New Mexico Elk Hunting – Private Land is Key

There are essentially only 3 ways to go New Mexico Elk Hunting.

You can…

1. Enter the New Mexico Elk license draw through the New Mexico department of Game and Fish.
2. Enter the lottery drawing for hunting in the Valles Caldera National Preserve.
3. Buy a landowner permit to hunt on their private land (guaranteed license).

Applications for the New Mexico Elk Hunting must be received by a deadline – this year is was April 8, 2009. State law requires that 78% of licenses are to be distributed to residents, 12% to non-residents that have contracted with an Outfitter, and the last 10% to non-residents who have not contracted with an outfitter (you many contract with a outfitter if you get this draw). There is a second drawing if there are any Elk licenses left. You have to have put a forth choice on your application and be willing to accept ANY elk license available. They will honor your first choice hunting weapon.

The New Mexico Elk Hunting applications for the Valles Caldera National Preserve  Elk Hunt must be made through the Valles Caldera Trust. The Trust holds its own drawing. Hunters can apply for the Trust lottery and  for any other elk hunt license in New Mexico. If you successfully draw a VCNP access authorization you will be automatically removed from the regular New Mexico elk drawing.

Qualified landowners that sign an elk agreement with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish each year are issued elk landowner authorizations in April and can sell them. Hunters wanting to purchase a private land elk license must first receive  Authorization Information from a participating landowner. The hunter then can  take this information to a New Mexico Department of Game and Fish office  to purchase their license. This is the sure way to get a New Mexico Elk Hunting license.

Hunters under the age of 18 can only hunt with a firearm if they have passed any states Hunter Safety Course. Youth hunters in New Mexico must carry their hunter education card on them while hunting.

A special note for hunters  that are new to New Mexico Elk Hunting. Parts of New Mexico are located in the Mexican Wolf Restoration Area. Wolves there are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and by the New Mexico Wildlife Conservation Act. Shooting a wolf could get you a fine of $50,000. and possibly a year in jail. If you are in or near the Gila National Forest, you may  encounter a wolf. Some wolves will even have radio collars. Wolves look similar to coyotes, but are much larger. Make sure you know the difference before you go New Mexico Elk Hunting.