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State of New Mexico - Mule Deer Status Report
 
   

Contact Information

State/Province: New Mexico
Contact Person: Barry Hale - Deer Program Manager
Address: Wildlife Management Division
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
P.O. Box 25112
Santa Fe, New Mexico  87504
General Deer Harvest Information
Hunter Harvest Data 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2004-05
Estimated Deer Harvest 14,288 15,063 14,319 11,916 7,184
Estimated Deer Hunters 66,741 68,144 62,950 52,716 40,325

 

Fees
and
Limits
Resident License Fees: $39.00 (includes depredation stamp) + $5.00 Habitat Stamp if hunting on Forest Service or BLM land + $4.00 Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV)
Non-resident License Fees: Standard: $270 + Habitat Stamp (for USFS or BLM land) ($5)
Quality and/or High Demand: $355 + Habitat Stamp (for USFS or BLM land) ($5)
% of state in public lands:
(USFS, BLM, NMDGF)
  
Season Bag Limit: Antler Point Restricted Deer (APRD)
Definition of a Legal Animal: at least 3 points on one side


Season
Structures

Common Opening Day: See Rules and Information Booklet for specifics
New Mexico has implemented a statewide draw. If drawn, the hunter can hunt on any public land within the Unit they have drawn and any private land in that Unit as long as they secure and possess, while hunting, written permission from the landowner. There is also private land-only hunting opportunity available over-the-counter. These private land-only permits are available through general license vendors. These permits are good ONLY on private, deeded acres within their selected Unit. These private land-only hunts are stratified for the same hunt dates and weapon type provided public land draw hunters. A hunter must obtain and possess written permission from the landowner(s) within the Unit to utilize this opportunity. If a hunter has any questions, see the Department's Rules and Information Booklet (Proclamation) available at any vendor and on-line, or contact the Department directly.
Common Season Length:

Seasons range from periods beginning in September to periods beginning in January and vary from 2 days to 2 weeks.

Mule Deer Population Statistics
Mule deer Population:

Contact the Department for specific information on Unit(s) of interest.

Black-tailed Deer Population Statistics
 Black-tailed deer do not occur in New Mexico.


Current
Mule Deer Population
Status

Status/Trend UPDATE: August 2006  Click here..

Population Estimates:
Overall statewide population figures are unknown. Surveys are only flown in a portion (approximately 25%) of the state's Units each winter. Some of these Units are flown each year while others are surveyed on a rotational schedule. Some Units are not surveyed.

Aerial surveys using a sightability model for both deer and elk began in 1999. Since then, an average of 13 Units has been flown each year utilizing this methodology. Composition/ratio surveys are still flown in a few other Units. Population estimates generated for Units utilizing the sightability model are believed to be much more reliable and are being used for management purposes. Estimates for those Units are available upon request. Estimates based upon composition surveys are still used only to provide trend data.

Status Report:
New Mexico is home to two species of deer; mule deer (both Rocky Mountain and desert sub-species) and white-tailed deer (the Texas sub-species is found primarily in the eastern half of the state while the Coues' deer can be found in the southwestern quadrant). New Mexico does not distinguish species for population nor harvest reporting purposes.

New Mexico continues to experience an overall decline in mule deer populations statewide. White-tailed and some mule deer herds do appear to have stable populations. Drought conditions, especially in the southern portion of the state prevail.

Restrictions in hunting opportunity has increased slightly over last season by removing some Units from general hunting and moving them into limited entry hunting as well as some reductions in numbers of limited entry permits. Hunting opportunity this season ranges from poor to excellent. It is recommended that hunters contact Department representatives for more specifics.

The Department is taking an aggressive approach in testing for the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Although it is not anticipated that CWD will be found, sampling and testing has become an important part of the deer management program. Samples from the northern portion the state are the emphasis of this effort due to the area's proximity to the epicenter of the disease. Hunters who drew a permit in the northern portion of the state were notified where and when check-stations will be established and asked for their participation in the monitoring effort.