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New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
dan.williams@state.nm.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 19, 2007:

DEPARTMENT WILL USE HELICOPTERS IN ANNUAL FALL ELK HERD SURVEYS

The Department of Game and Fish will use four helicopters to survey elk herds around the state from Sept. 22 through Oct. 5. Hunters should not be inconvenienced by the flights because most helicopter activity is scheduled to occur during periods when there are no hunting seasons. However, some flights may overlap with a few deer hunts.

Flights normally are conducted in the early mornings. Game Management Units to be surveyed are 4, 6,   9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 34, 36, 44, 45, 51, 52, and the Valle Vidal.

The Department uses data from the surveys to assess the productivity of major elk herds in the state. Sex and age ratios calculated from the survey provide important information used to monitor population trends and to determine appropriate numbers of hunting licenses.

For detailed Game Management Unit maps and other information about big-game hunting in New Mexico , please visit the Department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

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