New Mexico Department of Game and Fish |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 16, 2009: |
ALBUQUERQUE OFFICE OPENS SATURDAY, MARCH 21 TO HELP HUNTERS ALBUQUERQUE -- The Department of Game and Fish is reminding hunters to obtain a free customer identification number -- new this year -- before applying for hunting licenses or permits in the annual drawings. The numbers must be obtained before the April 8 application deadline for 2009-2010 hunts whether applications are made online or on paper forms. Wednesday, April 8, is the deadline for hunters to apply for 2009-2010 deer, elk, antelope, ibex, javelina and bighorn sheep hunting opportunities allotted by draw in New Mexico. Online applications must be received by 5 p.m. April 8. Paper applications must be postmarked by April 8 or delivered to the Department office in Santa Fe by 5 p.m. April 8. To help hunters obtain Customer Identification Numbers and apply for licenses or permits, the Department will open its office in Albuquerque from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21. “This will allow hunters who cannot make it to our office during regular business hours the opportunity to obtain their customer identification number before the deadline,” said Brian Gleadle, Chief of Operations of the Northwest Area. The Albuquerque office is at 3841 Midway Place NE. Hunters also can obtain Customer Identification Numbers and apply for hunts online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or by visiting Department offices in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Las Cruces or Roswell during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All Department offices have computers available for public use to obtain Customer Identification Numbers and to apply for licenses or permits. Hunters can find details about hunting seasons and rules in the 2009-2010 Big Game & Trapper Rules and Information Booklet, available at all license vendors, or by visiting the Department web page at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Information is also available at (505) 476-8000. EXPECT ROADBLOCKS STATEWIDE DURING HUNTING, FISHING SEASONS The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during spring and fall hunting seasons to collect harvest data and to apprehend wildlife law violators. Conservation officers also will check for compliance with the registration requirements and safety provisions of the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Act, and drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forestry Conservation Act. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff's departments. As a result, hunters may encounter minor delays. To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact your local Department of Game and Fish conservation officer or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed. TAOS ARTIST WINS PRAIRIE CHICKEN FESTIVAL POSTER CONTEST An acrylic montage of images of lesser prairie chickens in various poses and habitats was selected as the winner of the 2009 High Plains Lesser Prairie Chicken Festival Poster Contest. Ranchos de Taos artist Valerie Graves' work was chosen among several entries in the adult division of the annual contest. She will receive the $300 first prize and her artwork will be used on the festival poster and other materials. Portales eighth-grader Alexa Herrington won the junior-high division. Her watercolor of a booming prairie chicken was picked as the best of several entered by Portales Junior High School teacher Jon Birdsong's art class. ### |
 |
 |
 |
 |