March 2026 Re-cap

The NM Wildlife Commission held a meeting in Albuquerque on Friday March 20th. The majority of the meeting was focused on the “subsequent discussions” for next 4 years of the Javelina, Turkey, Migratory Bird, and Exotics Rules. Subsequent Discussion is the last opportunity for public input and Commission directive (to the Dept.) prior to the Final Hearing when the Commission approves the amendments to the Rule. The Final Hearing is almost always just a formality. This is because, by law, the Rule must be on the NM register (Sunshine Portal) for 30days unchanged prior to approval. Thus, if the Commission decides to change anything during the Final Hearing the Rule must go back out for public comment. Therefore, the Commission never makes changes to the “Final Rule”.
 
All that to say that changes explained below are highly likely to be what the Commission approves for the next 4-year cycle of the following Rules. Public comment is still open for the following Rules but not for much longer. So, if you feel strongly about something you MUST reach out to the Commission now. Send your comment to the individual email address. And include the Commissioner addresses in your comment. Commissioner mail addresses are as follows:
 
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
 
 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF THE JAVELINA RULE
The Dept. is seeing Javelina populations expand across the state. Biologists have finalized population data but are proposing the following changes to the rule.

1. Increase licenses in OTC areas

a. Any-legal weapon: 1,200 – 1,300 (8%)

1. Expand the validity of the GMUs 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 (bootheel) javelina licenses to include OTC areas (excluding GMU 28), effectively making these “statewide” licenses.

a. This approach is consistent with an existing youth hunt, which already allows this.

1. Eliminate GMU 28 hunt of 10 licenses (only 30% of hunters show up and its logistically challenging for the military to implement)
2. Require the purchase of a license at least one day prior to hunting.

 
The rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]
 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF THE TURKEY RULE
Dept. data shows that turkey populations statewide are steady. Season dates continue to be consistent with breeding objectives and success rates from hunters have remained steady over the past decade. The Dept. is proposing the following changes to the rule.

1. Adjust hunt dates based on calendar dates
2. Increase up-to permit number for Gould’s once-in-a-lifetime hunt in GMU 26 and 27 to 15
3. Conducted analysis of fall hen harvest, and it indicated that there are no units for which low-level harvest will negatively impact the population
4. In unit 8, increase permits from 15 to 20

 
The Turkey Rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]
 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF THE MIGRATORY RULE
The Migratory Bird Rule is updated annually, and season selections and bag limits are determined in conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlife Service working through the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils. Proposed changes are as follows:

1. Changes to regular waterfowl season dates based on public comments and calendar dates
2. Increase sandhill crane permits in SW draw hunts by 18 total, to be distributed among existing hunts
3. Change Estancia Valley sandhill crane hunt from November to mid-December

 
The rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]
 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF THE EXOTICS RULE
The Department regulatory framework for Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Ibex is called the Exotics Rule. Because these game species are non-native to New Mexico they are managed under different strategies. The rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]
 
IBEX
Ibex populations are restricted to the Florida Mountains through an agreement with the BLM. In 2013 the Dept. was under pressure from BLM to significantly reduce the Ibex population. Admittedly the Dept culled too deeply, and population numbers have continued to decline since then for reasons unclear to the Dept. Current Ibex number are extremely low and trophy quality of Billies is terrible. Although the Dept. does not believe that hunter harvest is a factor in the current decline, they feel a large reduction in licenses is warranted. NMCOG wholeheartedly agrees and has encouraged the Dept. to reduce license numbers to a few as humanly possible until the population stabilizes.
 
The Dept. conducted a thermal imaging study on the population in March which resulted in a count of 101 Ibex present on the mountain. Yes, this number is very low but it’s important to remember that the population began in 1964 with a total of 3 female and 1 male. So, not all hope is lost. Hunting licenses has been reduced to minimal levels for 2026 and proposed changes for the next 4-year rule cycle are as follows:

1. Like bighorn sheep, shift ibex license numbers to be “up to,” allowing the Department to adjust draw licenses up or down annually depending on population surveys. It would also be possible for the Dept. to issue zero draw licenses for certain hunts.
   1. For once-in-a-lifetime hunts, up to 15 licenses
   2. For archery, up to 40 licenses (over 2 hunt periods)
   3. For F-IM, up to 40 (with 2 hunt periods)
   4. For muzzleloader, up to 15
   5. For youth-only, up to 5
2. Adjust season dates where necessary to maintain hunts beginning on Saturday

 
ORYX
Oryx management is focused on populations located on White Sands Missile Range (where they were first introduced) rather than off-range populations that have established as the on-range population has grown. On-range oryx hunts are offered as a once-in-a-lifetime (OIL) opportunity. Off-range hunts are not OIL.

1. Increase the number of off-range licenses by 5%, as harvest success rates for off-range oryx are high, suggesting there is more opportunity.
   1. For youth hunts 24 to 25 licenses
   2. For regular licenses 96 to 101 licenses
2. Require a ranch registration process for OTC private land oryx licenses, similar to the current registration process used for private land elk hunting in Secondary Management Zones.
3. Adjust season dates where necessary. This includes adjustments of hunt dates on military ranges consistent with access and military missions (Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range).
4. Shift the 70 years and older hunt to allow hunters of any age to apply.
5. Clarify the definition of a broken-horned oryx to ensure hunters know they can take an oryx with no horns. 
   1. Proposed clarifying definition: “Broken-horned oryx” or “BHO” shall mean an oryx of either sex that has at least one horn missing at least 25% of its normal growth, or any oryx which has no horn(s) shall be considered a broken horned oryx.

 
BARBARY SHEEP (outside of NM more commonly called Aoudad)
The Dept. is trying to discourage the expansion of populations outside of the southeastern region. Barbary Sheep are proven to carry and transmit diseases to bighorn sheep. The Dept. does not want Barbary populations to establish in any Bighorn areas. Proposed changes to the rule are as follows:

1. In collaboration with McGregor Range (Fort Bliss) several changes are recommended:
   1. Increase the 2 ES hunts (1 military and 1 civilian hunt) from 10 to 20 licenses.
   2. Increase F-IM hunts by 20 (from 130 to 150) and spreading the licenses out over 1-month hunt windows. Hunters will be able to access the range over all weekends in that month when there is not a military mission occurring.
2. Require a ranch registration process for purchase of private land Barbary sheep license.
3. Adjust season dates where necessary. Including adjustments of hunt dates on military ranges consistent with access and military missions (Bliss, WSMR). And shift start dates to maintain hunts beginning on Saturday or adjusting to calendar day starts for consistency.
4. Split draw hunts in GMUs 29 & 30, maintaining the same number of total licenses but distributing hunters across the GMUs to address overcrowding issues.
   1. For hunts of 200 licenses, the split would be 75 licenses in GMU 29 and 125 in GMU 30
   2. For hunts with 75 licenses, the split would be 25 licenses in GMU 29 and 50 in GMU 30

 
INITIATION OF THE PRONGHORN RULE
The Dept. opened the Pronghorn rule and provided an initial presentation. Pronghorn population growth is driven by both adult female and fawn survival and is typically not greatly affected by male harvest. Population trajectories are driven by adult female and fawn survival; both adult female and fawn survival rates need to be adequate for stable populations. Weather, disease, predation and human induced mortality can all impact adult female and fawn survival; however, availability of forage and concealment cover can lessen or intensify the effect of these individual factors. Which is what the Dept. feels is happening with the Pronghorn population in the northeast. As such the Dept. is preliminarily proposing the following changes to the rule. The rule is now open for public comment. Email your comments to [email protected]

1. Require the purchase of a license at least one day prior to hunting. 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.
2. Evaluate a potential ranch registration process for purchase of private land OTC pronghorn licenses, similar to the current registration process used for private land elk licenses in Secondary management zones.
3. Consider a cap on private land OTC licenses.
4. Shift GMU 4/50/52 rifle hunt back to muzzleloader hunt (was changed to rifle during last rule cycle)
5. Adjust season dates where necessary. For example, shifting start dates to maintain hunts beginning on Saturday or adjusting calendar day starts for consistency.
6. Work with the military on hunts that occur on Department of Defense lands.
7. Adjust license numbers to meet management strategies and reflect changes in pronghorn herd dynamics.
8. Shift season dates in SW later to address a later breeding and fawning period.

 
ODDS AND ENDS
Remember that the Bighorn, Deer, and Elk Rules are also currently open for public comment. Go to Proposals Under Consideration - NMDGF on the Dept. website to view the updated proposed changes to these rules. MARCH 2026 NM WILDLIFE COMMISSION RECAP

The NM Wildlife Commission held a meeting in Albuquerque on Friday, March 20th. The majority of the meeting was focused on the “subsequent discussions” for next 4 years of the Javelina, Turkey, Migratory Bird, and Exotics Rules. Subsequent Discussions are the last opportunity for public input and Commission directive (to the Dept.) prior to the Final Hearing when the Commission approves the amendments to the Rule. The Final Hearing is almost always just a formality. This is because, by law, the Rule must be on the NM register (Sunshine Portal) for 30-days unchanged prior to approval. Thus, if the Commission decides to change anything during the Final Hearing, the Rule must go back out for public comment. Therefore, the Commission never makes changes during the “Final Hearing”.
 
All that to say that changes explained below are highly likely to be what the Commission approves for the next 4-year cycle of the following Rules. Public comment is still open for the following Rules but not for much longer. So, if you feel strongly about something, you MUST reach out to the Commission now. Send your comments to the individual Rule email address. And include the below Commissioner addresses in your comment.  
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]


FYI - The Commission did not discuss EPLUS during the meeting, nor did they vote to open the rule. THANK YOU to everyone who sent pro-eplus emails to the Commission. No news is very good news!!
 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF THE JAVELINA RULE
The Dept. is seeing Javelina populations expand across the state. Biologists have finalized population data and are proposing the following changes to the rule.

1. Increase licenses in OTC areas
   a. Any-legal weapon: 1,200 – 1,300 (8%)
2. Expand the validity of the GMUs 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 (bootheel) javelina licenses to include OTC areas (excluding GMU 28), effectively making these “statewide” licenses.
   a. This approach is consistent with an existing youth hunt, which already allows this.
3. Eliminate GMU 28 hunt of 10 licenses (only 30% of hunters show up and its logistically challenging for the military to implement)
4. Require the purchase of a license at least one day prior to hunting.

The rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]


SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF THE TURKEY RULE
Dept. data shows that turkey populations statewide are steady. Season dates continue to be consistent with breeding objectives and success rates from hunters have remained steady over the past decade. The Dept. is proposing the following changes to the rule.

1. Adjust hunt dates based on calendar dates
2. Increase up-to permit number for Gould’s once-in-a-lifetime hunt in GMU 26 and 27 to 15
3. Conducted analysis of fall hen harvest, and it indicated that there are no units for which low-level harvest will negatively impact the population
4. In unit 8, increase permits from 15 to 20

The Turkey Rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]
 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF THE MIGRATORY RULE
The Migratory Bird Rule is updated annually, and season selections and bag limits are determined in conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlife Service working through the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils. Proposed changes are as follows:

1. Changes to regular waterfowl season dates based on public comments and calendar dates
2. Increase sandhill crane permits in SW draw hunts by 18 total, to be distributed among existing hunts
3. Change Estancia Valley sandhill crane hunt from November to mid-December

The rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]
 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF THE EXOTICS RULE
The Department regulatory framework for Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Ibex is called the Exotics Rule. Because these game species are non-native to New Mexico they are managed under different strategies. The rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]
 
IBEX
Ibex populations are restricted to the Florida Mountains through an agreement with the BLM. In 2013 the Dept. was under pressure from BLM to significantly reduce the Ibex population. Admittedly the Dept culled too deeply, and population numbers have continued to decline since then for reasons unclear to the Dept. Current Ibex number are extremely low and trophy quality of Billies is terrible. Although the Dept. does not believe that hunter harvest is a factor in the current decline, they feel a large reduction in licenses is warranted. NMCOG wholeheartedly agrees and has encouraged the Dept. to reduce license numbers to as few as humanly possible until the population stabilizes.
 
The Dept. conducted a thermal imaging study on the population in March which resulted in a count of 101 Ibex present on the mountain. Yes, this number is very low but it’s important to remember that the population began in 1964 with a total of 3 female and 1 male Ibex. Thus, not all hope is lost! Hunting licenses has been reduced to minimal levels for 2026 and proposed changes for the next 4-year rule cycle are as follows:

1. Like bighorn sheep, shift ibex license numbers to be “up to,” allowing the Department to adjust draw licenses up or down annually depending on population surveys. It would also be possible for the Dept. to issue zero draw licenses for certain hunts.
   1. For once-in-a-lifetime hunts, up to 15 licenses
   2. For archery, up to 40 licenses (over 2 hunt periods)
   3. For F-IM, up to 40 (with 2 hunt periods)
   4. For muzzleloader, up to 15
   5. For youth-only, up to 5
2. Adjust season dates where necessary to maintain hunts beginning on Saturday 

ORYX
Oryx management is focused on populations located on White Sands Missile Range (where they were first introduced) rather than off-range populations that have established as the on-range population has grown. On-range oryx hunts are offered as a once-in-a-lifetime (OIL) opportunity. Off-range hunts are not OIL.

1. Increase the number of off-range licenses by 5%, as harvest success rates for off-range oryx are high, suggesting there is more opportunity.
   1. For youth hunts - 24 to 25 licenses
   2. For regular licenses - 96 to 101 licenses
2. Require a ranch registration process for OTC private land oryx licenses, similar to the current registration process used for private land elk hunting in Secondary Management Zones.
3. Adjust season dates where necessary. This includes adjustments of hunt dates on military ranges consistent with access and military missions (Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range).
4. Shift the 70 years and older hunt to allow hunters of any age to apply.
5. Clarify the definition of a broken-horned oryx to ensure hunters know they can take an oryx with no horns. 
   1. Proposed clarifying definition: “Broken-horned oryx” or “BHO” shall mean an oryx of either sex that has at least one horn missing at least 25% of its normal growth, or any oryx which has no horn(s) shall be considered a broken horned oryx. 

BARBARY SHEEP (outside of NM more commonly called Aoudad)
The Dept. is trying to discourage the expansion of populations outside of the southeastern region. Barbary Sheep are proven to carry and transmit diseases to bighorn sheep. The Dept. does not want Barbary populations to establish in any Bighorn areas. Proposed changes to the rule are as follows:

1. In collaboration with McGregor Range (Fort Bliss) several changes are recommended:
   1. Increase the 2 ES hunts (1 military and 1 civilian hunt) from 10 to 20 licenses.
   2. Increase F-IM hunts by 20 (from 130 to 150) and spreading the licenses out over 1-month hunt windows. Hunters will be able to access the range over all weekends in that month when there is not a military mission occurring.
2. Require a ranch registration process for purchase of private land Barbary sheep license.
3. Adjust season dates where necessary. Including adjustments of hunt dates on military ranges consistent with access and military missions (Bliss, WSMR). And shift start dates to maintain hunts beginning on Saturday or adjusting to calendar day starts for consistency.
4. Split draw hunts in GMUs 29 & 30, maintaining the same number of total licenses but distributing hunters across the GMUs to address overcrowding issues.
   1. For hunts of 200 licenses, the split would be 75 licenses in GMU 29 and 125 in GMU 30
   2. For hunts with 75 licenses, the split would be 25 licenses in GMU 29 and 50 in GMU 30

 
INITIATION OF THE PRONGHORN RULE
The Dept. also opened the Pronghorn rule and provided their initial presentation. Pronghorn population growth is driven by both adult female and fawn survival and is typically not greatly affected by male harvest. Population trajectories are driven by adult female and fawn survival; both adult female and fawn survival rates need to be adequate for stable populations. Weather, disease, predation and human induced mortality can all impact adult female and fawn survival; however, availability of forage can lessen or intensify the effect of these individual factors. The Dept. feels drought is the primary cause of mortality of the Pronghorn population in the northeast. The Dept. is preliminarily proposing to decrease licenses in the northeast as well as the following additional changes to the rule. The rule is now open for public comment. Email your comments to [email protected]

1. Require the purchase of a license at least one day prior to hunting. 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.
2. Evaluate a potential ranch registration process for purchase of private land OTC pronghorn licenses, similar to the current registration process used for private land elk licenses in Secondary management zones.
3. Consider a cap on private land OTC licenses.
4. Shift GMU 4/50/52 rifle hunt back to muzzleloader hunt (was changed to rifle during last rule cycle)
5. Adjust season dates where necessary. For example, shifting start dates to maintain hunts beginning on Saturday or adjusting calendar day starts for consistency.
6. Work with the military on hunts that occur on Department of Defense lands.
7. Adjust license numbers to meet management strategies and reflect changes in pronghorn herd dynamics.
8. Shift season dates in SW later to address a later breeding and fawning period. 

ODDS AND ENDS
Remember that the Bighorn, Deer, and Elk Rules are also currently open for public comment. Go to Proposals Under Consideration - NMDGF on the Dept. website to view the updated proposed changes to these rules.