignment and is signed by the commanding officer. The spouse or dependent of such person, living within the same household and similarly certified by the person’s commanding officer may also purchase resident licenses.
Military and Veteran Licenses
Free Licenses for 100% Disabled Resident Veterans
New Mexico residents who are 100%-disabled veterans of the armed services are eligible for a free lifetime Game Hunting & Fishing License. Disabled veterans may apply to NMDGF for a Disabled American Veteran card which allows the holder to hunt small game (migratory game birds and upland game), fish and obtain a free deer license. Card holders do not need to buy or possess a Habitat Stamp when fishing or hunting small game.
Disabled Veterans Game Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Residents who are disabled veterans of the armed services, but do not meet the 100%-disabled qualification, are eligible for a $10 Game Hunting & Fishing License ($20 savings). All other license requirements apply (page 6).
50% Discount for Resident Active Military and Veterans
50% discounts on all licenses, permits and stamps are available to New Mexico residents who are active duty military or veterans. The discount may be claimed by applying for or purchasing any license, permit or stamp online, by telephone or at any license vendor. Residents claiming this discount must be able to provide proof of active duty military or veteran status upon request. Discount does not apply to: application fees, license vendor fees, administrative fees, the federal Duck Stamp or the Resident Disabled Veteran Game Hunting & Fishing License.
Nongame Hunting License
Nonresidents must purchase a Nonresident Nongame License or a New Mexico Nonresident Game Hunting License to take nongame species. Residents are not required to have a license to take nongame species. See page 10, Rabbits and Other Nongame Species.
License Refunds and Transfers
New Mexico Game Hunting licenses are nontransferable and nonrefundable. For more information, call the NMDGF Information Center: 1-888-248-6866.
License Information Is Public Record
Pursuant to the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, Sections 14-2-1 et. seq. NMSA 1978, information provided when applying for licenses and permits is public record and must be disclosed to anyone when properly requested except as provided by law.
Penalties for Hunting without a License
Hunters cited for hunting migratory game birds without a license may pay a penalty assessment instead of appearing in court. The penalty assessment is $125 for residents,
$175 nonresidents and includes the cost of a hunting license, permits, stamps and fees related to the citation (pages 6–7). A license will be mailed uponpayment of the
assessment. A hunter cited will be assessed 10 points against a potential 20 points which may result in license revocation. License Revocation: hunting and fishing privileges may be revoked for three years or more, if accumulated game law violations equal 20+ points within a three year period. For further information, please contact any NMDGF office.
Parental Responsibility Act
The Parental Responsibility Act requires the New Mexico State Game Commission to suspend the recreational and professional licenses of anyone who does not comply with court-ordered child support obligations. The purpose is to discourage parental neglect of children by suspending hunting and fishing privileges until failure to pay court-ordered child support has been corrected and a $25 reinstatement fee has been paid. For more information, call NMDGF Field Operations: (505) 476-8065 or 1-888-248-6866.
General Regulations
It is unlawful to:
- Hunt protected species without a license and all applicable permits, stamps and validations.
- Hunt any protected species outside of established season for that species.
- Hunt protected species using licenses, permits, stamps or validations belonging to another individual or take or attempt to take a protected species for anotherperson.
- Take or attempt to take game species by the aid of baiting. An area is considered to be baited for 10 days after the removal of the bait.
- Use live protected species as decoys to take or attempt to take game species.
- Exceed the daily bag limit or have more than the legal possession limit of any species.
- Use electronically or mechanically recorded calling devices, except as permitted for non- game species and during the Light Goose Conservation Order.
- Shoot at protected species or artificial wildlife from a motor vehicle.
- Discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a dwelling or building (not including abandoned or vacated buildings on public land) without the permission of the owner or lessee.
- Hunt while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants, including medical marijuana.
- Litter and/or pollute streams, lakes and other waters.
- Leave a fire unattended or improperly handle fire.
- Shine spotlights or other artificial lights into areas where livestock may be present, while in possession of any sporting arm.
- Park any motor vehicle or camp within 300 yards of any man-made water hole, water well or watering tank used by wildlife or domestic stock, without the prior consent of the private landowner, private-land lessee, public-land lessee or public-land management agency.
- Shoot at game on, from or across any paved, graded or maintained public road or within the fenced right-of-way of any paved, graded or maintained publicroad.
- Use motor-driven vehicles on roads closed under the Habitat Protection Act or other federal regulation.
- Hunt or shoot at any animal from an aircraft or drone or cause any non-domesticated animal to move from its place of rest or change its direction of travel.
- Hunt from, signal locations of protected species to hunters from or harass game with air- craft; hunt protected species observed from aircraft within 48 hours of observation; or hunt protected species the same day of air travel, except by commercial airline or direct flight to a landing strip.
- Take any animal that is protected by law but not listed as a game species and/or any animal that is listed as an endangered or threatened species.
- Recklessly or carelessly handle a firearm.
Protected Bird Species
Unless otherwise designated, all birds are protected by law. In addition to the game birds listed in this booklet, protected birds include eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, vultures, crows, ravens and all songbirds. Unprotected birds are starlings, rock doves (common pigeons) and house sparrows (English sparrows).
Rabbits and Other Nongame Species
Common nongame species include coyotes, skunks, rabbits and rock squirrels. New Mexico residents are not required to have a license to take nongame species. Nonresidents must possess either a Nonresident Nongame License or a current New Mexico Nonresident Game Hunting license. Nongame species may be taken on U.S. Forest Service and BLM lands open to hunting. Nongame species may also be taken on State Trust Lands which are opened by easement, provided the hunter holds a valid license for protected species on those lands and he/she is hunting during the season(s) designated for that license. White-sided jackrabbits, found primarily in Hidalgo County, are protected under the New Mexico Wildlife Conservation Act and may not be hunted.
Vehicle Use: Driving Off-road or on a Closed Road
- During the seasons established for any protected species, it is unlawful to drive or ride in a motor vehicle which is driven off an established road on public land or on a closed road on public land when the vehicle bears a licensed hunter, angler or trapper.
- During the seasons established for any protected species, it is unlawful to drive or ride in a motor vehicle which is driven off an established road on privateland, without written permission from the landowner, when the vehicle bears a licensed hunter, angler or trapper.
- It is unlawful to drive or ride in a motor vehicle which is being driven off an established road or on a closed road when gathering or searching for shed antlerson public land.
- EXCEPTION: Snowmobiles may be driven off established roads and lawfully taken game may be retrieved in areas not closed to vehicular traffic.
- Public land as used in this section shall mean any federally owned or managed property, any state owned or managed property, any private property which is part of a unitization hunt- ing agreement, ranch wide agreement or unit wide agreement for the species being hunted, any private property which theDepartment has paid for public access for the species being hunted or any New Mexico State Game Commission owned or managed property.
Established road means:
- A road, built or maintained by equipment, which shows no evidence of ever being closed to vehicular traffic by such means as berms, ripping, scarification, reseeding, fencing, gates, barricades or posted closures;
- A two-track road which shows use prior to hunting seasons for other purposes such as recreation, mining, logging and ranching and which shows no evidence of ever being closed to vehicular traffic by such means as berms, ripping, scarification, reseeding, fencing, gates, barricades or posted closures.
Hunting on Private Land
Hunters must obtain written permission before entering private lands (see Criminal Trespass). It is unlawful to hunt, capture, take, attempt to take or kill any game on posted private property without written permission of the landowner or person in control of the land, or if consent to remain on the property has been denied or withdrawn. Any game taken in violation of the above, shall be subject to seizure.
Criminal Trespass
Any person entering private property without written permission from the landowner, manager or leasee may be charged with criminal trespass under Chapter 30-14-1, NMSA 1978. Criminal trespass is a misdemeanor and punishable by fines up to $1,000 and
364 days in jail. For complete descriptions of what is and what is not criminal trespass and the penalties involved, see page 25–26 of the 2022–23 New Mexico Hunting Rules and Information, available online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Any person convicted of criminal trespass shall be revoked for at least three years.
General Rules
Legal Sporting Arms
Migratory Birds: White-winged and mourning doves, American coot, band-tailed pigeon, gallinules, snipe, ducks, geese, sandhill crane, sora and Virginia rail.
Migratory game birds may be taken with a shotgun fired from the shoulder, provided it is no larger than 10-gauge and is not capable of holding more than three shells. Migratory game birds also may be taken with muzzle-loading shotguns firing shot, bow and arrows and crossbow and bolts.
Nontoxic Shot Mandatory
Hunters must use and possess only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot when hunting any waterfowl, coot, gallinules, crane (draw hunt only), snipe, sora or Virginia rail with shotguns (including muzzle-loading shotguns).
Anyone hunting migratory game birds on Bernardo, LaJoya or Huey WMAs must use and possess only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot. Nontoxic shot is not required for dove, band-tailed pigeon and the eastern sandhill crane hunt on other State Game Commission owned or managed properties.
Nontoxic shot includes: bismuth-tin, iron (steel), copper-clad iron, iron-tungsten, iron- tungsten-nickel, tungsten-bronze, tungsten-iron-copper-nickel, tungsten matrix, tungsten polymer, tungsten-tin-iron, tungsten-tin-bismuth, tungsten-tin-iron-nickel and tungsten- iron-polymer.
Possession, Transportation and Storage
It is unlawful to possess migratory game birds without a proper license or possession certificate demonstrating the game was taken legally.
No game of any kind may be transported or possessed by another person, unless that game is accompanied by a possession certificate (sample possession certificate, page 33 and online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us).
Proof of Species, Sex and Bag Limit
One fully feathered wing of each migratory game bird or Eurasian collared-dove (other species of dove and band-tailed pigeon are exempt) must remain attached to the bird until it is at a residence, taxidermist, meat processing facility or place of final cold storage.
Wanton Waste
Wanton waste is illegal. Anyone taking migratory game birds must transport the edible portions of the meat from the field for human consumption.
Shooting Hours
Migratory Game Birds: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise noted.
Bottomless Lakes Overflow: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.
Wildlife Management Areas
Bernardo, Jackson Lake, La Joya and W.S. Huey: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. Exceptions: Shooting hours for the September Teal Season on the Bernardo and La Joya areas are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Migratory game bird hunting on all other WMAs: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Migratory Game Bird Rules
Species include white-winged and mourning doves, American coot, band-tailed pigeon, common gallinules, snipe, ducks, geese, sandhill crane, sora and Virginia rail.
Harvest Information Program Number (HIP)
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service requires all migratory game bird hunters to obtain a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number (page 7).
Migratory Game Bird Permits
Free Eastern Sandhill Crane Permit
Each eastern sandhill crane hunter must possess the appropriate license(s) (page 6), plus an Eastern Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit (free). Permits are available online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us, at NMDGF offices and at all license vendors (One-dollar vendor fee may apply). A federal Duck Stamp is not required to hunt sandhill cranes.
Draw Sandhill Crane Permits
Each draw-season sandhill crane hunter must have the appropriate license(s) (page 6), plus a draw permit (hunt codes and dates listed on page 23).Applications may be submitted online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us or call: 1-888-248-6866. Applications must be submitted by August 17, 2022 before 5 p.m. MDT. No more than four people may apply per application and no more than two people may apply per youth-only hunt application. Nonrefundable application fees are $7 per resident and $13 per nonresident. Additional information about hunt requirements will be given to successful applicants. A federal Duck Stamp is not required.
Free Band-tailed Pigeon Permit
All band-tailed pigeon hunters must possess a band-tailed pigeon permit. Permits are available online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by telephone: 1-888-248-6866 and at NMDGF offices and all license vendors (one-dollar vendor fee may apply).
Free Light Goose Conservation Order Permit
A Light Goose Conservation Order permit is required for hunters participating in the conservation order hunts Feb. 1–March 10, 2023 (see page 24). Permits are available online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by telephone: 1-888-248-6866 and at NMDGF offices and all license vendors (one-dollar vendor fee may apply).
Federal Duck Stamp
Federal law requires all waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older to carry a valid federal Migratory Bird Hunting & Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) which is signed in ink across the face. See page 7.
Legal Methods for Migratory Game Birds
It is legal to use artificial decoys, blinds and dogs. It is illegal to shoot at any protected species from within or upon a motor vehicle, motor-driven boat, sailboat or aircraft. However, a person may shoot from a motor-driven boat when the motor has been completely shut off and its progress has ceased.
Report All Banded Birds!
NMDGF requests all banded birds harvested be reported online: www.reportband.gov.
Federal Regulations
In addition to all New Mexico regulations in this booklet, the following federal regulations apply on federal lands when taking, possessing, transporting and storing migratory game birds. Persons cited for violating federal regulations will be required to appear in federal court. The complete federal regulations (50 CFR-Part 20) is available online: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-20?toc=1
Illegal Methods
No person shall take migratory birds:
- From a sink box (a low floating device that has a depression affording the hunter a means of concealment beneath the surface of the water).
- From or with the aid or use of a car or other motor-driven land conveyance or from or with the aid of any aircraft or drone.
- By baiting (placing or directing placement of feed such as corn, wheat, salt, etc. for the purpose of causing, inducing or attempting to take any migratory game bird). Hunters should be aware a baited area is considered to be baited for 10 days after the removal of the bait.
Importation of Harvested Migratory Birds
During any one-week beginning on Sunday, no person shall import more than:
- 25 doves and 10 pigeons from any foreign country.
- 10 ducks and 5 geese from any foreign country, except Canada and Mexico.
- The Canadian and Mexican export limits for doves and waterfowl, which vary for dif- ferent foreign provinces and states.
In addition, one fully feathered wing must remain attached to all harvested migratory game birds being transported or shipped between a port of entry and one’s home or taxidermist. No person shall import harvested migratory game birds belonging to another person.
Migratory Game Bird Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs)
All state and federal regulations apply. Only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used and possessed on refuges. Sporting arms must be unloaded and cased when transported.
Bosque del Apache NWR
Conducts special permit light goose hunts and allows dove hunting in specific areas. For current information, maps and applications, call (575) 835-1828 or visit:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bosque-del-apache/visit-us/activities/hunting
Las Vegas NWR
Conducts special permit Canada goose hunts and limited dove hunting. For information, maps and applications visit: www.fws.gov/refuge/las_vegas/ or call: (505) 425-3581.
Bitter Lake NWR
Conducts limited hunting for ducks, geese, coot, sandhill crane and quail. For information, maps and applications visit: www.fws.gov/refuge/bitter_lake/ or call: (575) 244-6256.
Sevilleta NWR
Limited hunting for mourning dove, white-winged dove, quail, geese, duck and coot. One handicap-accessible duck blind is available first-come, first-served. For more information and maps visit: www.fws.gov/refuge/sevilleta or call: (505) 864-4021.
Migratory Game Bird Seasons
DOVE AND BAND-TAILED PIGEON SEASONS
Mourning and White-winged Dove
North Zone: North of I-40 from the New Mexico/Arizona border to U S Hwy 54 at Tucumcari; U S Hwy 54 from Tucumcari to the New Mexico/Texas border South Zone: South of I-40 from the New Mexico/ Arizona border to U S Hwy 54 at Tucumcari; U S Hwy 54 from Tucumcari to the New Mexico/ Texas border.
| Hunt Area | Season Dates | Bag / Possession |
| North Zone | Sept 1 – Nov 29 | 15 singly or aggregate / 45 in possession |
| South Zone | Sept 1 – Oct 28 and Dec 1 – Jan 1 '23 | 15 singly or aggregate / 45 in possession |
Band-tailed Pigeon
A free Band-tailed Pigeon Permit is required (page 17).
Southwest Season: South of U S Hwy 60 and west of I-25 Regular Season: Remainder of the state outside the Southwest Season boundary.
Hunt Area | Season Dates | Bag / Possession |
| Regular Season | Sept 1 – Nov 29 | 15 singly or aggregate / 45 in possession |
| Southwest Season | Oct 1–14 | 2 per day / 6 in possession |
Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Hunt Areas
State Game Commission WMAs
State Game Commission owned or managed areas listed below are open to migratory game bird hunting. No hunting is allowed outside of open seasons or for species not listed. No camping is allowed and vehicles are restricted to designated areas. Shooting hours are listed on page 15.
Days Open to Migratory Game Bird Hunting
( • = Days Open)
Wildlife Management Areas | Species | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thr | Fri | Sat |
W S Huey | Dove | • | • | • | ||||
All Prairie Chicken Areas,Sandhill Prairie Conservation Area, and River Ranch | Dove | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Sargent, Humphries, Rio Chama, Urraca, Colin Neblett, Water Canyon, Marquez and E S Barker | Dove, Band-tailed pigeon | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Bernardo (South) South ofU.S. 60 in Bernardo will be open for September Teal Season and youthwaterfowl days | September Teal Season | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
La Joya | September Teal Season | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
La Joya (east of railroad tracks) | Dove, Group I | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Bernardo (The Quagmire) | Group I | • | • | • | ||||
Bernardo (Ponds) | Group I | • | • | • | ||||
Bernardo (Youth Unit) | Group I | • | • | • | ||||
La Joya (north portion) That portion north of the main east/west entrance road and west of the railroad tracks. | Group I | • | • | • | ||||
La Joya (south portion) That portion south of the main east/west entrance road and west of the railroad tracks. | Group I* | • | • | • | ||||
Jackson Lake (west of NM 170) | Group II* | • | • | • | ||||
Charette Lake, Hammond Tract, McAllister Lake, Retherford Tract, Socorro-Escondida, Tucumcari, and Wagon Mound | All migratory birds | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Bernardo (Unit D) Open only during the Light Goose Conservation Order. | Light Goose C O | • | • | • |
SANDHILL CRANE SEASONS
Applying for Sandhill Crane Hunts
Applications may be made online or by phone. The application deadline is August 17, 2022. No more than four persons may apply per application and no more than two persons per youth-only hunt application. A federal Duck Stamp is not required to hunt sandhill cranes. Cranes are often found on private property. To access private property, hunters must obtain and possess prior written permission.
Eastern Hunt (Eastern)
Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay and Roosevelt counties: All Eastern sandhill crane hunters must possess an appropriate license (page 6), plus a free Eastern sandhill crane permit (page 17). There is no deadline to apply. Permits are available online and at all license vendors.
Southwest Hunt (SW)
Parts of Sierra, Doña Ana, Luna, Grant and Hidalgo counties: Bounded on the south by the New Mexico/Mexico border; Bounded on the west by the New Mexico / Arizona border north to I-10; Bounded on the north by I-10 east to US 180, north to NM 26, east to NM 27, north to NM 152 and east to I- 25; Bounded on the east by I-25 south to I-10, west to the Luna county line and south to the New Mexico/Mexico border.
Hunters who draw special Southwest Crane Permits must return the Harvest Questionnaire and Bill Measurement Card to NMDGF no later than five days after the end of the permitted hunt dates.
Estancia Valley Hunt (EV)
Portions of Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Torrance counties: Bounded on the west by NM 55 starting at Mountainair and north to NM 337, north to NM 14 and north to I-25; Bounded on the north by I-25 east to US 285; Bounded on the east by US 285 south to US 60; Bounded on the south by US 60 from US 285 west to NM 55 at Mountainair. Hunters who draw Special Estancia Valley Crane Permits must return the Harvest Questionnaire and Bill Measurement Card to NMDGF no later than five days after hunting.
Middle Rio Grande Valley (MRGV) Hunts and Resident Youth-only Hunt Hunters who draw Special MRGV Crane Permits must: 1) Check all cranes harvested at the designated check station; and 2) File a harvest report no later than five days after the
end of the permitted hunt dates via the Department’s online licensing system or by calling
888-248-6866. Sandhill crane check station dates in the Middle Rio Grande Valley: Nov. 12–13; Nov. 26–27; Dec. 10–11; Jan. 7–8, 2023; Jan. 14–15 2023. Harvest Questionnaires and hunt letters are available online: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/information-by-animal/migratory-bird/
Regular draw hunts: Valencia and Socorro counties only. Bernardo, La Joya and Casa Colorada WMAs are closed to crane hunting during regular draw hunts.
Resident Youth-only Hunt: Youth hunters will be assigned to hunt on either Bernardo or Casa Colorada WMAs.
Sandhill Crane Hunts
Bag limit is 3 per day and 6 in possession Up to four hunters may apply per application
| Hunt Area | Hunt Code | Season Dates | Number of Permits |
| Eastern Hunt | N/A | Oct 29– Jan 29, 2023 | Unlimited |
| Estancia Valley Hunt MRGV Hunts | SCR-0-101 | Oct 29–Nov 1 and Nov 3–6 | 65 |
| SCR-0-102 | Nov 12–13 | 80 | |
| SCR-0-103 | Nov 26–27 | 80 | |
| SCR-0-104 | Dec 10–11 | 80 | |
| SCR-0-105 | Jan 7–8, '23 | 80 | |
| SCR-0-106 | Jan 14–15, '23 | 80 | |
| Southwestern | SCR-0-108 | Oct 29–Nov 6 | 70 |
| SCR-0-109 | Jan 7–8, '23 | 70 |
Youth Sandhill Crane Hunt (residents only)
Bag and possession limits are 3 Up to two hunters may apply per application
| Hunt Area | Hunt Code | Season Dates | Number of Permits |
| MRGV - Youth Only | SCR-0-107 | Nov 19 | 24 |
CENTRAL FLYWAY SEASONS
Possession limits are 3 times the daily bag limit for all species, unless otherwise noted
North Zone(East of the Continental Divide and north of I-40 and U S Hwy 54 at Tucumcari)
| Species | Season Dates | Bag / Possession |
| Ducks | Oct 8–Jan 11, ’23 | 6 ducks singly or in aggregate1 / 3 times daily bag |
| American Coot | Oct 8–Jan 11, ’23 | 15 daily / 45 in possession |
South Zone
(East of the Continental Divide and south of I-40 and U S Hwy 54 at Tucumcari)
| Species | Season Dates | Bag / Possession |
Ducks and American Coot | Oct 8–Jan 11, ’23 |
Same as North Zone / 3 times daily bag |
North and South Zones
(North Zone and South Zone boundaries above)
| Species | Season Dates | Bag / Possession |
September Teal Season |
Sept 10–18 |
6 singly or in aggregate (1) / 18 in possession (blue-winged, cinnamon, green-winged teal) |
| Gallinules | Sept 10–Nov 18 | 1 daily / 3 in possession |
| Sora and Virginia Rail | Sept 10–Nov 18 | 10 singly or in aggregate / 20 in possession |
| Snipe | Oct 8 – Jan 22 ’23 | 8 daily / 24 in possession |
| Dark Goose(2) | Oct 17–Jan 31 ’23 | 5 daily / 15 in possession (Canada and white-fronted goose) |
| MRGV Dark Goose(3) | Dec 19–Jan 31, ’23 | 2 per day / 2 per season (Canada and white-fronted goose) |
| Light Goose | Oct 17–Jan 31 ’23 | 50 daily / No possession limit (snow and Ross’s goose) |
Light Goose Conservation Order | Feb 1–Mar 10 ’23 | No bag limit / No possession limit (4) (snow and Ross’s goose) |
(1) Aggregate may consist of no more than: 5 mallards, only 2 of which may be female (Mexican ducks are considered part of the mallard bag limit); 3 scaup; 3 wood ducks; 2 redhead; 2 hooded merganser; 1 pintail; and 2 canvasback.
(2) MRGV (Valencia, Socorro and Sierra counties) is closed to dark goose hunting in the regular season
(3) MRGV includes Valencia, Socorro and Sierra counties
(4) Free permit required (page 17) Approved tools include electronic calls and unplugged shotguns Shooting until 1/2 hour after sunset, except on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
PACIFIC FLYWAY SEASONS
Possession limits are 3 times the daily bag limit for all species, unless otherwise noted.
North Zone
(West of the Continental Divide and north of I-40)
| Species | Season Dates | Bag / Possession |
| Goose | Sept 24–Oct 9; Nov 2–Jan 31, ’23 | 5 Canada and brant / 15 in possession, 10 white-fronted/ 30 in possession, 20 light / 60 in possession |
South Zone
(West of the Continental Divide and north of I-40)
| Species | Season Dates | Bag / Possession |
| Goose |
Oct 17– Jan 31, ‘23 | 5 Canada and brant / 15 in possession, 10 white-fronted/ 30 in possession, 20 light / 60 in possession |
North and South Zones
(West of the Continental Divide and north of I-40)
| Species | Season Dates | Bag / Possession |
Ducks | Oct 19–Jan 31 ’23 | 7 ducks in aggregate(1) / 3 times daily bag |
| Scaup | Oct 19–Jan 31 ’23 | 2 daily (2) / 6 possession |
| American Coot and Gallinules | Oct 17–Jan 31 ’23 | 25 singly or in aggregate / 75 in possession |
| Snipe | Oct 8 – Jan 22 ’23 | 8 daily / 24 in possession |
| Sora and Virginia Rail | Sept 10–Nov 18 | 25 singly or in aggregate / 75 in possession |
(1) Aggregate may include no more than 2 female mallards, 2 redheads, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback
(2) Included in the aggregate bag for ducks
YOUTH WATERFOWL SEASONS
Federal Youth Waterfowl Days
(Residents and Nonresidents)
| Hunt Area | Zone | Season Dates | Bag / Possession |
Central Flyway | North | Sept 24–25 | See pages 23–24 |
| South | Oct 1–2 | ||
| Pacific Flyway | North and South | Oct 8–9 | See page 24 |
No application is required. Youth hunters must be 17 years of age or younger and fully licensed (a special hunt permit is not required). Hunters 16 years of age and older must possess a federal Duck Stamp. An adult 18 years of age or older must accompany the youth in the field. The adult may not hunt ducks, but may if properly licensed participate in other seasons open during Youth Waterfowl Days.
The youth hunter may take only ducks, coots and gallinules in the Pacific Flyway. The youth hunter may take only ducks and coots in the Central Flyway. No other migratory game bird species may be taken, unless it is open season for these species. Bag and possession limits are the same as the regular seasons.
WMAs open during Youth Waterfowl Days include Bernardo, La Joya, Wagon Mound, Charette Lake, McAllister Lake and Tucumcari.
Youth Waterfowl Hunts at Bernardo (Residents Only)
Bernardo Youth Hunt Unit is open for waterfowl hunts for resident youth and their guests. Blind selection will be available first-come, first-served from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. Youth hunters must be accompanied by a supervising adult 18 years of age or older. Supervising adults may not hunt, but must be legally licensed. No more than four people per blind are allowed—at least half of whom must be youth hunters.
