Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Falconry Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Photo Credits: Mark Gruber, Tim Mitchusson, Jeff Seim and
Dan Williams.
General Information
Department Main Office Licenses Are Available
P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504 The New Mexico Department of Game and
#1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507 Fish has a main office in Santa Fe and four
Information
Department Area Offices area offices. Licenses for most species are
Northwest Office sold over the counter at the main and area
3841 Midway Pl. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 offices and from about 230 vendors statewide,
(505) 222-4700 Fax (505) 222-4720
including discount and sporting goods stores
Southwest Office and bait and tackle shops.
2715 Northrise Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 532-2100 Fax (575) 522-8382 3
Northeast Office Apply Online For
215 York Canyon Rd., Raton, NM 87740 Special Permit Bird Hunts
(575) 445-2311 Fax (575) 445-5651 Use the Department’s Web site
Southeast Office www.wildlife.state.nm.us to apply online
1912 W. Second St., Roswell, NM 88201 for Special Permit Bird Hunts.
(575) 624-6135 Fax (575) 624-6136 Residents pay a $10 application fee.
Important Phone Numbers Nonresidents pay a $27 application fee.
Public Information & Outreach (505) 476-8000
Operation Game Thief (800) 432-4263 Online applications must be made
To be mailed information (800) 862-9310 before 5 p.m. on the deadline day.
Hunter Education (505) 222-4731
License Sales (505) 476-8087
Law Enforcement (505) 476-8066
Dove Banding Program
Wildlife Management (505) 476-8038 In 2010, a large-scale mourning and white-
Fisheries Management (505) 476-8055 winged dove banding program will be
Conservation Services (505) 476-8101 conducted nationwide. The banding program
Fax (licenses/procurement/payment) (505) 476-8137 is used to obtain harvest data and population
TDD (number for hearing impaired) (505) 476-8143 estimates.
State Game Commissioners
Jim McClintic, Chair When hunting this year, check all harvested
P.O. Box 21027 birds for bands. Please report any band
Albuquerque, NM 87154 numbers by calling toll-free:
Sandy Buffett, Vice-chair (800) 327-BAND or report via the website:
320 Aztec St. Suite B
Santa Fe, NM 87501 www.reportband.gov.
Dr. Tom Arvas
7905 Spain NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Gary W. Fonay Mourning Dove
5333 North Baggett
Hobbs, NM 88242
Kent Salazar
1621 Vassar Dr. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
M. H. “Dutch” Salmon
P.O. Box 878
Silver City, NM 88062
Thomas “Dick” Salopek
975 Holcomb Rd.
Las Cruces, NM 88007
License Fees
General License information
All hunters must have one of the following valid licenses to hunt small game.
Information
1. Everyone hunting, trapping or fishing on ANY lands must have a Habitat Management
and Access Validation.
2. Anyone hunting, fishing or trapping on any U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) lands must have a Habitat Improvement Stamp.
3. Anyone hunting migratory birds must have a Migratory Bird Permit (HIP) Number.
4. Waterfowl hunters, 16 years or older, need a Federal Duck Stamp. See page 5.
4 Resident Licenses
Small Game $20.00
Small Game and Fishing $33.00
Disabled Veteran Fishing and Small Game (available only at Department offices) $10.00
Junior (17 and younger) or Senior (65 years or older) Small Game & Fishing $16.00
General Hunting $43.00*
Junior (17 and younger) General Hunting $18.00*
Senior (65 years or older) or Handicapped General Hunting $27.00*
General Hunting and Fishing $62.00*
Junior (17 and younger) General Hunting and Fishing $23.00*
Senior (65 years or older) or Handicapped General Hunting and Fishing $31.00*
* Fees for these licenses include the $3 resident Depredation Damage Stamp fee.
Nonresident Licenses
Nonresident Small Game Season $90.00
Nonresident Small Game 4-day $33.00
Information
Education Certificate before applying for, or migratory birds without a license have the
purchasing a firearm license to hunt in New option of paying a penalty assessment by
Mexico. This certificate must be carried while mail rather than appearing in court.
hunting.
The penalty assessment is $100. The hunter
Youth-only Hunts also must purchase a license and permits. The
To qualify for most youth-only or youth/ license fees are $90 for nonresidents or $20
adult hunts, the applicant must be younger for residents plus a $5 Habitat Improvement 5
than 18 on opening day of the hunt. All Stamp, a $4 Habitat Management and Access
youth hunters must provide proof of Validation, a $1 Migratory Bird Permit (HIP)
successfully passing a hunter education Number and associated vendor fees. A
course when applying for or purchasing a license will be mailed to the hunter upon
license. All youth hunters must carry this payment of the assessment.
certificate while hunting in the field with a
firearm. The hunter will be assessed 10 points toward
the 20 points required to revoke their license
The exception to the above age requirement privileges.
is the federal program "Youth Waterfowl
Days." Hunters must be younger than 16 License Revocations
to participate in this hunt and must be fully Hunting and fishing privileges may be
licensed and carry a Hunter Education revoked for three years for violating
Certificate. However, they are not required to game laws and accumulating 20 points in
have a federal Duck Stamp, special permit or three years. Violations are 5 to 20 points
application. See page 21 for more information each. Don't lose your hunting and fishing
about this hunt. privileges! For details call any Department of
Game and Fish office.
Duck Stamps
Waterfowl hunters 16 years or older need Vehicle Confiscation
a federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Department officers may seize vehicles used
Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp), available in the crime of hunting at night with the use
from the U.S. Post Office, Department of of artificial light. Vehicles used by spotlighters
Game and Fish and some license vendors. may be confiscated and sold at auction.
If hunters submit more than one application for the same to one half hour after sunset. For dove, band-tailed
species, all of their applications may be rejected.
pigeon, sandhill crane, duck, coot, moorhen, Virginia
• Use live animals as blinds or decoys. rail, snipe and light and dark goose seasons, legal
• Hunt migratory game birds by the aid of baiting, on or hunting hours run from one-half hour before sunrise
over any baited area, if the person knows or reasonably to sunset, unless otherwise prohibited. The Bottomless
should know that the area is baited. Lakes Overflow is open to hunting one-half hour
• Use electrically or mechanically recorded calling devices. before sunrise to 1 p.m.
The exception is the Light Goose Conservation Order on
6 page 18.
Hunting Hours On State Owned WMAs
Waterfowl Management Areas are open to waterfowl
• Use tracer ammunition. hunting from one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.
• Endanger the safety of another or his property by unless otherwise noted on page 13. See page 20 for
handling or using a firearm in a negligent manner or to carry areas and species.
a firearm while under the influence of an intoxicant.
Wildlife Management Areas are open to hunting
• Discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a dwelling or small game and September teal one-half hour before
building, not including abandoned or vacated buildings on sunrise to sunset unless otherwise prohibited. See
public land, during hunting seasons, without the permission
of the owner or lessee. page 13 for areas and species.
• Shoot at, wound, take or kill game on, from or across any Sunrise-Sunset Table For Albuquerque
graded and maintained public road or within the fenced
right-of-way of any paved road or highway or within 40 feet For points west of Albuquerque, add one minute for
of the pavement or maintained surface if no right-of-way each 12 miles west. For points east of Albuquerque,
fence exists. subtract one minute for each 12 miles east. Mountain
• Shoot at, pursue, harass, harry, drive or rally any Daylight Time ends at 2 AM, Nov. 7, 2010.
protected species by use of or from motor-driven vehicles,
power boats, sailboats or aircraft. Date Rise Set Date Rise Set
• Use motor-driven vehicles on roads closed under the
Habitat Protection Act or other federal regulation. Sept. 1 6:39 7:32 Dec. 1 6:57 4:54
• Park any motor vehicle or camp within 300 yards of any 5 6:42 7:27 5 7:00 4:54
man-made water hole, water well or watering tank used
by wildlife or domestic stock without prior consent of
10 6:46 7:20 10 7:04 4:55
the private landowner, private land lessee or public land 15 6:50 7:13 15 7:08 4:56
management agency.
20 6:53 7:05 20 7:10 4:58
• Drive or ride in a motor-driven vehicle off established 25 6:57 6:58 25 7:13 5:01
roads in a hunting, trapping or angling area if the vehicle
bears a person licensed to hunt, fish or trap for species on
which a season is open in that area. Established road means: Oct. 1 7:02 6:50 Jan. 1 7:15 5:05
1. A road, built and/or maintained by equipment, which 5 7:05 6:44 5 7:15 5:09
shows no evidence of ever being closed to vehicular traffic
by such means as berms, ripping, scarification, reseeding, 10 7:09 6:37 10 7:15 5:13
fencing, gates, barricades or posted closures. 15 7:13 6:31 15 7:14 5:18
2. A two-track road completely void of any vegetation 20 7:17 6:24 20 7:12 5:23
in the tracks which shows prior use for hunting or other
purposes such as recreation, mining, logging or ranching 25 7:20 6:19 25 7:10 5:28
and shows no evidence of ever being closed to vehicular
traffic by such means as berms, ripping, scarification,
reseeding, fencing, gates, barricades or posted closure. Nov. 1 7:28 6:11 Feb. 1 7:05 5:35
Exceptions: 5 7:32 6:08 5 7:02 5:39
Holders of a Mobility Impaired Card may, with permission 10 6:37 5:04 10 6:58 5:44
of the landowner, lessee or management agency, drive off
established roads to hunt for squirrels or game birds (except 15 6:42 5:00 15 6:53 5:49
turkey), during open seasons. 20 6:46 4:58 20 6:47 5:54
25 6:51 4:56 25 6:41 5:58
Closed or Special Regulation Areas
National Parks and Monuments New Mexico State Parks
Closed to all hunting. Closed to all hunting except for specific areas. Contact
park superintendents for hunt area directions or call
Information
National Wildlife Refuges the New Mexico State Parks Division at: (505) 827-
Closed to all hunting unless specifically opened under 7173.
federal refuge regulations to hunting of particular
species. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Bluewater, Caballo, El Vado, Heron, Conchas,
approved nontoxic shot is required for hunting on all Ute, Elephant Butte and Sumner Lake state
national wildlife refuges. See page 16. For additional parks are open for waterfowl, Virginia rail, common
information, call the specific wildlife refuges. snipe and sora.
Bosque del Apache (575) 835-1828 Navajo Lake State Park 7
Bitter Lake (575) 622-6755 Open for waterfowl, Virginia rail, sora and common
Las Vegas (575) 425-3581 snipe. The CLOSED areas are:
Sevilleta (575) 864-4021 1. Navajo Dam stilling. This includes the area from
Lake Holloman Wildlife Refuge the crest of the bluff above the north bank of the San
May be closed during September teal season. For Juan River, to NM 511 on the south side of the river
information call (505) 572-3931. for 1/4 mile downstream from the dam.
2. Cottonwood Campground and Day Use Area
Native American Tribal Lands from the lower boundary of the Quality Waters to a
Check with tribal officials about hunting on tribal fence 1/4 mile downstream from the Cottonwood
lands. Day Use Area.
3. Pine and Sims Mesa recreation areas and the
McGregor Range in Unit 28 southern end of Navajo Reservoir.
For access information, call the Fort Bliss U.S. Army
Office at (915) 569-9505.
Navajo Lake State Park
Jornada Experimental Station
The Jornada Experimental Station in Doña Ana County
is closed to all public access without an escort.
No Trespassing Signs
It is illegal to destroy no-trespassing signs.
Closed or Special Regulation Areas
State Wildlife Management Areas Hunting On Private Land
USFWS-approved nontoxic shot is required for Hunters must obtain written permission before entering
hunting on all state-owned Wildlife Management onto posted private lands, including streambeds.
Information
Valle Vidal
The Valle Vidal Unit in the Carson National Forest is
closed to all small game hunting.
Upland Game Seasons
Upland Game Daily Bag Limit
Upland game includes blue grouse, quail, No person shall take more than one daily bag limit in
pheasant and squirrel. any one day.
Field Possession Limit
Valencia County Landowner No person shall possess more than one daily bag limit
Pheasant Permits while in the field or while returning from the field to
No public-land pheasant hunting is allowed in one's car, hunting camp or home.
Valencia County. Private landowners in Valencia
county still have the ability to hunt pheasants and Possession of Live Birds
Upland Game
allow hunters on their private property. Landowners Crippled birds must be killed immediately. Possession
are required to provide proof of ownership and of live birds is illegal.
sufficient acreage to accommodate a safe hunt to the
Wanton Waste Is Illegal
Northwest Area Office in Albuquerque prior to the
Anyone who takes game birds or squirrels must
hunt date. The landowner will be issued unlimited
transport the edible portions of the meat from the field
application forms to distribute to hunters they
for human consumption.
choose. All hunters wishing to hunt private land in
Valencia County, must obtain an application from the Protected Bird Species
landowner and submit it to the Northwest Area Office Virtually all birds are protected by law. Protected birds
in Albuquerque. See page 3. Hunters may possess a include game birds listed in this booklet, eagles, hawks, 9
Valencia County Landowner Permit in addition to falcons, owls, vultures, crows, ravens and all songbirds.
another special pheasant hunt permit. The only unprotected birds are starlings, rock doves
(common pigeons) and house sparrows (English
Special WMA Pheasant Permits sparrows).
Hunt permits issued by drawing are required for
special permit pheasant hunts on Seven Rivers, Casa Possession, Transportation and Storage
Colorada, and the W.S. Huey WMA and the youth- It is unlawful to possess game birds or squirrels without
only pheasant hunt on the Seven Rivers and Casa a proper license or other evidence that the game was
Colorada WMAs. Apply online or use paper Form legally taken.
2010 available from any Department office or license The head or leg of each pheasant, the leg of each quail
vendor. Paper applications must be sent by mail to: or one fully feathered wing of each migratory bird taken
Department of Game and Fish, Special Hunts Office, (except mourning and white-winged dove and band-
P.O. Box 25125, Santa Fe, NM 87504-5125. Applications tailed pigeon) must remain attached to the bird until it
for permits must be made online or postmarked by is at your home or locker plant. Eurasian-collared doves
Nov. 3. Up to four persons may apply per application. must have one fully feathered wing attached until they
The application fee is $10 per resident or $27 per are at your home or locker plant.
nonresident. See page 11.
Game meat may be given to another individual.
Blue Grouse Permits However, it must be accompanied by a written
A free Blue Grouse Permit is required of all blue statement describing the kind and number of game
grouse hunters. Permits are available only at involved, the date and county where taken, the name
Department offices or online at www.wildlife.state. and hunting license number of the person who took
nm.us/. There is no limit to the number of permits them and the date and place where the donation took
issued. place.
Game transported by an appropriately licensed hunter
Dog Call-Pen and Field Trial Permits or accompanied by a written statement (see above) may
A $15 permit is required for either a call-pen release be transported within or outside New Mexico.
or dog field trial. Call (505) 476-8064 in Santa Fe for
details. Legally taken and possessed game may be stored for
five days after the close of the season for the particular
species. After that, a storage permit must be obtained
Shooting Preserve Permits from the Department of Game and Fish.
A shooting preserve permit fee is $200. Call
(505) 476-8064 in Santa Fe for details.
Upland Game Seasons
Legal Sporting Arms Quail Season
Quail and pheasant may be taken with shotguns firing (Scaled, Gambel's, Bobwhite, Montezuma)
shot, including muzzle-loading shotguns, bows and
Hunt Area Season Dates Bag/Possession
crossbows.
Statewide Nov. 15- 15 per day (no more
Grouse and squirrels may be taken with shotguns Feb. 15, '11 than 5 Montezuma quail),
firing shot, including muzzle-loading shotguns, rim- 30 in possession (no more
fire and muzzle-loading firearms and bows including than 10 Montezuma quail)
crossbows.
Upland Game
Scaled Quail
10
Gambel's Quail
Nontoxic Shot Required On WMAs
Nontoxic shot is required for hunting any species
with a shotgun on all open Wildlife Management
Areas and State Game Commission lands. Nontoxic
shot includes: bismuth-tin, iron (steel), iron-tungsten,
iron-tungsten-nickel, tungsten-bronze, tungsten-iron-
copper-nickel, tungsten matrix, tungsten polymer,
tungsten-tin-iron, tungsten-tin-bismuth, tungsten-
tin-iron-nickel and tungsten-iron-polymer. The State
Game Commission recommends that hunters use non-
Bobwhite Quail
toxic shot for all small game hunting.
Upland Game
GS-2 Oct. 1-31 6 in possession Jicarilla Apache Reservation, north to the NM/CO
border.
Squirrel Seasons (Abert’s, Red, Grey and Fox)
GS - 2:
Hunt Area Season Dates Bag/Possession The area bounded by: beginning at the NM/AZ
border at I-40, east to I-25, south to I-10, west to
GS-1, S-3, S-4 Sept. 1-Oct. 31 8 per day,
NM 11, south to the NM/Mexico border and west
GS-2 Oct. 1-Nov. 30 16 in possession
along the NM/Mexico border to the NM/AZ border.
Blue Grouse S - 3:
The area bounded by: beginning at the NM/TX 11
border at U.S. 54, north to U.S. 285, south to the NM/
TX border east to U.S. 54.
S - 4:
The area bounded by: beginning at the NM/AZ
border (at the Four Corners), south to I-40, east to I-25,
north to NM 550 to the Jicarilla Apache Reservation’s
south and west boundaries, north to the Colorado line
and west to NM/AZ border (at the Four Corners).
Red Squirrel
Abert's Squirrel
in Valencia County
Nontoxic Shot
Shot-gunners must use and have in their possession only
Upland Game
USFWS-approved nontoxic shot when hunting any species
in any WMA listed here. See page 10.
Brantley Quail,
(except Seven Rivers) Pheasant
Socorro-Escondida Quail
Migratory Bird Seasons
Migratory Birds Special Goose Permits
Migratory birds include dove, band-tailed Permits issued by drawing are required for the
pigeon, sandhill crane, all ducks, dark geese youth-only Light Goose Hunt and the Special Permit
(Canada and white-fronted), light geese (snow, Light Goose hunts on Bernardo WMA. See page
blue-phase snow and Ross’s), coot, common
moorhen, sora, Virginia rail and snipe. 21. Apply online or use paper Form 2010, available
from Department offices and license vendors. Paper
Migratory Bird Permits applications must be sent by mail to: Department of
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires that all Game and Fish, Special Hunts Office, P.O. Box 25125,
migratory bird hunters obtain a Migratory Bird Permit Santa Fe, NM 87504-5125. Applications for permits
(HIP) Number. Residents and nonresidents must have must be made online or postmarked by Nov. 3.
a permit number for each state in which they hunt
migratory birds. For information about the Light Goose Hunt at the
Bosque del Apache and the Dark Goose Hunt at the
Band-tailed Pigeon Permits Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge, please contact the
A free Band-tailed Pigeon Permit is required of all refuges directly, see page 16.
band-tailed pigeon hunters. There is no limit on the
number of permits issued. These permits are available Free MRGV Dark Goose Permits
Migratory Birds
only at Department offices or online at www.wildlife. A free Middle Rio Grande Valley (MRGV [Valencia,
state.nm.us. Socorro and Sierra counties]) Dark Goose Permit is
required of all dark goose hunters in the MRGV. They
Regular Season Sandhill Crane Permits are available only at Department offices or online at
Each regular (Eastern) season sandhill crane hunter www.wildlife.state.nm.us. There is no deadline or
must have a hunting license (see page 4) plus a free, limit to the number of permits issued.
federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit. There is
no limit on the number issued and no application Free Bernardo and La Joya WMA
deadline. Permits are available only at Department Waterfowl Permits
offices or online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. A A free Bernardo and La Joya Wildlife Management
14 federal Duck Stamp is not required to hunt sandhill Area (WMA) Permit is required of all waterfowl
cranes. hunters at these WMAs. They are available only at
Department offices or online at www.wildlife.state.
Special Sandhill Crane Permits nm.us. There is no deadline or limit to the number of
Each special-season Middle Rio Grande Valley,
permits issued.
Estancia Valley, Southwest and Bernardo/Casa
Colorada youth-only sandhill crane hunter must have Free Light Goose Conservation Order
an appropriate license (see page 4) plus a special- Permit
season permit issued by drawing. See hunt codes and A free Light Goose Conservation Order Permit is
dates on page 17. required of all hunters participating in this hunt from
Apply online or use paper Form 2010 available at Feb. 1 - March 10, 2011. See page 18. They are available
any Department office or license vendor. Paper only at Department offices or online at www.wildlife.
applications must be sent to: Department of Game state.nm.us/. There is no deadline or limit to the
and Fish, Special Hunts Office, P.O. Box 25125, Santa number of permits issued.
Fe, NM 87504-5125. Applications for permits must
Storage, Transportation and Shipment
be made online or postmarked by Sept. 8. Up to four
One fully feathered wing must remain attached to
persons may apply per application. The application
all migratory birds, except doves and band-tailed
fee is $10 per resident or $27 per nonresident. Hunters
pigeons, until the bird arrives at the hunters' home or
may apply for their first and second choices, but only
storage facility. No person shall give, put or leave any
one hunt may be awarded.
game at any place or in the custody of another person
Additional information about hunt requirements will unless the game is tagged by the hunter with the
be given to successful applicants. A federal Duck following information:
Stamp is not required to hunt sandhill cranes. 1. The hunter's signature,
2. The hunter's address,
3. The total number of birds by species,
4. The dates such game was taken.
Migratory Bird Seasons
Storage continued Closed Seasons
Tagging is required if the game is being transported No person shall take migratory game birds except during
by another person for the hunter or if the game has the hours open to shooting or falconry as prescribed.
been left for cleaning, storage (including temporary
storage), shipment or taxidermy services. Legal Methods
It is legal to use artificial decoys, blinds and dogs. It is
No person shall ship game unless the package is illegal to shoot at any protected species from within
marked on the outside with: a motor vehicle, power boat, sailboat or aircraft.
1. Name and address of person sending the birds, Migratory birds may be taken from a motor-driven
2. Name and address of person receiving the birds. boat (or other craft with attached motor) or sailboat
only when resting at anchor or fastened within or
Duck Stamp immediately alongside a fixed hunting blind or is used
Federal law requires that each waterfowl hunter 16 solely as a means of picking up dead birds.
years of age or older carry a valid federal Migratory
Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) Summary of Federal Regulations
signed in ink across the face, see page 5. The following federal regulations apply to the taking,
possession, transportation and storage of migratory
Migratory Bird Permit Number game birds (duck, geese, coot, common moorhen, snipe,
Migratory Birds
A Migratory Bird Permit (HIP) Number is required for rail, dove, band-tailed pigeon and sandhill crane) in
all migratory bird hunters, see page 14. addition to the state regulations set forth in this booklet.
Persons cited for violating federal regulations are
Legal Sporting Arms required to appear in Federal Court.
Migratory birds may be taken with a shotgun fired For a complete version of 50 CFR-Part 20 Federal
from the shoulder no larger than 10 gauge, of any regulations and definitions, visit: http://ecfr.
description capable of holding no more than three gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid
shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, =238561bf211440c392e2604fda8fa456&tpl=/
ecfrbrowse/Title50/50cfr20_main_02.tpl
incapable of removal without disassembling the gun,
so that its total capacity does not exceed three shells. Illegal Methods of Taking Migratory Birds
Migratory birds also may be taken with muzzle- No person shall take migratory birds:
loading shotguns firing shot, bows and arrows and 1. From a sink box (a low floating device that has 15
a depression affording the hunter a means of
crossbows and bolts.
concealment beneath the surface of the water);
Nontoxic Shot Mandatory 2. From or with the aid or use of a car or other motor-
driven land conveyance or from or with the aid of
Persons hunting any waterfowl (ducks and geese),
any aircraft;
coot, common moorhen, sora, Virginia rail and snipe 3. By the aid of baiting (placing or directing placement
with shotguns, including muzzle-loading shotguns of feed such as corn, wheat, salt or other feed for
must use and possess in the field only nontoxic shot the purpose of causing, inducing or allowing any
approved for use by the USFWS. In addition, shot- person to take or attempt to take any migratory
gunners hunting any species of upland game or game bird). Hunters should be aware that a baited
migratory birds on all State Game Commission lands, area is considered to be baited for 10 days after the
including Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), must removal of the bait.
use and possess only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot. Importation of Migratory Birds
During any one-week beginning on Sunday, no person
Nontoxic shot includes: bismuth-tin, iron (steel),
shall import more than:
iron-tungsten, iron-tungsten-nickel, tungsten-bronze,
tungsten-iron-copper-nickel, tungsten matrix, tungsten 1. 25 doves and 10 pigeons from any foreign country;
2. 10 ducks and 5 geese from any foreign country
polymer, tungsten-tin-iron, tungsten-tin-bismuth,
except Canada and Mexico. Importation of doves
tungsten-tin-iron-nickel and tungsten-iron-polymer. and waterfowl from Canada and Mexico may not
Wanton Waste Is Illegal exceed Canadian or Mexican export limits and
these vary by province and state.
Anyone who takes game birds must transport the
edible portions of the meat from the field for human In addition, one fully feathered wing must remain
consumption. attached to all migratory game birds being transported
or shipped between a port of entry and ones home or
to a taxidermist. No person shall import migratory
game birds belonging to another person.
Migratory Bird Seasons
Waterfowl Hunting at National Report All Banded Birds
Wildlife Refuges (NWR) Please report all banded birds you harvest using the
toll-free number (800) 327-BAND or via the website:
General Information www.reportband.gov.
All state and federal regulations apply, including licenses,
permits, method of take, bag limit, etc. Only USFWS-
approved nontoxic shot may be used and possessed on the
refuge. Sporting arms must be unloaded and cased when
transported.
Migratory Birds
Eurasian-collared dove and the SCR-0-106 hunts.
Statewide Sept. 1-Dec. 31 No limit Up to 24 permits will be available for a youth-only hunt,
SCR-0-109. Hunters will be assigned to hunt on either Bernardo or
Band-tailed Pigeon Casa Colorada WMAs.
Southwest Season: South of U.S. 60 and west of I-25.
Hunters who draw Special MRGV Crane Permits must:
Regular Season: Remainder of the state. 1. Check their harvested cranes at the designated check
station.
Hunt Area Season Dates Bag/Possession 2. Return the Harvest Questionnaire within five days after
Band-tailed pigeon Free permit required, see page 14. their hunt.
Southwest Season Oct. 1-20 5 per day, 10 in Southwest Hunt
Regular Season Sept. 1-20 possession (Parts of Sierra, Doña Ana, Luna, Grant and Hidalgo counties)
Up to 70 permits are available for the SCR-0-105 and up to
60 permits are available for the SCR-0-107 hunt. Hunters 17
Dove and Band-Tailed Pigeon Hunt Areas successfully drawing Special SW Crane Permits must return
the Harvest Questionnaire within five days after each hunt.
Applying for Sandhill Crane Hunts
Applicants must apply online or complete paper Form
2010 using the hunt codes below and mail it with a $10
fee per resident or $27 per nonresident to: Department of
Game and Fish, Special Hunts Office, P.O. Box 25125, Santa
Fe, NM 87504-5125. Applications must be made online or
postmarked by Sept. 8. Four hunters may apply on each
form, however, only one application may be submitted.
No more than 2 hunters may apply per application for the
youth-only hunt. Note: Most cranes are found on private
property and written permission is required for access.
Hunt Area Hunt Code Season Dates Bag/Possession
Eastern Hunt NA Oct. 31- 3 per day, 6 in
Jan. 31, '11 possession
Estancia Valley SCR-0-102 Oct. 30-Nov. 7 3 per day, 6 in
Hunt possession
MRGV Hunts SCR-0-101 Oct. 30-31 3 per day, 6 per
SCR-0-103 Nov. 20-21 season
SCR-0-104 Dec. 4-5
SCR-0-106 Jan. 15-16, '11
MRGV Youth-only SCR-0-109 Nov. 13 3 total
Hunt
September Sept. 18-26 4 daily, singly or in Common Oct. 2-Dec. 10 1 daily, 2 in possession.
teal (blue-winged, cinnamon, aggregate, 8 in possession. Moorhen
green-winged)
Virginia Rail, Sept. 18- 10 daily, singly or in
North Zone Sora Nov. 26 aggregate, 20 in possession.
Ducks Oct. 9-Jan. 12, '11 6 ducks singly or in
Common Oct. 16- 8 daily, 16 in possession.
aggregate that consist of
Snipe Jan. 30, '11
no more than 5 mallard
(only 2 may be female, Dark Goose Oct. 17- 4 daily, 8 in possession.
[Mexican-like ducks are (Canada and Jan. 31, '11
part of the mallard bag white-fronted goose)
limit]), 3 wood duck, Sandoval, Bernalillo, Valencia, Socorro and Sierra counties are
2 redhead, 2 hooded closed to dark goose hunting during the regular season. See
Migratory Birds
Common Moorhen
Migratory Birds
Sora and Sept. 18- 10 daily, singly or in
Virginia Rail Nov. 26 aggregate, 20 in possession.
19
American Coot
Sora
Migratory Bird Hunting at WMAs
WMAs are closed to all hunting except by special regulations listed below. No hunting outside of open seasons or for species not listed.
Vehicles are restricted to designated areas. No camping is allowed. Hunting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1:00 p.m. During September
teal at Bernardo and La Joya WMAs, shooting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Days Open To Migratory Bird Hunting At WMAs = Days open
WMA Species Sun Mon Tue Wed Thr Fri Sat
Seven Rivers Dove, September teal, X X X
sandhill crane
Group 2
*Bernardo, Group 1 x x x
600 feet south of U.S. 60 (Quagmire Unit) and portions north of U.S. 60 (E Units), east of Unit 7 Drain. See map, page 17.
*Bernardo, Group 1 x x
600 feet south of U.S. 60 (Bernardo Ponds Unit) and portions north of U.S. 60 (D Units), west of Unit 7 Drain. See page 17.
20
* That portion of Bernardo WMA north of U.S. 60 will be open for waterfowl hunting to groups consisting of at least one
youth hunter with a supervising adult, see page 21.
La Joya Group 1 x x x
(north portion)
La Joya Group 1 x x
(south portion)
La Joya Dove, x x x x x x x
(east of railroad tracks) Group 1
Tucumcari Group 2 x x x
Group 1 includes: ducks, light geese, dark geese (if in possession of a MRGV dark goose permit), Virginia rail, sora, common moorhen, American coot, common snipe.
Group 2 includes: ducks, all geese, Virginia rail, sora, common moorhen, American coot, common snipe.
Group 3 includes: ducks, light geese, Virginia rail, sora, common moorhen, American coot, common snipe.
Special Permit & Youth Waterfowl Seasons
Special Permit Goose Hunts Middle Rio Grande Valley
Dark Goose Hunt
Bernardo WMA Light Goose Hunts Middle Rio Grande Valley (Valencia, Socorro and Sierra
Up to 24 permits will be available at Bernardo each open day. counties) dark goose hunters must have a permit which is
Permits will be offered by drawing for each hunt date. Bag issued free at any Department office or online at:
limit is 20 per day, 80 in possession. Hunters shall use only www.wildlife.state.nm.us. There is no limit to the number
USFWS-approved nontoxic shot. Only 30 rounds per hunter of permits issued.
will be allowed in the blinds. Additional information about
hunt requirements will be given to successful hunt applicants. Dates Number of Permits Bag/Possession
Hunters must have a valid license, their special hunt permit, a
Migratory Bird Permit (HIP) Number and a Duck Stamp. Jan. 1-23, '11 Unlimited 2 per day / 2 per season
Hunters may apply for all Bernardo WMA light goose hunts
online or use paper Form 2010 using the hunt codes listed on Snow Goose
the chart below and enclosing an application fee of $10 per
resident or $27 per nonresident. Applications must be made
online or postmarked by Nov. 3.
Hunt Code Dates Number of Permits
LTG-0-101 Dec. 31 24
Migratory Birds
LTG-0-103 Jan. 24, '11 24
Dec. 5 BNY-0-112 6
Dec. 11 BNY-0-113 6
Dec. 12 BNY-0-114 6
Dec. 18 BNY-0-115 6
Dec. 19 BNY-0-116 6
Dec. 20 BNY-0-117 6
Dec. 21 BNY-0-118 6
Blind selection during the September teal and federal
Youth Waterfowl Days is on a first-come, first-serve Dec. 22 BNY-0-119 6
22 basis. Blind selection on weekdays between Oct. 30- Dec. 23 BNY-0-120 6
Dec. 16 and Jan. 3-30, '11 is on a first-come, first-serve Dec. 25 BNY-0-121 6
basis. Once all blinds are selected, no other hunters
will be allowed to enter the area. Hunt dates and areas Dec. 26 BNY-0-122 6
shall follow the schedule described in the table on Dec. 27 BNY-0-123 6
page 20. Dec. 28 BNY-0-124 6
Blind selection on all weekends and those weekdays Dec. 29 BNY-0-125 6
between Dec. 18,-Jan. 2, '11 will be available by permit
Dec. 30 BNY-0-126 6
only. See right-hand column for dates, hunt codes and
permits available. Hunters may apply for these hunts Jan. 1, '11 BNY-0-127 6
online or on paper Form 2010 using the hunt codes on Jan. 2, '11 BNY-0-128 6
the chart to the right. Enclose a $10 application fee per
Jan. 8, '11 BNY-0-129 6
resident or $27 application fee for each nonresident.
Applications must be made online or postmarked by Jan. 9, '11 BNY-0-130 6
Sept. 8. If any permits are available after the draw, Jan. 15, '11 BNY-0-131 6
they may be obtained at Department area offices. Up
Jan. 16, '11 BNY-0-132 6
to 2 permits may be issued per application. A youth
hunter may have up to a maximum of 4 permits per Jan. 22, '11 BNY-0-133 6
license year. Jan. 23, '11 BNY-0-134 6
Bag limit and possession limits are the same as the Jan. 29, '11 BNY-0-135 6
regular seasons. See page 18 for bag limit. The use of Jan. 30, '11 BNY-0-136 6
motorized motion decoys is prohibited during these
hunts.
Legal shooting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise
to 1:00 p.m.
Falconry Seasons
Falconry Upland Game Seasons Falconry Migratory Bird Seasons cont.
Species Area/Date Bag/Possession Species Area/Date Bag/Possession
Pheasant, Statewide Bag is 3 birds, Duck and Central Flyway Bag is 3 migratory
Grouse, Sept. 1-Feb. 28, '11 singly or in American North Zone: game birds, singly
Quail and aggregate and 3 Coot Sept. 18-26 or in aggregate.
Squirrel squirrels. Oct. 2-3 Possession is 6 for
Possession is (Youth waterfowl days) both flyways and
6 pheasant, Oct. 9-Jan. 12, '11 all zones.
6 grouse,
16 squirrel Central Flyway
and 30 quail. South Zone:
Sept. 18-26
Oct. 16-17 (Youth Waterfowl Days)
Falconry Migratory Bird Seasons Oct. 27-Jan. 30, '11
Dove Statewide Bag is 3
Sept. 1-Nov. 12 and migratory game Pacific Flyway
Nov. 28-Dec. 31 birds, singly or Oct. 2-3 (Youth Waterfowl Days)
in aggregate. Oct. 18-Jan. 30, '11
Possession is 6
singly or in Common Central and Pacific Flyways
combination. Snipe Oct. 16-Jan. 30, '11 See above
There is no bag or possession limit on Eurasian-collared doves
Common Central Flyway
Band-tailed Southwest See above Moorhen Oct. 2-Jan. 16, '11 See above
Pigeon* Oct. 1-Jan. 15, '11
Pacific Flyway
Remainder of state
Falconry
Oct. 2-3 (Youth Waterfowl Days)
Sept. 1-Dec. 16 See above
Oct. 18-Jan. 30, '11 See above
Sandhill Eastern
Crane* Oct. 17-Jan. 31, '11 See above Sora and Central and Pacific Flyways
Virginia Rail Sept. 18-Jan. 2, '11 See above
Estancia Valley**
Oct. 30-Dec. 28 Bag is 3, Light Goose Central Flyway See above
6 in possession Oct. 17-Jan. 31, '11
*Falconers are Young Peregrine Pacific Flyway
required to have a Falcon North Zone: 23
Band-tailed Pigeon Sept. 25-Oct. 10 and Nov. 1-Jan. 30, '11
or Sandhill Crane South Zone:
Permit in their Oct. 16-Jan. 30, '11
possession when
hunting these Dark Goose Central Flyway See above
species. Oct. 17-Jan. 31, '11