New Mexico’s turkey hunters are enthusiastically getting ready for the next season. Hunters have a variety of chances to pursue their target thanks to a diversity of hunt dates and bag restrictions throughout various units in the state. Whether you’re a seasoned turkey hunter or a beginner, the 2023 New Mexico turkey season will be thrilling. On this page, we’ll look more closely at the specifics of the upcoming New Mexico turkey season, such as the hunt dates, bag restrictions, and other essential details hunters should know.
New Mexico Turkey Season 2023
A hunting license, an over-the-counter tag, or a draw permit are required for lawful turkey hunting. Holders of draw permits are limited to hunting the number of turkeys specified on their permits within the permissible boundaries. If just one turkey is permitted, hunters may pursue a second bird during spring in any open area where over-the-counter hunting is permitted. In-person, online, over the phone, or in NMDGF offices, licenses may be acquired over the counter. Except for the restricted regions specified in the laws, the state is open for the spring over-the-counter license hunts. A three-year average of spring wild turkey harvest totals and the expected wild turkey population are included in the spring projection for 2023.
Spring OTC License Hunts
| Hunting Season | Dates | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Spring OTC License Hunts | April 15 – May 10 | 2 bearded turkeys (except in permitted areas) |
Youth-only Spring OTC License Hunt
| Youth Season | Dates | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Youth-only Spring OTC License Hunt | April 8 – April 10 | 2 bearded turkeys (except in permitted areas) |
Spring Regular Hunt
| Unit | Hunt Dates | Bag Limit | Hunt Code | Licenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2A | Apr 15-May10 | 1 bearded turkey | TUR-1-102 | 5 |
| 2B, 2C | Apr 15-May10 | 1 bearded turkey | TUR-1-100 | 115 |
| 2B, 2C | Apr 15-May10 | 1 bearded turkey | TUR-1-101 | 50 |
| 6B | Apr 15-30 | 1 bearded turkey | TUR-1-103 | 20 |
| 8 | Apr 15-May10 | 2 bearded turkeys | TUR-1-104 | 15 |
| 9 | Apr 15-May10 | 2 bearded turkeys | TUR-1-105 | 5 |
| 30 | Apr 29-May 1 or May 6 | 1 bearded turkey | TUR-1-106 | 4 |
| 33 | Apr 8-10 | 1 bearded turkey | TUR-1-107 | 2 |
| 33 | Apr 15-17 | 1 bearded turkey | TUR-1-108 | 2 |
| 55 | Apr 15-30 | 1 bearded turkey | TUR-1-109 | 20 |
Fall Turkey Season
| Hunting Opportunity | Dates | Bag Limit | Allowed Weapons | Closed Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall OTC License Hunts | Sept. 1–30 | Any one turkey | Bow | Unit 2A, Unit 2B, Unit 2C, Units 6B, 8, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 38, 43, 49, 50, 53, Bernardo WMA, Bill Evans WMA, Double E WMA, Edward Sargent WMA, Jackson Lake WMA, La Joya WMA, Lake Roberts WMA, Marquez WMA, Prairie Chicken WMAs, Red Rock WMA, Rio Chama WMA, River Ranch WMA, Sugarite Canyon State Park, Valle Vidal, W.A. Humphries WMA, W.S. Huey WMA |
| Fall OTC License Hunts | Nov. 1–30 | Any one turkey | Shotgun, bow or crossbow | Unit 2A, Unit 2B, Unit 2C, Units 6B, 8, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 38, 43, 49, 50, 53, Bernardo WMA, Bill Evans WMA, Double E WMA, Edward Sargent WMA, Jackson Lake WMA, La Joya WMA, Lake Roberts WMA, Marquez WMA, Prairie Chicken WMAs, Red Rock WMA, Rio Chama WMA, River Ranch WMA, Sugarite Canyon State Park, Valle Vidal, W.A. Humphries WMA, W.S. Huey WMA |
| Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | April and May 2022 (Weekends) | One bearded turkey | Legal sporting arms for turkey | - |
Turkey Licenses
| Licenses Types | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Game-hunting License | $15 | $65 |
| Turkey License (Spring or Fall Season) | $25 | $100 |
| Temporary Game-hunting License (4 days) Does not enable the purchaser to purchase big-game or turkey licenses. Also required for nonresidents trapping coyotes and skunks. | Not Issued | $33 |
| Turkey Permit (application fee only1) | $7 | $13 |
Hunting Regulations
- Turkey hunters may purchase or apply for E-Tag permits. Instead of a body tag, they must download the NM E-Tag program on their smartphone and show their license in the field. However, the animal must be physically tagged.
- State law charges $6 for duplicate tags and licenses. If they want tags from a vendor, big-game, and turkey hunters shouldn’t buy permits online. NMDGF offices and licensed merchants sell OTC turkey hunting permits online and by phone.
- Several species, including autumn turkey, will be eligible for Over Counter (OTC) permits beginning on July 1.
- Online hunting maps are available for many species and management regions, including range maps for turkeys. Visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/maps/ to obtain the maps.
- Hunters may take large game and turkey from 30 minutes before dawn to 30 minutes after sunset, with few exceptions.
- Hunters must have a game-hunting license to pursue big game and turkey.
- Turkey draw permits do not need a turkey or game-hunting license. After March 27, the winner must get a license with a tag. Licenses are required before permits are issued.
- Turkey hunters must carry the breast, legs, and thighs from the field. Rib cage and organ removal are optional. Hunters must track and kill injured turkeys. Killing a turkey outside of the proper season or without a license and taking just the head or discarding any edible parts is a 4th-degree crime and a waste of the animal.
- Shotguns, bows, and crossbows with cutting-edge broadheads are authorized for turkey hunting. Bows and crossbows cannot project light, utilize explosives, gunpowder, or compressed air, or employ medicines.
Note: For a complete New Mexico Turkey Hunting Season list, you may review it on the NM Dept. of Game & Fish website.
FAQs on NM Turkey Season
When is the New Mexico Turkey Season?
The New Mexico turkey hunting season runs from April 15 to May 10; depending on the hunting unit, there are different bag restrictions. One bearded turkey may be taken per hunter in Units 2A, 2B, 2C, 6B, 8, 9, 30, 33, and 55, while any turkey may be taken during the autumn and spring OTC license hunts. Each young hunter may take one bearded turkey at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Youth Spring Turkey Hunt, which is held on weekends in April and May 2022. Additionally, from April 8 to April 10, there is a spring OTC license search for kids exclusively.
How can one obtain a turkey hunting license in New Mexico?
The NM Dept. of Game & Fish (NMDGF) maintains offices, license dealers, internet, and a toll-free number where one may acquire over-the-counter (OTC) turkey licenses.
What is the success rate for turkey hunting in New Mexico?
From 2019 to 2021, New Mexico’s hunter-harvest success rates for turkeys varied from 21% to 26%. During the previous five years, purchases of turkey licenses have climbed generally, encouraging more people to go hunting.
