Each license issued under Chapter 17 NMSA 1978, runs from April 1 through March 31 of the following calendar year. No person shall shoot, hunt, kill, injure or take, in any manner, any game animal, game bird or game fish without paying for, and having in his possession, the proper license required by law for the year in which the shooting, hunting, fishing or taking is done. No nonresident shall shoot, hunt, kill or take, in any manner, any nongame animal or nongame bird without paying for, and having in his possession, any one of the nonresident hunting licenses listed in Section 17-3-13 NMSA 1978 required by law for the year in which the shooting, hunting or taking is done.
NMS § 17-3-1