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, 4/1/2020]
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, 4/1/2020]
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, 4/1/2020]
19.31.11.4 DURATION: April 1, 2020
through March 31, 2024.
[19.31.11.4 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.11.4 NMAC, 4/1/2020]
19.31.11.5 EFFECTIVE
DATE:
April 1, 2020, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.
[19.31.11.5 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.11.5 NMAC, 4/1/2020]
19.31.11.6 OBJECTIVE: Establishing
open hunting seasons and regulation, rules and procedures governing the
distribution and issuance of bear and cougar licenses by the department.
[19.31.11.6 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.11.6 NMAC, 4/1/2020]
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 define hunt
areas consisting of one or more game management units as described in 19.30.4
NMAC.
C. “Cougar zones” shall define 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, 4/1/2020]
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 for bear and cougar 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, 4/1/2020]
19.31.11.9 BEAR
AND COUGAR LICENSE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS:
A. Bear entry hunt: It shall be
unlawful to hunt bear in designated wildlife management areas or other
specifically designated special entry hunt areas without having a valid bear
entry permit and a valid bear license in the hunter’s possession or as
otherwise allowed by game commission rule.
Bear entry hunters shall be allowed to hunt in any other open bear zone
provided they have a valid bear license.
B. Mandatory cougar identification
course: All persons shall complete
the mandatory cougar identification course offered on the department’s website
prior to purchasing a cougar license.
[19.31.11.9 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.11.9 NMAC, 4/1/2020]
19.31.11.10 BEAR AND COUGAR ZONE CLOSURES, BAG LIMITS AND AREA CLOSURES:
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. Areas
closed to bear and cougar hunting:
Limited entry hunt areas listed in 19.31.11 NMAC are closed to over-the-counter
bear hunters who do not possess an entry permit. Cougar hunting in these areas
is allowed only by licensed deer or elk hunters in possession of a valid cougar
license in the E.S. Barker, Colin Neblett, Humphries,
Marquez, Sargent, and Urraca WMAs, and the Valle
Vidal. Deer or elk hunters choosing to
hunt cougar under this provision may not use dogs, may only hunt in open cougar
zones, and must adhere to the weapon type restriction and season dates as
specified by their deer or elk licenses.
Cougar hunting is closed in the Florida mountains hunt area during any
open Persian ibex season, except by legal Persian ibex hunters in possession of
a valid cougar license. Persian ibex
hunters may only hunt cougar 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, 4/1/2020]
19.31.11.11 BEAR HUNTING SEASONS:
A. Over-the-counter
bear hunts for the 2020-21 through 2023-24 seasons: The following table lists bear zones, open
GMUs, weapon type restrictions, season dates, total harvest limits, and female
harvest sub-limits.
Bear zone |
open
GMUs or areas |
bow only |
any big game sporting arms |
2020-21 total limit (female) |
2021-22 total limit (female) |
2022-23 total limit (female) |
2023-24 total limit (female) |
1 |
4, 5, 6, 7, 51, 52 |
9/1 - 24 |
9/25 - 11/15 |
158 (63) |
158 (63) |
158 (63) |
158 (63) |
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 |
9/1 - 24 |
8/16 - 8/31 and 9/25 - 11/15 |
92 (37) |
92 (37) |
92 (37) |
92 (37) |
6 |
39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 47, 59 |
9/1 - 24 |
8/16 - 8/31 and 9/25 - 11/15 |
33 (13) |
33 (13) |
33 (13) |
33 (13) |
7 |
56, 57, 58 |
9/1 - 24 |
8/16 - 8/31 and 9/25 - 11/15 |
35 (14) |
35 (14) |
35 (14) |
35 (14) |
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 |
146 (58) |
146 (58) |
146 (58) |
146 (58) |
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 |
9/25 - 12/15 |
33 (13) |
33 (13) |
33 (13) |
33 (13) |
13 |
36 |
9/1 - 24 |
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 2020-21 through 2023-24 seasons shall be as indicated below,
listing the open areas, hunt dates, hunt codes, and number of permits.
open GMUs or areas |
2020-2021
hunt dates |
2021-2022
hunt dates |
2022-2023
hunt dates |
2023-2024
hunt dates |
hunt code |
licenses |
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 WMA only |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
8/1-8/31 |
BER-1-103 |
5 |
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 |
32 |
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, 4/1/2020]
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 2020-21 to 2023-24 seasons.
zone |
open GMUs or areas |
2020-21 total limit (female) |
2021-22 total limit (female) |
2022-23 total limit (female) |
2023-24 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 |
35 (11) |
35 (11) |
35 (11) |
35 (11) |
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, 4/1/2020]
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.