New Mexico Big Game Draw Announcements

Important Deadlines:

Feb. 12 – Deadline to apply for bear and turkey draw permits. Applications must be completed before 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST).

Feb. 15 – Deadline to submit 2019–20 harvest reports for deer, elk, pronghorn and turkey license holders. Reports can be submitted online or by telephone. Late fees apply after this date.

Mar. 18 – Deadline to apply for draw licenses for Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina, pronghorn and oryx, and to apply for private-land only deer licenses in Units 2A, 2B, 2C, 4 and 5A. Applications must be completed before 5 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).

Mar. 18 – Deadline to submit late 2019–20 harvest reports for deer, elk, pronghorn and turkey. All 2019–20 license holders must report to be eligible for 2020–21 draw licenses. Reports can be submitted online or by telephone. Failure to report for these species by this date will result in rejection of all draw applications. An $8 late fee applies.

April 7 – Deadline to submit 2019–20 harvest reports for Barbary sheep, ibex, javelina, oryx and trapper license holders to be eligible for big-game licenses.

Get your hunter education course in before the draw deadline

It is unlawful for anyone under 18 to apply for, or buy, any type of firearms hunting license before passing a hunter education course unless the youth is registered in the New Mexico Mentored Youth Hunting Program. Youth hunters must have proof of passing a state certified Hunter Education course or have a current Mentored Youth number in their possession while hunting.

There are three methods to getting your New Mexico Hunter Education number:

1. Traditional Hunter Education – is an instructor-led student course approximately 14-16 hours in length. This traditional style of course is for students of and age that incorporates lecture, video, hands-on and review methods to educate students. Students who are 10 years of age and younger must have a parent/guardian/responsible adult attend the course with them.
2. Field Day Hunter Education – is an accelerated instructor-led hunter education course approximately six (6) hours in length. This course is for students10 years of age and older ONLY and incorporates less lecture and review and adds more hands-on components. This course is an excellent option for Mentored Youth Hunters. Students who are 10 years of age must have a parent/guardian/responsible adult attend the course with them.
3. Online Options – Students have the option of earning their New Mexico hunter education certification completely online. No in-person course required.The online course options are for New Mexico residents 11 years of age or older ONLY.

Register for your course today!

Facebook live series to help prepare for the draw

Did you join us on Facebook last year for information about the big game draw?

Throughout February and March we will be joined by Department biologists and topic experts to help answer questions you may have about hunting in New Mexico, how the draw works or clarification on hunting laws.

A few highlights include:

• Myth Bustin’ the draw
• First time putting in for the draw
• Species highlights: elk, deer, bear, turkey, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep,
• Laws and Regulations
• And more, follow us on Facebook to make sure you get the live events!

Special Draw Announcements:

• Sportsmen and women must log in to the licensing database using either their Customer Identification Number (CIN) or username. Using an e-mail address will no longer be an option. 
• Questions about the draw or hunting in New Mexico? Plan on attending the New Mexico Outdoor Adventure Show. Feb 14 to 16 at Expo New Mexico.
• Attention military-only and returning Iraq/Afghanistan veteran oryx draw applicants – The New Mexico State Game Commission approved a change to NMAC 19.31.3 in Nov. 2019. Proof of service/eligibility must now be provided to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish prior to applying for any military only hunts, Fort Bliss or returning Iraq/Afghanistan hunts until you have provided documentation of service to the Department, your documents have been verified and entered into the system.When applying, if you do not see the military-only hunt codes or returning Iraq/Afghanistan veteran oryx hunt codes, it means the Department has not yet verified your eligibility.

  The Department strongly recommends that you DO NOT wait until the last minute to provide your documents. Due to the influx of draw applications at the end of the application period, the Department cannot guarantee that your documents will be entered into the system after March 13, 2020.

  Please e-mail military documentation to specialhunts@state.nm.us.

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will be conducting a restoration project to improve fish habitat at Bill Evans Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Silver City.

To ensure public safety during construction the northwest access road will be closed starting Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 5:00 p.m. and will reopen Friday, Feb. 14 at noon.

The southern access road, including the boat ramp, will remain open throughout the project.

The project will improve habitat for several sport fish species such as largemouth bass, channel catfish, rainbow trout and bluegill. It will focus on increasing spawning areas for adult fish and hiding areas for juvenile fish, ultimately improving angling at Bill Evans Lake WMA.

Visit the Department’s website to learn more about State Game Commission Lands including Wildlife Management Areas.

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