New Mexico Register / Volume XXXV, Issue 6 / March 26, 2024

This is an amendment of 19.31.3 NMAC, Section 11, effective 4/1/2024.

19.31.3.11 RESTRICTIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

A. One license per big game species per year: It shall be unlawful for anyone to hold more than one permit or license for any one big game species during the current license year unless otherwise allowed by rule.

B. Improper license and permit: Any person who attempts to capture or shoot, hunts, kills, injures or takes, in any manner any big-game, small game or fur-bearing animal, turkey or game fish other than in accordance with the specified hunt code or dates, legal sporting arm, bag limit allowance or area designated on a license or permit issued by the department to that person is deemed to be hunting, fishing or trapping without a proper license as required by Section17-3-1 NMSA 1978 unless otherwise exempted by a valid commission rule.

C. Transfer of permits or licenses: The director may grant the transfer of a hunting license or permit once it has been determined that prior to the hunt start date, a licensee or their official representative provides written, verifiable information indicating the licensee has died, sustained an injury or life-threatening illness, or has been subject to deployment by the United States military that prohibits the licensee from hunting. Transfer requests must be submitted in writing prior to the hunt start date. When a transfer of a license results in a higher license fee due to differences between the original licensee and the new licensee (age, residency, etc.), the difference shall be paid prior to issuance of a license or permit.

D. Refunds: The director may grant the refund of a hunting license once it has been determined that a licensee or their official representative provides written, verifiable information indicating the licensee has died, sustained an injury or life-threatening illness, or has been subject to deployment by the United States military that prohibits the licensee from hunting. Refund requests must be submitted in writing prior to the hunt start date.

E. Donation of permits or licenses: Upon written request from a licensee or their official representative, the director may grant the donation of a hunting license for transfer to a youth 17 years of age or younger, a New Mexico resident veteran of the United States military as approved by the New Mexico department of veterans’ services, or a “first responder” who is a resident of the state of New Mexico as defined by Subsection B of Section 12-10D-2 NMSA 1978 who has been qualified through an approved nonprofit organization that promotes hunting, fishing and trapping activities. The donor of the license shall not be eligible for a refund of license or application fees. When a transfer of a license results in a higher license fee due to differences between the original licensee and the new licensee (age, residency, etc.), the difference shall be paid prior to issuance of a license or permit. The state game commission must approve any nonprofit organizations prior to their participation in receiving, identifying or submitting recipients for donated licenses or permits. In order to be an approved nonprofit organization, the organization must demonstrate to the state game commission their history and ability to promote hunting, fishing, and trapping activities. A once-in-a-lifetime licensee may be reinstated as eligible to participate in future drawings for the same species and hunt type if the licensee donated his or her license to an individual qualified by an approved nonprofit organization. Donation of a once-in-a-lifetime license will not prohibit the donor from applying for and receiving another license for the same species and restrictions in the future.

F. More than one application: It shall be unlawful to submit more than one application per species for any license or permit issued through a special drawing, unless otherwise permitted by regulation.

G. Handicapped fishing or handicapped game hunting license qualifications: To hold a handicapped fishing or handicapped game hunting license, the individual must be a resident of New Mexico and must attest to having a severe physical or developmental disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Reasonable accommodation may be made, relating to these licenses, upon request.

H. Mobility-impaired (MI) deer, elk, oryx, or pronghorn license qualifications: To hold a mobility impaired deer, elk, oryx, or pronghorn license, a person must submit verifiable documentation on the proper department form that is attested to by a certified medical physician that the individual has a permanent mobility restriction which limits their activity to a walker, wheelchair, or crutches; or one or more permanent disabilities or conditions which substantially limit the individual’s ability to walk; and then obtain department approval for MI hunt eligibility. Every person qualified as MI shall have their card/eligibility expire 48 months from the issuance date, and must resubmit their application and obtain department approval as required above prior to being eligible to apply for any MI hunt.

I. Youth-only hunts: Only applicants who are 17 years of age or younger on the opening day of the hunt are eligible to apply for or participate in any youth-only hunt, including federal youth waterfowl hunt days. Applicants must have a valid hunter education certificate number, or mentor youth number for appropriate species.

J. Required information: An individual making license application shall supply the department on the appropriate form with all required personal information including, but not limited to name, address, date-of-birth, last four digits of his/her social security number prior to an application form being processed or a license being awarded.

K. Military-only hunts: Applicants must be full time active military and proof of military status must be received by the department prior to applying for any military only hunt.

L. Veteran oryx hunts: Only New Mexico resident veterans who served a minimum of 90 days active duty service in the U.S. Military, or six continuous years in the National Guard or Military Reserve Component, or who were commissioned officers of the U.S. Public Health or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are eligible to apply for Veteran oryx licenses. Applicants must have been honorably discharged from the U.S. military, and must provide a valid DD-214 prior to applying for any Veteran oryx hunt.

M. NMDGF customer identification number: It shall be unlawful for an applicant to use another person’s NMDGF customer identification number or to provide false information to obtain a NMDGF customer identification number.

N. Application fee: Prior to the drawing, all applicants for special hunt drawings for public draw licenses shall pay the applicable species license fees including depredation damage stamp, the required game hunting license fee and the non-refundable draw application fee as defined by 19.30.9.9 NMAC. Disabled American veterans certified as holders of lifetime general hunting and fishing licenses are exempt from paying the application fee when applying for deer hunt drawings.

O. License, permit and stamp requirements: A game hunting or game hunting and fishing license is required to hunt any small game species, and an annual game hunting or game hunting and fishing license is required to apply for or purchase any big-game or turkey license (exception: disabled veteran card holders). A habitat management and access validation is required in conjunction with any hunting, fishing, or trapping license (exceptions: persons under age 18, free fishing license holders over age 70, and disabled veteran card holders). A habitat stamp is required in conjunction with any hunting, fishing, or trapping license on forest service or bureau of land management (BLM) properties (exceptions: anglers and trappers under age 12, free fishing license holders over age 70, and disabled veteran card holders). Migratory bird hunters must possess a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. Waterfowl hunters must also possess a federal duck stamp. Nonresidents must have a nongame hunting license or any valid hunting license to hunt unprotected or nongame species. Draw permits must be accompanied by the appropriate hunting license(s) and stamp(s). Additional permits may be required for specific hunting and fishing activities pursuant to 19.31.6.9 NMAC, 19.31.5.8 NMAC and 19.31.4.13 NMAC.

P. Penalty assessments: When a person is issued a penalty assessment citation for fishing without a license, hunting small game without a license, or failing to possess an applicable habitat management and access validation, habitat stamp or second rod validation; the citation will serve as a license for that specific activity for 15 calendar days. The person must remit the prescribed penalty amount indicated on the face of the citation within 30 days of the date of citation issuance.

Q. Foster family fishing license: To qualify for a free fishing license pursuant to Subsection A of 32A-3A-12 NMSA 1978, proof of eligibility must be provided to the Department in person. Proof of eligibility includes documentation of New Mexico residency and status as a foster parent; a child in the custody of a foster parent, the children, youth and family department (CYFD) or tribal custody; or a young adult enrolled in the fostering connections program.

[19.31.3.11 NMAC – Rp, 19.31.3.11 NMAC, 1/1/2023; A, 4/1/2024]