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, MARCH 7, 2011:

ATTENTION BIG GAME HUNTERS: DON’T MISS MARCH 28 APPLICATION DEADLINE
ORYX, BEAR, TURKEY DRAWING RESULTS AVAILABLE ONLINE MARCH 9
BE EXTRA CAREFUL WITH FIRES, AWARE OF BEARS THIS SPRING

ATTENTION BIG GAME HUNTERS: DON’T MISS MARCH 28 APPLICATION DEADLINE

Hunters planning on entering the drawing for 2011-2012 big-game licenses have until March 28 to apply with the Department of Game and Fish. The deadline is earlier this year to allow hunters to take advantage of discounts available when they buy combination hunting and fishing licenses.

The Department is expecting more than 130,000 applications for about 62,500 licenses for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, ibex and javelina. The deadline to apply through the online licensing system at www.wildlife.state.nm.us  is 5 p.m. MDT March 28. Paper applications must be postmarked on or before March 28, or delivered to the Santa Fe office by 5 p.m. March 28.

“The earlier deadline will allow hunters to save some money by buying combination licenses, and to have full use of their license when the license year begins April 1,” said Alexa Sandoval, the Department’s chief of administrative services.
Online applicants are encouraged to apply early to avoid missing the deadline because of forgotten passwords or other computer-related issues at the last minute. Late applications will not be accepted.
Applicants are reminded that everyone applying for a public-land license or permit, or purchasing a license via a private land authorization or the Valles Caldera must first obtain a free Customer ID Number online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or in person from any Department office. This number must be included on each application, paper or online, or the application will be rejected.
Hunters who held deer permits or elk licenses for the 2010-2011 season must have reported their harvest results before applying. Hunters who fail to report their 2010-2011 harvest results -- successful or not -- will have their 2011-2012 applications rejected. Harvest reports can be submitted online at www.newmexico-hunt.com or by calling toll-free (888) 248-6866. There will be an $8 late fee charged for hunters who missed the Feb. 15 reporting deadline.
     
For more information about big-game hunting in New Mexico, please consult the 2011-2012 Big Game & Trapper Rules and Information Booklet, available at all license vendors, Department offices, and online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Information also is available by calling (505) 476-8000.

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ORYX, BEAR, TURKEY DRAWING RESULTS AVAILABLE ONLINE MARCH 9

Hunters who applied for 2011-2012 licenses for oryx, special turkey, and bear licenses on Wildlife Management Areas will be able to check their results beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, March 9, on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or in person at any Department office.

Drawing information for oryx, special turkey and WMA bear licenses will be available by phone March 23.

For more information about the drawing, please visit the website or call (505) 476-8000.

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BE EXTRA CAREFUL WITH FIRES, AWARE OF BEARS THIS SPRING

Weather forecasters are predicting a drier than normal spring and early summer in New Mexico, and the Department of Game and Fish is urging everyone who spends time outdoors to be extremely careful with fires.

Anglers, campers and hikers who use state wildlife areas are urged to check restrictions before they travel. Wildlife areas observe the same fire restrictions in place by the New Mexico Forestry Division, or in adjoining national forests, Bureau of Land Management and State Trust lands. Fireworks are banned on all 105 wildlife areas that the Department either owns or leases around the state.

Warmer weather also will bring out the bears, and campers are urged to avoid unpleasant encounters by properly disposing of trash and using "bear-aware" camping practices while in the outdoors. That includes keeping food and garbage securely stored, never storing food in tents, never cooking near where you sleep, and changing clothing that could hold odors before sleeping.

For more information about fire restrictions statewide, please visit http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com; the Public Lands Information Center website, www.publiclands.org/firenews/NM.php; or the New Mexico Forestry Division website, www.emnrd.state.nm.us/FD.

Information about bears can be found on the Department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

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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