NM Hunting Seasons & Public Land

New Mexico Hunting Seasons 2026 & GMU Map

Elk Sep 1–Feb 11. Deer Sep 1–Jan 31.

1,436 Seasons6 Species62% Avg Harvest Rate

Direct Answer

New Mexico hunting seasons cover 1,436 season dates across 70 GMUs for Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn and more. Many big game hunts are draw or limited-entry, so confirm application windows before the deadline. Use the tables below for exact opening and closing dates by species and gmu.

Season data sourced from the New Mexico wildlife agency. Always verify dates and regulations on the official site before hunting—regulations can change during the season.

New Mexico Hunting Seasons by Species

Elk

GMUWeaponSeasonHarvestPublic
GMU 1RifleOct 1Dec 31
GMU 1ArcherySep 1Sep 24
GMU 10RifleOct 1Dec 31
Unit 10MuzzleloaderOct 11Oct 1511%35%
Unit 10RifleOct 18Oct 2223%35%
Unit 10RifleNov 15Nov 1920%35%
Unit 10RifleDec 6Dec 1014%35%
Unit 10ArcherySep 1Sep 1417%35%
GMU 10ArcherySep 1Sep 24
Unit 10ArcherySep 15Sep 2415%35%
GMU 11RifleOct 1Dec 31
GMU 11ArcherySep 1Sep 24
GMU 12RifleOct 1Dec 31
Unit 12RifleOct 11Oct 1550%39%
Unit 12RifleOct 18Oct 2235%39%
Unit 12RifleOct 25Oct 2935%39%
Unit 12RifleNov 15Nov 1932%39%
Unit 12RifleNov 22Nov 2629%39%
Unit 12RifleNov 29Dec 343%39%
Unit 12RifleDec 6Dec 1046%39%
Unit 12ArcheryDec 13Dec 170%39%
Unit 12ArcherySep 1Sep 1448%39%
GMU 12ArcherySep 1Sep 24
Unit 12ArcherySep 15Sep 2438%39%

+ 465 more Elk seasons

Deer

GMUWeaponSeasonHarvestPublic
GMU 1RifleOct 1Dec 31
GMU 1ArcherySep 1Sep 24
GMU 1MuzzleloaderSep 27Oct 3
GMU 10RifleOct 1Dec 31
Unit 10RifleOct 25Oct 2942%35%
Unit 10RifleOct 25Oct 2919%35%
Unit 10RifleNov 1Nov 517%35%
Unit 10RifleNov 8Nov 1219%35%

+ 492 more Deer seasons

Antelope

GMUWeaponSeasonHarvestPublic
Unit 10ArcheryAug 9Aug 1729%35%
Unit 10RifleAug 23Aug 2567%35%
Unit 10RifleAug 23Aug 2533%35%
Unit 12ArcheryAug 9Aug 170%39%
Unit 12RifleAug 23Aug 2550%39%
Unit 12RifleAug 23Aug 2575%39%
Unit 12RifleOct 4Oct 688%39%
Unit 12RifleOct 4Oct 664%39%

+ 187 more Antelope seasons

GMUWeaponSeasonHarvestPublic
GMU 1RifleSep 25Dec 15
GMU 1ArcherySep 1Sep 24
GMU 10RifleSep 25Dec 15
GMU 10ArcherySep 1Sep 24
GMU 11RifleSep 25Dec 15

New Mexico Hunting Season FAQ

When does hunting season start in New Mexico?

New Mexico hunting season currently spans Sep 1 to Feb 11 for Elk, with other species opening at different times. Dates vary by gmu and weapon. This page lists 1,436 New Mexico season dates across 70 GMUs.

What can you hunt in New Mexico?

New Mexico offers hunting for 6 species, including Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn and more. Each species has its own season dates, weapon rules and bag limits.

How many hunting GMUs does New Mexico have?

New Mexico is divided into 70 GMUs. Season dates, harvest rates and public-land access differ by unit—use the tables above to compare units before you apply or buy a tag.

Does New Mexico use a draw or limited-entry system?

Yes. Many New Mexico big game hunts are allocated by draw or limited-entry tags rather than sold over the counter. Always confirm application windows on the official New Mexico wildlife agency site before the deadline.

State Resource

Always verify season dates and regulations with the official state wildlife agency:

New Mexico Official Hunting Regulations

View New Mexico on the map

See GMU boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas for New Mexico on our interactive hunting map.

Also see New Mexico public land, license, and regulations.

Hunt New Mexico with offline maps