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.
Bighorn, javelina and pronghorn hunting rules topic of public meetings
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 9, 2022: Bighorn, javelina and pronghorn hunting rules topic of public meetings SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments on proposed revisions to the bighorn sheep, javelina and pronghorn rules. For bighorn sheep, the Department is seeking input on several management considerations across the state including: opening the Jemez population to ram hunting; separating the Hatchets hunt to spread hunters across the mountain range; splitting the Ladron and Peloncillo hunts into two hunt periods to distribute hunters; and adding a third hunt window for rams in the Rio Grande Gorge. For javelina, the Department is seeking input on possible increases in total licenses and season lengths, and expanding the areas javelina can be hunted to include some Wildlife Management Areas. [...]
Wildlife Corridors Action Plan: Request for statewide public input
Department of Transportation media contact, Marisa Maez: (505) 269-8243, Marisa.Maez@state.nm.us Department of Game and Fish media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027, Tristanna.Bickford@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JAN. 13, 2022: Wildlife Corridors Action Plan Request for statewide public input SANTA FE- The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) is releasing the Draft Wildlife Corridors Action Plan for public review. The plan has been prepared in accordance with New Mexico Senate Bill 228, the Wildlife Corridors Act (Act). The Act, signed into law by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2019, directed the NMDOT and the NMDGF to develop the Plan for NMDOT roads statewide. The plan identifies wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots that pose a particularly high risk to the traveling public. Using ecological data and modeling, it also identifies wildlife corridors that bisect roads and provides a list of priority [...]
Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Fish Projects
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOV. 18, 2021: Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Fish Projects SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting in order to allow the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) to the Habitat Stamp Program to discuss fish habitat restoration project opportunities. At this meeting, the Department will solicit CAC prioritization and guidance. Members of the public are invited to attend this virtual meeting in order to offer feedback and ask questions. The virtual meeting is scheduled for Nov. 29, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Use this link to register for the meeting. Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Program Manager, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or [...]
Public Comments Sought on Potential Delisting of Gould’s Wild Turkey
news banner bw logo New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOV. 3, 2021: Public Comments Sought on Potential Delisting of Gould's Wild Turkey SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) is initiating an investigation into potentially removing Gould’s wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo mexicanus) from the state list of threatened and endangered species. Pursuant to the Wildlife Conservation Act [17-2-40 NMSA 1978], investigations into delisting a species may be conducted based on new biological evidence. Gould’s wild turkey was listed as state threatened in 1974 due to its limited range within New Mexico and uncertainty about its abundance at that time. Results of sustained field research conducted by the Department in recent years, in conjunction with a successful augmentation of the Peloncillo Mountains population, indicate that recovery criteria specified [...]
Department of Game and Fish announces support for Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCT. 20, 2021: Department of Game and Fish announces support for Recovering America’s Wildlife Act SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish applauds the introduction of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), which could transform wildlife management in New Mexico. The legislation, as well as House of Representatives companion bill, was introduced by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich and is co-sponsored by 158 bipartisan legislators, including U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández and Melanie Stansbury. RAWA would bring approximately $28 million federal dollars to New Mexico for species that currently lack the necessary funding for management. The legislation would support the state’s Wildlife Action Plan and the Species of Greatest Conservation Need identified in the plan. Management actions to [...]