New Mexico Mountain Lion

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NEW MEXICO STATE PAGE

Dates & Fees | New Mexico Mountain Lion

March 19, 2025 (5:00pm MST)

UP-FRONT FEES
Game Hunting License (Non-Refundable) $65.00
Junior Game Hunting License (Non-Refundable) $15.00
Habitat Management & Access Validation (Required) $4.00
Habitat Stamp (Required by all who hunt BLM or USFS land) $10.00
Bighorn Sheep $3,173.00
Elk Q/HD License $773.00
Elk S License $548.00
Deer Q, Q/HD License $368.00
Deer S License $283.00
Antelope $283.00
Oryx $1,623.00
Barbary Sheep $373.00
Ibex $1,623.00
$13 nonrefundable application fee included.

UP-FRONT FEES
Game Hunting License (Non-Refundable) $15.00
Junior Game Hunting License (Non-Refundable) $10.00
Habitat Management & Access Validation (Required) $4.00
Habitat Stamp (Required by all who hunt BLM or USFS land) $10.00
Bighorn Sheep $160.00
Elk Q/HD License $90.00
Elk S License $90.00
Deer S, Q, Q/HD License $41.00
Antelope $60.00
Oryx $160.00
Barbary Sheep $110.00
Ibex $1110.00
$7 nonrefundable application fee included.

NEW MEXICO ELK SEASON DATES
Archery (1st season) Sep 1 – Sep 14, 2025
Archery (2nd season) Sep 15-Sep 24 2025
Rifle/Muzzleloader (Early season) Early Oct (unit/weapon dependent)
Rifle/Muzzleloader (1st season) Oct 11 – Oct 15, 2025
Rifle/Muzzleloader (2nd season) Oct 18 - Oct 22, 2025
Rifle/Muzzleloader (3rd season) Oct 25 - Oct 29, 2025
Rifle/Muzzleloader (Late season) Late Nov (unit/weapon dependent)
NEW MEXICO MULE DEER SEASON DATES
Archery (1st season) Sep 1 – Sep 24, 2025 (unit dependent)
Archery (2nd season) Jan 1 – Jan 15, 2026 (unit dependent)
Premium Statewide Any-Weapon Hunt Sep 1, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Muzzleloader (1st season) Sep 27 - Oct 3, 2025 (unit dependent)
Muzzleloader (2nd season) Nov 1 - Nov 5, 2025 (unit dependent)
Rifle (1st season) Oct 25 - Oct 29, 2025 (unit dependent)
Rifle (2nd season) Nov 1 – Nov 5, 2025 (unit dependent)
Rifle (3rd season) Nov 8 - Nov 12, 2025 (unit dependent)
Rifle (4th season) Nov 15 - Nov 19, 2025 (unit dependent)
NEW MEXICO COUES DEER SEASON DATES
Archery (1st season) Sep 1 – Sep 24, 2025 (unit dependent)
Archery (2nd season) Jan 16 – Jan 31, 2026 (unit dependent)
Muzzleloader Nov 1 - Nov 5, 2025
Rifle (1st season) Nov 22 - Nov 26, 2025
Rifle (2nd season) Dec 6- Dec 14, 2025
NEW MEXICO ANTELOPE SEASON DATES
Archery Aug 9 – Aug 17, 2025
Muzzleloader Aug, Sep (unit dependent)
Rifle (1st season) Aug 23 – Aug 25, 2025
Rifle (2nd season) Sep 27 - Sep 29, 2025
Rifle (3rd season) Oct 4 - Oct 6, 2025 (unit dependent)
NEW MEXICO BEAR SEASON DATES
Fall Bear Aug 16 – Nov 30, 2025
Spring Bear Apr – Jun 2025 (unit-dependent)
NEW MEXICO MOUNTAIN LION SEASON DATES
General Statewide Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026
NEW MEXICO SHEEP SEASON DATES
Desert Bighorn Aug – Dec 2025 (unit-dependent)
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Aug 2025 – Jan 2026 (unit-dependent)
NEW MEXICO ORYX SEASON DATES
Rifle (on & off range) Year-round (unit & season dependent)
NEW MEXICO IBEX SEASON DATES
Archery (1st season) Oct 1 - Oct 15, 2025
Archery (2nd season) Jan 15 - Jan 29, 2026
Muzzleloader Feb 21 - Feb 27, 2026
Rifle Nov 15 - Nov 29, 2025
NEW MEXICO BARBARY SHEEP SEASON DATES
Archery Jan 1 - Jan 15, 2026
Rifle Oct 2025 - Feb 2026 (unit & season dependent)

Disclaimer: Season dates in New Mexico vary by GMU, hunt code, and weapon type. Always verify with the latest New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) proclamations: wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/.

YEAR RESULTS POSTED
2025 April 16, 6:00 a.m. (MDT)
2024 April 17, 6:00 a.m. (MDT)
2023 April 20, 5:59 a.m. (MDT)
2022 April 20, 6:00 a.m. (MDT)
2021 April 21, 6:00 a.m. (MDT)
2020 April 22, 6:15 a.m. (MDT)
2019 April 17, 6:30 a.m. (MDT)
2018 April 18, 10:00 a.m. (MDT)
2017 April 12


PO Box 25112
Santa Fe, NM 87504
ph. 505-476-8000

APPLY

New Mexico Mountain Lion Hunting 2025

In New Mexico, mountain lion permits are available over-the-counter and must be purchased at least two calendar days before hunting. Individual bag limit is two permits. The season runs from April 1st until March 31st of the following year. New Mexico is divided into 18 management units, and each management unit has a total harvest limit and a female harvest limit. Cougar management zones will close and hunting will cease when harvests reach 90% of the total limit, 90% of the female limit, or when the season has ended, whichever occurs first.

Guided Hunts - Featured New Mexico Mountain Lion Hunting

Alaska Peninsula Coast
HFA002-5

Alaska Peninsula Coast

Species: Brown Bear
Cost: $ 29,500.00
Location: Alaska, United States
New Mexico Unit 36
HFA091-1

New Mexico Unit 36

Species: Rocky Mountain Elk
Cost: $ 8,000.00
Location: New Mexico, United States
All-Inclusive Guided Stone
HFA396-3

All-Inclusive Guided Stone

Species: Stone Sheep
Cost: $ 89,250.00
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Trophy Canadian Moose
HFA038-5

Trophy Canadian Moose

Species: Canadian Moose
Cost: $ 9,800.00
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Wyoming Antelope Hunt
HFA127-2

Wyoming Antelope Hunt

Species: Pronghorn Antelope
Cost: $ 4,500.00
Location: Wyoming, United States
Montana Mountain Lion
HFA245-8

Montana Mountain Lion

Species: Mountain Lion
Cost: $ 6,800.00
Location: Montana, United States
Idaho Trophy Mule Deer
HFA392-4

Idaho Trophy Mule Deer

Species: Mule Deer
Cost: $ 5,900.00
Location: Idaho, United States
SEARCH ALL HUNTS

Application Deadline for New Mexico Mountain Lion Hunting

The New Mexico Big Game Application deadline is March 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM MDT.

 

Our magazine, which is available in print and online, has everything in one location - application info, draw details and odds, fees, hunter requirements, point structure, age restrictions, youth information, weapon restrictions,  other tag opportunites, hunt planning, and much more. If you would like access to all of our research, join today!

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Step 1: A Hunt Advisor works with you one-on-one to create an application strategy based on your hunting goals.
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Podcasts with our Advisors on New Mexico Hunting and Application Strategy

Podcast Episodes

2025 New Mexico Mountain Lion Hunting Season Dates

NEW MEXICO MOUNTAIN LION SEASON DATES
General Statewide Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026

Disclaimer: Lion seasons are quota-managed by zone; verify current zone status and regulations with NMDGF: wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/.

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