SANTA FE — Injured military service members can apply online starting June 13 for an upcoming special drawing by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to award three special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range.
To be eligible, one must be active-duty military or a veteran of the U.S. military who has a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran’s Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Applicants (except NMDGF Disabled Veteran card holders) are required to provide proof of eligibility prior to the July 18 application deadline.
Significantly injured, active-duty military members who don’t have a VA disability rating also may apply and will need to submit supporting documentation to the department prior to the July 18 application deadline.
Proof of eligibility may be emailed to
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Attn: Special Hunts
PO Box 25112
Santa Fe, NM 87504
The drawing is open to resident and nonresident eligible applicants who do not hold a current-year oryx license. Applications will be accepted only through the department’s online license system by clicking Injured Military Oryx Hunts in the main menu. Successful applicants will be notified by the department and must buy the appropriate license(s) and pay White Sands Missile Range’s access fee.
The hunts will be three days between Sept. 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019, with dates and areas to be determined by the successful applicants in coordination with White Sands Missile Range. These hunts will not be considered once-in-a-lifetime.
For more information visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us or contact the department’s Information Center at (888) 248-6866.