Sandhill cranes are large birds that migrate through New Mexico each year. Many hunters are interested in hunting sandhill cranes, which raises the question: can you hunt sandhill cranes in New Mexico? The quick answer is yes, sandhill crane hunting is allowed in parts of New Mexico during specific seasons. However, there are important regulations, license requirements, and other factors to consider before hunting sandhill cranes in the state. Keep reading to learn more about sandhill crane hunting opportunities, regulations, licensing, season dates, bag limits, and effective hunting strategies for pursuing sandhill cranes in New Mexico.
Sandhill Crane Hunting Overview in New Mexico
New Mexico provides hunting opportunities for two subspecies of sandhill crane: the Greater sandhill crane and the Rocky Mountain sandhill crane. The Greater sandhill crane is the most common subspecies found in New Mexico and the primary target for hunters in the state. The Rocky Mountain subspecies is less abundant but can also be hunted.
Sandhill crane hunting seasons and regulations in New Mexico are set by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The department carefully manages sandhill crane hunting to provide opportunities while ensuring healthy crane populations continue thriving in the state.
Only specific areas of New Mexico are open to sandhill crane hunting. The Estancia Valley and middle Rio Grande Valley are the primary regions open to crane hunting. Hunting areas are chosen based on sandhill crane abundance and distribution.
Licensing Requirements
All sandhill crane hunters in New Mexico must have a valid hunting license and sandhill crane permit. There are different license options for residents and nonresidents.
Resident hunters need a valid New Mexico resident hunting license. Nonresidents need a valid nonresident hunting license.
In addition to a hunting license, all sandhill crane hunters must have a sandhill crane permit. This permit is only available to hunters who already have a valid hunting license. The crane permit allows holders to harvest up to 3 sandhill cranes per season.
Sandhill crane permits are limited and issued through a lottery drawing system each year. Hunters must apply for the lottery by early July. Permits awarded through the lottery are valid only for the following crane hunting season.
Season Dates
The sandhill crane hunting season in New Mexico typically runs from mid-November through late February. Exact season dates vary between hunting zones but generally span November 15 – February 15 each year.
Here are the recent season dates for the two primary sandhill crane hunting areas of New Mexico:
Estancia Valley Zone
– 2019: November 16, 2019 – February 2, 2020
– 2020: November 14, 2020 – February 7, 2021
– 2021: November 13, 2021 – February 6, 2022
Middle Rio Grande Valley Zone
– 2019: November 16, 2019 – February 9, 2020
– 2020: November 14, 2020 – February 14, 2021
– 2021: November 13, 2021 – February 13, 2022
The season dates focus on the period when sandhill cranes are migrating through New Mexico in highest numbers. Later in the season, cranes begin migrating north toward their breeding grounds.
Bag Limits
The daily bag limit for sandhill cranes in New Mexico is 3 birds per licensed hunter. The possession limit is 6 cranes total.
So during the entire sandhill crane hunting season, each permitted hunter can harvest up to 3 cranes per day, for a total of 6 birds in possession at any time. Once the season limit of 3 cranes is reached, crane hunting is closed for the remainder of the season.
These bag limits carefully regulate crane harvests while allowing ample hunting opportunities. Limits help maintain abundant sandhill crane populations returning to New Mexico each winter.
Hunting Methods
Shotguns are the only legal method for harvesting sandhill cranes in New Mexico. Either shotguns or bows may be used to hunt other game birds, but only shotguns loaded with approved nontoxic shot can be used for cranes.
Nontoxic shot has been required for crane hunting nationwide since 1991. Lead shot is banned because cranes and other birds can ingest lead pellets as they feed, causing poisoning and death. Approved nontoxic shot includes: steel, bismuth, tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, and other shot determined nontoxic for waterfowl hunting.
Another requirement is the use of decoys and calls when crane hunting. Employing decoys and crane calls is an ethical practice that improves hunters’ chances versus indiscriminate shooting. Calls that mimic the sounds of sandhill cranes draw birds within range of hunters concealed in blinds. Various styles of crane decoys also help attract the birds.
Within range, most hunters attempt head or neck shots to quickly harvest cranes. The long necks and large body size of sandhill cranes make them easier targets versus small game birds. However, their speed, wariness and thick feathers still present challenges.
Where to Hunt Sandhill Cranes in New Mexico
Sandhill crane hunting is limited to designated areas within the Estancia and Middle Rio Grande valleys. The top public wildlife areas offering crane hunting access include:
La Joya Wildlife Area – This state wildlife area near Belen provides a lottery drawing for morning and evening blind hunting spots along the Rio Grande. Up to 400 crane hunters per day can access the blinds on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge – The refuge offers guided lottery drawing crane hunts on select days in late November and early January. Blind locations provide excellent opportunities to harvest cranes.
Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area – Blind drawings are held to hunt cranes in wetlands along the Rio Grande near Belen. Morning and afternoon hunt sessions are available.
Casa Colorada and La Joya State Wildlife Areas – Both areas offer public access along the Rio Grande for hunting sandhill cranes. No blinds or lottery drawings.
In the Estancia Valley zone, most crane hunting occurs on private farmlands and wetlands that receive heavy crane use. Public land options are more limited in this region.
Scouting areas to locate where sandhill cranes are feeding and roosting is key to hunting success on public or private lands. Cranes establish daily routines flying between fields and open water areas. Identifying these flyways allows hunters to setup in the best locations.
Sandhill Crane Hunting Tips and Tactics
The following tips and tactics can help hunters enjoy more success and satisfying experiences while hunting sandhill cranes:
– Scout pre-season to map crane flyways, roost sites, and feeding areas. Return to these spots when the season opens.
– Set out decoys and blinds in known crane flyways or feeding fields at dawn and dusk when cranes are most active.
– Use crane calls to draw birds within gun range. Practice calling to mimic natural crane sounds.
– Remain completely concealed in blinds and avoid quick movements when birds are nearby. Sandhill cranes have sharp eyesight.
– When birds are incoming, don’t shoot too soon. Wait until they are within 40 yards to improve chances of clean kills.
– Be ready for fast shots when cranes swoop in low over decoys. Their speed can be surprising.
– Aim for the head and neck when birds are within range. Avoid long shots over 50 yards.
– Use nontoxic shot sizes #2 through BBB and improved cylinder or open chokes for the best crane hunting performance.
– Follow up on any birds that are downed but not immediately retrieved. Tracking wounded birds ensures they don’t go to waste.
– Hunt patiently because cranes follow routines. It may take time for them to respond to calls and decoys.
Using these hunting tips and proven tactics will help New Mexico hunters maximize their sandhill crane hunting success while following ethical practices.
Conclusion
New Mexico provides special hunting opportunities for sandhill cranes each fall and winter. Following the key regulations and guidelines outlined will ensure responsible crane hunting that upholds conservation principles while offering exciting hunting experiences.
Consult the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for full licensing details, hunt area maps, updates on season dates and bag limits before planning a sandhill crane hunt in New Mexico. With smart preparation using the latest regulations and hunting tactics, New Mexico hunters can enjoy rewarding days afield pursuing sandhill cranes.