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.
Game and Fish relocate sow and three cubs
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 10, 2020: Game and Fish relocate sow and three cubs LOS ALAMOS – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers captured a female bear with three cubs found roaming in Los Alamos and successfully relocated them to western New Mexico. A concerned resident called the Department last week about the bears raiding neighborhood dumpsters. Seven conservation officers worked around the clock over several days to ensure the capture and safe relocation of the sow and her cubs. The bears found food in garbage cans and were in danger of becoming habituated to being fed in neighborhoods. All of the bears are healthy and have not been captured in the past. “Our officers did a great job safely catching these bears,” said Director Mike Sloane. [...]
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Cause for Rabbit Mortality
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027, tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us New Mexico Livestock Board Media contact, Mary Catey: (505) 841-6161, mary.catey@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 7, 2020: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Cause for Rabbit Mortality SANTA FE, NM - The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) and the New Mexico Livestock Board report that Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus type 2 (RHDV-2) is the cause for recent rabbit deaths in both wild jackrabbit and cottontail populations as well as in domestic rabbit production facilities. RHDV-2 is highly contagious among rabbits; however, it is not known to be transmissible to humans or pets. RHDV-2 is from a different viral family from the corona virus and is not related to COVID-19. The Department collected carcasses for testing after reports of dead wild rabbits in early March. Mortalities in domestic rabbits also resulted in testing during this time. Tests [...]
Department closes additional properties
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 6, 2020: Department closes additional properties SANTA FE – At sunset Monday, April 6, 2020, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will close multiple Wildlife Managements Areas and Open Gate properties to promote public safety. Closures include: Bear Canyon Reservoir near Mimbres Bill Evans Lake Wildlife Management Area near Silver City Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area near Eagle Nest Rio Costilla Cooperative Livestock Association (RCCLA) Open Gate public fishing access near Costilla Rio de los Pinos Wildlife Management Area near Tres Piedras along the New Mexico/Colorado border “The health and safety of New Mexico’s hunters, anglers, outdoor recreationists, small communities and healthcare workers is our top priority,” said Director Mike Sloane. “We cannot ignore the crowds that have begun gathering at these popular fishing [...]
For public safety, Department closes Monastery Lake and Seven Springs Brood Pond
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 5, 2020: For public safety, Department closes Monastery Lake and Seven Springs Brood Pond SANTA FE – To promote public safety, the Department at sunset Sunday, April 5, 2020, will close Monastery Lake Open Gate property near the Village of Pecos and Seven Springs Brood Pond located at Seven Springs Hatchery in the Jemez Mountains. Social distancing is a challenge for everyone who enjoys being outdoors, but this is the time for all New Mexicans to pull together for the overall health of all of our citizens and stay home. These closures are necessary to protect our healthcare workers and our small communities. “We must all do our part to flatten the curve and protect all New Mexicans” said Director Mike Sloane of the closures. The [...]
Services available for NM’s hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationalists
New Mexico Department of Game and FishPublic contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.govFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 18:Services available for NM’s hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationalistsSANTA FE – It’s important for agencies like the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to do their part to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and you can help too.At this time the Department encourages hunters and anglers to utilize the many online and phone services available.Customers seeking general information including; license sales and harvest reporting can still reach the Department by phone at 505-476-8000 or toll-free at 1-888-248-6866. They can reach the Department by email, ispa@dgf.nm.gov or visit online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased online at onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us.The New Mexico Game and Fish Department offers educational activities for youth and families. New Mexico wildlife and wildlife management lessons can be downloaded online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/conservation-education/discover-new-mexico.Depredation [...]