Turkey Seasons & Regulations
Turkey Draw Permits
The deadline to apply for turkey draw permits is February 10, 2021. Up to two persons may apply per application.
Successful applicants must purchase an over-the-counter (OTC) turkey license with tags unless the E-Tag option is chosen. A game-hunting license or game-hunting & fishing license is required. If planning to hunt within 14 days of online or telephone purchase, hunters may be required to obtain tags at a license vendor or NMDGF office. Tags include instructions for proper tagging.
Spring Over-the-Counter (OTC) License Hunts
OTC turkey licenses are available at NMDGF offices, license vendors, online or by telephone: 1-888-248-6866. Hunters may purchase both spring and fall licenses.
Areas Open for Spring OTC License Hunts: April 15–May 10
STATEWIDE: Except the closed areas listed below.
CLOSED: Unit 2A (areas east of NM Hwy. 550 and north of NM Hwy. 173); Unit 2B (areas in the Carson National Forest), Unit 2C (areas in the Carson National Forest); Units 6B, 8, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31; Bernardo WMA, Bill Evans WMA, Double E WMA, Jackson Lake WMA, La Joya WMA, Lake Roberts WMA, Marquez WMA, Prairie Chicken WMAs, Red Rock WMA, River Ranch WMA, Valle Vidal, W.S. Huey WMA.
Youth-only Spring OTC License Hunt: April 9–11
An early youth-only turkey hunt is available on April 9–11 in all units listed open for spring hunting.
Bag Limit for Spring Season
The bag limit is 2 bearded turkeys, except in permitted areas.(1) The beard and a patch of feathers surrounding the beard must remain on the bird until it is delivered to the place where it will be eaten or placed in final storage.
(1) Turkey draw permit holders may kill only the number of turkeys authorized on their permit in the permitted area. If only one turkey is allowed they may hunt in any open over-the-counter area during the spring season for a second turkey.
Turkey Draw Permits Seasons (OTC Turkey License Required)
Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hunt Dates . . . . . . Hunt Code . . . Licenses . . Bag Limit
Unit 2A (Areas east of Hwy. 550 and north of NM Hwy. 173) __________________
Any Legal - Youth Only . .Apr. 15-May.10 . . . .TUR-1-102 . . . . . . .5. . . . 1 bearded turkey
Unit 2B and 2C (Carson National Forest)
Any Legal . . . . . . . . .Apr. 15-May.10 . . . .TUR-1-100 . . . . . . 115 . . . 1 bearded turkey
Any Legal - Youth Only . .Apr. 15-May.10 . . . .TUR-1-101 . . . . . . 50 . . . 1 bearded turkey
Unit 6B (Valles Caldera National Preserve)
Any Legal (1). . . . . . . .Apr. 15-30 . . . . . .TUR-1-103 . . . . . . 20 . . . 1 bearded turkey
(1) Hunter orientation required.
Unit 8
Any Legal (2). . . . . . . .Apr. 15-May.10 . . . .TUR-1-104 . . . . . . 15 . . . 2 bearded turkeys
(2) Shotgun, bow or crossbow, except in Sandia Ranger District which is bow and crossbow only.
Unit 9 - Marquez WMA
Any Legal - NM Resident .Apr. 15-May.10 . . . .TUR-1-105 . . . . . . .5. . . . 2 bearded turkeys
Unit 30 - Washington Ranch (3) (Youth Only)
Any Legal . . . . . . . . .Apr. 25-26 . . . . . .TUR-1-106 . . . . . . .4. . . . 1 bearded turkey
(3) This is a special hunting opportunity for youth hunters to harvest a Rio Grande turkey at
Washington Ranch. Successful draw applicants will be assigned either the April 25–26 or May 2–3 hunt date and will be contacted with additional hunt details. Hunter orientation is required and will be held on the Friday afternoon before the designated hunt begins. Youth hunters will be paired with a conservation officer for a Saturday and Sunday hunt. Lodging and meals will be provided at Washington Ranch for the youth hunter and parents or legal guardians (up to two guests per hunter). For additional information about this opportunity, contact the Southeast Area office: (575) 624-6135.
Unit 33 - W.S. Huey WMA
Any Legal - NM Resident .Apr. 9-11 . . . . . . .TUR-1-107 . . . . . . .2. . . . 1 bearded turkey Only / Youth Only
Any Legal - NM Resident .Apr. 16-18 . . . . . .TUR-1-108 . . . . . . .2. . . . 1 bearded turkey Only / Youth Only
Unit 55 - Valle Vidal
Any Legal . . . . . . . . .Apr. 15-30 . . . . . .TUR-1-109 . . . . . . 20 . . . 1 bearded turkey
Fall OTC License Hunts
Sept. 1–30 (bow only) and Nov. 1–30 (shotgun, bow or crossbow)
STATEWIDE: Except the closed areas listed below.
CLOSED: Unit 2A (areas east of NM Hwy. 550 and north of NM Hwy. 173); Unit 2B (areas in the Carson National Forest); Unit 2C (areas in the Carson National Forest); Units 6B, 8, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 38, 43, 49, 50, 53; Bernardo WMA, Bill Evans WMA, Double E WMA, Edward Sargent WMA, Jackson Lake WMA, La Joya WMA, Lake Roberts WMA, Marquez WMA, Prairie Chicken WMAs, Red Rock WMA, Rio Chama WMA, River Ranch WMA, Sugarite Canyon State Park, Valle Vidal, W.A. Humphries WMA and W.S. Huey WMA.
Bag Limit for Fall Season
The bag limit is any one turkey. If a hunter does not harvest a turkey during the September bow-only hunt, she/he may hunt again in November using legal sporting arms for turkey.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Youth Spring Turkey Hunt
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) will not conduct a Youth Spring Turkey Hunt lottery draw for the 2021 Spring turkey season. Since the 2020 Youth Spring Turkey Hunt was postponed due to the COVID 19 pandemic, those youth hunters drawn for the 2020 hunt will be able to participate when the next Youth Spring Turkey Hunt at Bosque del Apache NWR is available. For more information about hunting opportunities at Bosque del Apache NWR, visit http://www.fws.gov/refuge/bosque_del_apache.
