Deadline Nears for New Mexico Pheasant and Sandhill Crane Draw Applications

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico hunters interested in special pheasant and Sandhill crane hunts have until Wednesday, Aug. 12, to submit their applications for the upcoming season.

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is accepting applications until 5 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Aug. 12. Applications can be completed through the state’s online licensing system or by calling the department’s Information Center at 888-248-6866.

Successful applicants must have a Game Hunting License or Game Hunting and Fishing License along with any applicable stamps. Hunters who successfully draw a Sandhill crane permit also must obtain a Harvest Information Program, or HIP, number.

YOUTH-ONLY PHEASANT HUNTS

Several youth-only pheasant hunts are scheduled at wildlife management areas across New Mexico this fall and winter.

• Bernardo WMA — PHE-0-001: Oct. 17. Bag limit of three males. 20 permits available.
• W.S. Huey WMA — PHE-0-002: Dec. 5. Bag limit of three males. 40 permits available.
• Jackson Lake WMA — PHE-0-004: Dec. 5. Bag limit of three males. 10 permits available.

An additional pheasant hunt will be held at W.S. Huey Wildlife Management Area on Dec. 12. Hunt code PHE-0-003 has 40 permits available with a bag limit of three male pheasants.

SANDHILL CRANE HUNTS

Sandhill crane opportunities are scheduled in several parts of New Mexico, including the Estancia Valley, Middle Rio Grande Valley and southwestern portions of the state.

The Eastern Hunt runs from Oct. 24 through Jan. 21, 2027. There is no draw hunt code for that hunt, but a free permit is required. The daily bag limit is three cranes, with six allowed in possession.

The Estancia Valley Hunt, code SCR-0-101, is scheduled for Dec. 12-15 and Dec. 17-20. A total of 65 permits are available.

Middle Rio Grande Valley draw hunts include:

• SCR-0-102: Nov. 14-15 — 87 permits.
• SCR-0-103: Nov. 28-29 — 87 permits.
• SCR-0-104: Dec. 12-13 — 87 permits.
• SCR-0-105: Jan. 2-3, 2027 — 87 permits.
• SCR-0-106: Jan. 9-10, 2027 — 87 permits.

Each of the Middle Rio Grande Valley hunts carries a daily bag limit of three cranes and a possession limit of six.

Southwestern New Mexico hunts include SCR-0-108, scheduled for Oct. 31 through Nov. 8 with 75 permits available, and SCR-0-109, scheduled for Jan. 2-3, 2027, with 77 permits available. Both have a daily bag limit of three and possession limit of six.

Up to four hunters may apply together on a Sandhill crane application.

YOUTH SANDHILL CRANE HUNT

A resident-only youth Sandhill crane hunt is also scheduled for Nov. 21 in the Middle Rio Grande Valley.

The hunt, code SCR-0-107, has 24 permits available and carries a bag and possession limit of three cranes. Up to two hunters may apply on a single application for the youth hunt.

HUNTERS ENCOURAGED TO REVIEW RULES

Hunters should review season dates, licensing requirements, hunt boundaries and other regulations before submitting an application or heading into the field.

Additional information is available in the 2026-2027 New Mexico Hunting Rules and Information and through the New Mexico Department of Wildlife.

Licenses, stamps and draw applications can be purchased or submitted through the department’s online licensing system.

The deadline to submit pheasant and Sandhill crane draw applications is 5 p.m. MDT Wednesday, Aug. 12.