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.
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 [...]
The Tale of (Potentially) Two Species of Bell’s Vireos
Following is a selected project highlight from the Share with Wildlife mission to assist all New Mexico wildlife in need, no matter what species. The Tale of (Potentially) Two Species of Bell’s Vireos Bell’s Vireo habitat on the Mimbres River. (Andy Johnson) One bird you may have heard, if not seen, if you spend time in dense thickets along the Rio Grande or the Pecos or Gila rivers is the Bell’s Vireo. There is an interesting question associated with this threatened songbird: are there one or two species of Bell’s Vireo? Previous assessments have shown that eastern and western populations are distinct genetically and morphologically, but samples from New Mexico were not included in that analysis. Andy Johnson and others at the University of New Mexico in the Museum of Southwestern Biology, using funds from the Share with Wildlife program at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, [...]
Migratory Game Bird rule changes 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@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 12, 2021: Migratory Game Bird rule changes topic of public meetings SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird rule. The proposals are available on the Department’s proposals under consideration webpage. To gather public comments, one public meeting will be conducted via Zoom. The meeting will be held April 26 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Click here to join the virtual Zoom meeting. Or enter the following in your Zoom client: Meeting ID: 824 6900 9878 Passcode: 444544 To join the meeting by phone please dial 1-346-248-7799. You will be prompted to enter the Webinar ID: 824 6900 9878 and Passcode: 444544 Presentation slides will be posted on the Department’s proposals under consideration [...]