Residents as well as nonresidents may enjoy fantastic deer hunting possibilities in New Mexico. There are plenty of deer to chase throughout the year, with varied terrain that includes vast sagebrush plains and rocky mountains. Here is a detailed overview of the latest New Mexico deer season 2023-2024, regulations, and license information.
New Mexico Deer Season Dates
The following are the season dates for the major New Mexico deer hunts in 2023-2024:
| NM Deer Season | Season Dates | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Bow (Private Land) | Sep 1, 2023 - Sep 24, 2023 | 8, 46, 54, 55 |
| Premium Statewide | Sep 1, 2023 - Jan 31, 2024 | N/A |
| Early Bow Draw Limited | Sep 1, 2023 - Sep 24, 2023 | 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 56, 57, 58, 59 |
| Early Restricted Muzzleloader | Sep 27, 2023 - Oct 3, 2023 | 9, 52 |
| 1st Muzzleloader Limited | Sep 27, 2023 - Oct 3, 2023 | 2, 7, 10, 14, 41, 42, 45, 47, 48, 56, 57, 58, 59 |
| Muzzleloader (Private Land) | Sep 27, 2023 - Oct 3, 2023 | 8, 46, 54, 55, 55B |
| 2nd Muzzleloader Limited | Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 4, 2023 | 6 |
| Any Legal Weapon (Private Land) | Oct 14, 2023 - Nov 26, 2023 | 8, 46, 54, 55, 55B |
| Late Restricted Muzzleloader | Oct 21, 2023 - Oct 25, 2023 | 33 |
| 3rd Muzzleloader Limited | Oct 21, 2023 - Oct 25, 2023 | 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43 |
| Any Weapon Draw Limited | Oct 21, 2023 - Jan 31, 2024 | 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 |
| 6th Muzzleloader Limited | Oct 28, 2023 - Nov 1, 2023 | 12 |
| 4th Muzzleloader Limited | Oct 28, 2023 - Nov 1, 2023 | 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 |
| 5th Muzzleloader Limited | Nov 4, 2023 - Nov 8, 2023 | 34 |
| 7th Muzzleloader Limited | Dec 2, 2023 - Dec 6, 2023 | 19 |
| Late Bow Draw Limited | Jan 1, 2024 - Jan 15, 2024 | 2, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
These include the main deer seasons, albeit outside of these main hunts, there are other chances on private property and with restricted draw. To learn everything about the dates of the seasons in each particular unit, be sure to refer to the rules.
Antelope Season
| NM Antelope Season | Season Dates | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzleloader (Private Land) | Aug 5, 2023 - Aug 7, 2023 | 4 |
| 2nd Muzzleloader Limited | Aug 5, 2023 - Aug 7, 2023 | 29, 50, 52 (Youth only) |
| Bow Private Land | Aug 8, 2023 - Aug 16, 2023 | 4 |
| Bow (Private Land) | Aug 12, 2023 - Aug 20, 2023 | 14, 46, 48, 54, 55 |
| Bow Limited | Aug 12, 2023 - Aug 20, 2023 | N/A |
| 1st Muzzleloader Limited | Aug 26, 2023 - Aug 28, 2023 | 50, 52 |
| Any Weapon (Private Land) | Aug 26, 2023 - Aug 28, 2023 | 14, 46, 48, 54, 55 |
| Any Weapon Limited – Youth | Aug 26, 2023 - Aug 28, 2023 | Units 2, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 47, 56, 58, 59 |
| Any Weapon Limited | Aug 26, 2023 - Aug 28, 2023 | Units 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 47, 56, 58, 59 |
| 4th Muzzleloader Limited | Sep 2, 2023 - Sep 3, 2023 | 28 (McGregor Range) |
| Any Weapon – Mobility Impaired | Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 2, 2023 | Units 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 47, 56, 58, 59 |
| Any Weapon (Private Land) | Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 2, 2023 | 14, 46, 48, 54, 55 |
| Any Weapon Limited | Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 2, 2023 | Units 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 47, 56, 57, 58, 59 |
| 3rd Muzzleloader Limited | Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 2, 2023 | 29 |
| Any Weapon (Private Land) | Oct 7, 2023 - Oct 9, 2023 | 14, 46, 48, 54, 55 |
| Any Weapon Limited | Oct 7, 2023 - Oct 9, 2023 | Units 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 24, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 47, 56, 58, 59 |
| Any Weapon Limited – Youth | Oct 14, 2023 - Oct 16, 2023 | Youth Only. Units 41, 47, 56, 57, 58, 59 |
Elk Season
| NM Elk Season | Season Dates | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Bow – Early (Private Land) | Sep 1, 2023 - Sep 14, 2023 | 2, 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6C, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16A, 22, 16C, 16B/22, 16C16D, 16E, 17, 21A, 21B, 23, 24, 34, 36, 45, 48, 49, 50-53 |
| Bow – Late (Private Land) | Sep 15, 2023 - Sep 24, 2023 | 2, 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6C, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16A, 22, 16C, 16B/22, 16C16D, 16E, 17, 21A, 21B, 23, 24, 34, 36, 45, 48, 49, 50-53 |
| Premium Statewide | Oct 1, 2023 - Jan 31, 2024 | N/A |
| Bow Limited | Oct 1, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023 | Seasons vary by unit. See regulations. |
| Any Weapon Limited | Oct 1, 2023 - Jan 31, 2024 | Seasons vary by unit. See regulations. |
| Any Weapon 1 (Private Land) | Oct 1, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023 | 4 |
| Muzzleloader 1 (Private Land) | Oct 7, 2023 - Jan 31, 2024 | 2, 6A, 6C, 7, 10, 36, 45, 48, 52, 53 (Also includes Crossbow and Archery) (License limited to any five consecutive days within a season listed) |
| Youth Any Weapon (Private Land) | Oct 7, 2023 - Oct 11, 2023 | 16C, 16E, 23, 24, 34 |
| Youth Bow & Muzzleloader (Private land) | Oct 7, 2023 - Oct 11, 2023 | 13, 15, 17 |
| Muzzleloader Limited | Oct 7, 2023 - Jan 31, 2024 | Seasons vary by unit. See regulations. |
| Any Weapon 2 (Private land) | Oct 7, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023 | 5A, 5B, 12, 16B/22, 21A, 21B, 49, 50, 51 |
| Any Weapon 3 (Private land) | Oct 14, 2023 - Dec 13, 2023 | 2, 10, 6A, 6C, 7, 16A, 16C, 16D, 36, 45, 48, 52, 53 |
| Muzzleloader 2 (Private Land) | Oct 21, 2023 - Dec 13, 2023 | 9, 13, 15, 16E, 17, 23, 24, 34 (Also includes Crossbow and Archery) (License limited to any five consecutive days within a season listed) |
| Any Weapon 4 (Private Land) | Oct 31, 2023 - Dec 13, 2023 | 16E, 23, 24, 34 |
New Mexico Deer Hunting Regulations
Here are some key regulations New Mexico deer hunters should be aware of:
- A valid hunting license with required stamps is mandatory. Habitat and habitat access stamps required for hunting on public lands.
- Legal sporting arms for deer include centerfire rifles .22 caliber or larger, muzzleloading rifles .45 caliber or larger, shotguns firing a single slug, bows, and crossbows.
- All deer harvested must be tagged immediately with proper carcass tag. E-Tag option available.
- Antlered deer require antler tag in addition to carcass tag.
- Proof of sex (antlers, horns, scalp, ears, or genitalia) must accompany carcass until consumed or processed.
- The use of dogs is prohibited for deer hunting except for tracking wounded animals.
- Blaze orange is highly recommended but not required by law, except on certain properties.
New Mexico Deer Bag Limits
Bag limits vary by unit and license type but common examples include:
- FAD – Fork Antlered Deer (mule deer or whitetail)
- FAMD – Fork Antlered Mule Deer
- FAWTD – Fork Antlered Whitetail Deer
- ESWTD – Either Sex Whitetail Deer
- A – Antlerless Deer
Hunters may only obtain one deer license per species per year.
New Mexico Deer Licenses and Fees
Several types of licenses exist for deer hunting in New Mexico:
Draw Licenses
- Apply by March 22, 2023
- Allow hunting on public and private lands within specified unit
Fees:
- Standard License – $283
- Quality License – $368
- High Demand – Higher fees
- Habitat and Access Stamps required
Private Land Only Licenses
- Allow hunting on private property in unit with landowner permission
- special rules apply for Units 2A, 2B, 2C, 4, 5A
- Fees same as Draw Licenses
- Minimum 14 day processing if not using E-tag
Nonresident License Fees
- Adult License – $65
- Habitat Management Stamp – $4
- Habitat Stamp – $10 (if purchased after April 1)
- Application Fee – $13 per species
Additional Deer Hunting Information
- Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) regulations in effect for affected units
- Several special draw hunts for youth and mobility impaired hunters
- Most state Wildlife Management Areas closed unless designated open
- National Parks, Monuments, and Wildlife Refuges closed or restricted
- Hunter orange required on some areas like Fort Bliss
Consult the current New Mexico Hunting Rules & Info for full regulations. With diverse seasons and many units to choose from, New Mexico offers something for every deer hunter. Do your research and start planning your 2023-2024 New Mexico deer hunt today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the season dates for deer hunting in New Mexico this year?
The New Mexico deer seasons for 2023–2024 span from early September to mid–January, contingent upon the kind of weapon, the area, and the type of license. The early September archery, October muzzleloader, October-November rifle, and January late archery are a few of the noteworthy seasons. Season dates differ depending on the game management unit, so be sure to check the most recent rules.
How do I apply for a deer hunting license in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, applications for limited draw deer permits may be submitted online or on paper beginning in early January. The big game draw license application deadline is March 22, 2023. Private land only vouchers and permits may also be directly purchased online or over the counter.
What is the deadline for applying for a New Mexico deer draw license?
March 22, 2023 is the cutoff date for the New Mexico deer draw in 2023. By March 22nd, all applications must be submitted electronically or by mail. Applications that arrive late won’t be approved. By mid-April, results are often ready.
What weapons can I use to hunt deer in New Mexico?
Centerfire rifles are permissible hunting weapons for deer.muzzleloader guns with a caliber of at least 22.Bows and crossbows; shotguns with a single slug; 45 caliber or more. For particular limits per unit and season, see the rules.
How many deer can I harvest in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, bag restrictions are typically one dollar per license year; however, some regions provide antlerless permits. Each deer species is limited to one license each year. Forked antler deer (FAD), forked antler mule deer (FAMD), and antlerless deer (A) are a few examples of typical bag limitations.Â
Where are some of the top areas to hunt deer in New Mexico?
New Mexico’s top deer hunting units are located in the northwest in units 2B, 2C, 5B, and 7, and in the southwest in units 23. On the other hand, there are healthy deer populations in several units.
What is the Habitat Management Stamp required for deer hunting in NM?
With the exception of anglers and trappers, all hunters gaining entry to BLM or US Forest Service properties in New Mexico are required to obtain and bear a $10 Habitat Stamp. Programs to conserve animals are funded in part by this stamp. It’s only necessary if you hunt on public territory.
How can I find out if Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) regulations apply for my hunt unit?
For the afflicted regions of New Mexico, there are CWD management zones and laws in place. To find out whether your deer hunt unit is located in a CWD Zone, see the hunt laws. There are certain regulations for testing and shipping of carcasses.
Dates & Regulations Source: State Wildlife NM
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