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.
Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting and fishing seasons
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 1, 2021: Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting and fishing seasons SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during hunting and fishing seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations. The 2021-2022 hunting and fishing season begins April 1. All hunters and anglers are required to purchase a new license before hunting and fishing. Hunters and anglers can expect roadblocks throughout the spring and summer. Guides and outfitters are also reminded that new registration is required. Youth turkey season begins April 9 and the general season begins April 15. For more information, please consult the Department’s Hunting Rules and Information booklet. At roadblocks, conservation officers will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. Drivers [...]
Department recruiting Conservation Officers
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, MARCH 18, 2021: Department recruiting Conservation Officers SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking qualified men and women to become conservation officers, who protect and conserve New Mexico’s wildlife. The Department is currently accepting applications for conservation officer trainees with a starting pay of $18.33 an hour. Upon completing training, officers will be promoted to District Wildlife Officer and receive a pay raise to $20.70 an hour. Applications for this position will be accepted until 5 p.m. April 18, 2021. Physical assessments and interviews will take place May 1 and 2, 2021 in Santa Fe. Candidates who advance past the interviews may be required to stay in Santa Fe until May 5, 2021, for further testing. Please see the Department’s conservation officers career [...]
Department of Game and Fish reminds customers to call or go online for services
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOV. 18, 2020: Department of Game and Fish reminds customers to call or go online for services SANTA FE – As the holiday season is quickly approaching, the Department of Game and Fish is continuing to proactively take measures to keep staff and customers safe from COVID-19 by keeping offices closed. Department services remain accessible to customers by phone, on the website, Facebook or by appointment when required. The rates at which COVID positive cases and COVID related deaths in New Mexico continue to rise is alarming. Per Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s current executive order, everyone is encouraged to stay home, avoid travel and not attend public gatherings. Officials have predicted that many people may not heed these recommendations during the holidays, causing the Department to take further precautions to keep staff and customers [...]
Los Alamos woman 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 18, 2020: Los Alamos woman attacked by bear SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers are investigating a bear attack that occurred at the Pajarito Ski Area on Friday evening. The Los Alamos Police Department alerted conservation officers after receiving a distress call from the woman’s husband. The victim, 37, of Los Alamos and her husband were sitting on the deck at the lodge, observing Comet NEOWISE, when the bear approached them. Coming within a foot of the couple, the bear began chasing the woman and attacked her in the parking lot. The woman was taken to the Los Alamos Medical Center and later air lifted to University of New Mexico Hospital due to the severity of the injuries. Initial reports [...]
Wildlife crimes net $74,000 in restitution
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 8, 2020: Wildlife crimes net $74,000 in restitution SANTA FE – On June 23, 2020, Sandoval County Judge James A. Noel ordered Cody W. Davis of Arnegard, N.D. to pay $74,000 in restitution to the state for poaching a trophy mule deer buck. This civil restitution included $20,000 for the mule deer which was killed out of season, without a license and resulted in the waste of game and an additional $54,000 in reimbursement to the Department for the extensive investigation required for this case. The restitution to the state is in addition to his criminal conviction which included a $3,000 donation to Operation Game Thief (OGT). An OGT tip in December of 2015 initiated the investigation. Conservation officers searched the area in question and found [...]