The 2022 Big Game Draw is open!We are here to help you get ready! |
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Frequently asked questions of the weekQ: Where can I get the Rules and Information Booklet? A: It is best to download it directly off the website. Printed copies, in both English and Spanish, are available in limited quantities ONLY at Game and Fish offices across the state. Due to a national paper shortage, each person will be limited to a maximum of two copies and printed copies WILL NOT be available at vendors as they have in the past.  Click here to find the NMDGF office closest to you. Q: What is a game hunting license and why am I required to get one before I apply for the draw? A: A game hunting license is valid for small game (migratory birds, upland game birds and squirrel) and is required by state law prior to purchasing or applying for a big game license (antelope, bear, cougar, Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina and oryx). Game hunting licenses and/or stamps purchased through the draw application are nonrefundable. Q: If I am going to be applying for hunts for myself and two children, does each person have to have their own account? A: Yes. Each person will need their own account. Also, if you have previously set up the accounts with the same email address, the reset my password feature will not work as the system can’t verify which account belongs to the password. It is best to try logging into your account and your children’s accounts soon to make sure they are updated before you apply for the draw. If you have a problem, you can call our office at 1-888-248-6866 and we will help you reset the password.
Application assistance is available virtually. You can email the Department’s Information Center or message us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok. You can also call our Information Center at (888) 248-6866. |
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We are about a week into the 2022 New Mexico Legislative Session and the politics in Santa Fe are already in full swing. This morning, the firearm owner liability bill, 2022 HB9, went through a procedural move where the House Rules and Order of Business Committee found that the bill was germane to the session based on the Governor’s Executive Message 3 on 2022 HB68. From here, the bill will go the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee. We will keep you posted on when that committee will hear the bill. Speaking of 2022 HB68, that bill will be heard in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee tomorrow. The bill is a sort of “omnibus” crime bill, but lumped into it, there are new state-level restrictions regarding firearm possession in “school zones.” We are urging the sponsors to remove this language as it creates confusion and potential legal issues for gun owners. These are the main two bills we are watching at the moment. If other bills that would impact your rights as a gun owner come up, we will get out an alert to you quickly. (Please use our link to the NMSSA to learn more about them and join)
The bill creates criminal penalties for a gun owner if their firearm is accessed by a minor without the gun owners permission. Besides being unnecessary, as an adult can already be charged with a crime if they place a minor in a harmful situation through New Mexico’s child endangerment laws, the bill would make it easy to target gun owners through civil fines. In the bill, a petition for a civil fine of $1,000 can be brought against an offending gun owner by anyone who is the parent or guardian of a minor. The data shows these types of laws don’t work to save lives. They can even make it harder to defend yourself in your own home. But this proposed law seeks to go even further by making someone afraid to own a gun through civil penalties that almost anyone can bring against them. We will be keeping a careful eye on this bill. There will be no opportunity for public comment before the House Rules and Order of Business as the bill is only there until a determination is made on whether or not the bill will be added to the session agenda. Stay tuned to our alerts for the latest on what is happening in Santa Fe. Zac Fort (Please use our link to the NMSSA to learn more about them and join)
 Las Cruces Gun Show
#HuntNM22 – All you need to know virtual seriesHave you thought about applying for the 2022 big game draw? The Department will be hosting a series of live webinars, covering all that you need to know when applying. We will meet virtually every week, sometimes multiple times a week, to discuss the draw, how to apply, options for hunter education and reading the draw odds report. We will also have our big game biologists on hand to answer questions. All webinars will start at 6:30 p.m. MST. Please register online (topics and links below) and send us your questions through email (tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us). #HuntNM22 #CaceriaNM22 January 10 – Hunter Education, Volunteering and Mentored Youth – Youth under 18 years of age MUST take hunter education before going hunting, but hunter education is good for everyone. Join Jennifer Morgan, hunter education coordinator, to learn the ins and outs of hunter education. We will also talk about the Mentored Youth program and how you can become a hunter education instructor. Click here to register. January 12 – It’s all about the rules! – In New Mexico, the Big Game Rules are set on a four-year cycle, determining the state’s hunt dates and harvest limits. 2022 is a big year for the Big Game Rules, and the Department will be opening nine of them. Elise Goldstein, assistant chief for wildlife, will join us to talk about how recommendations are made, the rule process and most importantly, how you can get involved. Click here to register. January 19 – Getting started! – Are you ready to apply but don’t know where to start? Join Ross Morgan, public information officer, and learn about the process and ask questions to help you get started. Click here to register. January 24 – Know the Law – Conservation Officer Ben Byrd will join us to talk about what you need to think about when hiring an outfitter, the most violated laws and how you can remain legal and proper use of an OHV in New Mexico. Click here to register. January 26 – Meet the Bear Biologist – Rick Winslow, bear and cougar biologist, will be on hand to answer your questions about applying for the Bear Draw as well as over-the-counter opportunities. Click here to register. February 2 – Meet the Turkey Biologist – Casey Cardinal, resident bird biologist, will be on hand to answer your questions about applying for the Turkey Draw as well as over-the-counter opportunities. Click here to register. February 7 – Access is the Key! – Rex Martensen, private lands coordinator, will be on joining us to talk about land status in New Mexico and the programs the Department has to help access private lands. Click here to register. February 9 – Meet the Elk Biologist – Travis Zaffarano, elk program manager, will be on hand to answer questions about applying for and hunting elk in New Mexico. Click here to register. February 16 – Meet the Deer Biologist – Orrin Duvuvuei, deer program manager, will be on hand to answer questions about applying for and hunting deer in New Mexico. Click here to register. February 21 – It’s in the reports! – The Draw Odds Report and the Harvest Reports can help you apply for a big game hunt. Join Kevin Rodden, SW area biologist, to learn how to read the reports and use them for your benefit. Click here to register. February 23 – Meet the Pronghorn Biologist – Tony Opatz, pronghorn biologist, will be on hand to answer questions about applying for and hunting pronghorn in New Mexico. Click here to register. March 2 – Meet the Bighorn Sheep Biologist – Caitlin Ruhl, bighorn sheep program manager, will be on hand to answer questions about applying for and hunting bighorn sheep in New Mexico. Click here to register. March 9 – Meet the Biologist – Nicole Tatman, big game program manager, will be on hand to answer questions about applying for and hunting oryx, ibex and Barbary sheep in New Mexico. Click here to register. March 14 – Last minute Q and A – March 16 deadline is just days away. We will address any last-minute things you should know or questions you might have. Click here to register.
We have added an event in Albuquerque, NM at the Rio Rancho Event Center which will be taking the date of March 12-13. We thank you all for your continued support and look forward to seeing you in the New Year. Happy Holidays,
Unfortunately, our event on January 15-16 in Farmington, NM has been postponed. We wish everyone Happy Holidays and look forward to seeing you in the future. Kind Regards,
Attention New Mexico bear hunters: Effective Dec. 15, 2021, bear hunting is closed Statewide. Cougar: All zones are open. Please remember: Before hunting bears or cougars, hunters must verify the zone is open by checking the Department’s website or calling the Bear and Cougar Zone Closure and Harvest Hotline, (877) 950-5466. |
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