May 2026 Re-cap

Reminder - The New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish has now officially changed their name to the New Mexico Department of Wildlife. Moving forward NMCOG will refer to the Department as the NMDOW or the Dept. of Wildlife (as opposed to NMDGF or Game & Fish). Likewise, the NM Game Commission is now called the NM Wildlife Commission.
 
The NM Wildlife Commission hosted a meeting on Thursday May 28th in Socorro. They began finalizing some of the big game rules. The remainder of the open rules will be finalized at the Commission meetings between June and November. The Commission unanimously approved the changes to the Turkey and Javelina Rules at this meeting. The Elk and Deer Rule proposals were NOT discussed during the May meeting.
 
As a reminder, this year the Commission will be revising all their big game rules (except for predators) for the next 4yr rule cycle. You can find information on the proposed changes to the rules that have already opened at Proposals Under Consideration - NMDGF.
 
APPROVAL OF THE JAVELINA RULE
The Commission voted unanimously to approve the below changes to the Javelina Rule. These changes will be in effect for the next 4-year rule cycle 2027-2030. You can view the final changes to the rule, including date changes, HERE. The Javelina Rule is now closed for public comment.
 

• Increase licenses in OTC areas (any legal weapon; from 1,200 to 1,300 licenses)
• GMUs 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 (bootheel) javelina licenses to include OTC areas (excluding GMU 28), making these “statewide” licenses.
• Eliminate GMU 28 hunt of 10 licenses (only 30% of hunters show up and it’s logistically challenging for the military to implement)
• Require the purchase of a license at least one day prior to hunting.

 
APPROVAL OF THE TURKEY RULE
The Commission voted unanimously to approve the below changes to the Turkey Rule. These changes will be in effect for the next 4-year rule cycle 2027-2030. You can view the final changes to the rule, including date changes, HERE. The Turkey Rule is now closed for public comment.
 

• Adjust hunt dates based on calendar dates
• Increase up-to permit number from 5 to 15 for Gould’s once-in-a-lifetime hunt in GMU 26-27
• In GMU 8, increase permits from 15 to 20
• Require the purchase of a license at least one day prior to hunting.

 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF THE BIGHORN SHEEP RULE
 
The Department provided their subsequent (or second) presentation regarding the bighorn sheep rule. Proposed changes to the rule are as follows. This rule is currently open for public comment and will be finalized in August. Please send your comments to [email protected]
 

• Establish Rocky Mountain bighorn hunting in GMUs 14 and 18;
• This change would allow for private land hunting opportunities for license years 2027-2028 through 2030-2031.
• The Dept is working with the private landowners.
• 50% of the licenses would be allocated through the public draw and 50% would be provided to the participating landowner.
• The Department recommends opening GMU 34 for hunting and establish hunt dates.
• The 2018 reintroduction and subsequent translocations have resulted in older age class rams available for harvest.
• The Department recommends making adjustments to season dates in some areas.
• Require the purchase of a license at least one day prior to hunting.

 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF THE PRONGHORN RULE
The Dept. provided an updated presentation on the status of pronghorn statewide. According to the Dept. pronghorn populations are stable statewide but have been negatively impacted over the past 4 years by weather, disease, predation, and availability of forage/concealment cover. Fortunately, pronghorns tend to rebound very quickly, and the Dept. is not overly concerned about populations. However, they are proposing some changes that will minimize any potential additive mortality caused by hunters. You can view the Dept. presentation HERE. Presentation begins at 1:37.42
 
The Dept. is proposing the following changes to the rule. The rule is currently open for public comment. Email your comments to [email protected]
 

• Require the purchase of a license at least one day prior to hunting for hunts where published season dates are less than 6 days.
• Require ranch registration process for purchase of private land OTC pronghorn licenses (similar to elk secondary management zones)
• Establish a cap on private land OTC licenses.
• Shift GMU 4/50/52 rifle hunt back to muzzleloader hunt (was changed to rifle during last rule cycle)
• Adjust season dates where necessary. For example, shifting start dates to maintain hunts beginning on Saturday
• Work with the military on hunts that occur on Department of Defense lands.
• Adjust license numbers to meet management strategies and reflect changes in pronghorn herd dynamics.
• Shift season dates in SW later to address a later breeding and fawning period.

 
GENERAL PROPOSED CHANGES TO APPLY TO ALL BIG GAME RULE
 
The Dept. is requesting the following changes for all big game rules

• Require the purchase of a license at least a day prior to the start of the hunt. For hunts where published season dates are less than 6 days, hunters will no longer be able to buy a license once the hunt starts.
• Establish a “ranch registration” process for OTC private land deer, oryx, and pronghorn licenses similar to the current registration process used for private land elk hunting in the Secondary Management Zones. ​

Next Commission Meeting June 25th in Portales, NM

​You are always welcome and encouraged to reach out to the Commission with your comments. Include the following addresses anytime you send an email to the above public comment portals.

​[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]