TITLE 19 NATURAL
RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE
CHAPTER 31 HUNTING
AND FISHING
PART 11 BEAR
AND COUGAR
19.31.11.1 ISSUING
AGENCY: New Mexico department of game and fish.
[19.31.11.1 NMAC - Rp,
19.31.11.1 NMAC, 4/1/2024]
19.31.11.2 SCOPE: Sportspersons
interested in bear and cougar management and hunting. Additional requirements may be found in
Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 and Title 19 NMAC.
[19.31.11.2 NMAC - Rp,
19.31.11.2 NMAC, 4/1/2024]
19.31.11.3 STATUTORY
AUTHORITY: 17-1-14 and 17-1-26 NMSA 1978 provide that
the New Mexico state game commission has the authority to establish rules and
regulations that it may deem necessary to carry out the purpose of Chapter 17
NMSA 1978 and all other acts pertaining to protected mammals, birds and fish.
[19.31.11.3 NMAC - Rp,
19.31.11.3 NMAC, 4/1/2024]
19.31.11.4 DURATION: April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2028.
[19.31.11.4 NMAC - Rp,
19.31.11.4 NMAC, 4/1/2024]
19.31.11.5 EFFECTIVE
DATE:
April 1, 2024, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.
[19.31.11.5 NMAC - Rp,
19.31.11.5 NMAC, 4/1/2024]
19.31.11.6 OBJECTIVE: Establishing
open hunting seasons and regulations, rules and procedures governing the
distribution and issuance of bear and cougar licenses and permits by the
department.
[19.31.11.6 NMAC - Rp,
19.31.11.6 NMAC, 4/1/2024]
19.31.11.7 DEFINITIONS:
A. “Bear entry permit” shall mean a
permit awarded through a public drawing which entitles the holder of an
over-the-counter bear license to hunt in a limited entry area during season
dates established in rule.
B. “Bear zones” shall mean hunt
areas consisting of one or more game management units as described in 19.30.4
NMAC.
C. “Cougar zones” shall mean hunt
areas consisting of one or more game management units as described in 19.30.4
NMAC.
D. “Department” shall mean the New
Mexico department of game and fish.
E. “Director”
shall mean the director of the New Mexico department of game and fish.
F. “Game management unit” or “GMU”
shall mean those areas as described in 19.30.4 NMAC.
G. “Wildlife
management areas” or “WMAs” shall mean those areas as described in 19.34.5
NMAC.
[19.31.11.7 NMAC - Rp,
19.31.11.7 NMAC, 4/1/2024]
19.31.11.8 ADJUSTMENT
OF LICENSES, PERMITS AND HARVEST LIMITS:
A. The director, with
verbal concurrence of the chairperson or their designee, may adjust the number
of licenses, permits or harvest limits, up or down by no more than twenty
percent within a bear zone or cougar zone, to address critical department
management needs, significant changes in population levels or habitat
availability. This adjustment may be
applied within the specified zones to any or all of:
the specific hunt codes; total harvest limits; or female harvest sub-limits.
B. The
director, with verbal concurrence of the chairperson or their designee, may
take management actions independent of seasons and restrictions, harvest limits
or female sub-limits for population management, or to address critical
situations including ungulate population protection, depredation, human health
and safety or other wildlife management issues.
The decision to take management actions pursuant to this subsection
shall be reported to the commission.
[19.31.11.8 NMAC - Rp,
19.31.11.8 NMAC, 4/1/2024]
19.31.11.9 [RESERVED]
[19.31.11.9 NMAC - Repealed,
4/1/2024]
19.31.11.10 BEAR AND COUGAR ZONE CLOSURES, BAG LIMITS AND RESTRICTIONS:
A. Zone closures: Bear and cougar may be hunted or taken only
in zones designated as open on the department hotline or website. Zones will close within 72 hours of when the
reported number of bears or cougars harvested is within ten percent of the
total limit or female sub-limit for that zone, whichever occurs first.
B. Bag limit: The bag limit for bear is one; the bag limit
for cougar is two. It is unlawful to kill a bear sow with cub(s) or any bear
cub less than one year old, or to kill a spotted cougar kitten or any female
cougar accompanied by spotted kitten(s).
C. Limited
entry hunt areas: It shall be unlawful to hunt bear or cougar in
designated WMAs or other specifically designated special entry hunt areas with the following exceptions:
(1) Legally licensed bear hunters possessing a valid bear
entry hunt permit may hunt bears in the area(s) specified on the permit, or as otherwise allowed by rule. Bear entry hunters shall be allowed to hunt
in any other open bear zone provided they have a valid bear license.
(2) Legally
licensed deer and elk hunters whose license is valid on a WMA or the Valle
Vidal and are in possession of a valid over-the-counter bear or cougar license,
may hunt bear or cougar in the WMA or the Valle Vidal as specified on their
deer or elk license. Deer
or elk hunters choosing to hunt bear or cougar under this provision may not use
dogs, may hunt only in open bear or cougar zones, and must adhere to the weapon
type restriction and season dates as specified by their deer or elk licenses.
D. Cougar
hunting requirements and restrictions:
(1) All persons shall
complete the mandatory cougar identification course offered on the department’s
website prior to purchasing a cougar license.
(2) Cougar
hunting is closed in the Florida mountains hunt area during any open Persian
ibex season, except by legally licensed Persian ibex hunters in possession of a
valid cougar license. Persian ibex
hunters may hunt cougar only if the cougar zone is open, and
must adhere to the weapon type restrictions and season dates as specified by
their Persian ibex license.
[19.31.11.10 NMAC - Rp,
19.31.11.10 NMAC, 4/1/2024]
19.31.11.11 BEAR
HUNTING SEASONS:
A. Over-the-counter
bear hunts for the 2024-25 through 2027-28 seasons: The following table lists bear zones, open
GMUs, sporting arm restrictions, season dates, total harvest limits and female
harvest sub-limits
|
Bear zone |
open GMUs |
bow only |
any big game sporting arms |
2024-25 total limit (female) |
2025-26 total limit (female) |
2026-27 total limit (female) |
2027-28 total limit (female) |
|
1 |
4,
5, 6, 7, 51, 52 |
9/1 - 24 |
9/25 - 11/15 |
168 (67) |
168 (67) |
168 (67) |
168 (67) |
|
2 |
2 |
9/1 - 24 |
9/25 - 11/15 |
15 (6) |
15 (6) |
15 (6) |
15 (6) |
|
3 |
49,
50, 53 |
9/1 - 24 |
8/16 - 8/31 and 9/25 - 11/15 |
65 (26) |
65 (26) |
65 (26) |
65 (26) |
|
4 |
45,
46, 48 |
9/1 - 24 |
8/16 - 8/31 and 9/25 - 11/30 |
109 (43) |
109 (43) |
109 (43) |
109 (43) |
|
5 |
54,
55, 57 |
9/1 - 24 |
8/16 - 8/31 and 9/25 - 11/15 |
108 (43) |
108 (43) |
108 (43) |
108 (43) |
|
6 |
39,
40, 41, 42, 43, 47, 56, 58, 59 |
9/1 - 24 |
8/16 - 8/31 and 9/25 - 11/15 |
51 (20) |
51 (20) |
51 (20) |
51 (20) |
|
8 |
8 |
9/1 - 24 |
10/15 - 11/15 |
11 (4) |
11 (4) |
11 (4) |
11 (4) |
|
9 |
9,
10 |
9/1 - 24 |
8/16 - 8/31 and 9/25 - 11/15 |
36 (14) |
36 (14) |
36 (14) |
36 (14) |
|
10 |
12,
13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27 |
9/1 - 24 |
9/25 - 12/15 |
197 (79) |
197 (79) |
197 (79) |
197 (79) |
|
11 |
37,
38 |
9/1 - 24 |
8/16 - 8/31 and 9/25 - 11/30 |
36 (14) |
36 (14) |
36 (14) |
36 (14) |
|
12 |
34 |
9/1 - 24 |
8/16 - 8/31 and 9/25 - 12/15 |
33 (13) |
33 (13) |
33 (13) |
33 (13) |
|
13 |
36 |
9/1 - 24 |
8/16 - 8/31 and 9/25 - 11/30 |
16 (6) |
16 (6) |
16 (6) |
16 (6) |
|
14 |
14 |
9/1 - 24 |
10/15 - 11/15 |
19 (7) |
19 (7) |
19 (7) |
19 (7) |
B. Entry
hunts for the 2024-25 through 2027-28 seasons shall be as indicated below,
listing the open GMUs and areas, eligibility requirements or restrictions, hunt
dates, hunt codes, legal sporting arms and number of permits.
|
open GMUs and areas |
2024-25 hunt dates |
2025-26 hunt dates |
2026-27 hunt dates |
2027-28 hunt dates |
hunt code |
permits |
|
2: youth only |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
BER-1-100 |
5 |
|
4: Sargent WMA only |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
BER-1-101 |
10 |
|
4: Humphries WMA only |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
BER-1-102 |
5 |
|
9: Marquez/LBar WMA only |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
BER-1-103 |
10 |
|
54:55: Uracca, E.S. Barker, and
Colin Neblett WMAs, and Valle Vidal |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
BER-1-104 |
60 |
|
55: Valle Vidal |
4/15-5/20 |
4/15-5/20 |
4/15-5/20 |
4/15-5/20 |
BER-1-105 |
20 |
|
57: Sugarite Canyon State Park/
bow only |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
BER-2-106 |
5 |
[19.31.11.11 NMAC - Rp,
19.31.11.11 NMAC, 4/1/2024]
19.31.11.12 COUGAR
HUNTING SEASONS:
A. Over-the-counter cougar hunting season shall be from April 1 through
March 31, or until the total harvest limit or female sub-limit, whichever comes
first, is met in any given cougar zone.
B. The
following table lists cougar zones, open GMUs, total harvest limits and female
harvest sub-limits for the 2024-25 to 2027-28 seasons.
|
zone |
open GMUs |
2024-25 total limit
(female) |
2025-26 total limit
(female) |
2026-27 total limit
(female) |
2027-28 total limit
(female) |
|
A |
2, 7 |
42 (13) |
42 (13) |
42 (13) |
42 (13) |
|
B |
5, 6, 50, 51 |
25 (8) |
25 (8) |
25 (8) |
25 (8) |
|
C |
43, 45, 46, 48, 49, 53 |
57 (17) |
57 (17) |
57 (17) |
57 (17) |
|
D |
41, 42, 47,59 |
15 (5) |
15 (5) |
15 (5) |
15 (5) |
|
E |
9, 10 |
43 (13) |
43 (13) |
43 (13) |
43 (13) |
|
G |
13, 17 |
50 (15) |
50 (15) |
50 (15) |
50 (15) |
|
H |
18, 19, 20 |
29 (9) |
29 (9) |
29 (9) |
29 (9) |
|
I |
36, 37, 38 |
24 (7) |
24 (7) |
24 (7) |
24 (7) |
|
J |
15, 16, 21 |
84 (25) |
84 (25) |
84 (25) |
84 (25) |
|
K |
22, 23, 24 |
45 (14) |
45 (14) |
45 (14) |
45 (14) |
|
L |
25, 26, 27 |
19 (6) |
19 (6) |
19 (6) |
19 (6) |
|
M |
31, 32, 33, 39, 40 |
25 (7) |
25 (7) |
25 (7) |
25 (7) |
|
N |
4, 52 |
13 (4) |
13 (4) |
13 (4) |
13 (4) |
|
O |
12 |
17 (5) |
17 (5) |
17 (5) |
17 (5) |
|
P |
56, 57, 58 |
14 (7) |
14 (7) |
14 (7) |
14 (7) |
|
Q |
28, 29, 30, 34 |
17 (6) |
17 (6) |
17 (6) |
17 (6) |
|
R |
54, 55 |
26 (8) |
26 (8) |
26 (8) |
26 (8) |
|
S |
8, 14 |
17 (5) |
17 (5) |
17 (5) |
17 (5) |
[19.31.11.12 NMAC - Rp,
19.31.11.12 NMAC, 4/1/2024]
HISTORY OF 19.31.11 NMAC:
Pre-NMAC History: The material in this part was
derived from that previously filed with the state records center and archives
under:
Regulation No. 482,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Bear, Turkey, Elk, Antelope, Dusky Grouse,
Tassel-Eared and Chickaree Squirrel, and Barbary Sheep, filed 5/31/1967;
Regulation No. 487,
Establishing 1967 Seasons on Javelina and Barbary Sheep, filed 12/15/1967;
Regulation No. 489,
Establishing Turkey Seasons for the Spring of 1968, filed 3/1/1968;
Regulation No. 491,
Establishing Big Game Seasons for 1968 for Jicarilla Reservation, filed
3/1/1968;
Regulation No. 492,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Bear, Turkey, Elk, Antelope, Dusky Grouse,
Tassel-Eared and Chickaree Squirrel, and Barbary Sheep, filed 6/6/1968;
Regulation No. 495,
Establishing a Season on Bighorn Sheep, filed 10/2/1968;
Regulation No. 496,
Establishing an Elk Season in the Tres Piedras Area, Elk Area P-6, filed
12/11/1968;
Regulation No. 502,
Establishing Turkey Seasons for the Spring Of 1969, filed 3/5/1969;
Regulation No. 503,
Establishing 1969 Deer Seasons for Bowhunting Only and Big Game Seasons for the
Jicarilla Indian Reservation, filed 3/5/1969;
Regulation 504, Establishing
Seasons on Deer, Bear, Turkey, Dusky Grouse, Chickaree and Tassel-Eared
Squirrel, and Barbary Sheep, filed 6/4/1969;
Regulation No. 507,
Establishing a Season on Bighorn Sheep, filed 8/26/1969;
Regulation No. 512,
Establishing Turkey Season for the Spring Of 1970, filed 2/20/1970;
Regulation No. 513,
Establishing Deer Season for Bowhunting Only in Sandia State Game Refuge, filed
2/20/1970;
Regulation No. 514,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Bear, Turkey, Elk, Antelope, Dusky Grouse,
Tassel-Eared and Chickaree Squirrel, Barbary Sheep and Bighorn Sheep, filed
6/9/1970;
Regulation No 520,
Establishing Turkey Seasons for the Spring of 1971, filed 3/9/1971;
Regulation No. 522,
Establishing 1971 Seasons on Deer, Bear, Turkey, and Elk on the Jicarilla
Apache Indian Reservation, filed 3/9/1971;
Regulation No. 523,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Dusky Grouse, Tassel-Eared
and Chickaree Squirrel, Elk, Antelope, Barbary Sheep and Bighorn Sheep, filed
6/9/1971;
Regulation No. 531,
Establishing a Season on Javelina, filed 12/17/1971;
Regulation No. 532,
Establishing Turkey Seasons for the Spring of 1972, filed 3/20/1972;
Regulation No. 534,
Establishing 1972 Seasons on Deer, Bear, Turkey, and Elk on the Jicarilla
Apache Indian Reservation, filed 3/20/1972;
Regulation No. 536,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Dusky Grouse, Chickaree and
Tassel-Eared Squirrel, Elk, Antelope, Barbary Sheep and Bighorn Sheep, filed
6/26/1972;
Regulation No. 542,
Establishing a Season on Javelina, filed 12/1/1972;
Regulation No. 545,
Establishing Turkey Seasons for the Spring Of 1973, filed 2/26/1973;
Regulation No. 546,
Establishing 1973 Seasons on Deer, Bear, Turkey, and Elk on the Jicarilla
Apache Indian Reservation, filed 2/26/1973;
Regulation No. 547,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Dusky Grouse, Chickaree and
Tassel-Eared Squirrel, Elk, Antelope, Barbary Sheep and Bighorn Sheep, and
Javelina, filed 5/31/1973;
Regulation No. 554,
Establishing Special Turkey Seasons for the Spring of 1974, filed 3/4/1974;
Regulation No. 556,
Establishing 1974 Seasons on Deer, Bear, Turkey, and Elk on the Jicarilla
Apache Indian Reservation, filed 3/14/1974;
Regulation No. 558,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Dusky Grouse, Tassel-Eared
and Chickaree Squirrel, Elk, Antelope, Barbary Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina,
Oryx, and Ibex, filed 5/29/1974;
Regulation No. 565,
Establishing Special Turkey Seasons for the Spring of 1975, filed 3/24/1975;
Regulation No. 567,
Establishing 1975 Seasons on Deer, Bear, and Turkey on the Jicarilla Apache and
Navajo Indian Reservations and on Elk on the Jicarilla Apache Indian
Reservation, filed 3/24/1975;
Regulation No. 568,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Dusky Grouse, Chickaree and
Tassel-Eared Squirrel, Elk, Antelope, Barbary Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina,
Oryx and Ibex, filed 6/25/1975;
Regulation No. 573,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Dusky Grouse, Tassel-Eared
and Chickaree Squirrel, Elk, Antelope, Barbary Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina,
Oryx and Ibex, filed 2/23/1976;
Regulation No. 583,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex, filed 2/11/1977;
Regulation No. 590,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex, filed 2/15/1978;
Regulation No. 596,
Establishing Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex, filed 2/23/1979;
Regulation No. 603,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1980 through March 31, 1981, filed
2/22/1980;
Regulation No. 609,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1981 through March 31, 1982, filed 3/17/1981;
Regulation No. 614,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary Sheep,
Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1982 through March 31, 1983, filed 3/10/1982;
Regulation No. 622,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1983 through March 31, 1984, filed 3/9/1983;
Regulation No. 628,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1984 through March 31, 1985, filed 4/2/1984;
Regulation No. 634,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1985 Through March 31, 1986, filed 4/18/1985;
Regulation No. 640,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1986 through March 31, 1987, filed 3/25/1986;
Regulation No. 645,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1987 through March 31, 1988, filed 2/12/1987;
Regulation No. 653,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1988 through March 31, 1989, filed 12/18/1987;
Regulation No. 663,
Establishing Opening Spring Turkey for the Period April 1, 1989
through March 31, 1990, filed 3/28/1989;
Regulation No. 664,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1989 through March 31, 1990, filed 3/20/1989;
Regulation No. 674,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1990 through March 31, 1991, filed 11/21/1989;
Regulation No. 683,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx, and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1991 through March 31, 1992, filed 2/8/1991;
Regulation No. 689,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx, and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1992 through March 31, 1993, filed 3/4/1992;
Regulation No. 700,
Establishing Open Seasons on Deer, Turkey, Bear, Cougar, Elk, Antelope, Barbary
Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Javelina, Oryx, and Ibex for the Period April 1, 1993 through March 31, 1995, filed 3/11/1993.
History of Repealed Material:
19.31.8 NMAC, Big Game, filed
3/1/2001 - duration expired 3/31/2003.
19.31.8 NMAC, Big Game and
Turkey, filed 3/3/2003 - duration expired 3/31/2005.
19.31.8 NMAC, Big Game and
Turkey, filed 12/15/2004 - duration expired 3/31/2007.
19.31.11 NMAC, Bear and
Cougar, filed 12/1/2006 - duration expired 3/31/2009.
19.31.11 NMAC, Bear and
Cougar, filed 3/13/2009 - duration expired 3/31/2011.
19.31.11 NMAC, Bear and
Cougar, filed 2/22/2011 - duration expired 3/31/2016.
19.31.11 NMAC, Bear and
Cougar, filed 2/29/2016 - duration expired 3/31/2020.
19.31.11 NMAC, Bear and
Cougar, filed 12/3/2019 - duration expired 3/31/2024.