TITLE 19 NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE
CHAPTER 31 HUNTING AND FISHING
PART 5 UPLAND GAME
19.31.5.1 ISSUING AGENCY: New Mexico department of game and fish.
[19.31.5.1 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.5.1 NMAC, 4/1/2022]
19.31.5.2 SCOPE: Sportspersons interested in upland game management and hunting. Additional requirements may be found in Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 and Title 19 NMAC.
[19.31.5.2 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.5.2 NMAC, 4/1/2022]
19.31.5.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Sections 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.
[19.31.5.3 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.5.3 NMAC, 4/1/2022]
19.31.5.4 DURATION: April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2026.
[19.31.5.4 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.5.4 NMAC, 4/1/2022]
19.31.5.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 2022 unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.
[19.31.5.5 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.5.5 NMAC, 4/1/2022]
19.31.5.6 OBJECTIVE: Establishing seasons on dusky grouse, Eurasian collared-dove, pheasant, Gambel's quail, Montezuma quail, northern bobwhite, scaled quail, tree squirrels, and setting falconry seasons.
[19.31.5.6 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.5.6 NMAC, 4/1/2022]
19.31.5.7 DEFINITIONS:
A. “Department” shall mean the New Mexico department of game and fish.
B. “Falconry" shall mean hunting game mammals or game birds using raptors.
C. “Possession limit” shall mean the number of game mammals or game birds in a person’s possession regardless of the location stored.
D. “Tree squirrels” shall mean squirrels in the genera Sciurus and Tamiasciurus, including Abert's squirrel, red squirrel, Arizona gray squirrel, fox squirrel and eastern gray squirrel.
E. “Wildlife management areas” or “WMAs” shall mean those areas as described in 19.34.5 NMAC, Wildlife Management Areas.
[19.31.5.7 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.5.7 NMAC, 4/1/2022]
19.31.5.8 MANNER AND METHODS FOR UPLAND GAME:
A. Season and hours: Upland game may be hunted or taken only during open seasons and only during the period from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, unless otherwise allowed or restricted by rule.
(1) On Bernardo, Casa Colorada, La Joya, and W.S. Huey WMAs, hunting hours shall be from one-half hour before sunrise to 1:00 p.m.
(2) For the special permit pheasant hunts on W.S. Huey WMA, hunting hours shall be from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
B. State WMAs open, species that can be hunted, and days open for hunting:
(1) The W.S. Huey WMA shall be open for quail hunting on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays during established quail seasons.
(3) The Edward Sargent, W. A. Humphries, Rio Chama, Urraca, Colin Neblett, and
Elliot S. Barker WMAs shall be open for upland game hunting during
established tree squirrel and dusky grouse seasons.
(4) The Water canyon, Marquez, prairie-chicken areas, and Socorro-Escondida
WMAs shall be open for upland game hunting during established quail seasons.
(5) Eurasian collared-dove hunting shall be open during established mourning and white-winged dove seasons as defined in 19.31.6 NMAC Migratory Game Bird, and during established quail, tree squirrel, and dusky grouse seasons.
C. All Eurasian collared-dove must have an identifiable feathered wing attached until the bird has arrived at the person’s residence, processor, or place of final storage.
[19.31.5.8 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.5.9 NMAC, 4/1/2022]
19.31.5.9 UPLAND GAME HUNTING SEASONS: Hunting seasons shall be as indicated below.
|
SPECIES |
OPEN AREAS |
DATES |
DAILY BAG (POSSESSION) LIMITS |
|
Eurasian collared-dove |
Statewide |
April 1 - March 31 |
no bag or possession limit |
|
dusky grouse |
Statewide |
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 annually |
3 (6 in possession) |
|
pheasant |
Statewide |
Dec. 8-11, 2022 Dec. 7-10, 2023 Dec. 12-15, 2024 Dec. 11-14, 2025 |
3 males (6 in possession) |
|
quail |
Statewide |
Nov. 15 - Feb. 15 annually |
15, singly or in aggregate; no more than 5 shall be Montezuma quail (possession shall be 30 singly or in aggregate - no more than 10 shall be Montezuma quail) |
|
tree squirrel |
Statewide |
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 annually |
8, singly or in aggregate (possession shall be 16 singly or in aggregate) |
[19.31.5.9 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.5.10 NMAC, 4/1/2022]
19.31.5.10 HUNT CODES AND PERMIT NUMBERS FOR SPECIAL DRAW PHEASANT HUNTS:
|
hunt location |
2022 season |
2023 season |
2024 season |
2025 season |
hunt code |
no. of permits |
bag limit |
|
youth-only Bernardo, Casa Colorada, and La Joya WMAs |
Oct. 15 |
Oct. 21 |
Oct. 19 |
Oct. 18 |
PHE-0-001 |
20 |
3 males |
|
youth-only W.S. Huey WMA |
Dec. 3 |
Dec. 2 |
Dec. 7 |
Dec. 6 |
PHE-0-002 |
40 |
3 males |
|
W.S. Huey WMA |
Dec. 10 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 14 |
Dec. 13 |
PHE-0-003 |
40 |
3 males |
[19.31.5.10 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.5.12 NMAC, 4/1/2022]
19.31.5.11 FALCONRY SEASONS:
A. Open areas and season dates: The season for dusky grouse, pheasants, quail and tree squirrels shall be statewide and shall be open September 1 through February 28 annually. For Eurasian collared-dove, all areas statewide are open year round, except as prohibited by rule.
B. Daily bag and possession limits: Daily bag limits for dusky grouse, pheasant, and quail shall be three birds (in the aggregate) and three tree squirrels (in the aggregate). Possession limits shall be: dusky grouse-six; pheasant-six; quail-30 (singly or in the aggregate); tree squirrels-16 (singly or in the aggregate). There is no bag or possession limit for Eurasian collared-dove.
[19.31.5.11 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.5.13 NMAC, 4/1/2022]
HISTORY OF 19.31.5 NMAC:
Pre-NMAC Regulatory Filing History: The material in this Part was derived from that previously filed with the State Records Center & 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. 486, Establishing 1967 Seasons On Quail, Pheasants, Prairie Chickens, and Lesser Sandhill (Little Brown) Crane And Additional Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, filed 9/22/1967; 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. 493, Establishing 1968 Seasons On Mourning And White-Winged Doves, Band-Tailed Pigeons, And Sora And Virginia Rails, filed 8/9/1968; Regulation No. 494, Establishing 1968 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, Wilson’s Snipe, Lesser Sandhill Crane, Scaled, Gambel’s, And Bobwhite Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 10/2/1968; Regulation 504, Establishing Seasons On Deer, Bear, Turkey, Dusky Grouse, Chickaree And Tassel-Eared Squirrel, And Barbary Sheep, filed 6/4/1969; Regulation No. 505, Establishing 1969 Seasons On Teal, Band-Tailed Pigeons, Sora And Virginia Rails, Mourning And White-Winged Doves, And Wilson’s Snipe, filed 8/26/1969; Regulation No. 508, Establishing 1969 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, Lesser Sandhill Crane, Scaled, Gambel’s And Bobwhite Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 9/19/1969; 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. 516 Establishing 1970 Seasons On Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 8/24/1970; 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. 524, Establishing 1971 Seasons On Band-Tailed Pigeons And Mourning And White-winged Doves, filed 8/13/1971; Regulation No. 526, Establishing 1971 Seasons On Blue-Winged, Green-winged And Cinnamon Teal, filed 8/13/71; Regulation No. 527, Establishing 1971 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl And Lesser Sandhill Cranes, filed 9/10/71; Regulation No 529, Establishing 1971 Seasons On Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 9/24/1971; 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. 538, Establishing 1972 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal And On Band-tailed Pigeons And Mourning And White-winged Doves, filed 8/15/1972; Regulation No. 540, Establishing 1972 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, Lesser Sandhill Crane, And Wilson’s Swipe, filed 9/26/1972; Regulation No. 541, Establishing 1972 Seasons On Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 9/26/72; filed; 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. 548, Establishing 1973 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons And Mourning And White-winged Doves, filed 8/20/1973; Regulation No. 549, Establishing 1973 Seasons On Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 8/20/1973; Regulation No. 551, Establishing 1973 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl And Lesser Sandhill Crane, filed 8/20/73; 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. 559, Establishing 1974 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, And Mourning And White-winged Doves, filed 7/2/1974; Regulation No. 560, Establishing 1974 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, Lesser Sandhill Crane, Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 8/21/1974; 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. 569, Establishing 1975 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, And Mourning And White-winged Doves, filed 7/31/1975; Regulation No. 570, Establishing 1975 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, Lesser Sandhill Crane, Common Snipe, Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 9/5/1975; 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. 577, Establishing 1976 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, and Mourning and White-winged Doves, filed 8/3/1976; Regulation No. 578, Establishing 1976 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, Lesser Sandhill Crane, Common Snipe, Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 8/31/1976; Regulation No. 587, Establishing 1977 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, And Mourning And White-winged Doves, Squirrel And Grouse, filed 7/29/1977; Regulation No. 588, Establishing 1977 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, Lesser Sandhill Crane, Common Snipe, Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 9/6/1977; Regulation No. 593, Establishing 1978 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, And Mourning And White-winged Doves, Squirrel, Grouse, Rail, Snipe And Falconry Seasons, filed 8/30/1978; Regulation No. 594, Establishing 1978 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, Lesser Sandhill Crane, Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 9/11/1978; Regulation No. 600, Establishing 1979 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, Mourning And White-winged Doves, Squirrel, Grouse, Rail, Snipe, And Falconry Seasons, filed 7/27/1979; Regulation No. 601, Establishing 1979 Seasons on Migratory Waterfowl, Lesser Sandhill Crane, Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens Regulation No. 605, Establishing 1980 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, Mourning And White-winged Doves, Squirrel, Grouse, Rail, Snipe, And Falconry Seasons, filed 7/29/1980; Regulation No. 606, Establishing 1980 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, Lesser Sandhill Crane, Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 9/3/80; Regulation No. 610, Establishing 1981 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, And Mourning And White-winged Doves, Squirrel, Grouse, Rail, Snipe, And Falconry Seasons, filed 8/19/81; Regulation No. 611, Establishing 1981 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, Lesser Sandhill Crane, Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 9/4/1981; Regulation No. 615, Establishing 1982 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, Mourning And White-winged Doves, Squirrel, Grouse, Rail, Snipe, Sandhill Crane, And Falconry Seasons, filed 7/28/82; Regulation No. 616, Establishing 1982 Seasons On Migratory Waterfowl, Quail, Pheasants, And Prairie Chickens, filed 9/3/1982; Regulation No. 625, Establishing 1983 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, Mourning And White-winged Doves, Squirrel, Grouse, Rail, Snipe, Sandhill Crane, And Falconry Seasons, filed 7/29/1983;Regulation No. 630, Establishing 1984 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, Mourning And White-winged Doves, Squirrel, Grouse, Rail, Snipe, Sandhill Crane, Quail, Pheasant, Prairie Chicken, And Falconry Seasons, filed 8/2/1984; Regulation No. 637, Establishing 1985 Seasons On Blue-winged, Green-winged, And Cinnamon Teal, Band-tailed Pigeons, Mourning And White-winged Doves, Squirrel, Grouse, Rail, Snipe, Sandhill Crane, Quail, Pheasant, Prairie Chicken, And Falconry Seasons, filed 8/26/1985; Regulation No. 642, Establishing 1986-87 Seasons On Grouse, Squirrel, Quail, Pheasant, Prairie Chicken, And Setting Falconry Seasons, filed 8/1/1986; Regulation No. 652, Establishing 1987-88 Seasons On Blue Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasants (And All Other Races Of Pheasants), Lesser Prairie Chickens, Montezuma Quail, Northern Bobwhite, Scaled Quail, Gambel’s Quail, Abert’s Squirrels, Red Squirrels And Setting Falconry Seasons, filed 8/24/1987; Regulation No. 661, Establishing 1988-1989 Seasons On Blue Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasants (And All Other Races Of Pheasants), Lesser Prairie Chickens, Montezuma Quail, Northern Bobwhite, Scaled Quail, Gambel’s Quail, Abert’s Squirrels, Red Squirrels And Setting Falconry Seasons, filed 6/28/1988; Regulation No. 668, Establishing 1989-1990 Seasons On Pheasants…, Blue Grouse, Lesser Prairie Chicken, Quail (…Shall Mean Montezuma Quail, Northern Bobwhite, Scaled Quail, And Gambel’s Quail), Abert’s Squirrel, Red Squirrel And Setting Falconry Seasons, filed 9/1/1989; Regulation No. 678, Establishing 1990-1991 Seasons On Pheasants…, Blue Grouse, Lesser Prairie Chicken, Quail…, Dove…, Band-tailed Pigeon, Sandhill Crane, Albert’s And Red Squirrel And Setting Falconry Seasons, filed 7/26/1990; Regulation No. 686, Establishing 1991-92 Seasons On Pheasants…, Blue Grouse, Lesser Prairie Chicken, Quail…, Dove…, Band-tailed Pigeon, Sandhill Crane, Abert’s And Red Squirrel And Setting Falconry Seasons, filed 8/6/1991; Regulation No. 699, Establishing 1992-1993 Seasons On Teal…, Pheasants…, Blue Grouse, Lesser Prairie Chicken, Quail…, Dove…, Band-tailed Pigeon, Sandhill Crane, Abert’s And Red Squirrel And Setting Falconry Seasons, filed 8/19/1992; Regulation No. 703, Establishing 1993-1994 Seasons On Teal…, Pheasants…, Blue Grouse, Lesser Prairie Chicken, Quail…, Dove…, Band-tailed Pigeon, Sandhill Crane, Abert’s And Red Squirrel And Setting Falconry Seasons, filed 3/11/1993; Regulation No. 706, Establishing 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1996-1997 Seasons On Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Pheasants, Blue Grouse, Lesser Prairie Chicken, Montezuma Quail, and Northern Bobwhite, filed 7/28/1994.
NMAC History:
19 NMAC 31.5, Upland Game, filed 7/18/1995.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 8/15/2000.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 7/24/2002.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 8/12/2003.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 7/30/2004.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 8/8/2005.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 7/18/2006.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 7/26/2007.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 7/30/2008.
History of Repealed Material:
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 8/15/2000 - duration expired 3/31/2002.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 7/24/2002 - duration expired 3/31/2003.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 8/12/2003 - duration expired 3/31/2004.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 7/30/2004 - duration expired 3/31/2005.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 8/8/2005 - duration expired 3/31/2006.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 7/18/2006 - duration expired 3/31/2007.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 7/26/2007 - duration expired 3/31/2008.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 7/30/2008 - duration expired 3/31/2010.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 8/2/2010 - duration expired 3/31/2014.
19.31.5 NMAC, Upland Game, filed 4/1/2014 - duration expired 3/31/2018.