New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Martin Frentzel, (505) 476-8013
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
Martin.Frentzel@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JAN. 18, 2008:
COUNTING, COLLARING MEXICAN WOLVES INCLUDES VACCINATIONS
BERNARDO-LA JOYA HUNTERS TAKE NOTE: LIMIT ON PINTAILS IS ONE
BOB GERDING'S OUTDOOR ADVENTURES HUNTING AND FISHING SHOW
COUNTING, COLLARING MEXICAN WOLVES INCLUDES VACCINATIONS
GLENWOOD, N.M. -- The annual census of Mexican wolves being restored to Arizona and New Mexico is scheduled to begin this week, and rabies is one of seven vaccines to be administered to any wolves captured during the survey. Results of the survey are a measure of reintroduction project progress.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Forest Service, White Mountain Apache Tribe, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are among the partners in the Interagency Field Team doing the wolf count and captures.
The reintroduction project is restoring a native species to its habitat, as authorized by the Endangered Species Act.
Fixed-wing aircraft are used to locate packs whose members are wearing radio collars, and then a helicopter moves in to identify individual wolves. If necessary, capture is done by the helicopter crew using net guns or immobilizing drugs delivered via darts.
Capturing wolves is necessary if a radio collar has failed or to place collars on selected animals currently not wearing the tracking devices.
To prepare for the count, the Interagency Field Team attempted to contact 77 property owners or ranch families living in the wolf recovery area of the two states. Permission to land the helicopter on private property if necessary was approved in 54 instances, and in the other 23 permission was denied or the team could not reach the property owners.
Physical examinations are done by the ground crews which include a veterinarian, and they also administer the following vaccines: rabies, parvovirus, parainfluenza, canine distemper, coronavirus, adenovirus type 2, and Leptospira. These vaccinations help to protect both human and domestic animals, in the recovery area, from serious contagious diseases.
Rabid animals have been reported in Grant and Catron counties since June 2007, with foxes, a bobcat and a pet dog testing positive for the viral disease, reports the New Mexico Department of Health.
The New Mexico Department of Health is encouraging residents of Grant and Catron counties to vaccinate their pets, horses and other valuable livestock that may come into contact with wild foxes, bobcats or free-ranging domestic dogs and cats.
Sick or dead wild animals should be reported to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at (505) 532-2100. The Department of Health reports rabid animals have no fear of people and may seem friendly or become aggressive.
For more information, call the New Mexico Department of Health at (505) 827-0006, or visit the Department of Health web site at www.health.state.nm.us/epi/rabies.html/.
BERNARDO-LA JOYA HUNTERS TAKE NOTE: LIMIT ON PINTAILS IS ONE
BERNARDO -- The waterfowl hunting season closes Jan. 27 in the Pacific and Central Flyways, and late-season duck hunters need to remember the bag limit on pintails and canvasbacks is one bird.
Several hunters received tickets for violating the pintail regulation since the season for them opened Dec. 20, 2007.
Bernardo Wildlife Management Area will be closed to vehicle tours and waterfowl hunting on Jan. 19 and 21 for Special Permit Light Goose hunts.
The Light Goose Conservation Order, which allows an extended season for snow and Ross’ geese begins Feb. 1.
Hunters are reminded the Small Game and Waterfowl Rules and Information Booklets are available at Department of Game and Fish offices or license vendors statewide.
BOB GERDING'S OUTDOOR ADVENTURES HUNTING AND FISHING SHOW
ALBUQUERQUE -- It’s time again to prepare for the upcoming hunting and fishing season and there’s no better way to start out the year than attending the annual Bob Gerding Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show February 8-10 at EXPO New Mexico in the Manuel Lujan Building. Hunters and anglers can see the latest styles in camp trailers as well as book a guided hunting or fishing trip.
The Department of Game and Fish will be on hand with the Poach Coach so the public can see some of the animals and hunting tools seized during investigations throughout the state. Officers will be available to answer questions. We will also have on hand the new 2008-2009 Big Game & Trapper Rules and Information Booklets and applications.
Parents are encouraged to bring the kids along to shoot a few rounds at the indoor pellet gun range or try their skills with the laser shot hunting simulator provided by the New Mexico Game and Fish’s Hunter Education Program.
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