How to apply in New Mexico

Before purchasing a Game-Hunting License, all hunters 17 years of age and younger must obtain a Hunter Education number issued by New Mexico or another state or possess a New Mexico mentor-youth number.

All hunters, regardless of age, on White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and Fort Bliss

Draw applicants purchasing 2026-27 Game-Hunting Licenses to apply for draw hunts must click “Draw Hunt Applications” in the main menu and purchase the license as part of the application process.

A Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV) must be purchased and possessed by all hunters, trappers or anglers, except individuals 17 years of age and younger

New Mexico does not grant preference to previously unsuccessful applicants.

All draw applications are entered into an automated system that randomly assigns each application a sequence number.

A minimum of 84% of draw licenses to New Mexico residents; 10% to residents and nonresidents applying with a New Mexico registered outfitter; 6% to nonresidents applying without an outfitter; 100% to residents for antlerless elk and hunts held exclusively on Wildlife Management Areas. Population management hunts are not subject to quota.

6% of draw licenses to nonresidents applying without a New Mexico registered outfitter; nonresidents with an outfitter share the 10% outfitter pool with residents; none for antlerless elk or WMA-only hunts.

Residents planning to apply with one or more non-residents should also be aware of this when applying.

Up to four hunters may apply per application.

Only one hunter may apply per application.

Up to two hunters may apply per application.

One Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep ram license and one desert bighorn sheep ram license in a lifetime.

IBX-1-101 (any legal sporting arm) is once-in-a-lifetime; IBX-1-103 is once-in-a-youth.

All WSMR draw oryx hunts with an either-sex bag limit are once-in-a-lifetime and may not be applied for if previously held.

Successful applicants are notified by email; unsuccessful applicants are not notified but may check their New Mexico account online. Results are also available by telephone or at New Mexico offices.

Licenses remaining after 14 days shall be available to any youth hunter eligible to purchase an elk license, whether they applied for draw hunts or not. Hunts will only be offered online on a first-come, first-served basis.

All draw license fees include a nonrefundable application fee (residents: $7; non-residents: $13).

All draw license fees include a nonrefundable application fee (residents: $7; non-residents: $13).