Conservation News

Monastery Lake Closed

SANTA FE – Monastery Lake, near Pecos, has been closed to fishing until further notice due to unsafe ice conditions. Ice fishing is not allowed at the Benedictine Monastery lake that is leased through the Department's Open Gate program. A layer of ice has formed on the lake, prompting the closure. The lake will reopen when there are sufficient open areas of water available to allow fishing from the bank. Anglers can find good winter trout fishing in the Albuquerque area drains, at Tingley Beach and at other fishing waters throughout the state. Visit our website for more information on trout species, the weekly fishing report, a list of convenient fishing locations and fish stocking reports.

Gila monster license plates available to support wildlife conservation

SANTA FE — New Mexico motorists have a new way to help support wildlife research, habitat enhancement, education and rehabilitation projects, as the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife Program and the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division have released a Gila monster themed license plate for purchase. The Gila monster license plate is the fifth wildlife art plate released by NMDGF and MVD in recent years, with quail, mule deer, Rio Grande cutthroat trout and roadrunner plates also available. Proceeds from the plates go to Share with Wildlife, which funds innovative research, habitat enhancement and education projects conducted by universities and non-profit organizations to address the needs of the state’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Share with Wildlife funds also help support wildlife rehabilitation efforts by licensed centers across the state. The program has provided more than $2.2 million to such efforts over the past 10 years. [...]

Wildlife law violation checkpoints start for hunting, fishing seasons

SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is conducting checkpoints throughout the state this hunting season to collect biological data and to detect wildlife law violations. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays. 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 offices. Please report any wildlife crime or suspected crime that you may observe while enjoying New Mexico's great outdoors. To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll-free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn cash rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations can also be reported online at Operation Game Thief.

Public Meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to Meet Aug. 15

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Habitat Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee. The Citizen Advisory Committee will prioritize project opportunities at this meeting. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting. An agenda will be posted on the Habitat Stamp webpage prior to the meeting. Thursday August 15, 2024, Santa Fe, 9 a.m. Attend in person at 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM, 87507 Register in advance to attend virtually A meeting agenda along with information about how to attend virtually will be available on the Department webpage,

Public Meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to Meet July 15

LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Habitat Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee. Habitat restoration project opportunities that have been jointly developed by the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and the Department will be presented. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting. An agenda will be posted on the Habitat Stamp website prior to the meeting. Monday July 15, 2024, Las Cruces, 9 a.m. Attend in person at SW Area Office, 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88011 Register in advance to attend virtually A meeting agenda along with information about how to attend virtually will be available on the Department webpage, https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/public-land-user-stamp/. Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Public Land User Stamp, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; or by email, PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov, or in person at the [...]