Hunting in New Mexico

[breakingtime91]

I'm 32, about to be 33 and besides sitting in a tree stand as a kid and never shooting a deer I have zero hunting experience. I live in New Mexico so I have a wide variety of options when it comes to hunting but truthfully I have zero idea where to go, how to start, or basically anything that I don't know. While I plan on starting in New Mexico I really do want this to become a way that I harvest food for my family and a way for me to break away from the day in and day out of modern life.


I am looking for any info on hunting, on hunting in NM, tips/tricks, and whatever else you can think of. I'm working on gear now, I have a nightforce 2.5-20 I am gonna use for this project and think I've settled on a 270 as the caliber I would to start with.

[Duces Tecum]

Maybe you could talk your local Safari Club and ask for a list of respected guides. Hire one of those to teach you to be a good hunter / outdoorsman. Maybe a different guide every time you hunt, but always with the teaching element paramount.

Alternatively, offer to assist your chosen guide as a aide during the season. Tell him you're new and don't expect payment, but in exchange he'll have to teach you what he wants you to know.

Exciting times ahead.


Duces

[okie john]

I'd start with https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ Learn about buying licenses, draws, etc. from the horse's mouth.

You can take a state-specific approach at https://www.hunttalk.com/forums/new-mexico.463/ although I'd broaden it to cover the entire mountain West. The one I've found for Washington has yielded insane amounts of specific, high-value information and good contacts. These guys will know about any oddities in New Mexico law and game regs, and can advise you on how to have a safe, legal, and successful hunt.

There's good general information on gear, guns, techniques, etc., at https://www.24hourcampfire.com.

You an also take a discipline-specific approach on forums like https://www.longrangehunting.com/

All of those forums have (mostly) good information, but they'll really make you appreciate the quality of discourse around here.

Hunting sites like https://www.themeateater.com/ offer insights but you have to read between the lines to really understand what they're talking about.

I rely on websites for guide services like https://www.arizonahunting.net/listofitems.htm This page is full of insight about hunting Arizona, but most of that advice probably works pretty well in New Mexico.

Good luck, and keep us posted.


Okie John

[Malamute]

Some very good info already.

I would suggest doing some small game hunting in areas that may be of interest for larger game. It will do several things, one, it gets you out in the hills, when looking for bunnies or squirrels you will start seeing deer and whatever, as well as getting boots on the ground looking at tracks and sign, it also helps reprogram your brain to tune into looking for specific things, like whatever animals you are looking for, but also whatever else is around.

If you can do any overnighter camping trips it will give you some good time on the ground watching and seeing animals also. One morning I woke up near Flagstaff and saw deer, antelope, elk, coyote, jack and cottontail rabbits, squirrels, an eagle, a red tail hawk, and some other smaller stuff I now forget. It was the most variety of animals Id ever seen in a short time span and in one place. This was just from being at my truck, I slept on top of the camper shell and was waking up and just looking around at first light to sunup. When you see animals think about where they are coming from and where they are going, if you go the same places see if the pattern repeats. Same for tracks, and if it snows it can give you a lot of info, just scouting.

In Az much of the animal activity was around water sources, both natural and man made like stock tanks/ponds or trick tanks. Scouting around them looking for tracks, or sitting back a ways watching them for activity can yield some interesting results.

I used to keep paper Forest Service maps, with todays mapping apps in phones you can probably dispense with the paper maps, but they still held some good info when studied, both land contour and vegetation as well as water sources, roads and trails, wilderness boundaries, private lands, reservation lands.

Just out driving around some early in the morning and evening can give some pretty good info.

[Skalkaho]

Consider a hunter education course: https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/

[Mitch]

My experience is mostly bow hunting white tail deer and shotgun hunting turkeys. You live in a really good elk state and I think mule deer are an option as well but IÂ’ve never looked at traveling that far west to hunt.

What type of terrain are you looking to hunt? When youÂ’re getting gear I would prioritize a good set of binos, maybe a spotting scope depending on your situation, boots, and gear to keep you comfortable. Wind resistance is at least as important as warmth, as well as staying dry. Wool base layers really help, and you can save some money buying non-name brand stuff on Amazon. Same with your socks.

For binos vortex diamondbacks have done well for me. I got a diamond back spotting scope that topped out at 48x and it sucked, so donÂ’t do that.

If your situation calls for a tree stand I strongly prefer tree saddles to stands, but you can gun hunt from the ground much easier than bow hunting. If you want a stand I can make some recommendations there, and also for safety harnesses. I strongly prefer a rock climbing harness and I think theyÂ’re safer than the full body harnesses because of the ability to self rescue.

Knives are another thing. If you hate sharpening look at Havalon or Outdoor edge. Havalon is sharper and easier to clean, outdoor edge has an easier blade swap and is a little more sturdy. Otherwise youÂ’ll want a sharpening system - work sharp is what I use and they have a good one you can take out in the field. Mora knives are a great value and come super sharp. Buck Pursuit Pro knives are great and even their 420HC stuff is pretty good.

My personal field dressing kit is a havalon and a leatherman. The leatherman has a saw and pliers to change the blades.

For boots that is an area I would spend a little more. I use gumleaf rubber boots. They cost more but they last WAY longer than other boots and theyÂ’re just made better. Hikers I have less experience with.

One other thing to consider is if you want this to get away from things, bow hunting gives you longer seasons. If you decide you want to try that shoot me a PM. Bow hunting has grabbed my soul and itÂ’s something I spend more time on now than shooting or BJJ, which 5 years ago would have shocked me.

The last thing IÂ’ll say is be careful buying too much gear. Other than being able to see, and being comfortable you donÂ’t need a ton probably. I carry WAY less stuff with me into the field now than I used to, and I get more animals because IÂ’m able to go further and into other places people are less willing to go.

[Borderland]

Start looking for public land unless you want to pay a guide or hunt private land. You can figure this out on your own but you have to spend some time researching it then some time on the ground. Lots of scouting involved in the off season. Start camping and hiking in some of the areas that you think are promising. Some game and fish departments report harvested animals in their game units. That's the information you need up front.

https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/hunting/harvest/2023/2022-2023-Deer-Harvest-Report.pdf

https://www.blm.gov/maps/frequently-requested/new-mexico/hunting-maps

[okie john]

Consider a hunter education course: https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/

Definitely this.

In a lot of states, that's non-negotiable unless you've done the course in another state. If you need it, sign up NOW. Courses get booked heavily in the next month or so because kids need to take them when they're out of school. If you wait much longer, then you may not get in.

I've seen a lot of sad teenagers whose parents put it off until April and then couldn't find a slot.


Okie John

[breakingtime91]

Definitely this.

In a lot of states, that's non-negotiable unless you've done the course in another state. If you need it, sign up NOW. Courses get booked heavily in the next month or so because kids need to take them when they're out of school. If you wait much longer, then you may not get in.

I've seen a lot of sad teenagers whose parents put it off until April and then couldn't find a slot.


Okie John

I have done a hunter safety course and have a lifetime small game license in nm because of my military service and VA rating. I hunted as a teen with my step father but we were not very successful and it's been 15 years since I've gone to deer camp. I know a couple of parents of students I've taught that are big hunters. So I think I'll reach out to them and see if I can go out with them so I have some guidance.


I appreciate all the websites! I am going to research all the regulations/laws. I am very much a hands on learner so hopefully I can find a mentor who is willing to take me under their wing lol

[Cory]

Pick the game animal your after. Look up the laws in your area.

Then, go down the rabbit hole. Learn everything you can about them. Size, weight, gender differences, markings, glands, anatomy, behavior, habitat, breeding season, breeding behavior, calls, what calls mean, history (whats the biggest record in your area? When?) Population size, density, diet, disease... you can't know enough.

When I started hunting turkeys as a kid I ignored knowing the bird because I knew the patch of woods really well. I thought normally seeing them certain places in the off season meant they would be there in season. And that was dumb. Learning more about the game animal makes the hunt more fun, more exciting, and helps you put yourself in a better position.

After you feel comfortable knowing some (not all. We ain't biologists and its imlossible to rememver it all.) Watch some hunting videos of folks after your game animal and see how the game acts and what the hunter did or how they planned.

Use OnX to help plan your area.

Go have fun in the cacophony of peace and quiet.

[CakeEater]

Lots of good info already. I’d like to add that you should look into the NM Dept of Game and Fish programs. They’ve supported disabled vets with special hunts last year.

https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/special-military-and-veteran-oryx-and-pronghorn-hunts-opening-june-14/

https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/publications/rib/2024/hunting_sections/07-Military-and-Veterans-Licenses.pdf

I’m down in Florida and the Florida Forest Service has Operation Outdoor Freedom, which provides hunts for disabled veterans/Purple Heart recipients. I recommend all veterans look into the hunting opportunities and programs within their states.

I’m sure you’ll get linked up soon with some hunters in your area. Happy Hunting!

[GJM]

Scouting can be (almost) as much fun as hunting. You mostly have the area to yourself, you can observe game while they aren't pressured, and get some exercise.

[Malamute]

Scouting can be (almost) as much fun as hunting. You mostly have the area to yourself, you can observe game while they aren't pressured, and get some exercise.


Yes, it can. The term "Quality time outdoors" fits this.

I often combined scouting with dog walking. When I walked daily behind the place I lived in the 90s. I saw deer pretty much daily just by being out every day. I drove part time during the beet harvest for a guy, I told him I needed some time off to hunt a deer, he asked if I needed a few days, I said no, I think I can be in after lunch. I was.


In Az a guy and his wife were visiting, they showed up at church. He was very interested in hunting bears, the only thing with tags available over the counter to non-residents. I got the Forest Service map I had, showed him some stock tanks (man made ponds) where id seen bear tracks and werent hard to get to, he got his tag and spent some time out looking. When I saw him again he said he didnt get a bear, but had seen deer and turkeys, and had a huge amount of fun seeing the tracks and being out there, knowing they were around. He was older, had hunted deer in Michigan, and dreamed of hunting in the west, anywhere, however he was able, and took the opportunity when they were on a trip. For him it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and he enjoyed it quite a lot. These bad habits of always snooping around watching animals and looking for tracks and sign pay off. It gets to be a habit.

The maps thing. When seeing animals not being hunted, then watching them and their tracks during season, I figured out their patterns when hunted and how they seemingly disappeared into thin air once the hunt started. I havent hunted elk there since then but have a pretty good idea where to be.

[Archimagirus]

New Mexico is a mixed bag when it comes to hunting. All of the big stuff you would likely want to fill a freezer, i.e. Elk, Deer or Bear are draw only licenses or land owner permits. According to the game and fish website the draws close 2.14 for Bear and Turkey and 03.20 for other big game. The small game license is pretty good for learning the terrain and seasonal for a lot of species.

In NM, you put into draw a specific region with a specific type of hunt, meaning Bow, rifle, muzzleloader or pistol. Bow season is usually earlier than the firearm seasons. Last time I looked or researched, if you draw in a year, you are ineligible to draw the following year, even if you don’t harvest anything.

My next step would be to pick up Game Proclamations and start your research for the different regions that way.

All of that is based on the last time I drew in the state and I would be happy to be corrected by any other hunters that are more current than me. Hopefully UNM1136 will chime in with some info for you.

[MickAK]

There's a lot of good info on Rokslide. I mainly go there for backcountry tips and techniques but hunting is the focus.
https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/new-mexico-residents-hunting-opportunities.265997/

OnX is a useful app for scouting locations.

Steven Rinellas books contain a lot of useful information for people getting into hunting without a strong family tradition of such. I wish I had them as a teenager.

You may want to consider looking at other states with more opportunity if you want to get your feet wet and see how you like it.

[walker2713]

Have you considered predator hunting?

Lots of coyotes on public land in NM.

And, you don’t have to clean them and you don’t have to eat them.

George

[Mitch]

New Mexico is a mixed bag when it comes to hunting. All of the big stuff you would likely want to fill a freezer, i.e. Elk, Deer or Bear are draw only licenses or land owner permits. According to the game and fish website the draws close 2.14 for Bear and Turkey and 03.20 for other big game. The small game license is pretty good for learning the terrain and seasonal for a lot of species.

In NM, you put into draw a specific region with a specific type of hunt, meaning Bow, rifle, muzzleloader or pistol. Bow season is usually earlier than the firearm seasons. Last time I looked or researched, if you draw in a year, you are ineligible to draw the following year, even if you don’t harvest anything.

My next step would be to pick up Game Proclamations and start your research for the different regions that way.

All of that is based on the last time I drew in the state and I would be happy to be corrected by any other hunters that are more current than me. Hopefully UNM1136 will chime in with some info for you.
Dude if that’s the case for residents that sucks. As much as I care about hunting I would have to move if that was my situation. If you can’t at least buy an archery tag over the counter that blows.

[breakingtime91]

Have you considered predator hunting?

Lots of coyotes on public land in NM.

And, you don’t have to clean them and you don’t have to eat them.

George

That is on the menu. I also live 15 minutes from the Texas border. What is hunting like for non residents in Texas? What about for disabled veterans?

[GJM]

That is on the menu. I also live 15 minutes from the Texas border. What is hunting like for non residents in Texas? What about for disabled veterans?

Generally, non resident hunting is available but with a license and tag price multiples higher than for residents.

My wife and I have hunted a lot on public land in Colorado, and harvested many deer and elk there. Your competitive advantage for hunting public land is your ability to hike. The further you can get from roads the less likely you are to run into others. Those you do encounter are generally squared away.

[breakingtime91]

Generally, non resident hunting is available but with a license and tag price multiples higher than for residents.

My wife and I have hunted a lot on public land in Colorado, and harvested many deer and elk there. Your competitive advantage for hunting public land is your ability to hike. The further you can get from roads the less likely you are to run into others. Those you do encounter are generally squared away.

Hiking I can do, thankfully. I appreciate the info, how I'd non resident in colorado?

[GJM]

Hiking I can do, thankfully. I appreciate the info, how I'd non resident in colorado?

For elk and deer, Colorado has draw areas and over the counter areas, where you buy a tag without a draw. I would go to CO's website and research over the counter areas in southern Colorado.

[CakeEater]

I found the Iowa Field to Fork Program encouraging and then stumbled across the NM Wildlife Federation Veterans Outreach.

https://www.kmaland.com/news/iowa-dnr-accepting-applicants-for-2024-field-to-fork-program/article_b37f63f8-ba20-11ee-bf2f-f743df3334bd.html

https://nmwildlife.org/veterans-outreach/