New Mexico Open Gate: every property, hunting and access
NMDOW's Open Gate table, updated 09-15-2026, lists 23 private properties leased for public use, about 22,698 acres in all by NMDOW's maps: 11 open for some hunting, 5 that are routes to public land, and the rest for fishing. A licensed hunter needs no fee or extra permission to use them (NMDOW Open Gate page).
Data updated October 2026. Properties: NMDOW's Open Gate table, updated 09-15-2026. Boundaries: NMDOW GIS.
Which properties are in Open Gate?
| Property | Open for | Unit | Near | Acres | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Ranch (OG.109) | Dove, Quail, Pronghorn | 32 | Fort Sumner | 4,124 | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| Oliver Farms (OG.111) | Spring Turkey Hunting | 42 | Tucumcari | 228 | Long Term - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| Access 121 (OG.121) | Improved Access to Federal Lands | 33 | Roswell | 362 | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| Monastery Lake (OG.127) | Fishing | 45 | Pecos | 20 | Long Term - Expires March 31, 2028 |
| Bonito Lake (OG.128) | Fishing | 36 | Bonito | 56 | Long Term - Expires March 31, 2028 |
| King Ranch (OG.132) | Dove, Sandhill Crane | 8 & 43 | Moriarty | 3,579 | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| Head Ranch (OG.134) | Dove, Quail, Pronghorn | 40 | Fort Sumner | 1,351 | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| Riverview Ranch (OG.138) | Dove, Quail, Pheasant, Sandhill Crane, Waterfowl; Fishing | 33 | Roswell | 65 | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| Access 141 (OG.141) | Improved Access to Federal Lands | 17 | Winston | 16 | Long Term - Expires March 31, 2032 |
| Stubblefield and Laguna Madre Lakes (OG.147) | Dove, Waterfowl, Fishing | 55B | Maxwell | 2,297 | Long Term - Expires March 31, 2032 |
| Rhodes Property (OG.148) | Dove, Quail, Pheasant, Spring Turkey, Sandhill Crane, Waterfowl, Deer (Archery Only) | 18 | Socorro | 703 | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| Luera Road (OG.150) | Improved Access to State Trust Lands | 16E | Datil | 447 | Long Term - Expires 2051 |
| Morphy Lake (OG.151) | Fishing | 46 | Mora | 25 | Long Term - Expires 2035 |
| Rio Costilla (OG.152) | Fishing | 55A | Amalia | 185 | Long Term - Expires March 31, 2036 |
| Howell Ranch (OG.154) | Dove, Quail, Deer | 32 | Elida | 4,693 | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| Weatherby Ranch (OG.155) | Dove, Quail, Sandhill Crane, Javelina, Deer (Draw Hunters Only), Cougar, Bighorn Sheep, Furbearer Trapping | 27 | Cotton City | 3,199 | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| Rancho Grande Ponds (OG.157) | Fishing | 16A | Reserve | 21 | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| Royal John Bypass (OG.158) | Improved Access to Federal Lands | 24 | Gila National Forest | 4 | Long Term - No Expiration |
| La Fragua Re-route (OG.159) | Improved Access to Federal Lands | 2B | Carson National Forest | 13 | Long Term - No Expiration |
| Kiehne Ranch (OG.160) | Dove, Quail, Waterfowl, and Sandhill Crane | 33 | Roswell | 683 | Long Term - Expires 2030 |
| Berrendo Creek (OG.162) | Fishing | 33 | Roswell | 2 | Long Term - Expires March 31, 2028 |
| Campo Alegre (OG.164) | Deer, Fall Turkey | 51A | Cebolla | 158 | Annual - Expires March 31, 2027 |
| Springer Lake (OG.165) | Fishing | 55B | Springer | 467 | Annual - Expires March 31, 2028 |
Source: NMDOW Open Gate table (updated 09-15-2026); acres measured by FilledTag from NMDGF Open Gate properties.
What are the Open Gate rules?
NMDOW lists these rules as common to most properties: only properly licensed hunters, anglers and trappers, each with no more than two guests; scouting only on the two days before a season opens; no driving off designated roads or on closed roads; no target practice, alcohol, camping, fires or littering; access from two hours before sunrise to two hours after sunset. Some hunting is limited to drawn hunters, depending on species and unit. Each property's own rules are on the sign at its main entrance.
Source: NMDOW Open Gate page; NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 51.
Questions hunters ask
What is Open Gate in New Mexico?
Open Gate is NMDOW's program that leases private land and water for public hunting, fishing and trapping, and pays landowners for routes across their land to public land that could not be reached otherwise (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 51). NMDOW's table lists 23 properties.
Do you need a permit to hunt an Open Gate property?
No. NMDOW says properly licensed hunters, anglers and trappers need no fee, special use permit or extra permission, because the landowner is under contract. The program is paid for by the Habitat Management and Access Validation (NMDOW's Open Gate page).
What are the rules on Open Gate land?
NMDOW lists rules common to most properties: only licensed users and up to two guests each, scouting only on the two days before a season opens, no driving off designated roads, no target practice, alcohol, camping or fires, and access from two hours before sunrise to two hours after sunset. Each property's own rules are posted at its entrance.
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