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.
Translocation of desert bighorn sheep into Sacramento Mountains topic for public meeting
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, SEPT. 4, 2018: Translocation of desert bighorn sheep into Sacramento Mountains topic for public meeting SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on a proposed translocation of desert bighorn sheep to the Sacramento Mountains. The department is proposing to re-establish desert bighorn sheep in the Sacramento Mountains in the autumn of 2018. This species has been absent from these mountains for nearly a century. To gather public comments, a meeting will be conducted in Alamogordo starting at 6 p.m. Sept. 19. The meeting will be held at the Otero County Administration Building in Room 221, located at 1101 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, NM 88310. ###
Manner and method and revocation rule changes topic for 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, AUG 24, 2018: Manner and method and revocation rule changes topic for public meetings SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments on proposed revisions to the Manner and Method rule and the Hunting and Fishing License Revocation rule. Proposed changes to the Manner and Method rule include possession or sale of protected species, importation or possession of un-permitted wildlife, shooting from the road, use of aircraft, driving off established road, mobility impaired cards, proof of sex or bag limit, tagging, use of bait, use of dogs for tracking wounded game, weapon types for hunting and use of cellular, cell or satellite cameras. Proposed amendments to the Hunting and Fishing License Revocation rule include increasing point values for hunting on private land [...]
Fox in Fort Sumner tests positive for rabies
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 New Mexico Department of Health Media Contact, Paul Rhien: (505) 470-2290 paul.rhien@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 10, 2018: Fox in Fort Sumner tests positive for rabies DE BACA COUNTY – On Tuesday, July 17, a landowner near Fort Sumner, who killed a fox exhibiting behaviors common with rabies, contacted Conservation Officer Jacob Laobato. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish submitted the fox for testing at the State Laboratory Division. Results came back positive for rabies. “The public should be vigilant and stay away from any animals behaving strangely,” said Dr. Kerry Mower, wildlife disease specialist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “People should ensure their pets’ vaccinations are current.” According to the New Mexico Department of Health, in addition to the fox, one skunk has tested [...]
Searching for a Deadly Pathogen
Following is a selected project highlight from the Share with Wildlife mission to assist all New Mexico wildlife in need, no matter what species. Fringed myotis bat. (Kenneth Ingham) White-nose syndrome can have catastrophic impacts on cave-roosting bats during their hibernation period. The disease, and its causative fungal pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructan (Pd for short), has been moving westward and was recently detected in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Even if surface conditions in New Mexico are not suitable for growth of this cold-tolerant fungus, the fungus can potentially thrive in the cool and moist conditions found in New Mexico’s caves and mines. This fungus could have catastrophic impacts on bats that hibernate in New Mexico if, and when, it arrives in the state. Some caves and mines in the state are visited by hundreds, even many thousands of people every year. Humans may carry the fungus with them on [...]
Raton man attacked by bear
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, JULY 26, 2018: Raton man attacked by bear Raton – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers are investigating a bear attack that occurred southeast of Raton Wednesday. State police alerted department officers after receiving a distress call from a 36-year-old man exercising his dogs. The individual was airlifted to the UNM Hospital due to the severity of the injuries, including a bite to the back of the knee. During the attack the man was able to draw his sidearm and shoot the bear, killing it. The male bear will be tested for rabies. The department reminds outdoor recreationists to be bear aware. During the summer, bears are active as they look for food sources in preparation for the winter months. Bears are unpredictable; the [...]