HABITAT STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULED STATEWIDE
DEPARTMENT SEEKS INFORMATION IN ANTELOPE POACHING CASE
EXPECT ROADBLOCKS STATEWIDE DURING HUNTING, FISHING SEASONS
HABITAT STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULED STATEWIDE
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled statewide Habitat Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee meetings for 2011. Citizen advisors will prioritize habitat projects for 2012 and 2013 and make their recommendations at the State Game Commission this summer. All are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings and field tours.
Central
- 1 p.m. April 5, Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Pl. NE, Albuquerque.
Northwest
- 1 p.m. April 7, Jicarilla Ranger District U.S. Forest Service office, 664 East Broadway, Bloomfield.
Northeast
- 1 p.m. April 11, Taos Bureau of Land Management office, 226 Cruz Alta Road, Taos.
Southwest
- 9 a.m. April 14, Las Cruces Bureau of Land Management office, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces.
- 8 a.m. April 15, field tour of Jornada habitat improvements.
Southeast
- 10 a.m. April 16, Smokey Bear Ranger District U.S. Forest Service office, 901 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso.
- 3 p.m. April 16, field tour of Ruidoso wetland developments.
Southwest
- 9 a.m. April 18, Gila National Forest office, 3005 E. Camino Del Bosque, Silver City.
- 8 a.m. April 19, field tour of Mill-Scott Burn.
The program has an annual budget of $790,000 with the support of hunters and anglers, who must purchase a $5 Habitat Stamp each year to participate in their sports on federal lands.
In the 24-year life of the program, 2,060 wildlife habitat projects have been funded at a level of more than $34.3 million. In this effort, the Habitat Stamp Program has contributed $16.3 million and federal agencies have spent an additional $15.8 million in matching funds in the form of cash, costs of planning, fiscal tracking, NEPA documenting, and obtaining archeological/cultural clearances. Other organizations have contributed $2.1 million in time and cash.
The New Mexico Habitat Stamp Program has improved more than 683,000 acres of habitat on public lands. Additionally, the program has enhanced 11,000 acres of riparian habitat, built 738 places for wildlife to drink water, surveyed 705 wildlife populations and habitats, transplanted wildlife 17 times, improved 83 fishing areas, maintained 7,366 previously built structures and much more.
Since its inception, citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program, advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Appointed by the State Game Commission, citizens represent sporting, environmental and public land permittee interests. Committees meet each April to prioritize habitat projects. For more information about the Habitat Stamp Program, please contact Dale Hall, (505) 222-4725 or check the Department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/habitat_stamp_program/index.htm.
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DEPARTMENT SEEKS INFORMATION IN ANTELOPE POACHING CASE
BLOOMFIELD -- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish officers are looking for information that would assist them in solving a case in which a doe antelope was killed late March 20 or early March 21.
Conservation officers found the antelope on Ensenada Mesa between Largo Canyon and Cereza Canyon southeast of Bloomfield in Rio Arriba County. The antelope was shot with a small-caliber firearm and left to rot.
The Department offers rewards for information that leads to the arrest or charges against wildlife law violators. Please call toll-free, (800) 432-4263 if you have any information about this wildlife crime or any other. Callers can remain anonymous may be eligible for a $350 reward.
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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.
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Tune in to New Mexico Game and Fish TV:
“New Mexico Wildlife”
6:30 a.m. Saturdays on KASA Channel 2, Albuquerque
6:30 p.m. Sundays on KENW, Portales
7:30 p.m. Thursdays on KRWG, Las Cruces |
