New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866, ispa@dgf.nm.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 9, 2025:

Special military and veteran oryx and pronghorn hunts opening June 11

SANTA FE – Three special military and veteran drawing opportunities for oryx and pronghorn will open Wednesday, June 11, at 10 a.m.

Oryx hunts for injured military service members on White Sands Missile Range:

Injured military service members can apply online starting June 11 for one of up to 10 special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range.

Applicants must be veterans of the U.S. military with a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran's Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Significantly injured, active-duty military members who do not have a VA disability rating may also apply. Successful applicants will be required to complete a hunter education class in order to hunt on White Sands Missile Range, if they have not already done so.

Pronghorn hunts for resident Purple Heart recipients on Melrose Air Force Base:

Resident Purple Heart recipients are eligible to apply for one of up to five special pronghorn authorizations on Melrose Air Force Base.

Pronghorn hunts for New Mexico active-duty military on Melrose Air Force Base:

Active-duty military personnel

permanently stationed in New Mexico are eligible to apply for one of six additional special pronghorn authorizations on Melrose Air Force Base. Log in to your New Mexico Department of Game and Fish online account, then click the appropriate link in the main menu to apply.

The application deadline is July 16 at 5 p.m. MDT. All applicants, except resident Disabled Veteran cardholders for oryx, must submit supporting documentation to the Department prior to the application deadline.

Proof of eligibility may be sent by email to special.hunts@dgf.nm.gov or by postal mail with a postmark on or before July 16 to:

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Attn: Special Hunts
1 Wildlife Way
Santa Fe, NM 87507

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Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov