Will you be bobcat hunting in New Mexico this year? There are some legal requirements you’ll need to adhere to, many of which you will find here. As with all laws, federal, state, and local regulations are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check for updates.
In New Mexico, the bobcat hunting season runs from November 1, 2021–March 15, 2022. Legal shooting hours are restricted to one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. There are no bag limits. A Trapper License is required for all bobcat trappers and hunters 18 years of age and older.
Purchase a New Mexico Trapper License here.
Check here to see all the New Mexico Hunting Seasons.
Related: Read this article to learn the three vital steps to successful bobcat hunting.
Related: Learn the regulations for hunting coyotes in New Mexico here.
Related: Learn the regulations for hunting fox in New Mexico here.
General laws for bobcat hunting in New Mexico.
Night Hunting. Night hunting bobcats is not allowed in New Mexico. As a result, the use of artificial light is illegal.
Please note: It is also illegal to use a spotlight or any other artificial light to hunt any furbearer (except raccoons, see legal shooting hours above) or nongame species, including coyotes and rabbits, even on private land and have landowner permission, unless you have an artificial light permit.
Predator callers and decoys. Are legal to use.
If you are unfamiliar with mouth and hand calls, here’s two articles with instructional videos that will help you learn to use them.
Check electronic predator caller prices here.
Need more land to hunt? Read here to discover 8 ways to get permission to hunt private property.
Specific licenses needed for bobcat hunting in New Mexico.
Trapper License: Required for all furbearer trappers and hunters 18 years of age and older. The license will display whether you are authorized to hunt and trap or hunt only.
Junior Trapper License: Required for all furbearer trappers and hunters 12–17 years of age (Hunter Education also required if hunting furbearers).
Habitat Management and Access Validation: Required for all hunters, trappers, or anglers.
Habitat Stamp: Required for all hunters, trappers, or anglers on U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands.
Written Permission: All hunters and trappers on private lands must possess written permission from the landowner or person authorized to grant permission.
Bobcats you harvest in New Mexico must be pelt tagged.
Every person who takes a bobcat in New Mexico must present the pelt for tagging in New Mexico prior to transporting the pelt out of the state, prior to selling the pelt, or no later than April 14, annually whichever occurs first.
Pelts can be tagged at any NMDGF office or participating fur dealer. Hunters and trappers, except residents 11 years of age or younger, must present a current New Mexico trapping license at the time of tagging. There is no charge for pelt tagging at any location. A list of participating fur dealers is available by contacting the NMDGF Furbearer Program: (505) 476-8041.
Bobcats taken outside of New Mexico must be tagged in the state where taken and will not be tagged in New Mexico.
Be sure your pelt is properly tagged before attempting to sell it. Fur dealers may not purchase a pelt that has not been tagged.
Mandatory harvest report if you hunt bobcats in New Mexico.
Harvest reporting is required for anyone who has purchased a trapper license, regardless of whether or not he/she hunted or trapped. Harvest reports must be submitted by the assigned deadline date for the license year. Reports submitted after the deadline will be charged an $8 fee.
Failure to submit a harvest report will result in the rejection of all draw license applications (deer, elk, etc.). False or fraudulent reporting can result in license privileges being revoked.
Harvest Reports can be submitted online or by telephone: 1-888-248-6866.
Can you kill a bobcat destroying your livestock in New Mexico?
You should contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to get assistance with a problem bobcat.
How much does it cost to go bobcat hunting in New Mexico?
Prices for a guided bobcat hunt will vary due to a variety of circumstances.
Please note: There is no relationship between the companies listed below and Thepredatorhunter.com.
Here are some outfitters located in New Mexico that offer guided bobcat hunting.
New Mexico Professional Big Game Hunting.
Illegal methods of bobcat hunting in New Mexico.
Hunting /Trapping Areas, Seasons, and Hours
• To hunt or kill furbearers outside of their established seasons.
• To hunt or kill a mink, river otter, black-footed ferret, marten, coatimundi, Mexican wolf, or lynx or to intentionally trap for mink, river otter, black-footed ferret, marten, coatimundi, wolf, or lynx.
• To hunt for furbearers outside of legal shooting hours.
• To cast the rays of artificial light (spotlight) into any field or pasture where big game or livestock may be while in possession of a weapon (even if you are only hunting nongame).
• To kill any endangered species.
• To hunt or trap on private land without written permission.
• To place or maintain a land set in an area closed to trapping.
• To trap, hunt, or kill any beaver on public land within the Cibola, Lincoln or Gila National Forests.
It is illegal to use Vehicles and Land for the following:
• To shoot at furbearers from a motor vehicle.
• To shoot at furbearers from or across any paved, graded, or maintained public road or from within the fenced right-of-way of any paved, graded or maintained public road.
• To park any motor vehicle or camp within 300 yards of any man-made water hole, water well, or watering tank used by wildlife or domestic stock without the prior consent of the private landowner, private-land lessee, public-land lessee or public-land management agency.
• To drive off-road or on a closed road on any public land.
• To litter and/or pollute streams, lakes, and other waters.
• To leave a fire unattended or to improperly handle fire.