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.
Two men sentenced for poaching mule deer
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Cody Johnston: (575) 291-2138 gary.johnston@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 7, 2018: Two men sentenced for poaching mule deer LOVINGTON – Two men pleaded guilty to killing mule deer out of season, unlawful possession, tampering with evidence and other charges filed against them in Lovington District Court last December. Both men received probation and were ordered to pay $2,400 in fines, $330 in court fees and forfeit their rifles earlier this month. On Dec. 28, 2017, Hobbs District Officer Andrew Jolliff received a tip from the Operation Game Thief hotline — a number set up by the Department of Game and Fish for the public to report poachers — about a deer that was killed illegally on Christmas Day. The tipster mentioned that the deer had been butchered and was buried near an oil rig in [...]
Raton man 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 26, 2018: Raton man attacked by bear Raton – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers are investigating a bear attack that occurred southeast of Raton Wednesday. State police alerted department officers after receiving a distress call from a 36-year-old man exercising his dogs. The individual was airlifted to the UNM Hospital due to the severity of the injuries, including a bite to the back of the knee. During the attack the man was able to draw his sidearm and shoot the bear, killing it. The male bear will be tested for rabies. The department reminds outdoor recreationists to be bear aware. During the summer, bears are active as they look for food sources in preparation for the winter months. Bears are unpredictable; the [...]
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 [...]