La Joya Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
La Joya Wildlife Management Area is 3,674 acres of State Wildlife Commission land in Units 18 and 13, next to La Joya, measured from NMDOW's Commission land map. NMDOW lists it as open to hunting. NMDOW's fact sheet: "Waterfowl hunting allowed during open seasons."
Data updated October 2026. Rules: NMDOW's fact sheet and Commission lands page, read 2026-10-18. Hunts: NMDOW's 2026-27 booklet. Boundary: NMDOW GIS.
Wildlife Commission landLa Joya WMAUnit lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 3,674 acres (NMDOW map); NMDOW's fact sheet says 3,405 |
|---|---|
| Quadrant | Southwest New Mexico |
| Units | Unit 18, Unit 13 |
| Open to | hunting, fishing and GAIN activities |
| Camping | Not allowed. |
| Motor vehicles | Not allowed off open roads. |
| Nearest towns | La Joya (next to it), San Acacia (4 mi) and Alamillo (4 mi) |
What is La Joya WMA like?
The La Joya Wildlife Area contains ponds, canals, drains, and crop fields along and adjacent to the Rio Grande. La Joya Wildlife Area was purchased in various parcels through 1940 to provide habitat for waterfowl, sandhill cranes, shorebirds, and songbirds.
From NMDOW fact sheet for La Joya.
What are the rules on La Joya WMA?
Closures: La Joya is closed to wildlife viewing, photographing, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding September 1-March 14. Camping: Not allowed. Motor vehicles: Not allowed off open roads.
Every Commission land needs a Habitat Management and Access Validation and the right license; WMAs are closed to hunting unless NMDOW's booklet lists them as open (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49). Rules posted on the property also apply.
What can you hunt on La Joya WMA?
NMDOW's fact sheet: Waterfowl hunting allowed during open seasons. The 2026-27 booklet names La Joya in no big game hunt code; hunting follows the seasons of the unit it is in.
How do you get to La Joya WMA?
La Joya Wildlife Area is located about 20 miles north of Socorro.
Highways within 8 miles: US 85, I-25, US 60, NM 304 and NM 116. Nearest towns: La Joya (next to it), San Acacia (4 miles), Alamillo (4 miles) and Chamizal (6 miles). Within 3 miles of the WMA, FilledTag measured 30,017 acres of other public land, most of it national wildlife refuge.
Which unit is La Joya WMA in?
It spans Unit 18 (3,647 acres) and Unit 13 (27 acres). Each unit's 2026-27 hunt codes and public land, for the whole unit:
| Unit | WMA acres in it | Unit public land | Elk codes | Deer codes | Pronghorn codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 18 | 3,647 | 65.9% | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Unit 13 | 27 | 41.6% | 10 | 6 | 5 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on La Joya WMA?
Yes. NMDOW's Commission lands page lists La Joya as open to hunting. Its fact sheet says: "Waterfowl hunting allowed during open seasons." Hunters need the proper license and the Habitat Management and Access Validation, and all WMAs are closed to hunting unless the booklet lists them as open (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49).
When is La Joya WMA closed?
La Joya is closed to wildlife viewing, photographing, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding September 1-March 14. (NMDOW fact sheet for La Joya). Rules posted on site also apply.
Can you camp on La Joya WMA?
Not allowed. (NMDOW fact sheet for La Joya)
Which unit is La Joya WMA in?
La Joya WMA spans Unit 18 (3,647 acres) and Unit 13 (27 acres), by NMDOW's unit and Commission land maps.