Hunting & Fishing in New Mexico
New Mexico is a high-desert hunting state with a reputation that punches well above its profile, especially for elk. Hunting guides in New Mexico chase trophy bull elk on the Gila and in the northern mountains, Coues and mule deer, pronghorn on the eastern plains, and a strong population of Barbary sheep and oryx, exotic species established on public range. The state's draw system is competitive but offers a true shot at world-class animals.
Fishing in New Mexico is a cold-water surprise in arid country. Outfitters and guides work the San Juan River below Navajo Dam, one of the most famous trophy trout tailwaters in the West, along with high mountain streams and reservoirs like Elephant Butte that hold bass and walleye. From alpine forest to desert grassland, New Mexico rewards hunters and anglers who learn its varied terrain.
Top Hunting & Fishing Regions
Gila National Forest
A vast mountain wilderness in the southwest renowned for trophy bull elk, with outfitters running backcountry hunts on public land.
San Juan River
The tailwater below Navajo Dam is one of the West's premier trophy trout fisheries, with float and wade guides working its quality waters.
Northern Mountains
The Sangre de Cristo and Jemez ranges hold elk, mule deer, and bear, plus cold streams with wild trout in scenic high country.
Eastern Plains
Wide-open shortgrass prairie offers pronghorn hunting and the unusual chance at oryx on the White Sands range.
Tips for Hunting in New Mexico
- ✓Apply for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish draw early; elk and oryx tags are highly sought after.
- ✓Fish the San Juan tailwater with a guide who knows its tiny midge patterns, as the trout are large and selective.
- ✓Consider a guided private-land elk hunt through the landowner-permit system if you want a more reliable tag.
- ✓Prepare for big elevation swings and dry conditions; New Mexico hunts range from desert to alpine.
Did you know? African oryx introduced to New Mexico's White Sands Missile Range in the 1960s thrived so well that the state now offers a public hunt for the desert antelope.
Application Deadlines
Events & Expos
New Mexico Hunter Education Course
Required for anyone under 18. Online via hunter-ed.com, ilearntohunt.com, huntercourse.com through NM Game & Fish.
New Mexico Boater Safety Course
Required for those born after 1/1/1989. Administered by NM State Parks/EMNRD. Online via boat-ed.com.
Species in New Mexico
Top-Rated in New Mexico
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Bent Rod's Guide Services
Elephant Butte, New Mexico
Tatted Fly Guide Service LLC
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mountain States Guide Service
La Plata, New Mexico
Milligan Brand Outfitters
Chama, New Mexico
Killshot Outdoors
Roswell, New Mexico
Taos Hunting Co
Taos, New Mexico
All Hunting & Fishing Listings in New Mexico
121 guides, outfitters, charters, and outdoor businesses across New Mexico.
Guide & Outfitter listings in New Mexico (81)
- A Vacation Different — Santa Fe
- Acoma Big Game Hunts — Acoma Pueblo
- Angler Management on the San Juan — Navajo Dam
- Aspen Springs at Angel Fire — Angel Fire
- Backcountry Hunts — Carlsbad
- Big Rim Outfitters — Winston
- Blue Sky Fly Fishing Co. — Navajo Dam
- Born N' Raised Guide Service on the San Juan River — Navajo Dam
- Bull Valley Outfitters — Ruidoso Downs
- Bust Em Up Outfitters LLC — Willard
- Casey's Midtown Cabins — Ruidoso
- Casitas de Gila Guesthouses — Gila
- Compass West Outfitters — Aztec
- CORLISS OUTFITTING — Capitan
- Cotton Mesa Trophy Elk Ranch — Folsom
- Cozy Cabins Real Estate dba NM Homes & Land — Ruidoso
- Cut Outfitters LLC — Ruidoso
- Dan Dee Cabins — Ruidoso
- Dave's fishing guide services Elephant butte lake — Elephant Butte
- Double D Ranch Private Ranch Hunts — Lindrith
- Eagle Nest Cabins & Marina — Eagle Nest
- Eagle Nest Fly Shack & Lodge (W/ 24 Hour bait, tackle & Fly Vending Machine) — Eagle Nest
- Elite Fly Fishing — Bloomfield
- ElkBros Adventures — Cimarron
- Fagan's Guided Fly Fishing — Red River
- Fisheads San Juan River Lodge — Navajo Dam
- Fishtail Ranch — Chama
- Flatt out fishing — Bloomfield
- Freedom Outfitters — Roy
- Gila Horizon Outfitters — Silver City
- Grahams Guide Service — Ruidoso
- Heritage Outfitters — Estancia
- Ichthys Guide Service — Navajo Dam
- K9 Country Outfitters — Mayhill
- Kokopelli Outfitters, LLC — Artesia
- Land of Enchantment Fishing & Hunting Adventures — Elephant Butte
Retailer listings in New Mexico (12)
- ABQ Guns — Albuquerque
- Bugling Bull Outfitters — Belen
- Calibers — Albuquerque
- CARMA Guns — Hobbs
- Gunslingers Guns, Accessories and Ammunition Store — Taos
- Killshot Outdoors — Roswell
- Miller Guns and Ammo — Las Cruces
- New Mexico Weapons, LLC — Rio Rancho
- Right To Bear Arms — Albuquerque
- Sci Tac LLC — Los Alamos
- Taos Hunting Co — Taos
- Under The Sun Outfitters — Tierra Amarilla
Taxidermy listings in New Mexico (7)
- American Wildlife Taxidermy — Albuquerque
- Bulldog Mesa Outdoors — Tucumcari
- Dark Timber Taxidermy Studio — Aztec
- No Bull Prime Meats — Albuquerque
- Ol' Meat Shop — Aztec
- Out of This World Taxidermy — Roswell
- Wild Mesa European Mounts — Alamogordo
Boats & Vehicles listings in New Mexico (7)
- Angel's Outback Adventures, LLC — Angel Fire
- Far Flung Adventures — El Prado
- Far Flung Riverside — Embudo
- Mountain Air Helicopters — Los Lunas
- New Wave Rafting — Embudo
- Vertical Limit Aviation — Albuquerque
- Weezie's Wild Rides at Red River & Angel Fire, NM — Red River
Shooting Range listings in New Mexico (5)
- ATC Shooting Sports LLC — Carlsbad
- Leaping Deer Ranch — Sapello
- New Mexico Big Horn Gun Club — Moriarty
- NRA Whittington Center — Raton
- Pheasant Fever — Raton
Fishing Charter listings in New Mexico (3)
- Bent Rod's Guide Services — Elephant Butte
- Mountain States Guide Service — La Plata
- Tatted Fly Guide Service LLC — Albuquerque
Education listings in New Mexico (3)
- Cuba Fire Rescue — Cuba
- EVA Tactical Training — Las Cruces
- Southwest Firearms — Santa Fe
Accommodation listings in New Mexico (2)
- El Vado RV Park — Tierra Amarilla
- New Mexico Cabin Rentals — Gila
Gun Dog Trainer listings in New Mexico (1)
- Pet Planet Hotel and Day Camp — Las Cruces
Preparing for a New Mexico Hunt?
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