Enforcement News

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Ross Morgan: (505) 222-4707 ross.morgan@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 21, 2017: Officers seize 17 illegal game animal heads during multiple search warrants in Farmington FARMINGTON – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish officers, with assistance from the New Mexico State Police and San Juan County Sheriff’s office, seized 17 illegal game animal heads during multiple search warrants throughout the Farmington area on Tuesday. The investigation into a Farmington man, who is facing multiple charges, originated in early 2017 from an investigation by Department of Game and Fish Officer Shana Burkhardt after trail camera pictures placed on private land revealed what appeared to be illegal activity. It is illegal in the state of New Mexico to kill any game animal out of season and without a proper and valid hunting license. It is also illegal [...]

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Clint Henson, (575) 445-2311 Public contact: (888)-248-6866 Email: clint.henson@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 1, 2017: Information sought on poached elk near Logan TUCUMCARI – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish game wardens are seeking information about a poached elk whose skeletal remains were found May 25 off Trigg Road about eight miles west of the intersection of N.M. 39 approximately four miles north of Logan. Conservation Officer Justin Heppler suspects the bull elk was killed within days of its discovery and was butchered for its meat. The head and antlers also were missing and only the skeletal remains and some scraps were left behind. Anyone with information about this case or any other wildlife crimes is urged to call the department’s toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline, (800) 432-4263. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for rewards if charges [...]

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 1, 2017: Illegal possession of elk antlers leads to stiff fine SILVER CITY – A judge has ordered a Silver City man to pay the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish $4,000 for illegal possession of a set of trophy elk antlers. Hidalgo County Magistrate Mark Thomas issued the judgement in a recent civil case against Michael C. Aguirre, 40, of Silver City, according to court records. The case stemmed from a November 2015 traffic stop near Cliff, where Aguirre was questioned by game wardens about a trophy set of elk antlers found in the bed of his pickup. Aguirre told the officers he picked up the antler rack while deer hunting with his son. The antlers were still attached to part of [...]

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 22: New game wardens graduate from Law Enforcement Academy SANTA FE – Two New Mexico Department of Game and Fish game wardens graduated from the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Thursday. The department’s graduates of the 16-week law enforcement training academy are: Ariel Perraglio of Kirtland and a graduate of New Mexico State University. Christian Marrujo of Roswell and a graduate of the University of New Mexico. In addition to the attending the law enforcement academy, conservation officers, also known as game wardens, undergo four weeks of departmental training in wildlife laws and department policies and procedures. They also undergo many months of on-the-job training under the supervision of a field training officer before being assigned to a district. For more information [...]

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 7, 2017: Trophy poachers face stiffer fines, increased jail time SANTA FE – Trophy poachers who kill bighorn sheep, ibex, oryx, Barbary sheep, elk, deer or pronghorn antelope without a license or out of season just for the head or horns face increased fines and jail times if convicted. Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation that elevates the crime of wasting game from a misdemeanor to a felony, which upon conviction carries a maximum prison sentence of 18 months and a fine of $5,000. Convicted felons also no longer would be able to hunt with a firearm. As a felony, the statute of limitations on wasted game cases increases from two to five years. Out-of-state suspects in such cases also could face extradition under the new [...]