Open Gate Private Lands

Landowners receive direct payments from the Department of Game and Fish for access.  Access payments are based on various criteria including a property’s location, acreage, type of wildlife habitat (based on computer analysis), and hunting or fishing opportunities permitted. Click the link below to view current access rates. Be aware that all rates are subject to change without notice.

Payments are issued at the end of the agreement period in April of each year if the property is under an annual agreement.  Properties under a long-term agreement may be paid annually, in a lump sum or a combination of payment options. Once enrolled, participating landowners are also eligible to receive technical guidance, additional funding, and cost-share assistance for projects that improve habitat and hunting, fishing, and trapping opportunities on their property.

An additional benefit to landowners participating in an Open Gate agreement is limited liability protection.  This is extended to landowners under the terms of Statute 17-4-7 NMSA 1978 .

All properties are posted with rule and guidance signs to manage public access. Rules governing this access are agreed upon between the landowner and Department.  NMDGF Conservation Officers also include Open Gate properties in their regular patrols to help ensure that public hunters, anglers, and trappers comply with property rules and state regulations.

All Open Gate properties are posted with signs outlining the specific rules for a particular property.  This information is also available to users on the Property Locator tab above.  Rules are developed in cooperation with the landowner and the Open Gate program manager to best accommodate the wishes of the landowner and to accomplish the objectives of the program.

Providing Public Access for Hunting, Fishing, Trapping

Private landowners will have flexibility to determine permitted activities, legal species, and access dates when allowing direct public access to their property. Species included in the agreement are determined through a Department process involving local field staff, Conservation Officers, and Open Gate personnel.  Opportunities for the public are balanced against wildlife populations to assure both a good hunting or fishing experience, and sustained wildlife populations on the property and surrounding area.

Providing Right-of-Way Access to Public Lands

Participants providing right-of-way access to public lands will be able to work with NMDGF to determine roadways and access points that mutually meet the needs of the private landowner and public sportspersons. Applicable public lands include State Trust and Federal lands that provide excellent hunting, or fishing opportunities. Participating landowners are not required to hold a government lease on the public lands to which access will be improved. There is no minimum or maximum right-of-way length.

Some of the general rules that are included in all Open Gate agreements include:

• Hunting activities may be restricted to drawn hunters only depending on species and GMU.
• No trespassing unless you are a properly licensed sportsperson, are accompanied by a properly licensed sportsperson or are license-exempt.
• Each properly licensed sportsperson or license-exempt person is allowed to be accompanied by no more than two guests.
• Scouting is only permitted during the two days immediately preceding the commencement of open season dates.
• No motor vehicle travel off designated roads or on closed roads.
• No destructive acts, including vandalism, graffiti, theft, removal or defacing natural features, resources or signs.
• No target practice.
• No consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• No camping.
• No fires.
• No littering.
• Access allowed from: two hours before sunrise to: two hours after sunset.

Each of these is considered independently in each Open Gate agreement.

Most Open Gate agreements are on an annual basis which begin April 1 and expire the following March 31^st.  Some properties sign multi-year agreements.  Agreements may be terminated at any time however payments will be prorated in those cases.

Payments are determined based on number of acres enrolled, quality of habitat, species allowed and demand for hunting or fishing opportunities in certain GMUs.  Agreed upon dollar amounts are contained in the agreement and are paid according to the provisions in the agreement.Payments are issued at the end of the agreement period in April of each year if the property is under an annual agreement.  Properties under a long-term agreement may be paid annually, in a lump sum or a combination of payment options.  Landowners are required to submit an invoice and are paid within 30 days of submittal.

Leases and Application Process

Does your property provide quality hunting, fishing, or trapping opportunities? Can you help improve access to public land with restricted access? The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is accepting applications for the Open Gate program.

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If you are interested in Open Gate participation, please submit a completed application. Applicants must also provide:

• A copy of the recorded property deed(s)
• The legal description for the property including acreage (from property tax records or deed)
• A legible map showing the property boundary. Consider a 1:100,000 scale BLM land status map (easily obtained from BLM offices), USGS map, or an aerial photo map (from Google Maps, etc.).
• If a lessee wishes to enroll a property in Open Gate, a copy of the existing lease with a notarized and signed statement from the landowner authorizing Open Gate participation is required.

All properties are subject to evaluation by NMDGF to determine if the lands or waters qualify for enrollment. Once your application is received, a representative from NMDGF will contact and work with you to complete the review process.

Open Gate leases are funded exclusively by hunters, anglers, and trappers through their purchase of the Habitat Management and Access Validation (HMAV).

For more information call the Open Gate Program Coordinator at (505) 469-8880 or the NMDGF Information Center at (888) 248-6866.