What Are New Mexico’s Laws on Hunting and Fishing Licenses in 2025?

New Mexico’s 2025 hunting and fishing laws require all participants to follow specific licensing and permit requirements, with some exceptions based on age, residency, and land type. Here’s a breakdown of the key regulations and requirements for 2025:

Hunting License Requirements

General Requirement: All hunters must possess a valid Game-Hunting License or Game-Hunting & Fishing License for the species and hunt type they are pursuing.

Big Game, Upland Game, Migratory Birds, and Turkey: In addition to the general hunting license, hunters must have a carcass tag for each species hunted, unless using the E-Tag option (which requires proof on a smartphone).

Private Land: Hunters on private land must have written permission from the landowner.

Youth Hunters: Hunters 17 and younger must have a Hunter Education or mentor-youth number.

Furbearers: Hunters and trappers 18 and older need a Trapper License. Those 12–17 years old need a Junior Trapper License (and Hunter Education, if hunting furbearers).

Non-Residents: Non-residents 12 and older hunting or trapping furbearers, or trapping nongame species, must have a Non-resident Trapper License.

Waterfowl: Migratory game bird hunters need a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. Waterfowl hunters 16 and older must also purchase a Federal Duck Stamp.

Fishing License Requirements

General Requirement: Anglers 12 years and older must possess a valid New Mexico Fishing License or Game-Hunting & Fishing License.

License Validity: Licenses are valid from April 1 through March 31 of the following year.

Exemptions: No license is required for anglers 11 and younger, on tribal reservations, or private Class-A lakes.

Special Licenses: Junior and Senior Fishing Licenses are available. Residents 70 and older can obtain a free license, as can 100%-disabled resident veterans.

Handicapped Licenses: Available for residents with permanent disabilities, with Habitat Stamp required if applicable.

Required Stamps and Validations

Habitat Stamp: Required for all hunters and anglers on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, except for anglers 11 and younger, residents 70 and older (with free license), and 100%-disabled resident veterans.

Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV): Required for all hunters, trappers, and anglers 18 and older on public or private lands, except those 17 and younger, residents 70 and older (with free license), and 100%-disabled resident veterans.

Application and Deadlines

Big Game Applications: The 2025 big game application deadline was March 19, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. MDT. Results are posted by late April.

License Purchase: Licenses and permits can be purchased online, by phone, or at license vendors.

Spring Hunts: Spring over-the-counter (OTC) license hunts run from April 15 to May 15, 2025. Youth-only OTC hunts are April 11–13, 2025.

Summary Table

Requirement/Type	Who Needs It?	Notes/Exceptions
Game-Hunting License	All hunters	Required for all hunting
Fishing License	Anglers 12+	Not required for 11 and under
Carcass Tag	Big game hunters	E-Tag option available
Written Landowner Permission	Private land hunters	Required for private land
Hunter Education/Mentor-Youth	Hunters 17 and younger	Required
Trapper License	Furbearer hunters/trappers 18+	12–17: Junior Trapper License
Non-resident Trapper License	Non-residents 12+	For furbearers/nongame
HIP Number	Migratory game bird hunters	Required
Federal Duck Stamp	Waterfowl hunters 16+	Required
Habitat Stamp	Hunters/anglers on USFS/BLM lands	Not for 11 and under, 70+ (free)
Habitat Management & Access Val.	Hunters/trappers/anglers 18+	Not for 17 and under, 70+ (free)
Free Fishing License	Residents 70+, 100%-disabled veterans	Available

Key Takeaways

Hunting and fishing licenses are required for most participants, with exceptions for young children and certain land types.

Special stamps and validations are needed for hunting and fishing on federal lands and for specific species.

2025 hunting applications and licenses are available online, by phone, or in person, with strict deadlines for big game.

Always check for additional requirements based on the type of hunt, land, and your age or residency status.

For the most current information and to purchase licenses, visit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website or contact their call center at 888-248-6866.

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