New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Antelope Hunts

New Mexico is an interesting state for hunters as it is unlike every other western state we hunted both in the way private land is managed and the variety of game. New Mexico has some of the largest antelope in the U.S. plus fantastic elk, and mule deer. In addition it offers three fair chase/free range exotic; ibex, oryx and auodad. As a bonus bighorn sheep can also be hunted by non-residents. While we planned on hunting only antelope, if you are going to the effort of putting in for a NM tag, you should really put in for everything you may ever wish to hunt: ibex, sheep, elk, etc. Yes the draw odds are long, but if you do draw a tag it is a hunt of a lifetime.

There are essentially two main ways unguided hunters can obtain an antelope tag in New Mexico. The first is you can apply for a tag through the state's random draw. The deadline for this is generally around mid-March with results being posted toward the end of April. In order to apply you can do it online onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us or you can call 888-248-6866 for assistance. When you apply you will need a current NM hunting license and be prepared to pay for all tags/licenses and application fee at the time of applying. Your credit card will be charged in full. In the event you don’t draw a refund, less applicable fees ($20 per species) will be issued. The hunting license can also be refunded if you don’t draw a tag.

If a tag is drawn both a Habitat Stamp ($5) and Habitat and Management Access Stamp ($4) are required before you go hunting If you draw you will be assigned to a ranch within the unit you applied for. This eliminates the need to go find public land and reduces hunter pressure issues. It is a different system for sure, but one that makes a lot of sense. Here is the downside to the draw. To draw a rifle tag in a good unit, the odds average between 8 and 12 percent (meaning you will need to apply on average of 10 years to get a tag). If you want to hunt a less pressured non/trophy unit or are willing to hunt with a bow the draw odds can go up to 90% success.

If you don’t draw a tag (as we didn’t) you can purchase a private land voucher from a landowner. This is unique to NM. Essentially on a private piece of ground there will be both hunters who drew the tag through the state and those who purchased them from the landowner hunting at potentially the same time. If you draw, obviously this is the cheapest method, but if you didn't you can still do your own DIY unguided hunt with a land owner voucher. Keep in mind this will raise the cost of the hunt. It is up to the landowner to determine how much he can charge for his vouchers. Typically vouchers for good areas range from $500 to $2,000 each plus you still have to buy the actual tag from the state for a total of $290. Since we didn’t draw, we ended up buying tags in unit 56 from a landowner with 8,000 contiguous acres. He charged $1,250 per voucher. It was on the high end, but the region is known to produce excellent antelope.