Nongame

Nongame species include porcupine, prairie dogs, rabbits, ground squirrels, and Himalayan tahr.
Coyote and skunks are Unprotected Furbearers. Feral hogs are an Unprotected Species.

Residents are not required to have a license to take nongame species.

Nonresidents must purchase a Nonresident Nongame License or a New Mexico Nonresident Hunting License. Nongame hunting is not permitted on Wildlife Management Areas, unless specifically permitted by rule.

For in depth information, reference the New Mexico Hunting Rules and Info available in print and PDF formats.

Unprotected Species

Unprotected species damage habitat and compete with native wildlife. In New Mexico these include feral hogs and unprotected furbearers (such as coyotes and skunk).

Feral Hogs

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Feral Hog

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Javelina

Hunting this exotic invasive species is encouraged.

Feral hogs damage habitat, contaminate water and compete with native wildlife. Because of the negative impact this non-native intruder causes, residents and nonresidents legally may hunt feral hogs year-round without a license. General hunting rules still apply—such as obtaining permission if hunting on private land, no hunting with the aid of an artificial light and no discharging of firearms within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling.

Read the New Mexico Wildlife article “Hogs gone wild”.Icon of Volume-56 Number-4 Winter 2011-2012 Volume-56 Number-4 Winter 2011-2012

Feral hogs should not be confused with javelina, which look similar but are a protected game species. Javelina are smaller than feral hogs and do not have a tail. Javelina also have a white stripe of hair near the shoulders and neck, giving them the common name collared peccary.