NMDGF Conservation News
The latest conservation news and press releases from New Mexico Game and Fish. Department-wide news can be found under Home → NMDGF News.
Stephen M. Bush Memorial Shooting Range in Clayton to close every third Wednesday beginning July 16
CLAYTON – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will close its Stephen M. Bush Memorial Shooting Range for maintenance at sunrise on the third Wednesday of each month, beginning July 16.The range will reopen at sunrise the following day. The closure will allow contractors to safely perform maintenance and remove trash and debris from the range. Public access to the range will be completely restricted on days the range is closed.The Department would like to remind the public to recreate responsibly. This includes packing out all shooting trash, including shell casings and targets and not shooting at glass or other objects not intended to be shot at on the range.
The Department of Game and Fish is transitioning to an online system for the EPLUS program!
EPLUS landowner elk authorizations for the Primary Management Zone are now available to view in your New Mexico Department of Game and Fish online account. If you haven't already become familiar with logging in to view your online EPLUS account, see below or refer to this document for step-by-step instructions.Click here to begin the login process. If you are having trouble signing into your account, you can click the Recover Username and/or Password option next to the Login button. Please call the Information Center at 888-248-6866 or email ispa@dgf.nm.gov if you need additional assistance to access your online account.Once logged in, click the Ranch Owners option in the menu to view your ranches. If the Ranch Owners option does not appear, then your EPLUS ranch account has not been linked to your customer account; please email the EPLUS program for assistance. You must be the Authorized Ranch Contact on record to complete the linking process.Electronic copies of your account statements can also be printed from [...]
Governor’s Special Hunt Auction Online for 2025
Proceeds to benefit Game Protection Fund and Department mission-related projects and programs NEW MEXICO — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has authorized the auctioning of eight packages containing nine big-game hunts to benefit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The Department has partnered with Ducks Unlimited (DU) to offer the New Mexico Governor's Special Hunt Auction online in 2025. Funds from the public auction support the Game Protection Fund and are used solely for Department mission-related projects and programs. The eight packages offered this year are up for auction now and will close on June 22 at 8 p.m. MDT. The hunts this year include: Exotics Hunt Package that includes: an either-sex oryx license and an either-sex Barbary sheep license; Coues deer license in Game Management Units (GMUs) 23, 24, 26 or 27; Elk license in GMUs 34 or 36; Elk license in GMUs 16 A-E; Elk license in GMU [...]
State Wildlife Action Plan open for public comment through June 9
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) is releasing the draft 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico (SWAP) for public comment. The comprehensive, federally mandated 10-year review and revision of the SWAP began in May, 2023, and presentations were made at the State Game Commission meetings on Aug. 25, 2023, and Aug. 9, 2024. The SWAP identifies Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), their habitats, threats to SGCN and their habitats and conservation actions that can be taken to mitigate these threats and benefit SGCN and their habitats. The revision process has included the following: 1) a comprehensive review and update of the SGCN list to reflect new information on species status and to add pollinating insects; 2) addition of more recent information regarding threats faced by SGCN, including climate change; 3) addition of updated best management practices regarding conservation actions to benefit SGCN, including an [...]
Migratory game bird rule topic of public meeting
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting regarding proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird Rule. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting in order to provide comments. March 31, 2025, Albuquerque, 6:30 p.m. Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM Register in advance to attend virtually The proposed changes to the rule, along with information about how to attend and participate in the virtual component of this meeting, will be available on the NMDGF web page. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Migratory Game Bird Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email at DGF-Waterfowl@dgf.nm.gov; or in person at the meeting listed above. Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov