Enforcement News
Here is the latest in conservation enforcement news & press releases from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. For Operation Game Thief there is a list of solved cases and cold cases. And see the Featured Officer page for Officer of the Month and Career Advancement news.
Department-wide news can be found under Home → NMDGF News.
Public meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to meet Aug. 5
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting with the Public Land User (Habitat) Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee. The Citizen Advisory Committee will prioritize project opportunities at this meeting, providing guidance on the expenditure of Habitat Stamp funds. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting. An agenda will be posted on the Public Land User Stamp web page prior to the meeting. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 at 9 a.m. Attend in person at the Department's headquarters, 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. Comments can be provided by emailing PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov; in person at the meeting listed above; or by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Public Land User Stamp, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM [...]
Public meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to meet July 22-23
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Public Land User (Habitat) Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee. Fish and wildlife habitat restoration project opportunities that have been jointly developed by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. 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 Public Land User Stamp website prior to the meeting. Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 1 p.m.; continuing Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. Attend in person at the Department's Northwest Area office, 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120 Register in advance to attend virtually (Tuesday and Wednesday) A meeting agenda, along with information about how to attend virtually, will be available on the Department webpage. Comments can be provided by email, in person at the meeting listed above, or by [...]
Public’s help sought in Bandelier poaching case
United States park rangers at Bandelier National Monument and conservation officers from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are seeking the public’s help with identifying those responsible for illegally killing a bull elk within monument boundaries. The elk pictured was killed between the early hours of Thursday, Sept. 28, and Friday, Sept. 29. The incident occurred on State Road 4 between mile markers 45 and 44 on the north side of the road, approximately one-half mile east of the Cerro Grande Trailhead within Bandelier National Monument. “Poaching is a crime that affects all of the people of New Mexico,” said Col. Tim Cimbal with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Field Operations Division. “Poachers steal wildlife from the people of our state.” If you have information about this incident that could help investigators, please call the Bandelier Crime Tip Line at 505-709-0077. Though you may remain anonymous, up to $5,000 [...]
Seven Springs Kids’ Pond closed due to McKinney Fire
The kids' pond at Seven Springs Hatchery, located four miles north of Fenton Lake State Park in Sandoval County, is closed because of firefighting efforts surrounding the McKinney Fire. The pond and surrounding roads are closed to allow for dipping of water and access for fire crews. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologists and hatchery staff are putting together a plan to prioritize the relocation of fish inventories currently at the hatchery should that become necessary.
Wildlife law violation checkpoints start for hunting, fishing seasons
The Department of Game and Fish will conduct 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. As a reminder, the 2023-2024 hunting and fishing season began April 1. All hunters and anglers are required to purchase a new license before hunting and fishing. Guides and outfitters are also reminded that new registration is required. Big-game hunts begin this month. 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 [...]