TITLE 19 NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE
CHAPTER 31 HUNTING AND FISHING
PART 16 TURKEY
19.31.16.1 ISSUING AGENCY: New Mexico department of game and fish.
[19.31.16.1
NMAC - Rp, 19.31.16.1 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
19.31.16.2 SCOPE: Sportspersons interested in turkey management
and hunting. Additional requirements may
be found in Chapter 17 NMSA 1978, and Title 19 NMAC.
[19.31.16.2
NMAC - Rp, 19.31.16.2 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
19.31.16.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Sections 17-1-14, 17-1-26, 17-3-16.4 and
17-3-16.5 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.
[19.31.16.3
NMAC - Rp, 19.31.16.3 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
19.31.16.4 DURATION: April 1, 2023
through March 31, 2027.
[19.31.16.4
NMAC - Rp, 19.31.16.4 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
19.31.16.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 2023, unless a later date is cited
at the end of a section.
[19.31.16.5
NMAC - Rp, 19.31.16.5 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
19.31.16.6 OBJECTIVE: Establishing open hunting seasons, rules and
procedures governing the distribution and issuance of turkey permits and
licenses by the department.
[19.31.16.6
NMAC - Rp, 19.31.16.6 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
19.31.16.7 DEFINITIONS:
A. “Bearded turkey” shall mean a turkey
with a visible beard.
B. “Department” shall mean the New Mexico
department of game and fish.
C. “Director” shall mean the director of the New
Mexico department of game and fish.
D. “Entry permit” shall entitle the holder
of a valid turkey license to hunt areas otherwise closed to turkey hunting.
E. “Game management unit” or “GMU” shall mean
those areas described 19.30.4 NMAC Boundary Descriptions for Game Management
Units.
F. “Wildlife management areas” or “WMAs”
shall mean those areas described in 19.34.5 NMAC Wildlife Management Areas.
[19.31.16.7
NMAC - Rp, 19.31.16.7 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
19.31.16.8 ADJUSTMENT OF LICENSES, PERMITS AND
AUTHORIZATIONS: The director, with
the verbal concurrence of the chairperson or their designee, may adjust the
number of licenses, permits or authorizations for turkey up or down by no more
than twenty percent to address significant changes in population levels or
habitat availability. This adjustment
may be applied to any or all entry hunt codes for turkey.
[19.31.16.8
NMAC - Rp, 19.31.16.8 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
19.31.16.9 TURKEY ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME-HUNTS: It shall be unlawful for anyone to
apply for or hold a once-in-a-lifetime turkey entry permit if he or she has
held a once-in-a-lifetime entry permit to hunt turkey.
[19.31.16.9
NMAC - Rp, 19.31.16.9 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
19.31.16.10 TURKEY HUNTING SEASONS: The 2023-24 through 2026-27 hunting
seasons shall be as indicated below, listing the GMUs or areas open,
eligibility requirements or restrictions, hunt dates, hunt codes, legal sporting
arms, number of permits and bag limits. All WMAs, except as listed in Subsection
A of 19.31.16.10 NMAC, are open to over-the-counter turkey hunting if the GMU
where they are located is open to turkey hunting or are restricted to entry
permit holders as listed in Subsection B of 19.31.16.10 NMAC.
A. Over-the-counter hunts: All over-the-counter turkey licenses shall be
valid for any legal sporting arms, except turkey hunting in the Sandia ranger
district portion of GMU 14 and Sugarite canyon state
park in GMU 57 are restricted to bow and crossbow only. The number of licenses
for these hunts shall be unlimited.
(1) Spring seasons:
|
Open GMUs or areas |
hunt dates |
bag limit |
|
Statewide
except the following GMUs or areas are closed to over-the-counter turkey hunting: GMU:
2A areas east of US 550 and north of NM 173, 2B areas in the Carson national
forest, 2C areas in the Carson national forest, 6B, 8, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28,
30, 31 Bernardo
WMA, Jackson lake WMA, La Joya WMA, Marquez/LBar
WMA, Prairie Chicken WMAs, Red Rock WMA, Valle Vidal, W.S. Huey WMA |
4/15-5/15 |
2
turkeys with visible beards |
|
Statewide
except as listed above, youth only |
4/7-9/2023 4/12-14/2024 4/11-13/2025 4/10-12/2026 |
2
turkeys with visible beards |
(2) Fall seasons:
|
Open GMUs or areas |
hunt dates |
bag limit |
|
Statewide
except the following GMUs or areas are closed to over the counter turkey
hunting: GMU:
2A areas east of US 550 and north of
NM 173, 2B areas in the Carson national forest, 2C areas in the Carson
national forest, 6B, 8, 14, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 38, 49, 50,
53 Bernardo
WMA, Bill Evans WMA, Edward Sargent WMA, Jackson lake WMA, La Joya WMA, Lake
Roberts WMA, Marquez/LBar WMA, Prairie Chicken
WMAs, Red Rock WMA, Rio Chama WMA, Sugarite canyon
state park, Valle Vidal, W.S. Huey WMA |
bow
only: 9/1-30 |
any
1 turkey |
|
any
legal sporting arms: 11/1-30 |
B. Entry permit hunts: All entry permits shall be valid for any
legal sporting arms except turkey hunting in the Sandia ranger district portion
of GMU 8. An entry permit authorizes the
holder to hunt in the area, for the bag limit, and for the season dates listed
on the permit. In addition, holders of a
turkey entry permit may hunt in any open over-the-counter area during the spring
season for a second turkey (if applicable) or if unsuccessful in their entry
hunt area. In no circumstance may any
turkey hunter take or attempt to take more than two bearded turkeys during the
spring season. Holders of an entry hunt
permit must also purchase a turkey hunting license prior to hunting.
|
Open GMUs or areas |
2023-2024 hunt dates |
2024-2025 hunt dates |
2025-2026 hunt dates |
2026-2027 hunt dates |
hunt code |
permits |
bag limit |
|
2B
(Carson
national forest) 2C
(Carson national forest) |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
TUR-1-100 |
115 |
1 turkey with visible beard |
|
2B
(Carson
national forest) 2C
(Carson national forest), youth only |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
TUR-1-101 |
50 |
1 turkey with visible beard |
|
2A
(areas east of US 550 and north of NM 173), youth only |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
TUR-1-102 |
5 |
1 turkey with visible beard |
|
6B
Valles Caldera national preserve |
4/15-4/30 |
4/15-4/30 |
4/15-4/30 |
4/15-4/30 |
TUR-1-103 |
20 |
1 turkey with visible beard |
|
8
(bow and crossbow only in Sandia ranger district) |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
TUR-1-104 |
15 |
2 turkeys with visible beard |
|
9
Marquez/LBar WMA |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
TUR-1-105 |
15 |
1 turkey with visible beard |
|
26
and 27 once-in-a-lifetime |
5/1-5/30 |
5/1-5/30 |
5/1-5/30 |
5/1-5/30 |
TUR-1-106 |
up
to 5 |
1 turkey with visible beard |
|
30
Washington ranch (private land) and Black river management area (BLM), youth
only |
4/28-4/30 |
4/26-4/28 |
4/25-4/27 |
4/24-4/26 |
TUR-1-107 |
up
to 4 |
1 turkey with visible beard |
|
30
Washington ranch (private land) and Black river management area (BLM), youth
only |
5/5-5/7 |
5/3-5/5 |
5/2-5/4 |
5/1-5/3 |
TUR-1-108 |
up
to 4 |
1 turkey with visible beard |
|
55
Valle Vidal (only the east side is open from 5/1-15) |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
4/15-5/15 |
TUR-1-109 |
20 |
1 turkey with visible beard |
[19.31.16.10
NMAC - Rp, 19.31.16.9 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
19.31.16.11 TURKEY POPULATION MANAGEMENT HUNTS:
A. The director or
their designee may authorize population management hunts for turkey when
justified in writing by department personnel.
B. The director or
their designee shall designate the sporting arms, season dates, season lengths,
bag limits, hunt boundaries, specific requirements or restrictions and number
of licenses to be issued.
C. In the event that an applicant is not able to hunt on the
dates specified, the applicant’s name shall be moved to the bottom of the list
and another applicant may be contacted for the hunt.
D. In those
instances where a population management hunt is warranted on deeded private
lands, the landowner may suggest eligible hunters of their choice by submitting
a list of prospective hunters’ names to the department for licensing
consideration. No more than one-half of
the total number of licenses authorized shall be available to landowner-identified
hunters. The balance of prospective
hunters shall be identified by the department.
[19.31.16.11
NMAC - Rp, 19.31.16.10 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
19.31.16.12 GOULD’S TURKEY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM:
A. The
director shall collect all proceeds generated through the auction or lottery or
both, of not more than two special Gould’s turkey enhancement entry permits
annually, and such monies shall be deposited into the game protection fund.
These monies shall be available for expenditure by the department to be used
exclusively for activities, projects and programs aimed at benefitting Gould’s
turkeys and Gould’s turkey habitat, and for costs incurred in carrying out
these programs.
B. Requirements for
issuance, sale and use of Gould’s turkey enhancement permits:
(1) Issuance: The director may issue up to two
Gould’s turkey enhancement entry permits annually.
(2) Sale:
The
auction or lottery or both shall be conducted by an incorporated non-profit
organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife, in cooperation with and
overseen by the department.
(3) Use:
(a) The
successful recipient(s) shall be allotted an authorization for a Gould’s turkey
enhancement entry permit, which may be transferred through sale, barter,
donation or gift to other individuals qualified to obtain a license and
hunt. Once an authorization is converted
to a permit, the permit will be non-transferable.
(b) Individuals
hunting pursuant to a Gould’s turkey enhancement entry permit must obtain and
have in their possession a valid turkey hunting license and any other stamps,
tags or permits required by rule.
(c) Unless
their hunting privileges have been revoked pursuant to law, any person is
eligible to bid on and purchase a Gould’s turkey enhancement entry permit.
(d) Individuals
holding a Gould’s turkey enhancement entry permit shall not be prohibited from
hunting other subspecies of turkeys in New Mexico as allowed in 19.31.16 NMAC.
(e) The
entry permit shall be valid for any legal sporting arms, and the bag limit
shall be one bearded Gould’s turkey.
(f) The
season dates for each entry permit shall be no more than 30 consecutive days
between April 1 and May 31 as specified by the entry permit each license year.
(g) The
harvest of one bearded Gould’s turkey shall count against the license holder’s
spring turkey bag limit.
(h) The
hunt area for each entry permit shall be any legally accessible public lands in
GMUs 26 and 27 where hunting is allowed, and private land with written
permission.
(i) Gould’s turkey enhancement entry
permits granted through auction or lottery, as described above, shall not be
considered ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ permits.
[19.31.16.12
NMAC -Rp , 19.31.16.11 NMAC, 4/1/2023]
HISTORY
OF 19.31.16 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 3/24/75;
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.
19.31.16
NMAC, Turkey, filed 12/1/2006 - duration expired 3/31/2009.
19.31.16
NMAC, Turkey, filed 2/26/2009 - duration expired 3/31/2011.
19.31.16
NMAC, Turkey, filed 9/15/2010 - duration expired 3/31/2015.
19.31.16
NMAC, Turkey, filed 3/17/2015, repealed 3/31/2016.
19.31.16
NMAC, Turkey, filed 2/29/2016, duration expired 3/31/2019.
19.31.16
NMAC, Turkey, filed 7/2/2018, duration expired 3/31/2023.