Updated on 6/12/2026: Muzzle-loading firearm must be at least .45 caliber or larger.
Muzzleloader (Muzzle): "Sporting arm in which the charge and projectile(s)
is loaded through the muzzle. Only blackpowder or equivalent blackpowder
substitute may be used. Use of smokeless powder is prohibited. Only open
or "iron" sights may be used on muzzleloader, bow or crossbow only hunts
(sporting arm type 3). Scopes, red dots or other similar sights are not allowed."
Restricted Muzzleloader for deer: "Only a muzzle-loading rifle using open sights, black powder or equivalent propellant and firing a full bore diameter bullet or patched round ball is legal. The use of in-line ignition, scopes, and smokeless powder are prohibited. Bows and crossbows are legal during restricted muzzleloader deer hunts."
NEW MEXICO MUZZLELOADER HUNTING SEASONS
Muzzleloader Deer Season
| Season Dates | Bag Limit | Weapon | Unit |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 2A |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 2B |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 2C |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 5A |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 5B |
| Oct. 3-7 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 6A, 6C |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 7 |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader Restricted Only | 9 |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 12 |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 13 |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 14 |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 15 |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 16 (A, B, C, D and E) |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 17 |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 18 |
| Dec. 5-9 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 19 Excluding WSMR Portion and Ft. Bliss |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 20 |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 21 |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 22 |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 |
FAMD |
Muzzleloader |
23 Excluding Burro Mountain Area |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 |
FAWTD |
Muzzleloader |
23 Excluding Burro Mountain Area |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 |
FAMD |
Muzzleloader | 23 Burro Mountain Area Only |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 |
FAWTD |
Muzzleloader | 23 Burro Mountain Area Only |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 |
FAMD |
Muzzleloader | 24 Excluding Fort Bayard Management Area, Including Double E and River Ranch WMAs |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 |
FAWTD |
Muzzleloader | 24 Excluding Fort Bayard Management Area, Including Double E and River Ranch WMAs |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 25 |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 26 |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 |
FAMD |
Muzzleloader | 27 |
| Oct. 31-Nov.4 |
FAWTD |
Muzzleloader | 27 |
| Oct. 24-28 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 29 |
| Oct. 24-28 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 30 |
| Oct. 24-28 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 31 Including Prairie Chicken WMAs |
| Oct. 24-28 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 32 Including Prairie Chicken WMAs |
| Oct. 24-28 | FAD | Muzzleloader Restricted Only | 33 Including Prairie Chicken WMAs |
| Nov. 7-11 | FAD | Muzzleloader Restricted Only | 34 |
| Oct. 24-28 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 36 |
| Oct. 24-28 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 37 |
| Oct. 24-28 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 38 |
| Oct. 24-28 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 39 |
| Oct. 24-28 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 40 |
|
Sept. 27-Oct.3 |
FAD | Muzzleloader | 41 |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 42 |
| Oct. 24-28 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 43 |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 45 |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 47 |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD |
Muzzleloader |
48 |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader Restricted Only | 52 |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 56 |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 57 Excluding Sugarite Canyon State Park |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 58 |
| Sept. 27-Oct.3 | FAD | Muzzleloader | 59 |
Muzzleloader Elk Season
License limited to any five consecutive days within a season listed below.
| Season Dates | Bag Limit | Weapon | Unit(s) | Notes |
| Oct. 10th - 14th | See Regs | Muzzleloader | 2, 6A, 6C, 7, 10, 16E, 36, 23, 24, 45, 48, 52, 53 | |
| Oct. 17th - 21th | See Regs | Muzzleloader |
34 |
|
| Oct. 17-Dec. 31 |
See Regs |
Muzzleloader |
9, 13, 15, 17 (muzzleloader only) |
This information is subject to change, for more information visit: New Mexico Hunting Regulations
HAVE NEW MEXICO MUZZLELOADER HUNTING SEASON QUESTIONS?
Muzzleloader Hunting season is the best for low-pressure hunting and plentiful wildlife. If you are new to muzzleloaders or would like more information on your state's muzzleloader hunting regulations, make sure to give us a call. Muzzle-Loaders.com is focused on promoting black powder hunting in all 50 states and can help you determine when your particular state's hunting season starts. If you have questions about New Mexico Muzzleloader Hunting Season, please call us at 1-855-236-5000 or email us at sales@muzzle-loaders.com.
