2017 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 17 - Game and Fish and Outdoor Recreation
Article 2 - Hunting and Fishing Regulations
Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 17-2-3 - Protected wildlife species and game fish defined.

17-2-3. Protected wildlife species and game fish defined.

A. The following mammals are game mammals:

(1) all of the family Tayassuidae (javelina);

(2) within the family Bovidae:

(a) all of the genus Bison (American bison) except where raised in captivity for domestic or commercial meat production;

(b) all of the genus Capra (ibex) except for the domestic species of goats;

(c) all of the genus Ovis (bighorn sheep) except for the domestic species of sheep;

(d) all of the genus Ammotragus (aoudad);

(e) all of the genus Tragelaphus (kudu); and

(f) all of the genus Oryx (oryx);

(3) all of the family Antilocapridae (American pronghorn);

(4) all of the family Cervidae (elk and deer);

(5) all of the family Ochotonidae (pikas);

(6) all of the genus Sciurus (squirrels);

(7) all of the genus Tamiasciurus (red squirrels);

(8) all of the genus Marmota (marmots) of the family Sciuridae;

(9) all of the family Ursidae (bear); and

(10) all of the species concolor (cougar) of the genus Felis and family Felidae.

B. The following birds are game birds:

(1) all of the family Anatidae (waterfowl);

(2) all of the family Tetraonidae (grouse and ptarmigans);

(3) all of the family Phasianidae (quail, partridges and pheasants);

(4) all of the family Meleagridae (wild turkeys) except for the domestic strains of turkeys;

(5) all of the family Perdicidae (francolins);

(6) all of the family Gruidae (cranes);

(7) all of the family Rallidae (rails, coots and gallinules);

(8) all of the family Charadriidae (plovers, turnstones and surfbirds);

(9) all of the family Scolopacidae (shorebirds, snipe, sandpipers and curlews);

(10) all of the family Recurvirostridae (avocets and stilts);

(11) all of the family Phalaropodidae (phalaropes); and

(12) all of the family Columbidae (wild pigeons and doves) except for the domestic strains of pigeons.

C. The following fish are game fish:

(1) all of the family Salmonidae (trout);

(2) all of the family Esocidae (pike);

(3) all of the family Ictaluridae (catfish);

(4) all introduced species of the family Serranidae (sea bass and white bass);

(5) all of the family Centrarchidae (sunfish, crappie and bass);

(6) all of the family Percidae (walleye pike and perch);

(7) all introduced species of the family Pomadasyidae (sargo);

(8) all introduced species of the family Sciaenidae (corvina, bairdiella and redfish);

(9) all of the genus Oreochromis (tilapia); and

(10) all of the family Moronidae (striped bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass and others).

History: 1953 Comp., 53-2-3, enacted by Laws 1967, ch. 8, 1; 1971, ch. 75, 1; 2015, ch. 26, 1.