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.
Department continues black bear population estimate survey in the Gila National Forest
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, JUNE 14, 2021: Department continues black bear population estimate survey in the Gila National Forest SANTA FE – During the summer of 2021, Department biologists and conservation officers will be entering the second year of a two-year black bear population estimate study using hair snares in the Gila National Forest. Bear hair snares are a modern study technique designed to collect DNA and allow biologists to identify the number of bears in an area. Starting in early June, Department biologists and conservation officers will set up the hair snares across the Gila National Forest. The hair snares will consist of strands of barbed wire stretched across an area with bait in the middle. As bears duck under or step over the wire a small amount of hair [...]
Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Maintenance 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, JUNE 8, 2021: Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Maintenance Projects SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting to allow the Citizen Advisory Committee to discuss Habitat Stamp Program maintenance activities. Members of the public are invited to attend this virtual Zoom meeting Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. in order to offer feedback and ask questions. More information about this meeting is available on the NMDGF webpage http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/habitat-stamp. Copies of the proposed projects are also available on this webpage. Those interested in attending and participating in this meeting are encouraged to pre-register and attend the meeting on the Zoom webinar platform. Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game [...]
Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone
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, JUNE 4, 2021: Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone Spring in New Mexico is an exciting time for wildlife. This is the time of year when most babies are born. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reminds the public to leave alone any deer or antelope fawns, elk calves, bear cubs or other wild animals they may find. Most young-of-the-year wildlife that people discover are simply hiding while awaiting their parents’ return from foraging nearby. Removing these young animals can cost them their lives, Orrin Duvuvuei, Department deer biologist, warned. “For about a week after birth, young wildlife exhibit hiding behaviors to avoid detection and increase their chance for survival. You might think it has been abandoned, but in reality, the [...]
How Genetics Can Inform Management of the Least Shrew
Following is a selected project highlight from the Share with Wildlife mission to assist all New Mexico wildlife in need, no matter what species. How Genetics Can Inform Management of the Least Shrew Least shrew eating grasshopper. (Jim Stuart) The least shrew is one of many species of small mammals in New Mexico that is associated with wetter habitats, often closer to streams and wetlands. Considering this species is listed as threatened by the state of New Mexico, a particular question of interest is: are there one or more subspecies of least shrew, as represented by genetically distinct populations, present in New Mexico? The answer to this question has important implications for how this species is managed in the state. If all animals in New Mexico are closely related to the relatively common subspecies found in many states east of New Mexico, then conservation action for the animals [...]
Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Prioritize Projects for 2021-2022
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, MAY 12, 2021: Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Prioritize Projects for 2021-2022 SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting on May 21 at 5:30 p.m. to allow the Citizen Advisory Committee to prioritize proposed projects for the upcoming fiscal year. Members of the public are invited to attend this meeting (to be held virtually) in order to become familiar with the proposed projects and to offer feedback and opinions. Information about how to attend and participate in this virtual meeting will be available on the Department's Habitat Stamp webpage. Copies of the proposed projects are also available on this webpage. Comments on the proposed projects can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of [...]