When is Turkey Season in New Mexico? Your Guide to Hunting Wild Turkeys in the Land of Enchantment

Greetings, fellow hunter! If you’re planning to target New Mexico, you’ve come to the right spot! Are you eager to get out in the field and pursue those elusive gobblers? Everything you need to know about New Mexico’s turkey season, from dates and laws to advice on bagging your bird, is covered in this guide.

So, when can you start chasing those turkeys in the Land of Enchantment?

• Spring Turkey Season: The main event kicks off on April 15th and runs through May 15th. This is your prime opportunity to bag a bearded turkey, and you can hunt statewide except for a few closed areas (we’ll get to those later).
• Early Youth-Only Turkey Season: If you’ve got a young hunter in the family, there’s a special youth-only season happening from April 7th to 9th, 2024. This is a great way to introduce the next generation to the thrill of turkey hunting.
• Fall Turkey Season: If you miss out on the spring action, don’t fret! There’s also a fall turkey season from September 1st to 30th (bow only) and November 1st to 30th (shotgun, bow, or crossbow). This time, you can hunt any turkey, male or female, in most areas of the state.

Now, let’s talk about those pesky closed areas:

• Unit 2A: This area is east of U.S. Highway 550 and north of NM Highway 173. It’s closed during the spring season but open for youth-only hunting.
• Units 2B and 2C: These areas are in the Carson National Forest and are closed for both spring and fall seasons.
• Unit 6B: This area is the Valles Caldera National Preserve and is closed for the spring season but open for fall bow hunting.
• Unit 8: This area is open for spring turkey hunting with a shotgun, bow, or crossbow, except for the Sandia Ranger District, which is bow and crossbow only.
• Unit 9: This area is the Marquez WMA and is open for spring turkey hunting for New Mexico residents only.
• Unit 30: This area is the Washington Ranch (Youth Only) and is open for a special youth-only hunt on April 29th-May 1st or May 6th-8th.
• Unit 33: This area is the W.S. Huey WMA (NM Residents Only) and is open for a youth-only hunt on April 8th-10th and April 15th-17th.
• Unit 55: This area is Valle Vidal and is open for the fall turkey season.

Alright now that you know when and where you can hunt, let’s talk about the permits and licenses you’ll need:

• Turkey Draw Permits: For some areas, you’ll need to apply for a turkey draw permit by February 9th, 2024. This is a lottery system, so fingers crossed! If you’re lucky enough to snag a permit, you’ll still need to purchase an over-the-counter (OTC) turkey license with tags.
• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Turkey Licenses: For areas where draw permits aren’t required, you can simply purchase an OTC turkey license. These are available at NMDGF offices, license vendors, online, or by phone. You can purchase both spring and fall licenses.

Got your license and permit? Great! Now let’s talk about the rules of the game:

• Bag Limit: The bag limit for spring turkey season is 2 bearded turkeys, except in permitted areas. For fall turkey season, the bag limit is any one turkey.
• Legal Sporting Arms: For spring turkey season, you can use shotguns, bows, or crossbows. For fall turkey season, you can use shotguns, bows, crossbows, or muzzleloaders.
• Tagging: All harvested turkeys must be tagged immediately after the kill. You’ll find instructions for tagging on the back of your license.

Feeling a little overwhelmed? Don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to help you bag your bird:

• Scouting is key: Spend some time in the field before the season starts to get a feel for the terrain and where the turkeys are hanging out. Look for signs like tracks, droppings, and feathers.
• Call like a pro: Turkeys are vocal creatures, so learning how to call them in is essential. There are plenty of resources available online and in libraries to help you master the art of turkey calling.
• Be patient: Turkey hunting requires patience and persistence. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see a bird right away. Keep at it, and you’ll eventually be rewarded.
• Safety first: Always remember to prioritize safety when hunting. Wear blaze orange, be aware of your surroundings, and handle your firearm responsibly.

Happy hunting!