New Mexico Hunting Laws
New Mexico's big-game caliber floor is low and simple: any centerfire firearm at least .22 caliber, rifle or handgun, is legal for deer, elk, pronghorn, and bear, so long as the bullet is designed to expand or fragment — full metal jacket and tracer rounds are unlawful. Muzzleloaders must be at least .45 caliber, and a stricter open-sights, no-scope standard applies to dedicated muzzleloader-only hunts.
Every rule below cites the official regulation. Last verified August 30, 2026.
At a glance
Check a cartridge in New Mexico
Pick a state, species, and weapon — add a cartridge for a full check.
Sourced rules
Every row cites the controlling regulation and the date we verified it.
Air Gun
1 rule| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Lion |
Compressed air guns are legal only for cougar (and javelina) at .22 caliber or larger — airguns are not legal for deer, elk, pronghorn, or bear.
"For cougar and javelina, compressed air guns must be .22 caliber or larger and shotguns must fire a single slug or #4 buckshot or larger." |
19.31.10.12 NMAC — Big Game and Turkey (cougar/javelina exception) | Aug 2026 |
All weapons
2 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| All species | Suppressors are commonly reported as legal for hunting in New Mexico (federal NFA compliance only, no additional state ban found), but we could not locate an explicit primary-source statute or rule confirming it. | NM statute/NMAC cite pending verification — not found in the retrieved 19.31.10 NMAC text or NMDGF big-game rules page | Aug 2026 needs review |
| All species | New Mexico has no statewide blaze-orange requirement for general hunting; NMDGF strongly encourages it, and blaze orange is mandatory on some military lands (e.g. Fort Bliss/McGregor Range) and for firearm elk hunts on Valles Caldera National Preserve. | NMDGF general rules / hunter-orange guidance — exact NMAC cite pending verification | Aug 2026 needs review |
Handgun
16 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Big-game rifles and handguns must be centerfire and at least .22 caliber — there is no higher minimum caliber.
"any centerfire firearm at least .22 caliber or larger, any muzzle-loading firearm at least .45 caliber or larger, any shotgun .410 caliber or larger firing a single slug (including muzzle-loading shotguns), any bow or..." |
19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Big-game rifles and handguns must be centerfire and at least .22 caliber — there is no higher minimum caliber.
"any centerfire firearm at least .22 caliber or larger, any muzzle-loading firearm at least .45 caliber or larger, any shotgun .410 caliber or larger firing a single slug (including muzzle-loading shotguns), any bow or..." |
19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn |
Big-game rifles and handguns must be centerfire and at least .22 caliber — there is no higher minimum caliber.
"any centerfire firearm at least .22 caliber or larger, any muzzle-loading firearm at least .45 caliber or larger, any shotgun .410 caliber or larger firing a single slug (including muzzle-loading shotguns), any bow or..." |
19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Big-game rifles and handguns must be centerfire and at least .22 caliber — there is no higher minimum caliber.
"any centerfire firearm at least .22 caliber or larger, any muzzle-loading firearm at least .45 caliber or larger, any shotgun .410 caliber or larger firing a single slug (including muzzle-loading shotguns), any bow or..." |
19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | No minimum caliber beyond .22 — any centerfire rifle or handgun cartridge of .22 caliber or larger is legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | No minimum caliber beyond .22 — any centerfire rifle or handgun cartridge of .22 caliber or larger is legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn | No minimum caliber beyond .22 — any centerfire rifle or handgun cartridge of .22 caliber or larger is legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | No minimum caliber beyond .22 — any centerfire rifle or handgun cartridge of .22 caliber or larger is legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Only centerfire rifles/handguns qualify as legal big-game sporting arms — rimfire is excluded. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | Only centerfire rifles/handguns qualify as legal big-game sporting arms — rimfire is excluded. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn | Only centerfire rifles/handguns qualify as legal big-game sporting arms — rimfire is excluded. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | Only centerfire rifles/handguns qualify as legal big-game sporting arms — rimfire is excluded. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Bullets must be designed to expand or fragment on impact; tracer and full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is illegal for big game.
"a single projectile fired from a firearm which is designed to expand or fragment upon impact. Tracer or full metal jacket ammunition is not legal for the take or attempted take of any big game species." |
19.31.10.7(P) NMAC — 'bullet' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Bullets must be designed to expand or fragment on impact; tracer and full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is illegal for big game.
"a single projectile fired from a firearm which is designed to expand or fragment upon impact. Tracer or full metal jacket ammunition is not legal for the take or attempted take of any big game species." |
19.31.10.7(P) NMAC — 'bullet' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn |
Bullets must be designed to expand or fragment on impact; tracer and full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is illegal for big game.
"a single projectile fired from a firearm which is designed to expand or fragment upon impact. Tracer or full metal jacket ammunition is not legal for the take or attempted take of any big game species." |
19.31.10.7(P) NMAC — 'bullet' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Bullets must be designed to expand or fragment on impact; tracer and full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is illegal for big game.
"a single projectile fired from a firearm which is designed to expand or fragment upon impact. Tracer or full metal jacket ammunition is not legal for the take or attempted take of any big game species." |
19.31.10.7(P) NMAC — 'bullet' definition | Aug 2026 |
Muzzleloader
12 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Muzzleloading firearms for big game must be at least .45 caliber. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | Muzzleloading firearms for big game must be at least .45 caliber. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloading firearms for big game must be at least .45 caliber. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | Muzzleloading firearms for big game must be at least .45 caliber. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Hunt codes designated 'restricted muzzleloader' require traditional-ignition, black-powder rifles — no in-lines or smokeless powder.
"any muzzle-loading rifle using open sights, black powder or equivalent propellant... The use of in-line ignition, scopes and smokeless powder are prohibited." |
19.31.10.7(OO) NMAC — 'restricted muzzle-loading rifle' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Hunt codes designated 'restricted muzzleloader' require traditional-ignition, black-powder rifles — no in-lines or smokeless powder.
"any muzzle-loading rifle using open sights, black powder or equivalent propellant... The use of in-line ignition, scopes and smokeless powder are prohibited." |
19.31.10.7(OO) NMAC — 'restricted muzzle-loading rifle' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn |
Hunt codes designated 'restricted muzzleloader' require traditional-ignition, black-powder rifles — no in-lines or smokeless powder.
"any muzzle-loading rifle using open sights, black powder or equivalent propellant... The use of in-line ignition, scopes and smokeless powder are prohibited." |
19.31.10.7(OO) NMAC — 'restricted muzzle-loading rifle' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Hunt codes designated 'restricted muzzleloader' require traditional-ignition, black-powder rifles — no in-lines or smokeless powder.
"any muzzle-loading rifle using open sights, black powder or equivalent propellant... The use of in-line ignition, scopes and smokeless powder are prohibited." |
19.31.10.7(OO) NMAC — 'restricted muzzle-loading rifle' definition | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Restricted muzzleloader-only hunt codes require open sights; scopes are not allowed. | 19.31.10.7(OO) NMAC — 'restricted muzzle-loading rifle' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | Restricted muzzleloader-only hunt codes require open sights; scopes are not allowed. | 19.31.10.7(OO) NMAC — 'restricted muzzle-loading rifle' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn | Restricted muzzleloader-only hunt codes require open sights; scopes are not allowed. | 19.31.10.7(OO) NMAC — 'restricted muzzle-loading rifle' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | Restricted muzzleloader-only hunt codes require open sights; scopes are not allowed. | 19.31.10.7(OO) NMAC — 'restricted muzzle-loading rifle' definition | Aug 2026 |
Rifle
16 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Only centerfire rifles/handguns qualify as legal big-game sporting arms — rimfire is excluded. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn | Only centerfire rifles/handguns qualify as legal big-game sporting arms — rimfire is excluded. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | Only centerfire rifles/handguns qualify as legal big-game sporting arms — rimfire is excluded. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Only centerfire rifles/handguns qualify as legal big-game sporting arms — rimfire is excluded. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Big-game rifles and handguns must be centerfire and at least .22 caliber — there is no higher minimum caliber.
"any centerfire firearm at least .22 caliber or larger, any muzzle-loading firearm at least .45 caliber or larger, any shotgun .410 caliber or larger firing a single slug (including muzzle-loading shotguns), any bow or..." |
19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Big-game rifles and handguns must be centerfire and at least .22 caliber — there is no higher minimum caliber.
"any centerfire firearm at least .22 caliber or larger, any muzzle-loading firearm at least .45 caliber or larger, any shotgun .410 caliber or larger firing a single slug (including muzzle-loading shotguns), any bow or..." |
19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn |
Big-game rifles and handguns must be centerfire and at least .22 caliber — there is no higher minimum caliber.
"any centerfire firearm at least .22 caliber or larger, any muzzle-loading firearm at least .45 caliber or larger, any shotgun .410 caliber or larger firing a single slug (including muzzle-loading shotguns), any bow or..." |
19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Big-game rifles and handguns must be centerfire and at least .22 caliber — there is no higher minimum caliber.
"any centerfire firearm at least .22 caliber or larger, any muzzle-loading firearm at least .45 caliber or larger, any shotgun .410 caliber or larger firing a single slug (including muzzle-loading shotguns), any bow or..." |
19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | No minimum caliber beyond .22 — any centerfire rifle or handgun cartridge of .22 caliber or larger is legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | No minimum caliber beyond .22 — any centerfire rifle or handgun cartridge of .22 caliber or larger is legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn | No minimum caliber beyond .22 — any centerfire rifle or handgun cartridge of .22 caliber or larger is legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | No minimum caliber beyond .22 — any centerfire rifle or handgun cartridge of .22 caliber or larger is legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Bullets must be designed to expand or fragment on impact; tracer and full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is illegal for big game.
"a single projectile fired from a firearm which is designed to expand or fragment upon impact. Tracer or full metal jacket ammunition is not legal for the take or attempted take of any big game species." |
19.31.10.7(P) NMAC — 'bullet' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Bullets must be designed to expand or fragment on impact; tracer and full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is illegal for big game.
"a single projectile fired from a firearm which is designed to expand or fragment upon impact. Tracer or full metal jacket ammunition is not legal for the take or attempted take of any big game species." |
19.31.10.7(P) NMAC — 'bullet' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn |
Bullets must be designed to expand or fragment on impact; tracer and full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is illegal for big game.
"a single projectile fired from a firearm which is designed to expand or fragment upon impact. Tracer or full metal jacket ammunition is not legal for the take or attempted take of any big game species." |
19.31.10.7(P) NMAC — 'bullet' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Bullets must be designed to expand or fragment on impact; tracer and full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is illegal for big game.
"a single projectile fired from a firearm which is designed to expand or fragment upon impact. Tracer or full metal jacket ammunition is not legal for the take or attempted take of any big game species." |
19.31.10.7(P) NMAC — 'bullet' definition | Aug 2026 |
Shotgun
6 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Big-game shotguns must be .410 or larger and fire a single slug — buckshot and birdshot are not legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | Big-game shotguns must be .410 or larger and fire a single slug — buckshot and birdshot are not legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Pronghorn | Big-game shotguns must be .410 or larger and fire a single slug — buckshot and birdshot are not legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | Big-game shotguns must be .410 or larger and fire a single slug — buckshot and birdshot are not legal for big game. | 19.31.10.7(L) NMAC — 'big-game sporting arms' definition | Aug 2026 |
| Wild Turkey |
Turkey may only be taken with a shotgun firing shot, a bow, or a crossbow — centerfire rifles and handguns are not legal.
"It is unlawful to use sporting arms for turkey other than a shotgun firing shot, bow or crossbow." |
19.31.10.12 NMAC — Big Game and Turkey | Aug 2026 |
| All species |
Non-toxic shot is required statewide for most migratory game birds (dove, band-tailed pigeon, and sandhill crane excepted), and for all migratory birds and upland game on the Bernardo, La Joya, and Huey WMAs.
"It is unlawful for any person to use or possess any shotgun shell loaded with anything other than non-toxic shot (excluding slugs)... while hunting for any migratory game bird species, except when hunting dove, band-t..." |
NMDGF Non-Lead page | Aug 2026 |
Federal rules that apply in every state
These federal requirements apply in New Mexico on top of state law.
Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species.
50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist.
50 CFR § 20.21(b)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge.
50 CFR § 20.21(a)
Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm.
50 CFR § 20.21(a)
On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules.
50 CFR § 32.2(k)
Sources
19.31.10 NMAC — Manner and Method of Taking
New Mexico Secretary of State / State Records Center and Archives · retrieved August 30, 2026
Big Game Rules — NMDGF
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · retrieved August 30, 2026
N.M. Admin. Code § 19.31.10.12 — Big Game and Turkey
Cornell Legal Information Institute (mirror of NMAC) · retrieved August 30, 2026
Non-Lead — NMDGF
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish · retrieved August 30, 2026
Sources & methodology
Rules on this page are verified against state statutes, administrative code, official agency regulation digests, and federal regulations — never forums, retailer blogs, or hunter-ed course summaries. Rules we could not yet pin to a primary source are labeled needs review and never produce a green "legal" answer. Cartridge energy figures used by the checker are typical factory-load values; where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, verify your specific load's manufacturer rating.
Legal disclaimer — please read
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Hunting regulations change every season, vary by zone, season, land type, and county ordinance, and are interpreted by the state's enforcement officers — not by this page.
- Confirm every rule in the current official New Mexico hunting regulations before your hunt.
- Check season dates, license and tag requirements, zone boundaries, and local ordinances — this page covers equipment rules only.
- When in doubt, contact New Mexico Department of Game and Fish directly.
The controlling document is the regulation, not this page. We disclaim all liability for reliance on it.