The 2020-2021 New Mexico Big Game Draw is open and ready for your application!

Important Deadlines:

Get your hunter education course in before the draw deadline

1. Traditional Hunter Education – is an instructor-led student course approximately 14-16 hours in length. This traditional style of course is for students of and age that incorporates lecture, video, hands-on and review methods to educate students. Students who are 10 years of age and younger must have a parent/guardian/responsible adult attend the course with them.
2. Field Day Hunter Education – is an accelerated instructor-led hunter education course approximately six (6) hours in length. This course is for students10 years of age and older ONLY and incorporates less lecture and review and adds more hands-on components. This course is an excellent option for Mentored Youth Hunters. Students who are 10 years of age must have a parent/guardian/responsible adult attend the course with them.
3. Online Options – Students have the option of earning their New Mexico hunter education certification completely online. No in-person course required.The online course options are for New Mexico residents 11 years of age or older ONLY.

Facebook live series to help prepare for the draw

• Myth Bustin’ the draw
• First time putting in for the draw
• Species highlights: elk, deer, bear, turkey, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep,
• Laws and Regulations
• And more, follow us on Facebook to make sure you get the live events!

Special Draw Announcements:

• Sportsmen and women must log in to the licensing database using either their Customer Identification Number (CIN) or username. Using an e-mail address will no longer be an option. 
• Questions about the draw or hunting in New Mexico? Plan on attending the New Mexico Outdoor Adventure Show. Feb 14 to 16 at Expo New Mexico.
• Attention military-only and returning Iraq/Afghanistan veteran oryx draw applicants – The New Mexico State Game Commission approved a change to NMAC 19.31.3 in Nov. 2019. Proof of service/eligibility must now be provided to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish prior to applying for any military only hunts, Fort Bliss or returning Iraq/Afghanistan hunts until you have provided documentation of service to the Department, your documents have been verified and entered into the system.
  When applying, if you do not see the military-only hunt codes or returning Iraq/Afghanistan veteran oryx hunt codes, it means the Department has not yet verified your eligibility.
  The Department strongly recommends that you DO NOT wait until the last minute to provide your documents. Due to the influx of draw applications at the end of the application period, the Department cannot guarantee that your documents will be entered into the system after March 13, 2020.

  Please e-mail military documentation to specialhunts@state.nm.us.