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.
Officers investigate bear attack in Cloudcroft
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 20, 2018: Officers investigate bear attack in Cloudcroft Alamogordo – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers are investigating the scene of a predatory bear attack that occurred early Friday morning. A Cloudcroft resident, age 70, admitted to feeding wildlife with cracked corn at his residence. He also told officers that a minimum of four bears have routinely been coming into the residence. Department officers identified several bowls of pet food with residual amounts of dog or cat food near the house as well as bear prints on the windows and scratch marks on the porch. The home owner sustained multiple injuries including puncture wounds to the arm and scratches on the leg, his wife drove him to a hospital in Alamogordo, where he [...]
Game Commission properties that adjoin the Carson National Forest closed to access
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 27, 2018: Game Commission properties that adjoin the Carson National Forest closed to access SANTA FE – Due to drought and extreme fire danger, State Game Commission properties adjacent to the Carson National Forest, including the north and south Colin Neblett, Elliott Barker, Urraca, Rio de los Pinos Wildlife Management Areas and the campground and day use areas along NM 515 leading to the Red River Fish Hatchery will be closed to all public access beginning today. The closure will coincide with closures on the Carson National Forest announced this week by the U.S. Forest Service. The closure order prohibits all public access and recreational activities on those properties. Campgrounds, parking areas, trails and trailheads will be closed to the general public. Department of Game and [...]
Fire restrictions, closures increasing statewide; Game and Fish patrolling Commission 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, June 5, 2018: Fire restrictions, closures increasing statewide; Game and Fish patrolling Commission properties SANTA FE – As drought continues to increase fire danger statewide, the Kid's Pond at the Seven Springs Fish Hatchery in the Jemez Mountains will be closed at dusk on Wednesday, June 6. By mutual agreement with the Benedictine Monastery, the Department will also concurrently close Monastery Lake in Pecos, NM. Both locations will remain closed until conditions improve in and around the Santa Fe National Forest. In addition to enforcing closures and fire restrictions, Department of Game and Fish conservation officers will increase patrols on State Game Commission-owned properties. Commission properties also will follow the same restrictions or closures in place on properties adjacent to U.S. Forest Service or BLM lands. Additional [...]
Department seeking next generation of 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, May 17, 2018: Department seeking next generation of conservation officers SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is seeking qualified men and women to join the next generation of conservation officers who protect and conserve the state’s wildlife. Applications for this position will be accepted until May 25. Physical assessments and interviews will take place June 2-3 in Santa Fe. Candidates who pass the interview may be required to stay in Santa Fe until June 8 to complete further testing. Prior law enforcement experience is not required but successful applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as fisheries or wildlife biology, forestry or criminal justice. Candidates also must pass a psychological [...]
Officers catch wandering bear in Rio Rancho today
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Dan Williams: (505) 476-8004 dan.williams@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 26, 2018: Officers catch wandering bear in Rio Rancho today SANTA FE – Department of Game and Fish officers captured a male bear found roaming in Rio Rancho this morning and plan to relocate and release it. The healthy 200-pound bear has not been captured in the past and is approximately three years old. “Our officers did a great job safely catching the bear this morning,” said Major Colin Duff. “Even in the city, it’s important to remember you may encounter wildlife.” Due to drought conditions throughout the state, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is urging residents to be aware of the greater chance of encountering bears. The state has experienced less than average precipitation [...]