NMDGF News
For Hunter Education classes, please see Hunter Education Course Schedule and for the Hunter Educator Workshops schedule please see Hunter Educator Instructor.
New Mexico Department of Wildlife Announces Opening of 2026 Biennial Review
The New Mexico Department of Wildlife will review its State List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Species pursuant to the New Mexico Wildlife Conservation Act (Section 17-2-40 NMSA 1978). Public comments on the previous (2024) Biennial Review document will be accepted during a 90-day review period from April 6, 2026 through July 6, 2026. The Biennial Review process determines whether a State-listed wildlife species will be “uplisted” from threatened to endangered, “downlisted” from endangered to threatened, or remain unchanged from the 2024 Biennial Review determination. Adding or removing species from the State List is a separate process. Listing decisions are based only on biological and ecological factors. Social, economic, and political considerations noted during the review can be used in the implementation of conservation and recovery actions after a species is listed. The Wildlife Conservation Act contains no provisions for critical habitat, habitat regulation, or other restrictions regarding state-listed wildlife [...]
State Game Commission to meet March 20 in Albuquerque
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting starting at 9 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, at the New Mexico Department of Wildlife Northwest Area Office, 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. The full agenda, and other information, will be available on the Department of Wildlife website. If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will be a live webcast on the Department's website. If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and [...]
Department reduces number of Persian ibex licenses
SANTA FE — For the upcoming 2026–2027 license year, the Department is reducing the number of Persian ibex licenses based on the most recent population data. These adjustments are necessary to support long‑term population stability and maintain future hunting opportunities. The Department will discontinue female/immature (F/IM) ibex licenses, reduce the number of either‑sex (ES) licenses, and eliminate the over‑the‑counter ibex hunt. For updated information please refer to the IBEX Hunt Table. For customers that have questions please contact the Department’s Information Center at 888-248-6866 or ispa@dgf.nm.gov.
Mexican wolf population count complete
Count reveals more than 300 individuals in the wild SANTA FE — The Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team has completed the annual population count and documented the population increased to a minimum of 319 at the end of 2025, which is up from the minimum count of 286 in 2024. This is a consistent growth pattern for more than a decade. The importance of this data is that this moves the recovery program one step closer to getting to the point that will support the downlisting of the Mexican wolf and development of a 4(d) rule under the ESA (Endangered Species Act). Implementation of a 4(d) rule would add greater flexibility in implementing management actions intended to reduce conflict while continuing recovery of the subspecies to the point of delisting. The goal of every recovery program is to use the best scientific criteria to recover a species, so [...]
Department seeks public comment on proposed rule changes regarding game species
SANTA FE – Members of the public will have opportunities to provide input as the New Mexico Department of Wildlife shapes its proposals for potential changes to several game species rules. Meetings will be held next month in: Albuquerque: Wednesday, March 11, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Department's Northwest Area office (7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque) Las Cruces: Thursday, March 12, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Department's Southwest Area office (2713 E. Northrise Dr., Las Cruces). The meetings will include information on proposed changes to the rules governing hunting for deer, elk, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, oryx, ibex, bighorn sheep, javelina, turkey and migratory birds. The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the proposals. If you are unable to attend these meetings in person, the Department offers virtual attendance via Zoom. Click here to register for the March 11 meeting or here to register for the March [...]
Game Commission to meet Jan. 9
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting starting at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at the New Mexico State Library, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87509. The full agenda, and other information, will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Calling all birders: Join the 2026 New Mexico Birding Big Year Contest!
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites birders statewide to participate in the 2026 Birding Big Year Contest, a friendly competition to identify as many bird species as possible in New Mexico between January 1 and December 31.
“New Mexico has the fourth-highest bird diversity, in terms of overall species, in the nation,” Curt Coffman, Assistant Chief of Education, said of the contest. “Bird watching has become very popular and is a great way to introduce people to the incredible natural areas found throughout New Mexico. We hope to see a wide variety of individuals participate in the Birding Big Year, including teens, beginners and the most seasoned bird watchers.”
Participants ages 13 and up, from beginners to advanced, are encouraged to join, submit sightings through eBird and connect with a growing community of wildlife enthusiasts. Participants will be separated into three age groups: youth (ages 13-17), adults (ages 18-64) and seniors (ages 65 and up). The adult and senior age groups feature separate categories for novice, intermediate and advanced birders.
“The Department is excited to offer this opportunity for bird enthusiasts in New Mexico,” Department director Mike Sloane said. “This is a great chance for people to get outdoors and experience the vast diversity of bird species in our state.”
More than 550 bird species have been observed in New Mexico, ranging from mourning doves and black-chinned hummingbirds commonly found in backyards; the greater roadrunner, which is the state bird; and less-common species, such as the pinyon jay, white-tailed ptarmigan and burrowing owl.
Top birding spots across the state include the Department’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), most notable Bernardo WMA, River Ranch WMA, Glenwood-Allred WMA and Rio Chama WMA. The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is also a great place to go to see various species of migratory birds.
A good zoom lens on a phone, binoculars and the Merlin app (to identify bird calls) are great tools. The Department reminds the public not to chase birds or try to catch them. Participants are required to follow the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics.
The Department’s website has more information about the contest, including links to several birding-related organizations that lead hikes throughout the year. An episode of the New Mexico Wildlife Podcast discussing the contest will also be released in early January.
Winners will be recognized in January 2027.
Register by April 1 at New Mexico Birding Big Year Contest – NMDGF. For more information, contact Assistant Chief of Education Curt Coffman at DGF-WildlifeEd@dgf.nm.gov.
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact only, Information Center: 888-248-6866, ispa@dgf.nm.gov
Media contact only, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
Department reminds New Mexicans to keep holiday decorations wildlife-friendly
SANTA FE – Once Thanksgiving is over, many New Mexicans take the opportunity to decorate their homes for the holidays.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish would like to remind the public as they prepare to hang up those colorful strands of light and bring that inflatable Santa Claus out of storage to ensure that their holiday decorations do not pose a safety hazard to wildlife that may become entangled.
Hunters Helping the Hungry program set to relaunch in New Mexico
SANTA FE — Roadrunner Food Bank, the Food Depot and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are pleased to announce the relaunch of the New Mexico Hunters Helping the Hungry program, a partnership between Roadrunner Food Bank and the Food Depot that enables hunters to donate wild game meat to help feed hungry New Mexicans.
Hunters can donate deer, elk, antelope, oryx, ibex or Barbary sheep meat to one of two processors: Honest Processing, located at 945 S. 2nd St. in Raton, or Padilla’s Meat Cutting and Processing, located at 72 Hondo Seco Rd. in Arroyo Hondo. Honest Processing can be reached at 575-779-6612, and Padilla’s Meat Cutting and Processing can be reached at 575-776-1233.
The processors will then grind and package the meat, which will be collected by Roadrunner Food Bank or the Food Depot for distribution through their pantries and food bank partners.
“The program is starting with two processors to help get food to families during the holiday season when many go without,” said Dana Yost, President and CEO of Roadrunner Food Bank. “However, we are actively working to enroll additional game meat processors to improve the impact of the program and hope to have more processors participating later this hunting season or next year. There is no cost to hunters or processors as all processing fees are covered by generous donors.”
There is no charge to hunters or processors, as specific donors have covered all costs associated with processing donations. However, hunters have the option of donating the fees if they so choose. More information for processors wishing to become involved in the program is available on the Roadrunner Food Bank website, along with required forms.
“The Hunters Helping the Hungry program is a great way for New Mexico hunters to give back to those in need,” Department director Mike Sloane said. “By donating their harvest, they can help ensure that someone else can put food on their table in their time of need.”
Those who wish to donate meat to the program will need to fill out a form stating that the meat has been properly cared for in the field and during transport. More details about the program are available on Roadrunner Food Bank’s website.
Department announces New Mexico Fish Art Contest
Youth in grades K-12 can submit artwork through Jan. 31
Submission by Steven Ju (Grade 7-9 Division, Georgia)
SANTA FE — New Mexico students in grades K-12 are invited to take part in the Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish in conjunction with Wildlife Forever.
Fish are an integral part of New Mexico’s diverse ecosystems, providing vital support to local biodiversity and contributing to the health of rivers, lakes and streams. From the prized native trout of the Rio Grande to the colorful bass that inhabit the state’s reservoir, fish play an essential role in maintaining the balance of aquatic environments.
For many New Mexicans, fishing is not only a cherished pastime, but also a way to connect with nature, support local economies and preserve cultural traditions. Through the Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, participants can use their creative talents to highlight the beauty and importance of these aquatic species, fostering a deeper appreciation for New Mexico’s natural resources. Art serves as a powerful means of expressing the significance of fish conservation, inspiring others to protect these creatures and the habitats they call home.
Submission by Cindy Ye (Grade 10-12 Division, Virginia)
Young artists can vie for first, second and third prizes in four grade categories: K-3; 4-6; 7-9; and 10-12. Additional awards include the Invader Crusader Award, for submissions featuring both invasive and native aquatic species from the student’s local area; the Mighty Minnow Award, which celebrates kindergarten participants; the New Mexico Native Trout Award, for submissions featuring New Mexico’s unique native trout species, the Gila trout or the Rio Grande cutthroat trout; the New Mexico Species of Greatest Conservation Need Award, for artwork that features fish species identified by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish as being most at risk and in need of proactive conservation; and the Outdoor Show Fan Favorite Awards, which will go to one winner in each grade category based on the votes of attendees at the New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Show from Feb. 13-15 in Albuquerque.
Submission by Mia Macias (Grade 10-12 Division, Texas)
Game Commission to meet Nov. 7
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting starting at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at the Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central Ave., Los Alamos, NM 87544. The full agenda, and other information, will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Hunters encouraged to stay informed and be on the lookout for New World Screwworm
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact only, Information Center: 888-248-6866, ispa@dgf.nm.gov
Media contact only, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
New Mexico Department of Agriculture
Media contact, Jenny Green: 575-202-4249; jgreen@nmda.nmsu.edu
New Mexico Livestock BoardContact, Samantha Holeck, DVM, State Veterinarian:
505-841-6161; samantha.holeck@nmlb.nm.gov
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, New Mexico Department of Agriculture and New Mexico Livestock Board are encouraging hunters to help prevent the spread of New World screwworm among wildlife, livestock, pets and people.
New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a foreign animal disease and poses a serious threat. The fly’s larvae infest open wounds, where they feed on living tissue. The New World screwworm (NWS) was eradicated from the United States decades ago, but recent detections in Mexico pose a risk of northward spread. At this time, it has not been detected in the United States.
As you hunt this season, please check harvested game and live animals you encounter for:
- Larvae (maggots) on alive or very recently deceased animals. Unlike other maggots, NWS larvae feed on living tissue and will vacate an animal once it has died and the tissue begins to cool. Common sites are wounds or body openings like the nose or genitalia.
- Maggots deep in tissue with foul odor.
In the unlikely event that you see a suspected NWS:
1. Do not eat, handle or transport the animal.
2. Take a GPS location.
3. Take pictures of the wound, larvae and/or affected animal if possible.
4. If you can, collect a sample safely. Using gloves or tweezers, place several larvae into a sealed container (small jar or plastic vial) with 70% alcohol.
5. Label with date, GPS location, species and your contact info.
6. Report and submit immediately to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the New Mexico Livestock Board or the New Mexico Department of Agriculture.
Your reports are critical for early detection and rapid response. Quick action could protect wildlife and livestock across the state.
***Please remember that New World screwworms are only found on alive or very recently deceased animals. Even minor mishandling of game meat can cause non-NWS maggots to develop in muscle tissue.***
Important contacts:
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish: (888) 248-6866 or ispa@dgf.nm.gov
New Mexico Livestock Board: (505) 841-6161
New Mexico Department of Agriculture: (575) 646-9191 or the Agriculture Reporting Hotline
New Mexico State University: Visit any of the County Extension Offices
Tres Piedras Primitive Shooting Range to close for maintenance Oct. 13
Range will also close on first Wednesday of January, April, July and October
TRES PIEDRAS, N.M. – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will close its Tres Piedras Primitive Shooting Range at sunrise Oct. 13 for maintenance, with the range reopening at sunrise Oct. 14.
Public access will be completely restricted during the closure. The closure will allow contractors to safely perform maintenance and clean up trash and debris on the shooting range.
The Department will also close the range, located three miles east of Tres Piedras off of U.S. Highway 64, on the first Wednesday of January, April, July and October for maintenance. Other closures may occur as needed for repairs. The range is otherwise open every day from sunrise to sunset. The public is asked to refer to signage when entering the property to determine whether it is open or closed, or to contact Shooting Program Coordinator Cody Johnston at Cody.Johnston@dgf.nm.gov or 505-412-7785 with any questions. More details regarding shooting ranges can be found on the Department’s website.
The Department reminds the public to recreate responsibly; pack out all shooting trash, including shell casings and targets; and not to shoot at glass or other items not designed to be shot at on the range.
Free Fishing Weekend set for Sept. 27-28
SANTA FE – Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Sept. 27-28, as part of the state’s Free Fishing Weekend.
Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state on Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28, which is also National Hunting and Fishing Day across the United States of America. All anglers must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department’s website.
“This is a great time to take your family fishing and teach them a skill that will provide a lifetime of enjoyment,” said Mike Sloane, director for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Check out the video below to find out more on the importance of keeping youth, especially girls, involved in the sport. Take advantage of Free Fishing Weekend to get your family and our youth back on the water!
The Department has online resources to help you plan the perfect outing. With weekly fishing reports, an interactive fishing map, and fishing conditions by water body and species at your fingertips, a great fishing trip for you and your family awaits!
Portions of Southern New Mexico border listed as National Defense Area
Attention Hunters:
Along New Mexico’s southern border, the US Army has designated areas as National Defense Area (NDA). The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has been working with the US Army to allow recreational and licensed hunters access to these areas.
Below is a screenshot of the affected area; note the Department of Defense areas, shown in pink, in Hidalgo, Luna and Dona Ana Counties. The Bureau of Land Management has provided an interactive map of the NDA.
As a result of the Department’s efforts, the US Army has developed a protocol for hunters wishing to access the NDA. If you plan on hunting on any of the land designated in the NDA, please read the US Army’s memorandum here.
Hunters will need to submit information for a visitor access badge and pass a background check. Upon receipt of a visitor access badge, individuals will need to follow the guidelines in the US Army’s memorandum.
For more information, please visit the US Army Fort Huachuca webpage.
The Department thanks you for your understanding and cooperation.
Department resumes debit, credit card sales; resolves payment processing system and online license sales issues
SANTA FE – Issues affecting the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s payment processing system have been resolved, allowing the Department to process credit and debit cards for license and permit purchases.
Licenses and permits can now be purchased in-person using debit or credit cards at Department offices and vendors statewide, as well as through the Department’s online licensing system.
“We appreciate our customers’ patience,” Department director Mike Sloane said. “We know this situation was inconvenient and frustrating for our customers, and we sincerely apologize. We also want to reassure our customers that none of their data was exposed as a result of these issues.”
On Aug. 29, the Department’s payment processing system suffered a bot attack that caused the shutdown of the online licensing system. As a result, customers were unable to use debit or credit cards to purchase licenses or permits.
The Department’s security team was able to quickly identify the bot attack and take appropriate measures to isolate the attack, which only affected the payment system. There have been no security concerns regarding customer accounts or personal information.
Game Warden Recruit Hiring Fall 2025
Job Announcement Information
- September 3rd: Job Announcement Opens
- October 18th: Job Announcement Closes
The Selection Process
- November 1st-2nd: Physical Pre-Assessment Testing (see physical standards below 6,000 feet) and Wildlife Written Exam (see sample test for study tips): Albuquerque
- November 3rd-4th: Formal interviews: Albuquerque
- December 1st-2nd: Pre-employment Background Investigation (if applicant passed physical pre-assessment testing): Albuquerque
- December 3rd: Psychological Examination (if selected to continue the process): Albuquerque
- December 4th: Body Armor fitting (if given a conditional job offer): Albuquerque
- December 5th: Medical Examination (if selected to continue the process): Albuquerque
Game and Fish Warden Recruit (DGF #40869+) Pay Band C4
Scan or click for job post on SPO.
Salary
Employees hired in this role will be placed at $25.205 per hour ($52,426 annually) for their first year of training. Upon completion of Recruit Training, officers will be placed in their district at a starting rate of $27.87310 per hour ($57,976 annually).
Why does the job exist?
Conservation Officers enforce hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, and off-highway vehicle (OHV) laws. The main goal is to protect wildlife; duties include patrolling assigned fishing and hunting areas, collecting data, investigating complaints, and prosecuting violations. Conservation Officers have full police powers when called to duty or in emergency situations to ensure public safety.
How does it get done?
The Game Warden Recruit position is the entry-level of the Conservation Officer Series. Incumbents in this position will train as a recruit for approximately one (1) year to become a certified and commissioned Conservation Officer for the State of New Mexico. The Conservation Officer Recruit will spend a significant amount of time in an approved Law Enforcement Academy, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish sponsored Conservation School, and an additional fourteen (14) weeks in the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Field Officer Training Program with a New Mexico Game and Fish Field Training Officer.
Ideal Candidate
The field of wildlife law enforcement demands a strong personal commitment, self-motivation, and a vested interest in Wildlife Conservation. Officers are responsible for a variety of different tasks with little direct supervision, and they must have the ability to work independently. Candidate must have physical and mental toughness and be comfortable working in extreme conditions. Wildlife law enforcement is a unique profession, and it requires officers to be open minded to adaptive change and a strong willingness to learn new skills. Candidate must have good knowledge of fish and wildlife management practices including habitat and forage requirements, behavior and identification of various wildlife species, and wildlife population dynamics. Candidate must be willing to participate in and to instruct hunting, fishing, and trapping activities. New Mexico Department of Game & Fish 2025 – Game Warden Recruit (DGF #40869+)
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any field with at least twelve (12) credit hours that pertain to the essential duties and responsibilities of this classification. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Conservation Officer Recruits participate and assist in wildlife management.
• Employees may assist in providing information on wildlife education, wildlife law enforcement,
management, and research.
• Employees may assist in enforcing wildlife regulations and laws, and wildlife management.
• Employees may have contacts with the public to provide simple information on wildlife regulations
and laws.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver’s License. Employment fitness, psychological and medical screenings are required as part of the recruitment process. Candidates who successfully pass the physical assessment may be required to stay in Albuquerque, NM for further testing to include psychological and medical screenings. Positions are designated as safety-sensitive and subject to pre-employment and random drug and alcohol screening. Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and is conditional pending results. Must possess and maintain current New Mexico Law Enforcement Certification. Individuals without current New Mexico Law Enforcement Certification must complete the New Mexico Law Enforcement Basic Police Officer Training (BPOT) Academy or certification by waiver training, within 1 year of employment as set forth in 29-7-6B NMSA 1978.
Working Conditions
Irregular hours, overtime, travel and overnight trips. Weekend and occasional holiday work. The job requires working outdoors, often in inclement weather. There will be periods of standing, walking, running, and sitting. Standard law enforcement equipment (firearms, baton, OC spray, handcuffs, and other miscellaneous equipment) is required to be worn and/or utilized each day. Game, fish, and furbearer species may be handled, restrained, or even field dressed and loaded in vehicles or other transports. Must be able to drive 4×4 vehicles, All-terrain or Utility-terrain vehicles, on unmaintained road surfaces, and participate fully in all aspects of law enforcement duties. Depending on the area of responsibility, you must be able to operate a boat or watercraft or ride stock (horse or mule) on unmaintained landscapes or trails and participate fully in all aspects of law enforcement duties.
Payment Processing Issue Affects Online License Sales
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has experienced a BOT attack, which has caused the Department to shut down its online payment processing system. This affects all credit and debit card transactions for license and permit purchases.
During this time, customers will be unable to purchase licenses or permits with a credit card through the Department’s online system. We are working diligently to resolve this technical issue and will provide an update as soon as possible.
In the interim, we have a solution to ensure our customers can still get out into the field and enjoy New Mexico’s outdoors. All NMDGF licenses and permits can be purchased with cash at any of our approved vendor locations across the state. Many vendors are also able to take credit cards. Approved Hunting License Vendors can be found here.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to restore our online services.
Game Commission to meet Aug. 28
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a virtual meeting at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. The full agenda, and other information, will soon be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating or providing comments you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Wheeler Brunschmid at 505-670-5453 or wheeler.brunschmid@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Wildlife law violation checkpoints start for hunting, fishing seasons
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is conducting checkpoints throughout the state this hunting season to collect biological data and to detect wildlife law violations.
As a result, the public may encounter minor delays. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices.
Please report any wildlife crime or suspected crime that you may observe while enjoying New Mexico’s great outdoors. To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll-free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn cash rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations can also be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
Leftover draw licenses go on sale Aug. 13
SANTA FE – A total of 499 deer licenses left over from the 2025-2026 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT on Wednesday, Aug. 13, through the Department’s Online License System.
The Department apologizes for the inconvenience caused by the technical difficulties that led to the postponement of the original sale date. The Department greatly appreciates customers’ patience through this process.
This first-come, first-served sale will only be open to New Mexico residents during the first 24 hours. If any licenses remain after the first 24 hours, the sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. Aug. 14.
To buy a leftover license, hunters must possess a 2025-2026 Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing License. Hunters may buy the Game Hunting License, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Licenses, Permits and Stamps link under License Sales 2025.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to purchase the Game Hunting and Fishing License and other stamps for the current license year in advance of the sale opening, if not already purchased. Hunters are further advised to log in prior to 10 a.m. on Aug. 13 for the best chance to get a leftover license, as these licenses are expected to sell quickly.
Hunters must provide a valid mailing address at the time of purchase. Unless the applicant selects the e-tag option, a physical license/tag will be mailed to the hunter for all approved purchases within 14 days.
If you are planning to purchase a leftover license, you must have completed all mandatory 2024-2025 harvest reporting requirements prior to the purchase. If a harvest report is not completed, your purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on rejected purchases.
Licenses that are available for purchase include:
Game Commission to meet Aug 15
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at the Reserve Independent Schools Gymnasium, 24 Mountaineer Rd., Reserve, NM 87830. The full agenda, and other information, is available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Public meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to meet Aug. 5
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting with the Public Land User (Habitat) Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee.
The Citizen Advisory Committee will prioritize project opportunities at this meeting, providing guidance on the expenditure of Habitat Stamp funds. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting. An agenda will be posted on the Public Land User Stamp web page prior to the meeting.
- Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 at 9 a.m.
- Attend in person at the Department’s headquarters, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507
- Register in advance to attend virtually
A meeting agenda, along with information about how to attend virtually, will be available on the Department webpage.
Comments can be provided by emailing PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov; in person at the meeting listed above; or by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Public Land User Stamp, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507.
State Agencies Swiftly React to Restore Wildlife Habitat After Trout Fire
Reseeding efforts in the Gila National Forest, Grant County, aim to jumpstart regrowth, stabilize soils and support wildlife and watershed recovery.
SILVER CITY, N.M. – In the wake of the Trout Fire in Grant County, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) swiftly reseeded burned areas in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to restore over 1,200 acres of key habitat near the Bear Canyon Lake Wildlife Management Area through targeted reseeding efforts. The state agencies’ quick reaction was crucial because the rapid response bypassed the potentially lengthy federal approval process that could have jeopardized seeding efforts due to impending monsoon rains.
Located approximately 31 miles northeast of Silver City, the Bear Canyon area was significantly impacted by the wildfire. On July 15-16, 2025, state agencies in collaboration with their federal partners mobilized to help the land heal, spreading a specially selected mix of native grasses and sterile, fast-growing barley that will help stabilize soil, reduce erosion and foster the return of plant life that supports both wildlife and watershed health.
“In collaboration with the New Mexico Environment Department, our focused efforts in reseeding the Bear Canyon area are helping the land recover faster. This is not just for the benefit of wildlife but for the people who value this place for its beauty, recreation and biodiversity,” said NMDGF Director Mike Sloane. “Our quick action was key to addressing the immediate needs before the monsoon season started, allowing for the best benefit without the federal budgeting restrictions slowing down the process.”
The reseeding mix includes native species well-adapted to the region’s soils and climate. This seed mix plays a crucial role in jumpstarting recovery by:
- Anchoring soil, creating groundcover, diminishing post-fire runoff and reducing flood severity.
- Creating future food and shelter for animals such as mule deer, quail and songbirds.
- Supporting long-term regrowth of the landscape for outdoor recreation like hiking, birdwatching and hunting.
- Enhancing river habitat and limiting water quality impacts to key watersheds that drain to Sapillo Creek, Lake Roberts, Bear Canyon Lake and the Mimbres River.
Similar post-fire restoration projects are a common and effective tool across the West, where increasingly frequent wildfires challenge both land managers and local watersheds. Early reseeding efforts can accelerate nature’s own recovery process and reduce the likelihood of invasive species taking hold and minimize post-fire impacts in the watershed to improve water quality and mitigate flooding impacts to surrounding property and critical infrastructure.
“By leveraging each agency’s strengths and expertise, this reseeding project was completed in record time before any devastating monsoon storms hit the area,” said NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau Chief Shelly Lemon. “This project is crucial to stimulating post-fire forest and watershed recovery, supporting important habitat and recreational areas, and minimizing post-fire impacts to downstream communities and aquatic species.”
This project and the quick action of the agencies represent the strength of state and federal partnerships and what can be accomplished when we work together to solve problems. This interagency effort demonstrates a shared commitment to protecting New Mexico’s landscapes for future generations. As the land recovers, the area around Bear Canyon Lake will once again offer vibrant habitat, scenic beauty and opportunities for the public to reconnect with nature.
Youth encouragement Elk license sale begins July 29
SANTA FE – Youth hunters will be eligible to purchase one of 1,960 antlerless Youth Encouragement Elk licenses through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Online License System starting at 10 a.m. MDT on July 29.
The Department apologizes for the inconvenience caused by the technical difficulties that postponed the original sale date. We greatly appreciate our customers’ patience during this process. The Department will announce the leftover draw license sale soon.
The Youth Encouragement Elk hunts are designed to provide additional hunting opportunities for youth and includes 1,570 licenses for any legal sporting arm and 390 licenses for muzzleloader hunts. Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log into their Online License System account.
Eligibility and requirements:
- For the first 14 days, the sale is open only to resident youth who have applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, oryx or ibex and were not successful for any hunt. Please note that the purchase of a leftover draw hunt does not count as a successful application.
- Must have a valid Hunter Education certification.
- Must be 17 years of age or younger on the opening day of the hunt.
- Beginning at 10 a.m. MDT on Aug. 12, the sale will open to any youth hunter who is eligible to purchase an elk license.
- Youth hunters must have a current 2025-2026 Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license prior to purchasing an elk license. Customers without a Game Hunting license will be directed to purchase one before purchasing a Youth Encouragement elk license.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to purchase the Game Hunting and Fishing License and other stamps for the current license year in advance of the sale opening, if not already purchased. Hunters are further advised to log in prior to the sale, as some hunt codes may sell quickly.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility.
Hunters planning to purchase a Youth Encouragement license must have completed all mandatory 2024-2025 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded for rejected purchases.
Following the successful purchase of a Youth Encouragement license, the license/tag will be mailed to the hunter unless the E-Tag option is selected. For more information about the Youth Encouragement elk license sale, hunting in New Mexico or for help logging in, please call the Information Center at 888-248-6866 or email ispa@dgf.nm.gov.
Youth Encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone. For the list of available hunts, please see pages 88-90 of the 2025-2026 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet, available online.
Mexican Wolf Located North of Interstate 40 in Northwest New Mexico
SANTA FE – A male wolf (M3065) has been documented crossing out of the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) north of Interstate 40 in New Mexico. The wolf is affixed with a radio collar, which is transmitting its location. He was documented crossing the I-40 boundary west of Albuquerque late last week. His last location was near Mount Taylor. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are monitoring the wolf’s movements.
Mexican wolves that move outside the MWEPA, including north of I-40, are listed and protected as federally endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Therefore, the wolf cannot be hazed or harassed north of I-40 without violating the Act, unless the wolf actively poses a threat to human safety.
Anyone convicted of killing, harming or harassing an endangered Mexican wolf is subject to a fine and/or criminal charges.
Public meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to meet July 22-23
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Public Land User (Habitat) Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee.
Fish and wildlife habitat restoration project opportunities that have been jointly developed by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and the Department will be presented. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting. An agenda will be posted on the Public Land User Stamp website prior to the meeting.
- Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 1 p.m.; continuing Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.
A meeting agenda, along with information about how to attend virtually, will be available on the Department webpage.
Comments can be provided by email, in person at the meeting listed above, or by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Public Land User Stamp, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507.
Department seeks public comment regarding license vendor fees
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment regarding potential changes to fees currently charged by hunting and fishing license vendors.
Currently, all license vendors, including the Department, charge a fee of $1 per license sold. The passage of Senate Bill 5 by the New Mexico State Legislature during its 2025 session enables license collectors to “collect and retain a vendor fee for each license or permit issued; provided that the fee shall be just and reasonable; as determined by regulation of the State Wildlife Commission.”
The Department surveyed all license vendors statewide following the passage of SB 5, and the majority of vendors who responded expressed a desire to see the vendor fee increased, in addition to the introduction of an additional fee for the issuance of a carcass tag. Since 2017, external license vendors must hand-write each carcass tag they issue, but the Department prints a combination license and tag for walk-in customers in its offices.
The Department incurs significant costs for licensing software system planning, maintenance and development; as well as staff time for license sales that are not covered by the application fee for the special drawings.
The Department currently expends approximately $500,000 to cover all administrative costs associated with license sales outside of the special drawings. Vendor fees currently pay for approximately 20% of this cost.
The Department is seeking public comment regarding the following three proposals:
Proposal 1:
- $2 fee for licenses sold either by the Department or a third-party license vendor
- $1 fee for carcass tags sold either by the Department or a third-party license vendor
Proposal 2:
- $1 fee for licenses sold directly by the Department
- $2 fee for licenses sold by a third-party license vendor
- $1 fee for carcass tags sold by a third-party license vendor
Proposal 3:
- No fee for licenses sold directly by the Department
- $2 fee for licenses sold by a third-party license vendor
- $1 fee for carcass tags sold by a third-party license vendor
More information regarding the proposed license vendor fee increase is available by viewing the Department’s presentation from the June 13 State Game Commission meeting. Slides from the presentation are available here.
Comments on any or all of the above proposed license vendor fee structures, need to be received by July 25, 2025, and can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: License Vendor Fee Proposals, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; or by email.
Department postpones youth encouragement and leftover license sales
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has announced the postponement of its annual youth encouragement and leftover license sales due to changes with the Wells Fargo payment process.
“This delay is unfortunate, and the Department apologizes for the inconvenience, but this delay is necessary to ensure the system operates fairly and efficiently,” director Mike Sloane said. “The Department is working diligently to address the problem.”
The Department will notify customers when the sales are rescheduled.
Stephen M. Bush Memorial Shooting Range in Clayton to close every third Wednesday beginning July 16
CLAYTON – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will close its Stephen M. Bush Memorial Shooting Range for maintenance at sunrise on the third Wednesday of each month, beginning July 16.
The range will reopen at sunrise the following day. The closure will allow contractors to safely perform maintenance and remove trash and debris from the range. Public access to the range will be completely restricted on days the range is closed.
The Department would like to remind the public to recreate responsibly. This includes packing out all shooting trash, including shell casings and targets and not shooting at glass or other objects not intended to be shot at on the range.
EPLUS PMZ and SPZ Landowner Lists
July 1 @ 8-11 AM
Visit the EPLUS webpage to learn more about the program. Click on the “How do I obtain a Primary or Special Zone authorization or Secondary Zone Ranch Code?” menu item to obtain a copy of the lists.
The Department of Game and Fish is transitioning to an online system for the EPLUS program!
EPLUS landowner elk authorizations for the Primary Management Zone are now available to view in your New Mexico Department of Game and Fish online account. If you haven’t already become familiar with logging in to view your online EPLUS account, see below or refer to this document for step-by-step instructions.
Click here to begin the login process. If you are having trouble signing into your account, you can click the Recover Username and/or Password option next to the Login button. Please call the Information Center at 888-248-6866 or email ispa@dgf.nm.gov if you need additional assistance to access your online account.
Once logged in, click the Ranch Owners option in the menu to view your ranches. If the Ranch Owners option does not appear, then your EPLUS ranch account has not been linked to your customer account; please email the EPLUS program for assistance. You must be the Authorized Ranch Contact on record to complete the linking process.
Electronic copies of your account statements can also be printed from your online account. Paper copies of your account statements will be sent by mail. If you no longer wish to receive EPLUS information via mail, you can check the Paperless option in your online account.
We are excited about the release of the new EPLUS online system and hope you log in to your account to become familiar with the tools available to you.
Department reschedules leftover license sale
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has announced the rescheduling of its annual leftover license sale after technical issues prevented customers from purchasing licenses through the Department’s online license system on Wednesday morning.
The sale will now be open to New Mexico residents beginning Wednesday, July 16 at 10 a.m. MDT. Any remaining licenses will then be made available to nonresidents beginning Thursday, July 17 at 10 a.m. MDT.
“We understand we had a technical failure,” Department director Michael Sloane said. “In order to be fair and equitable to all, we are going to re-run the license sale.”
Details regarding available licenses will be released to the public in the coming days.
The Department has updated this release to note that the leftover license sale has been postponed indefinitely, and a new date for the sale has yet to be determined. The updated release can be viewed here.
Non-resident shed hunter license topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled two public meetings regarding the proposed creation of a non-resident shed hunter license.
Members of the public are invited to attend either public meeting in order to provide comments.
July 17, 2025, Albuquerque, 6 p.m.
Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM
Register in advance to attend virtually
July 24, 2025, Las Cruces, 6 p.m.
Attend in person at 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NM
Register in advance to attend virtually
Details regarding the proposed license, along with information about how to attend and participate virtually, will be available on the Department web page.
Comments on the proposed license can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Non-Resident Shed Hunter License, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email at DGF-ShedHunter@dgf.nm.gov; or in person at the meetings listed above.
Leftover draw licenses go on sale June 25th
SANTA FE – A total of 499 deer licenses left over from the 2025-2026 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT on Wednesday, June 25, through the Department’s Online License System.
This first-come, first-served sale will only be open to New Mexico residents during the first 24 hours. If any licenses remain after the first 24 hours, the sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. June 26.
To buy a leftover license, hunters must possess a 2025-2026 Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing License. Hunters may buy the Game Hunting License, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Licenses, Permits and Stamps link under License Sales 2025.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to purchase the Game Hunting and Fishing License and other stamps for the current license year in advance of the sale opening, if not already purchased. Hunters are further advised to log in prior to 10 a.m. on June 25 for the best chance to get a leftover license, as these licenses are expected to sell quickly.
Hunters must provide a valid mailing address at the time of purchase. Unless the applicant selects the e-tag option, a physical license/tag will be mailed to the hunter for all approved purchases within 14 days.
If you are planning to purchase a leftover license, you must have completed all mandatory 2024-2025 harvest reporting requirements prior to the purchase. If a harvest report is not completed, your purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on rejected purchases.
Governor’s Special Hunt Auction Closes Today
Proceeds to benefit Game Protection Fund and Department mission-related projects and programs 
NEW MEXICO — The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is auctioning eight hunting packages online through June 22 to raise funds for wildlife conservation programs, with proceeds supporting the state’s Game Protection Fund. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has authorized the auction pursuant to 2007 legislation. The Department has partnered with Ducks Unlimited to offer the New Mexico Governor’s Special Hunt Auction online in 2025. Funds from the public auction support the Game Protection Fund and are used solely for Department mission-related projects and programs. 
The auction is live now and closes June 22 at 8 p.m. MDT. This year’s hunting packages include:
Each authorization auctioned must correlate to an existing hunt code. The bidder must follow all rules, regulations and restrictions associated with the hunt code selected. These hunts allow the choice of an additional five consecutive days before or after an existing hunt code’s established dates to extend the length of the hunt. For a list of hunt codes, season dates and weapon choices, as all as all rules and regulations for big game hunts, please visit the Department’s Publications web page and click on the 2025-2026 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet. Ducks Unlimited is the world’s leader in wetland and waterfowl conservation, and has conserved more than 5,000 acres of habitat across the state of New Mexico. These conservation projects continue to benefit multiple species of waterfowl and other wildlife. To learn more about Ducks Unlimited, please visit www.ducks.org. Register to bid on any of these hunts and other great items offered by DU by visiting the 2025 Hunt Auction page.
Department reminds hunters of reductions in 2025-2026 private-land pronghorn licenses
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is reminding hunters that available private-land pronghorn licenses in northeastern New Mexico will be limited for the 2025-2026 license year.
Four years of aerial surveys have shown a decrease in fawn and adult female pronghorn survival rates in northeastern New Mexico. As a result, the Department has capped the number of private-land pronghorn licenses to be sold in Game Management Units 41, 42, 47, 56, 57, 58 and 59. To see the number of licenses per hunt code, please visit the private-land pronghorn hunting section in the 2025-2026 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet.
Private-land pronghorn licenses for all hunt codes will be available online, at license vendors and by phone at 888-248-6866.
However, because of potential time constraints involved in purchasing licenses for northeastern hunt codes in person or by phone, the Department strongly encourages all potential private-land pronghorn license buyers in these units to purchase their private-land license online through their Department of Game and Fish customer account.
Hunters in affected units are advised to complete their online purchase as soon as possible when the licenses become available at 8 a.m. on July 1.
Hunters are also advised to pre-purchase their game hunting license and stamps prior to July 1, if needed.
The limited licenses are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and are expected to sell quickly. Once a hunter has selected a limited private-land hunt code in their online account, he or she will have five minutes to successfully complete their credit card transaction before the license is removed from their shopping cart and is again available for purchase.
Once all available licenses are purchased, the hunt code will no longer appear in the dropdown menu.
Hunters are also reminded that they will need written permission from the landowner prior to hunting.
Hunters and outfitters can contact the De
Free Fishing Weekend is June 7-8
SANTA FE – Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, as the state observes National Boating and Fishing Week.
Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state on both days, but everyone must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s website.
“Free Fishing Weekend is a great opportunity for families to come together and take part in an activity that they can enjoy for a lifetime,” Department director Mike Sloane said.
The Department is excited to take part in several events across the state as part of Free Fishing Weekend, with staff and Department volunteers helping to introduce New Mexico youth to fishing.
The Fifth Annual Outdoor Adventure Day, co-hosted by the Department and Corrales Parks and Recreation, will take place Saturday from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Liam Knight Pond in Corrales. The event will feature prizes for anglers age 17 and under for the largest fish, smallest fish and catching a tagged fish.
There will also be an archery range and a pellet gun range. Registration begins at 7 a.m.
The Department will also be taking part in the Fish with a Cop event Saturday at Young Park in Las Cruces, hosted by the Las Cruces Police Department. Department staff will be on hand to teach casting skills, as well as to loan out fishing gear, bait hooks and help untangle lines.
There will also be prizes and giveaways, as well as food and music. The event runs from 8 a.m.-noon.
Department volunteers will also take part in the Route 66 Children’s Fishing Derby from 7 a.m.-noon at Monastery Lake in Pecos. The event is sponsored by the Village of Pecos, the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division and the New Mexico Tourism Department.
There will be prizes for kids and plenty of family-friendly activities, with local vendors and food trucks also on hand.
For information on additional places to fish and what to use, consult the Department’s Weekly Fishing and Stocking Report and the Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner. Maps of public fishing waters, lists of where to find family-friendly fishing and tips on how to fish also can be found on the Department’s website.
The Department would like to remind all boaters to Clean, Drain and Dry their boats to avoid introducing Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) such as quagga mussels and zebra mussels into New Mexico’s waters. Check out the latest episode of the New Mexico Wildlife Podcast or the Department’s website for more information about AIS and boater safety.
The Department also reminds anglers and outdoor recreationists to “know before you go” and to contact land-management agencies regarding additional regulations or restrictions on specific properties of interest before heading afield.
Helpful links for planning your trip include:
Game Commission to meet June 13
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, June 13, 2025, at the Red River Conference and Visitor Center, 101 W. River St., Red River, NM 87558. The full agenda, and other information, is available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Governor’s Special Hunt Auction Online for 2025
Proceeds to benefit Game Protection Fund and Department mission-related projects and programs
NEW MEXICO — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has authorized the auctioning of eight packages containing nine big-game hunts to benefit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The Department has partnered with Ducks Unlimited (DU) to offer the New Mexico Governor’s Special Hunt Auction online in 2025. Funds from the public auction support the Game Protection Fund and are used solely for Department mission-related projects and programs.
The eight packages offered this year are up for auction now and will close on June 22 at 8 p.m. MDT. The hunts this year include:
- Exotics Hunt Package that includes:
- an either-sex oryx license and
- an either-sex Barbary sheep license;
- Coues deer license in Game Management Units (GMUs) 23, 24, 26 or 27;
- Elk license in GMUs 34 or 36;
- Elk license in GMUs 16 A-E;
- Elk license in GMU 55A (Valle Vidal);
- Mule deer license in GMU 2;
- Mule deer license in GMU 4 or 5;
- Pronghorn antelope license in any open GMU.
Each authorization auctioned must correlate to an existing hunt code. The bidder must follow all rules, regulations and restrictions associated with the hunt code selected. These hunts allow the choice of an additional five consecutive days before or after an existing hunt code’s established dates to extend the length of the hunt. For a list of hunt codes, season dates and weapon choices, as all as all rules and regulations for big game hunts, please visit the Department’s Publications web page and click on the 2025-2026 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet.
DU is the world’s leader in wetland and waterfowl conservation, and has conserved more than 5,000 acres of habitat across the state of New Mexico. These conservation projects continue to benefit multiple species of waterfowl and other wildlife. To learn more about Ducks Unlimited, please visit www.ducks.org.
Register to bid on any of these hunts and other great items offered by DU by visiting the 2025 Hunt Auction page.
Department officers help rescue injured canoers from Canadian River
SPRINGER, N.M. — Two conservation officers from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish recently helped three canoers from Louisiana to safety after their boats overturned on the Canadian River in Colfax County.
Sgt. Marcelino Peralta and Officer Tanner King were among the first on the scene after the boaters used their phone’s SOS function to call for help on May 16. Their canoes had capsized in some rapids approximately five miles downstream from Taylor Springs, near Springer, during high-water conditions in a remote area of ranch land. Sgt. Peralta hiked down the east side of the canyon in challenging terrain, including an elevation change of 250 feet in just half a mile, to reach the injured canoers first. Peralta then rendered first aid while other responders drove around from the west side to reach the scene.
One of the canoers was found to have suffered significant internal injuries, and was airlifted by a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter and transported to an Albuquerque hospital. He has since been treated for six broken ribs and a punctured lung and is recovering well, according to family members. Another canoer suffered a broken leg and refused transport, so responders assisted him in crawling out of the canyon, while the third canoer was relatively uninjured and was able to walk out of the canyon on his own at least six hours after the boats overturned.
“Sgt. Peralta’s knowledge of the area and ability to get to the scene saved several hours of additional wait time for two very injured men,” said Northeast Area Capt. Ty Jackson. “Great work as always from these guys.”
The Department advises boaters and anglers to be cautious, as high water levels caused by spring runoff may create hazardous conditions.
Sgt. Marcelino Peralta
Officer Tanner King
Fisheries and manner and method rules topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled two public meetings regarding proposed revisions to the Fisheries Rule and relevant sections of the Manner and Method of Taking Rule. Members of the public are invited to attend either public meeting in order to provide comments.
June 9, 2025, 6 p.m. – Virtual
June 13, 2025, 6 p.m. — Virtual
The proposed changes to the rule are available on the Department web page.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Fisheries Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email at DGF-FisheriesRule@state.nm.us; or in person at the meetings listed above.
Upland game bird rule topic of public meeting
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled two public meetings regarding proposed revisions to the Upland Game Bird Rule. Members of the public are invited to attend either public meeting in order to provide comments.
May 21, 2025, Albuquerque, 6 p.m.
Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM
Register in advance to attend virtually
May 28, 2025, Las Cruces, 6 p.m.
Attend in person at 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NM
Register in advance to attend virtually
The proposed changes to the rule, along with information about how to attend and participate virtually, will be available on the Department web page.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Upland Game Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email at DGF-Gamebird@dgf.nm.gov; or in person at the meetings listed above.
State Wildlife Action Plan open for public comment through June 9
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) is releasing the draft 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico (SWAP) for public comment. The comprehensive, federally mandated 10-year review and revision of the SWAP began in May, 2023, and presentations were made at the State Game Commission meetings on Aug. 25, 2023, and Aug. 9, 2024.
The SWAP identifies Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), their habitats, threats to SGCN and their habitats and conservation actions that can be taken to mitigate these threats and benefit SGCN and their habitats. The revision process has included the following: 1) a comprehensive review and update of the SGCN list to reflect new information on species status and to add pollinating insects; 2) addition of more recent information regarding threats faced by SGCN, including climate change; 3) addition of updated best management practices regarding conservation actions to benefit SGCN, including an emphasis on climate change; 4) addition of a climate change vulnerability analysis regarding 295 vertebrate SGCN; 5) addition of Riparian Conservation Opportunity Areas, to help prioritize riparian areas for conservation and restoration work across the state; 6) updates to habitat descriptions and Conservation Opportunity Area boundaries and associated maps.
The draft 2025 SWAP is posted on the Department’s Public Comment page and SWAP page.
Comments on the 2025 draft SWAP can be provided by email, dgf-SWAP@dgf.nm.gov, by June 9, 2025.
Upland game bird rule topic of public meeting
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting regarding proposed revisions to the Upland Game Rule. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting in order to provide comments.
May 21, 2025, Albuquerque, 6:00 p.m.
Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM
Register in advance to attend virtually
The proposed changes to the rule, along with information about how to attend and participate in the virtual component of this meeting, will be available on the Department web page.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Upland Game Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email at DGF-Gamebird@dgf.nm.gov; or in person at the meeting listed above.
Game Commission to meet April 25
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, April 25, 2025, at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Southeast Area Office, 1615 W. College Blvd., Roswell, NM 88201. The full agenda, and other information, will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Off-highway vehicle grant applications extended until May 9, 2025
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is accepting applications for its 2025-2026 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grants through Friday, May 9, 2025. These grants are available to not-for-profit organizations and federal, state and local government agencies. Entities can apply for up to $20,000 per project. Recipients may use grant funds for projects that enhance the recreational use of side-by-sides, ATVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles on public lands. Projects promoting OHV safety or mitigating impacts from OHVs also qualify. Law enforcement agencies are eligible for special grant funds of up to $15,000 to conduct OHV patrols, control paved road use of OHVs, and enforce the provisions of the OHV Act (66-3-1001 through 66-3-1021 NMSA).
Previous grants have funded the purchasing of the necessary safety gear to equip children under the age of 18 with DOT-approved helmets and eye protection. Other projects have provided for the maintenance and ongoing upkeep of the Gallup Red Rock Motorsports Complex trail system, improvements to the trail leading up to Greenie Peak near the village of Red River and OHV safety and awareness signage throughout the state of New Mexico.
Members of the New Mexico Motorized Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance, a previous OHV grant recipient, work to clear blowdown on the Elephant Rock Motorcycle Trail near the village of Red River.
New Mexico OHV safety and awareness signage
Last year’s recipients included Region II Emergency Medical Services, Red Rock Motorsports Club in Gallup, Red River Off-Road Coalition, Village of Los Lunas and the Cliffhangers 4WD Club of Farmington. Special law enforcement grants have funded numerous hours of dedicated OHV patrols and OHV safety by agencies around the state in the past.
OHV grants are funded by resident and non-resident user-generated revenues from OHV registrations and permits, collected in the state’s Trail Safety Fund and administered by the Department. No General Fund monies are used for OHV grants.
Grant application forms and information can be downloaded from the Department’s OHV program website. Completed applications must be emailed to the OHV program manager at DGF-OHVMGR@dgf.nm.gov no later than Friday, May 9, 2025, by close of business at 5 p.m. For further information, please contact Desi Ortiz by phone at 505-321-0858 or via email at DGF-OHVMGR@dgf.nm.gov.
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All OHVs operated on public lands in New Mexico must be registered. All OHV riders and passengers under the age of 18 must wear an approved helmet and eye protection, and operators under the age of 18 must carry proof of having completed OHV safety training.
Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
Wildlife law violation checkpoints start for hunting, fishing seasons
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is conducting checkpoints throughout the state this hunting season to collect biological data and to detect wildlife law violations.
As a result, the public may encounter minor delays. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices.
Please report any wildlife crime or suspected crime that you may observe while enjoying New Mexico’s great outdoors. To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll-free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn cash rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations can also be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
Migratory game bird rule topic of public meeting
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting regarding proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird Rule. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting in order to provide comments.
- March 31, 2025, Albuquerque, 6:30 p.m.
- Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM
- Register in advance to attend virtually
The proposed changes to the rule, along with information about how to attend and participate in the virtual component of this meeting, will be available on the NMDGF web page.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Migratory Game Bird Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email at DGF-Waterfowl@dgf.nm.gov; or in person at the meeting listed above.
Public meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to meet March 5
SEVILLETA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Habitat Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). This meeting will be a working session in which the CAC will be briefed on the status of previously prioritized projects and provide initial feedback on some of the projects that are being collaboratively developed for future consideration. A CAC subcommittee will discuss project-development guidance for the Department and partner agencies. Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend this hybrid public meeting.
- Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, 1 pm.
- Attend in person at 40 Refuge Road, San Acacia, NM 87831
- Register in advance to attend virtually
- Contact PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov for in-person attendance directions
A meeting agenda along with information about how to attend virtually will be available on the Department webpage, https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/public-land-user-stamp/.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Public Land User Stamp, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; or by email, PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov, or in person at the meeting listed above.
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Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
2025 New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Show Opens Feb. 14
2025 New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Show Opens Feb. 14
Feb. 14-16, 2025 • Manuel Lujan Building • Expo NM
Love to get out? The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is pleased to invite you to the 2025 Outdoor Adventures Show, sponsored by Ram Motors RV & Truck Center, Waypoint Vehicle Upfitters, Ducks Unlimited, The Archery Shoppe and the City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department!
The show takes place Friday, Feb. 14 through Sunday, Feb. 16, in the Manuel Lujan Building at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. Admission to the show will be $5 for adults or free to youth age 17 and younger, as well as anyone who holds a valid New Mexico hunting and fishing license.
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The popular calling contests are back, with the addition of a new duck-calling contest. The contests begin at noon Saturday with the turkey-calling contest, sponsored by the New Mexico Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, with an open division in addition to friction, ladies and youth divisions. The duck-calling contest, brought to you by Ducks Unlimited, is at 2 p.m. Saturday with open, freestyle, ladies and youth divisions. Finally, the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation sponsors Sunday’s elk-calling contest at 1 p.m., with open, ladies, youth (age 10-17) and peewee (age 9 and under) divisions. Winners in each class will receive custom-made trophy buckles made by Thoreau-based Maynard Buckles.
For more information on the calling contests or to register, contact Larry Garcia (505-500-2262), Robin Quintana (505-490-2649) or Deanza Gallegos (505-531-7272).
The show will be open from noon-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
In addition to an exciting assortment of vendors with products appealing to all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts, there are plenty of interactive activities throughout the show for all ages. Kids can take part in activities such as the popular Wildlife Crime Scene Investigation, which tests their investigative skills as they try to track down a poacher on the loose. There’s also the new “seed ball” activity, where kids can use their “green thumb” in their own backyard to help attract pollinators. Other activities include the opportunity to learn more about aquatic insects and knot-tying, as well as meeting the Department’s Conservation Officers.
An archery range, sponsored by The Archery Shoppe, and a pellet-shooting range, sponsored by Bernalillo 4-H, from novice to experienced, these activities will allow you to grow your skills.
The stage will also be home to various demonstrations and presentations about wildlife – click here for a full schedule of events!
Saturday will also see dogs from Sandoval County Animal Services make an appearance from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. — along with a “kissing booth” where you can make a pup your Valentine! The Department will also have a truck from Seven Springs Hatchery with the opportunity to see Rio Grande cutthroat trout – New Mexico’s state fish.
Just across the street in the Creative Arts Building, the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) will hold its 2025 State 3-D Championship, sponsored by Hit or Miss Archery Center, Friday through Sunday.
The tournament features 500 archers from 34 schools, ranging in age from grades 4-12, competing for custom championship buckles for the top male and female finishers in the elementary, middle school and high school divisions.
In addition, the top teams will qualify for the NASP National 3-D Championship. Click here for more information.
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The archery competition isn’t just for the kids, however. Adults can take part in their own 3-D Archery Tournament, sponsored by The Archery Shoppe, with trophy buckles on the line.
The tournament takes place Saturday from 8-9 a.m. and entry is free with paid admission to the Outdoor Adventures Show. Click here for more information.
We hope to see you there!
ATTENTION 2025-2026 Draw Applicants
The Department of Game and Fish strongly recommends that all draw applicants for 2025-26 hunts verify their contact information and provide a valid e-mail address and phone number in their online licensing system account.
Please contact the Department at 888-248-6866 if you need assistance updating or creating your account.
White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and Fort Bliss:
WSMR and Fort Bliss use the contact information you provide in your account to communicate specific hunt information necessary if you are successful, including payment of the mandatory access fee.
Don’t miss out on a potential once-in-a-lifetime hunting opportunity because we can’t contact you!!!
The Department strongly recommends that you DO NOT wait until the last minute to provide your documents. Due to the influx of draw applications at the end of the application period, the Department cannot guarantee that your documents will be entered into the system if they are submitted after March 14, 2025.
The Department further strongly recommends that hunters who plan to apply for 2025-2026 draw hunts requiring mobility-impaired (MI) certification or proof of military/veteran status submit their documentation ASAP to ensure they qualify for special hunt opportunities.
Mobility Impaired Certification (form online)
This form must be signed by the applicant’s physician and attest that one or more of the mobility-impaired conditions apply.
Military-Only or Resident Veteran
Current proof of service/eligibility must be provided to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish prior to applying for any military-only hunts, resident veteran hunts or Fort Bliss resident status hunts. You will not be able to see or apply for these hunts until you have provided documentation of service to the Department, and verification has been entered into the system.
Please email questions, completed mobility-impaired certification form or military documentation to special.hunts@dgf.nm.gov.
Department conservation officers free Ruidoso elk from lawn furniture
RUIDOSO – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers have freed a cow elk with a metal stool hanging from her neck in Ruidoso. This is the latest incident in an ongoing saga of Ruidoso elk becoming tangled in lawn furniture. Residents are reminded to avoid feeding wildlife and to secure outdoor furniture to help protect local elk.
Department officers responded to reports of the ornamented cow elk as soon as she was spotted. Tranquilizing or otherwise capturing a wild animal can cause significant stress or injury, so it may not always be the best first option for the animal’s safety. The stool on the elk’s neck was hanging loosely and did not appear to disrupt its eating, drinking, breathing or movement. Therefore, officers responded by giving the elk a chance to free herself from the loose-fitting stool before taking more drastic measures.
After giving her sufficient time and space, the elk had not removed herself from the stool and the risk of tranquilizing was justified. She was spotted with the stool Wednesday at a Ruidoso residence. Department officers, with the assistance of local authorities, were able to sedate the animal and quickly remove the stool from her neck. She appeared to be in good health after the ordeal and by Thursday morning was up and walking with her herd — stool-free.
Elk becoming tangled in lawn furniture or other foreign objects has become a recurring issue in Ruidoso. For example, in January 2024, officers captured and removed lawn furniture from three cow elk in the course of one week. Since that time, the number of entanglements has slowed but is still somewhat common in the area. The Department is again encouraging Ruidoso residents to take in loose lawn furniture for the winter with this latest incident. Residents are also asked to refrain from feeding or otherwise encouraging elk to spend time near their homes to reduce the chances that future elk will come in contact with such hazards.
Caption: A Ruidoso cow elk recovers after officers removed a metal stool from her neck. Residents are encouraged to secure lawn furniture and avoid feeding wildlife to help reduce such incidents.
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Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
Game Commission to meet Jan. 10
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at the New Mexico State Library, Piñon Room, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87509. The full agenda, and other information, will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Monastery Lake Closed
SANTA FE – Monastery Lake, near Pecos, has been closed to fishing until further notice due to unsafe ice conditions.
Ice fishing is not allowed at the Benedictine Monastery lake that is leased through the Department’s Open Gate program. A layer of ice has formed on the lake, prompting the closure.
The lake will reopen when there are sufficient open areas of water available to allow fishing from the bank.
Anglers can find good winter trout fishing in the Albuquerque area drains, at Tingley Beach and at other fishing waters throughout the state. Visit our website for more information on trout species, the weekly fishing report, a list of convenient fishing locations and fish stocking reports.
Off-highway vehicle education and trail safety, overtime grant awards announced
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program is pleased to announce the following 2024-2025 grant cycle awards totaling $162,700:
OHV Education and Trail Safety Grants –
- $20,000 to Region II Emergency Medical Services, Inc., to distribute newly developed public-safety media campaigns that will help reduce preventable pediatric traumatic brain injuries among young OHV operators in Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna and Sierra counties.
- $14,000 to the Red Rock Motorsports Club, Inc. of Gallup, New Mexico, to upgrade OHV park facilities and maintenance and erosion-mitigation projects at the City of Gallup's Red Rock Motorsports Park.
- $10,000 to the Village of Los Lunas Open Space Division for purchasing off-highway vehicle safety equipment to equip their staff while conducting OHV safety training and enforcing the Village of Los Lunas's ordinances.
- $10,000 to the Red River Off-road Coalition, Inc., to protect wetlands from Midnight Meadows to Greenie Peak in the Questa Ranger District of the Carson National Forest by closing off illegal user-created trails by installing natural barriers to guide users to designated routes.
- $8,000 to the Cliffhangers Four Wheel Drive Club of Farmington, New Mexico, to assist with opening six previously closed trails at the Bureau of Land Management Farmington Field Office-Glade Run Recreation Area. The project will include installing interpretative OHV trail signage which gives a difficulty level of difficulty rating per trail.
OHV Law Enforcement Overtime Patrols –
- $10,000 to Logan Police Department
- $11,000 to Grant County Sheriff's Office
- $31,000 to United States National Forests in New Mexico (divided between the Carson, Cibola, Gila, Lincoln and Santa Fe National Forests)
- $10,000 to Los Lunas Open Space Rangers
- $10,000 to Sandoval County Sheriff's Department
- $10,000 to Sunland Park Police Department
- $8,700 to Otero County Sheriff's Office
- $10,000 to Deming Police Department
Since 2011, the OHV Program has awarded more than $5 million in grants to land management agencies, non-profits and law enforcement agencies. These funds can be used to improve existing OHV routes, to address local areas of concern utilizing OHV-specific overtime enforcement patrols, for officers to host OHV safety training classes to certify juveniles, and/or to conduct education and outreach events informing the public on OHV safety requirements.
Awardees including the New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have been instrumental in reopening the Elephant Rock Trail in the Carson National Forest's Questa Ranger District, continuing maintenance and rerouting of trails in the Cedro Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest and creating a new OHV trailhead, training site and campground at the BLM Farmington Field Office's Glade Run Recreation Area.
Funds for these grants are user-generated revenues from OHV registrations collected
in the state's Trail Safety Fund and administered by the Department. No General Fund monies are used for OHV grants.
All OHVs operated on public lands in New Mexico must be registered. OHV users cannot ride on paved roads unless a local municipality or county ordinance or resolution authorizes paved road use. All OHV riders and passengers under 18 must wear an approved helmet and eye protection. OHV operators under 18 must carry proof of having completed online or hands-on OHV safety training. OHV laws and rules can be found at https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/ohv/ohv-laws-and-rules.
Las placas de matrícula del monstruo de Gila disponible para su compra
Cada año, el programa Share with Wildlife del Departamento de Caza y Pesca de Nuevo México apoya los esfuerzos para abordar las numerosas necesidades relacionadas con la conservación de nuestras Especies de Mayor Necesidad de Conservación.
El programa financia proyectos innovadores de investigación y mejora del hábitat y educación realizados por universidades y organizaciones sin fines de lucro, y apoya importantes esfuerzos de rehabilitación de la vida silvestre en todo nuestro estado en centros de rehabilitación autorizados.
Share with Wildlife se financia principalmente a través de donaciones públicas, y las personas que contribuyen generosamente al programa son las que hacen posibles todos estos proyectos. Las donaciones públicas al programa se igualan con dólares federales para maximizar la financiación de los proyectos. Durante los últimos 10 años, más de $2.2 millones se han destinado a proyectos de investigación, mejora del hábitat, educación y rehabilitación. Todas las donaciones públicas se destinan a financiar proyectos, no a la administración del programa.
Una forma en que el público puede apoyar a Share with Wildlife es comprando una de las exclusivas placas de matrícula con arte de vida silvestre que ofrece la División de Vehículos Motorizados de Nuevo México (MVD, por sus siglas en inglés). Actualmente hay cuatro diseños atractivos disponibles (codorniz, venado mulo, trucha degollada del Río Grande y correcaminos), y la MVD lanzará un nuevo diseño a finales de este mes a tiempo para Halloween. La placa de matrícula más nueva presenta un magnífico monstruo de Gila de color naranja y negro.
El monstruo de Gila es un animal emblemático de los hábitats desérticos del suroeste de los Estados Unidos. El público rara vez lo ve a pesar de sus colores brillantes y de ser el lagarto nativo más grande de los Estados Unidos, con unas 21 pulgadas de largo, principalmente porque pasa la mayor parte de su vida en madrigueras subterráneas. El monstruo de gila, uno de los dos únicos lagartos venenosos de América del Norte, parece utilizar su veneno principalmente para defenderse. Curiosamente, los seres humanos también utilizan un componente de su veneno; en forma sintética, este componente es un ingrediente clave en un medicamento para la diabetes tipo 2 que salva vidas.
“El Departamento ha desarrollado un plan de recuperación de la especie y ha financiado la investigación sobre el monstruo de Gila en Nuevo México durante muchos años”, dijo Karen Gaines, coordinadora del programa Share with Wildlife del Departamento. “Su carisma hace que sea una elección natural para aparecer en nuestra nueva placa de matrícula de vida ilvestre”.
El monstruo de Gila representado en la placa de matrícula fue ilustrado por W. Howard Brandenburg, un artista de Nuevo México de tercera generación. Además de crear pinturas de estudio, Brandenburg es un ilustrador científico consumado con décadas de experiencia en la representación realista de varias especies de vida silvestre, incluidos muchos de los peces nativos de Nuevo México.
“Estamos agradecidos al Sr. Brandenburg por crear una imagen tan atractiva”, dijo Gaines. “¡Su monstruo de Gila es realmente una obra de arte que parece estar listo para salir caminando de la placa de matrícula!”.
La compra de una placa de matrícula Share with Wildlife ayuda a respaldar una serie de proyectos. En 2024, el programa financió la investigación universitaria sobre tres especies de pinzones rosados, así como la investigación genética sobre el cacho moteado en peligro de extinción a nivel federal, estudios de campo para ranas leopardo del norte y el desarrollo de recursos educativos que se están entregando a los escolares de Albuquerque y a los miembros de la comunidad de todas las edades en Las Cruces, centrándose en las especies con mayor necesidad de conservación.
Share with Wildlife también ha ayudado a financiar el funcionamiento de centros de rehabilitación de vida silvestre en Española y Carlsbad que brindan atención veterinaria de alta calidad a animales salvajes heridos o huérfanos antes de liberarlos nuevamente en hábitats adecuados.
Todos los diseños de placas de matrícula con arte de vida silvestre se pueden comprar directamente en MVD Online. Haga clic en el enlace “Replace my Vehicle Plate” en el cuadro “Vehicles” para ver las opciones de arte de vida silvestre y elegir su favorito.
Visite la página Share with Wildlife del Departamento o comuníquese directamente con Karen Gaines a karenh.gaines@dgf.nm.gov para obtener más información sobre el programa Share with Wildlife.
Gila monster license plates available for purchase
SANTA FE — Each year, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program supports efforts to address the many conservation-related needs of our Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
The program funds innovative research and habitat enhancement and education projects conducted by universities and non-profit organizations and supports important wildlife rehabilitation efforts across our state at licensed rehabilitation centers.
Share with Wildlife is funded primarily through public donations, and the people who generously contribute to the program are the ones who make all of these projects possible. Public donations to the program are matched by federal dollars to maximize project funding. During the past 10 years, more than $2.2 million has gone to research, habitat enhancement, education and rehabilitation projects. All public donations are dedicated to funding projects, not program administration.
One way the public can support Share with Wildlife is by purchasing one of the unique wildlife art license plates offered by the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). There currently are four attractive designs available (quail, mule deer, Rio Grande cutthroat trout and roadrunner), and MVD will release a new design later this month just in time for Halloween. The newest license plate features a magnificent orange-and-black Gila monster lizard.
The Gila monster is an iconic animal of desert habitats in the American southwest. It is rarely seen by the public despite being brightly colored and the largest native lizard in the United States at about 21 inches long, primarily because it spends most of its life in underground burrows. One of only two venomous lizards in North America, Gila monsters appear to use their venom primarily for defense. Interestingly, a component of their venom is also used by humans; in synthetic form, this component is a key ingredient in a life-saving Type-2 diabetes medication.
“The Department has developed a species recovery plan and funded research on the Gila monster in New Mexico for many years,” said Karen Gaines, the Department’s Share with Wildlife program coordinator. “Its charisma makes it a natural choice to feature on our newest wildlife license plate.”
The Gila monster depicted on the license plate was illustrated by W. Howard Brandenburg, a third-generation New Mexican artist. In addition to creating studio paintings, Brandenburg is an accomplished scientific illustrator with decades of experience in realistically rendering various wildlife species, including many of New Mexico’s native fishes.
“We are grateful to Mr. Brandenburg for creating such an attractive image,” Gaines said. “His Gila monster really is a work of art that looks ready to walk right out of the license plate!”
The purchase of a Share with Wildlife license plate helps support a number of projects. In 2024, the program funded university research on three species of rosy finches, as well as genetics research on the federally endangered peppered chub, field surveys for northern leopard frogs and the development of educational resources that are being delivered to Albuquerque schoolchildren and community members of all ages in Las Cruces, focusing on Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
Share with Wildlife has also helped fund the operation of wildlife rehabilitation centers in Española and Carlsbad that provide high-quality veterinary care to injured or orphaned wild animals before releasing them back into suitable habitats.
All of the wildlife art license plate designs can be purchased directly from MVD Online. Click on the “Replace my Vehicle Plate” link in the “Vehicles” box to see the wildlife art design options and choose your favorite.
Please visit the Department’s Share with Wildlife webpage or contact Karen Gaines directly at karenh.gaines@dgf.nm.gov for more information on the Share with Wildlife program.
Game Commission to meet Oct 10.
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a special meeting Thursday, Oct. 10, to conduct a closed executive session. The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. and will take place virtually. The full agenda, and other information, is available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in viewing the meeting, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Ryan Darr at 505-239-2770. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Wildlife law violation checkpoints start for hunting, fishing seasons
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is conducting checkpoints throughout the state this hunting season to collect biological data and to detect wildlife law violations.
As a result, the public may encounter minor delays. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices.
Please report any wildlife crime or suspected crime that you may observe while enjoying New Mexico’s great outdoors. To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll-free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn cash rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations can also be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
Public asked to keep distance from northern New Mexico moose
TAOS – The Department is monitoring a female moose that recently appeared in northern New Mexico. Residents are reminded that moose can be dangerous and should not be approached for any reason. If a moose charges you or otherwise shows signs of aggression, run as fast as you can and try to put a boulder, car, tree or other large object between you and it. An aggressive moose can show signs such as having its ears laid back, licking its snout or having hairs raised on its neck.
The moose is presently safe and appears healthy. The Department will continue to monitor its movements and will take appropriate actions to ensure public safety. Moose are a protected game animal in the state of New Mexico. New Mexico does not have an open hunting season for moose, and it is unlawful to harvest or harass them in the state.
Public Meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to Meet Aug. 15
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Habitat Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee. The Citizen Advisory Committee will prioritize project opportunities at this meeting. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting. An agenda will be posted on the Habitat Stamp webpage prior to the meeting.
- Thursday August 15, 2024, Santa Fe, 9 a.m.
- Attend in person at 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM, 87507
- Register in advance to attend virtually
A meeting agenda along with information about how to attend virtually will be available on the Department webpage,
Game Commission to meet Aug. 9
TAOS – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Bataan Hall, 121 Civic Plaza Dr., Taos, NM 87571. The full agenda, location details, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will also be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Public Meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to Meet July 15
LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Habitat Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee. Habitat restoration project opportunities that have been jointly developed by the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and the Department will be presented. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting. An agenda will be posted on the Habitat Stamp website prior to the meeting.
- Monday July 15, 2024, Las Cruces, 9 a.m.
- Attend in person at SW Area Office, 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88011
- Register in advance to attend virtually
A meeting agenda along with information about how to attend virtually will be available on the Department webpage, https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/public-land-user-stamp/.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Public Land User Stamp, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; or by email, PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov, or in person at the meeting listed above.
Youth Encouragement Elk License sale begins July 10
SANTA FE – Youth hunters will be eligible to purchase one of 1,960 antlerless Youth Encouragement Elk Licenses through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Online License System starting at 10 a.m. MDT, July 10.
The sale is designed to provide additional youth hunting opportunities and includes 1,570 licenses for any legal sporting arm and 390 licenses for muzzleloader. Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log into their Online License System account.
Eligibility and requirements:
- For the first 14 days, the sale is open only to resident youth who have applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, oryx or ibex and were not successful for any hunt. Please note that the purchase of a leftover draw hunt does not count as a successful application.
- Must have a valid Hunter Education certification.
- Must be 17 years of age or younger on the opening day of hunt.
- Beginning at 10 a.m. MDT, July 24, the sale will open to any youth hunter who is eligible to purchase an elk license.
- Youth hunters must have a current annual Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing License prior to purchasing an elk license. Customers without a Game Hunting License will be directed to purchase one before purchasing a Youth Encouragement Elk License.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility.
Hunters planning to purchase a youth encouragement license must have completed all mandatory 2023-2024 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded for rejected purchases.
Following the successful purchase of a youth encouragement license, the license/tag will be mailed to the hunter, unless the e-tag option is selected.
For more information about the youth encouragement elk sale, hunting in New Mexico or for help logging in, please call the Information Center at 888-248-6866 or email us at ispa@state.nm.us.
Youth encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone. For the list of available hunts please see pages 89-91 of the 2024-2025 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet available online.
CORRECTION: Leftover draw licenses on sale today June 26
SANTA FE – A total of 630 deer licenses left over from the 2024-2025 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT today, June 26, through the Department’s Online License System. This first-come, first-served sale will only be open to New Mexico residents during the first 24 hours. If any licenses remain after the first 24 hours, the sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. June 27.
CORRECTION for youth hunters: Purchasing a leftover license WILL NOT render youth hunters ineligible to purchase a youth encouragement elk license for the first 14 days of the upcoming sale in July.
To buy a leftover license, hunters must possess a 2024-2025 Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Hunters may buy the Game Hunting license, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the Over-The-Counter (OTC) Licenses, Permits and Stamps link under License Sales 2024. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to purchase the Game Hunting and Fishing License and other stamps in advance of the application opening date and time. Applicants are further recommended to log in earlier for the best chance to get a leftover license.
Hunters are advised that they must provide a valid mailing address at the time of purchase. Unless the applicant selects the e-tag option, a physical license/tag will be mailed to the hunter for all approved purchases within 14 days.
If you are planning to purchase a leftover license, you must have completed all mandatory 2023-2024 harvest reporting requirements prior to the purchase. If a harvest report is not completed, your purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on rejected purchases.
Leftover draw licenses on sale June 26
SANTA FE – A total of 630 deer licenses left over from the 2024-2025 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 26, through the Department’s Online License System. This first-come, first-served sale will only be open to New Mexico residents during the first 24 hours. If any licenses remain after the first 24 hours, the sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. June 27.
Important note for youth hunters: Because these are draw licenses, purchasing a license will render youth hunters ineligible to purchase a youth encouragement elk license for the first 14 days of the upcoming sale in July.
To buy a leftover license, hunters must possess a 2024-2025 Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Hunters may buy the Game Hunting license, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the Over-The-Counter (OTC) Licenses, Permits and Stamps link under License Sales 2024. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to purchase the Game Hunting and Fishing License and other stamps in advance of the application opening date and time. Applicants are further recommended to log in earlier for the best chance to get a leftover license.
Hunters are advised that they must provide a valid mailing address at the time of purchase. Unless the applicant selects the e-tag option, a physical license/tag will be mailed to the hunter for all approved purchases within 14 days.
If you are planning to purchase a leftover license, you must have completed all mandatory 2023-2024 harvest reporting requirements prior to the purchase. If a harvest report is not completed, your purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on rejected purchases.
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State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is holding two public meetings to discuss the 10-year review and revision of the State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico (SWAP). The SWAP revision process was initiated in May 2023 and presented at the State Game Commission meeting on Aug. 25, 2023. The final revision is due to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by Oct. 1, 2025.
The SWAP identifies Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), their habitats, threats, and conservation actions that can be taken to mitigate these threats and benefit SGCN. Part of the revision process is to review and update the SGCN list to reflect the latest scientific information. The draft SGCN list and slides to be presented during the public meetings will be posted on the Department’s website and available for review by June 28, 2024.
The two hybrid public meetings will open with a 30-minute presentation on the SWAP review and revision process and progress made to date. The remainder of the meetings will be open for public comment from both in-person and virtual audiences.
To gather public comments, two hybrid public meetings have been scheduled for the following dates and locations:
- July 29, 2024: Albuquerque, 6-7:30 p.m.
7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- July 30, 2024: Las Cruces, 6-7:30 p.m.
2715 E. Northrise Dr., Las Cruces, New Mexico
Comments on the SWAP revision process can be provided by email, dgf-SWAP@dgf.nm.gov, or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
These topics will also be discussed at State Game Commission meetings on Aug. 9, 2024, and in spring and summer 2025.
The draft SGCN list and slides to be presented during the public meetings
To attend either meeting via Zoom, please register at one of the below links:
For the Albuquerque meeting:
For the Las Cruces meeting:
Special military and veteran oryx and pronghorn hunts opening June 12
SANTA FE – Three special military and veteran drawing opportunities for oryx and pronghorn will open Wednesday, June 12.
Oryx hunts for injured military service members on White Sands Missile Range:
Injured military service members can apply online starting June 12 for one of up to 10 special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range.
Applicants must be veterans of the U.S. military with a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran’s Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Significantly injured, active-duty military members who do not have a VA disability rating also may apply.
Pronghorn hunts for resident Purple Heart recipients on Melrose Air Force Base:
Resident Purple Heart recipients are eligible to apply for one of up to five special pronghorn authorizations on Melrose Air Force Base.
Pronghorn hunts for New Mexico active-duty military on Melrose Air Force Base:
Active-duty military personnel permanently stationed in New Mexico are eligible to apply for one of up to six additional special pronghorn authorizations on Melrose Air Force Base.
Log in to your New Mexico Game and Fish online account, then click the appropriate link in the main menu to apply. All applicants, except resident Disabled Veteran card holders for oryx, must submit supporting documentation to the Department prior to the July 17 application deadline. Proof of eligibility may be sent by email to special.hunts@dgf.nm.gov or by postal mail with a postmark on or before July 17 to: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish |
*CLOSED* Bonito Lake set to reopen May 25
The City of Alamogordo has issued a statement. You can view that here.
RUIDOSO – Bonito Lake will reopen to anglers Saturday, May 25, after more than a decade of being closed. The lake, which is owned by the City of Alamogordo, filled with sediment after the 2012 Little Bear Fire. The City has undertaken extensive efforts to remove the sediment and restore the lake.
Last week, the City and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish signed an agreement through the Department’s Open Gate Access Program to allow angling to resume. This program uses funds from Department license sales to secure access for hunting and fishing. The agreement for Bonito Lake allows fishing only from the lakeshore in open areas, which exclude the shore near the dam and the Bonito Creek inlet. Access is allowed 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Camping, boating, building fires and access for activities other than fishing are not permitted. Swimming is not allowed. Signs posted at the lake’s entrance will provide visitors with full rules and details.
The Department will stock the lake with rainbow trout before Saturday’s opening. Brook trout also occur in the lake. Both species can be harvested by licensed anglers under the statewide five-trout-per-day bag limit. Anglers should check local conditions and road closures before visiting the lake due to wildfire activity in the area.
Governor’s Special Hunt Auction Online for 2024
Proceeds to benefit Game Protection Fund and NMDGF mission-related projects and programs.
New Mexico – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, pursuant to 2007 legislation, has authorized the auctioning of eight big-game hunts to benefit wildlife conservation in New Mexico. The Department has partnered with New Mexico Ducks Unlimited (DU) to offer the New Mexico Governor’s Special Hunt Auction 2024 Online. Funds from the public auction support the Game Protection Fund and are used solely for Department mission-related projects and programs.
The eight opportunities offered this year are up for auction now and will close on June 23 at 6 p.m. The hunts this year include:
- Exotics Hunt Package including an either-sex oryx license and either-sex barbary sheep license.
- Coues deer license in Game Management Units (GMUs) 23, 24, 26 or 27.
- Elk license in GMUs 34 or 36.
- Elk license in GMUs 16 A-E.
- Elk license in GMU 55A Valle Vidal.
- Mule deer license in GMU 2.
- Mule deer license in GMU 4 or 5.
- Pronghorn antelope license in any open GMU.
Distinct from the Enhancement Licenses, each authorization auctioned must correlate to an existing hunt code. The bidder must follow all rules, regulations and restrictions associated with the hunt code selected. These hunts allow the choice of an additional five consecutive days, before or after an existing hunt code’s established dates, to extend the length of the hunt. For a list of hunt codes, season dates and weapon choices, as well as all rules and regulations for big game hunts, please visit: https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/home/publications/ and click on 2024-2025 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet.
DU is the world’s leader in wetland and waterfowl conservation. All items outside of the New Mexico Governor’s Special Hunts support Ducks Unlimited, Inc. DU has conserved more than 5,000 acres of habitat across the state of New Mexico. These conservation projects continue to benefit multiple species of waterfowl and other wildlife. To learn more about Ducks Unlimited, please visit www.ducks.org.
Register to bid on any of these hunts and other great items offered by DU by visiting: Hunt Auction 2024 Online.
Game Commission to meet May 16
HOBBS – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Lea County Event Center, 5101 N. Lovington Hwy., Hobbs, New Mexico 88240. The full agenda, location details, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will also be a live webcast on the Department's website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Meet May 9
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting with the Citizen Advisory Committee. During this meeting, project status will be provided and updates will be presented. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting in order to provide comments. An agenda will be posted on the Habitat Stamp Program website prior to the meeting.
- May 9, 2024, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, 1 p.m.
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- Attend in person at 40 Refuge Road, San Acacia, NM 87831
- Register in advance to attend virtually
A meeting agenda along with information about how to attend and participate in the virtual component of this meeting will be available on the NMDGF webpage, http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/habitat-stamp.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Program Manager, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; or by email, PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov, or in person at the meeting listed above.
Draw Results Released April 17, 2024
| THE WAIT IS OVER!
2024-2025 Big Game Draw results are available now – seven days early! |
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Habitat Stamp, Paper Tags and E-Tags
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Need Assistance?
Hunting and Fishing Opportunities
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Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Applications Extended Until May 3, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 16, 2024:
Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Applications Extended Until May 3, 2024
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SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is accepting applications for its 2024-2025 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grants through May 3, 2024. These grants are available to not-for-profit organizations and federal, state and local government agencies. Entities can apply for up to $20,000 per project. Recipients may use grant funds for projects that enhance recreational use of side-by-sides, ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles on public lands. Projects promoting OHV safety or mitigating impacts from OHV use also qualify. Law enforcement agencies are eligible for special grant funds up to $15,000 to conduct OHV patrols, control paved road use of OHVs and enforce the provisions of the OHV Act (66-3-1001 through 66-3-1021 NMSA). |
Previous grants have funded the purchasing of the necessary equipment to clear and maintain the redeveloped Elephant Rock Trail in the Carson National Forest. Other projects have provided for the purchase and lease of snow-grooming equipment that is utilized to maintain the multi-use trail leading up to Greenie Peak near the Village of Red River, the South Central Mountain Resource Conservation Council and Development Council, Inc. in coordination with the Lincoln Nation Forest, have used their OHV grant award to construct two motorized trailheads that allow for greater access to the Hale Lake Recreation Area of the Lincoln National Forest. Last year’s recipients include Region II Emergency Medical services, New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance, Red Rock Motorsports Club in Gallup, Red River Off-Road Coalition, City of Deming, Village of Los Lunas, the Town of Red River and more. Special law enforcement grants have in the past funded approximately 450 hours of dedicated OHV patrols by agencies around the state. |
OHV Grants are funded by user-generated revenues from OHV registrations, collected in the state’s Trail Safety Fund and administered by the department. No General Fund monies are used for OHV grants. Grant application forms and information can be downloaded from the Department’s OHV program website. Completed applications must be emailed to the OHV program manager at DGF-OHVMGR@dgf.nm.gov no later than Friday, May 3, 2024, by close of business at 5 p.m. For further information, please contact Desi Ortiz by phone at 505-321-0858 or via email at DGF-OHVMGR@dgf.nm.gov. ### |
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All OHVs operated on public lands in New Mexico must be registered. All OHV riders and passengers under the age of 18 must wear an approved helmet and eye protection, and operators under the age of 18 must carry proof of having completed OHV safety training
Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding in FY 2025
As of April 1, 2024, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s (Department’s) Share with Wildlife program will begin accepting proposals for projects with a planned start date on or after January 15, 2025. All project proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Friday, May 31, 2024.
The Department’s Share with Wildlife program was initiated in the early 1980s and welcomes proposals for wildlife-focused projects taking place in New Mexico in four categories: habitat enhancement, biological and ecological research, wildlife rehabilitation, and wildlife education. The program receives an average of about 30 proposals annually and has consistently funded approximately 9 – 11 projects each year. This year, the Department is aiming to fund fewer, larger projects that may extend for 2 years maximum (see details below).
Project topics of particular interest to the Department, details about proposal format, and submission directions are listed in the Call For Project Information (CFPI) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, available at http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/share-with-wildlife/.
Examples of habitat projects that address the CFPI’s topics of interest include habitat enhancements to benefit nectar-feeding bats on the Double E Wildlife Management Area (WMA) or riparian species on the River Ranch WMA. Research projects that focus on issues of interest for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) as specified in the CFPI are also encouraged. SGCN of particular interest for FY 2025 include the Arkansas River shiner, black-tailed prairie dog, boreal toad, pinyon jay, Rio Grande sucker, spotted bat, western river cooter, and western yellow bat. Permitted wildlife rehabilitators and environmental educators who want to design and/or implement curricula focused on SGCN, their habitats, climate change adaptation, and other science-driven topics are also invited to submit project proposals.
NEW for FY 2025: Projects of up to two years in length can be proposed. The budget for habitat or research projects cannot exceed $50,000 per project year (total of $100,000 over the two years); budgets for rehabilitation or education projects cannot exceed $20,000 per project year (total of $40,000 over the two years). Collaboration with tribal entities is encouraged for any project type.
Please note that ALL individuals who plan to submit a habitat or research project proposal MUST contact the Share with Wildlife Coordinator (Coordinator), Karen H. Gaines (karenh.gaines@dgf.nm.gov), as soon as possible but no later than 4:00 p.m. MDT on Friday, May 10, 2024 to discuss their project. Individuals submitting proposals for rehabilitation or education projects are encouraged, but not required, to contact the Coordinator to discuss their proposed project topic by the May 10 deadline. All applicants must follow all instructions provided in the CFPI and use the appropriate Share with Wildlife Proposal Cover Sheet for their project type (habitat, research, rehabilitation, or education) provided on the above website.
All proposals must be submitted electronically, preferably in a single .pdf file (no .zip files accepted), to karenh.gaines@dgf.nm.gov no later than 4:00 p.m. MDT on Friday, May 31, 2024.
The Coordinator is looking forward to seeing the innovative and compelling proposals that will be submitted this year by the many researchers, wildlife rehabilitators, and educators who are deeply invested in learning about, caring for, and sharing their knowledge of the amazing diversity of wildlife in New Mexico. The Share with Wildlife program receives terrific proposals every year from interested parties across New Mexico and from other states, and this year’s proposals are anticipated to be just as exciting.
All questions about the application process should be directed to the Coordinator at karenh.gaines@dgf.nm.gov.
Game Commission to meet April 19
SANTA FE – The State Game Commission will meet as a quorum, in-person on Thursday, April 18, 2024, for a tour of the Glenwood Fish Hatchery, 9 Hatchery Road, Box 67, Glenwood, New Mexico 88039, beginning at 3 p.m. Following the tour, the Commission will hold an executive session closed to the public to discuss litigation and property. A quorum will be present at Wrangler’s Bar and Grill, 2005 US-180, Silver City, New Mexico 88061, beginning at 7 p.m. for dinner.
The State Game Commission has also scheduled a hybrid, public meeting on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Grant County Business and Conference Center, 3031 US-180, Silver City, New Mexico 88061, and virtually via Zoom, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Public education activities will be available concurrent with this meeting, beginning at 10 a.m. The commission also invites the public to share their thoughts on conservation in New Mexico during the meeting’s listening session. The full agenda, location details, attendee information and general information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will also be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Game Commission to meet March 8
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, March 8, 2024, at the NMDGF Northwest Area Office, 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. The full agenda, location details, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will also be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Game Commission Meeting Postponed
SANTA FE – The State Game Commission has postponed the Commission meeting scheduled for Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 in Santa Fe, until Friday, March 8, 2024.
An agenda, location details, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website prior to the rescheduled meeting.
Game Commission to meet January 12 – Postponed
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy Street; Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501. The full agenda, location details, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will also be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Game Commission to meet October 27
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at the Farmington Civic Center, 200 W. Arrington Street; Farmington, New Mexico 87401. The full agenda, location details, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will also be a live webcast on the Department’s website.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Off-Highway Vehicle Law Enforcement Overtime Grant Awards Announced
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Off-Highway Vehicle Program is pleased to announce the following 2023-2024 grant cycle awards for OHV law enforcement overtime patrols:
- Bureau of Land Management (Farmington Field Office) – $8,000.
- United States National Forests in New Mexico (Carson, Cibola, Gila, Lincoln, and Santa Fe National Forests) – $10,000.
- Los Lunas Open Space Rangers – $10,000.
- Luna County Sheriff’s Office – $8,000.
- Otero County Sheriff’s Office – $15,000.
- Pueblo of Santa Ana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Enforcement Division – $10,000.
- Sandoval County Sheriff’s Department – $15,000.
- Deming Police Department- $15,000.
Since 2011, the OHV Program has awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to non-profits, land management, and law-enforcement agencies. Local areas of concern have been addressed utilizing OHV-specific overtime enforcement patrols, for officers to host OHV safety training classes to certify juveniles, and conduct outreach events informing the public on OHV safety requirements. To date, thousands of hours have been dedicated by law enforcement on public lands to keep New Mexicans of all ages safe.
Funds for these grants are user-generated revenues from OHV registrations, collected in the state’s Trail Safety Fund and administered by the Department. No General Fund or Department of Game and Fish monies are used for OHV grants.
All OHVs operated on public lands in New Mexico must be registered. OHV users cannot ride on paved roads unless a local ordinance authorizes paved road use. All OHV riders and passengers under the age of 18 must wear an approved helmet and eye protection, and operators under the age of 18 must carry proof of having completed OHV safety training. OHV laws and rules can be found here.
Hunter Education Rule topic of public meeting
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Hunter Education Rule (19.31.11 NMAC), discussed at the State Game Commission meeting on Aug. 25, 2023.
A hybrid meeting will be held on Sept. 28, 2023 at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Northwest Area Office at 7816 Alamo Road NW, Albuquerque, NM, from 6-7:30 p.m.
To attend via Zoom, please register at:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E7kBKc-QTtC0xflJDVmudQ
Comments will be gathered at the time of meeting and can be submitted by email to DGF-HunterEducation-Rule@state.nm.us.
How are Rare Terrestrial Snails Faring?
Project Highlight: How are Rare Terrestrial Snails Faring?
Mineral Creek mountainsnail. (Eric Wallace)
How many rare snails can still be found in locations where they used to occur? Are there certain sources of disturbance likely to negatively impact these snails? These are some of the questions that Eric Wallace tried to answer during surveys carried out in very rugged, remote parts of southwestern New Mexico in 2020 and 2021. This work was completed in partnership with the Share with Wildlife program at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department).
The geographic ranges of many of the terrestrial snails in New Mexico, especially those listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico, are somewhat restricted with some species only being found in a single, isolated mountain range or even within a single canyon of a mountain range. With such limited geographic ranges, these species may be significantly impacted by natural (or man-influenced) catostrophic disturbances (such as wildfire). Eric initiated his project by gathering hundreds of historic records of terrestrial snail species occurrences from published and unpublished sources. He used these records to inform field surveys at over 60 sites in 2020 and over 80 sites in 2021. He found 9 of the 10 targeted terrestrial snail SGCN; the one species he did not find has not been observed since the early 1900’s.
Mineral Creek mountainsnail habitat. (Eric Wallace)
Silver Creek woodlandsnail. (Eric Wallace)
Eric found that surveying during wetter periods, especially following summer rainstorms, led to greater success in detecting live snails because this is when snails are most surface-active. During the drier times of the year, land snails remain inactive in a state of rest (i.e., estivation). His observations nearly doubled the known (and highly restricted) range of one species, the Mineral Creek mountainsnail, which was first recorded in 1919. He also found that different species faced different threats. For example, the only species potentially threatened by recreational use of its habitat was the Doña Ana talussnail, although this threat may be low. The Mineral Creek mountainsnail may be impacted by livestock grazing within its riparian-adjacent habitat. Catastrophic wildfire was identified as a threat to several SGCN with particular impacts noted to the Silver Creek woodlandsnail and Cooke’s Peak woodlandsnail. Fire can reduce canopy cover and ground cover, thus drying out local habitats by greater sun exposure, including those areas important for terrestrial snails. Fires can also kill snails directly while burning and afterwards during post-fire debris flows and erosion. Cooke’s Peak woodlandsnail, Doña Ana talussnail, and Mineral Creek mountainsnail are currently under review for potential federal listing under the Endangered Species Act.
Doña Ana talussnail rock-slide habitat. (Eric Wallace)
Live Metcalf Holospira snails. (Eric Wallace)
Moose Captured in Downtown Santa Fe
SANTA FE – A bull moose was captured this morning by Department staff and City of Santa Fe Animal Services Officers near the intersection of Grant Avenue and Rosario Boulevard. The moose has been successfully relocated to suitable habitat in northern New Mexico.
According to Colonel Tim Cimbal, the Department received a call from Animal Services at approximately 8:10 this morning reporting a moose near Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe. Officers soon tracked the animal to the intersection of Grant Avenue and Rosario Boulevard and set up a perimeter to protect the safety of residents and pedestrians in this popular walking area.
The moose had progressively moved closer to urban areas, exposing it to hazards like moving vehicles and fence entanglement. It also showed little fear of humans or pets, creating concern for resident safety. Moose regularly exhibit aggression towards humans and pets, especially bulls during the rut or breeding season which begins in late September. After assessing the situation, the Department made the decision to capture and relocate the moose to protect both public safety and that of the animal itself.
Department staff and Animal Control officers sedated the moose using a tranquilizer dart and loaded it onto a trailer for transport by 11:00 a.m. Upon capture, the moose was evaluated by the Department’s veterinarian and determined to be in good health. Department biologists estimate that the moose weighed over 900 pounds and was 4-5 years old. Mature bull moose in this region grow to approximately 1,200 pounds. According to Stewart Liley, chief of the Department’s Wildlife Management Division, the moose has been transported to suitable habitat in northern New Mexico. It was released in an area where moose do not currently occur, but closer to adjacent populations in southern Colorado where this moose will hopefully find a happy ending to its long journey. The Department reminds hunters that moose are a protected game animal in the state of New Mexico. New Mexico does not have an open hunting season for moose, and it is unlawful to harvest them in the state.
“I commend all Department personnel and City of Santa Fe Animal Safety officers for their efforts to expeditiously capture and relocate the moose in downtown Santa Fe this morning,” stated Mike Sloane, director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “We are happy to see a positive outcome for this moose, who can now thrive in quality habitat where it does not pose a threat to public safety.”
There have been almost a dozen confirmed sightings of different moose in New Mexico over the past 10 years. Moose require a cool climate and wetland habitat next to rivers and streams. This type of habitat is more abundant in Colorado where it supports a robust moose population. Most sightings in New Mexico are younger males emigrating from Colorado in search of new habitat and breeding opportunities. Females have been observed in New Mexico as well, but there are presently no known breeding populations of moose in the state.
Department wildlife biologists suspect that the moose captured in Santa Fe this morning started its journey south from Colorado, perhaps a few years ago. It is also suspected that this is the same moose spotted in the southern Sangre de Cristo mountains in autumn 2022 and observed on multiple occasions near Ski Santa Fe throughout the winter. After some time without making an appearance, the moose was spotted in the Tesuque area last week before showing up in downtown Santa Fe this morning. This was one of the southernmost sightings of a moose in New Mexico.
Game Commission to meet August 25
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in the City of Raton Commission Chambers, 224 Savage Ave.; Raton, New Mexico 87740. The full agenda, location details, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Apply now for sandhill crane and pheasant draw permits
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is now accepting applications for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits.
Applications can be made through your online account. The application deadline for special Sandhill crane and pheasant permits is 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 16.
Successful applicants must have a Game Hunting License and applicable stamp(s) in addition to their draw permit.
Successful sandhill crane applicants also must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
The 2023-2024 Upland Game Rules and Information Booklet is currently available on the Department’s website in both English and Spanish. The 2023-2024 Migratory Bird Rules and Information Booklet will be available on the website following Friday’s State Game Commission meeting.
Public Meetings: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Meet July 25 and 27
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled public meetings with the Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee. During these meetings, upcoming project opportunities will be presented and prioritized for implementation. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting in order to provide comments. The public is encouraged to visit the habitat stamp website and review the current year project opportunities prior to the meeting: https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/habitat-stamp/.
- July 25, 2023, Albuquerque, 2 p.m. – Presentations
- Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Register in Advance to attend virtually
- July 27, 2023, Albuquerque, 5:30 p.m. – Prioritization
- Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Register in Advance to attend virtually
Information about how to attend and participate in the virtual component of this meeting is available on the NMDGF webpage, https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/habitat-stamp/.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Program Manager, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email at Daniel.Lusk@dgf.nm.gov; or in person at the meeting listed above.
Game Commission to meet July 21
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, July 21, 2023, in the Hunter Education Classroom at the NMDGF Northwest Area Office; 7816 Alamo Rd. NW; Albuquerque, New Mexico 87120. The full agenda, location details, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Bear and Cougar Rule topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Bear and Cougar Rule (19.31.11 NMAC), which opened at the State Game Commission meeting on April 28, 2023.
For bear, the Department is seeking input on harvest limits, zone boundaries and season start dates. Additionally, the Department is proposing increasing the number of draw permits for some fall hunts and allowing deer or elk hunters who draw wildlife management area hunts to harvest a bear or cougar during their hunt if the zone is open and they possess a bear and/or cougar license.
For cougar, the Department is seeking input on adjusting harvest limits in Cougar Management Zones based on recent research.
The Department is also seeking input on changing zone closure requirements when closing a zone based on the female harvest limit such that zones close when the female harvest limit is reached.
To gather public comments, four in-person public meetings have been scheduled for the following dates and locations:
- July 17, 2023: Raton, 6-7:30 p.m.
- 215 York Canyon Road, Raton, NM
- July 18, 2023: Albuquerque, 6-7:30 p.m.
- 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM
- July 19, 2023: Las Cruces, 6-7:30 p.m.
- 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NM
- July 20, 2023: Roswell, 6-7:30 p.m.
- 1615 West College Boulevard, Roswell, NM
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Bear and Cougar Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email, DGF-Bear-Cougar-Rules@state.nm.us, or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
These topics will also be discussed at several State Game Commission meetings over the summer and fall of 2023. Meeting details and additional information will be available online.
Youth Encouragement Elk License sale begins July 12
SANTA FE – New Mexico resident youth hunters who applied and were unsuccessful in the 2023-2024 big-game draw are eligible to purchase one of nearly 1,900 antlerless elk licenses. The licenses will go on sale through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Online License System starting at 10 a.m. MDT July 12.
The sale is designed to encourage unsuccessful youth draw applicants and includes 1,570 licenses for any legal sporting arm and 390 licenses for muzzleloader, crossbow or bow.
Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log into their Online License System account.
Eligibility and requirements:
- For the first 14 days, the sale is open only to resident youth who have applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, oryx or ibex and were not successful for any hunt. Please note that the purchase of a leftover draw hunt counts as a successful application.
- Must have a valid Hunter Education certification.
- Must be 17 years of age or younger on the opening day of hunt.
- Beginning at 10 a.m. MDT, July 26, the sale will open to nonresident youth who applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, oryx or ibex and were not successful for any hunt.
- Youth hunters must have a current annual Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing License prior to purchasing an elk license. Customers without a Game Hunting License will be directed to purchase one before purchasing a Youth Encouragement Elk License.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility.
Hunters planning to purchase a youth encouragement license must have completed all mandatory 2022-2023 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded for rejected purchases.
Following the successful purchase of a youth encouragement license, the license/tag will be mailed to the hunter, unless the e-tag option is selected.
For more information about the youth encouragement elk sale, hunting in New Mexico or for help logging in, please call the Information Center at 888-248-6866 or email us at ispa@state.nm.us.
Youth encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone. For the list of available hunts please see pages 81 and 82 of the 2023-2024 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet available online.
Leftover draw licenses on sale June 28
SANTA FE – A total of 564 deer licenses not issued during the 2023-2024 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 28, through the Department’s Online License System.
New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses for the first 24 hours of the first-come, first-served sale. If any licenses remain after the first 24 hours, the sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. June 29.
Important note for youth hunters: Because these are draw licenses, purchasing a license will render youth hunters ineligible to purchase a youth encouragement elk license for the first 14 days of the upcoming sale in July.
To buy a leftover license, hunters must possess a 2023-2024 Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Hunters may buy the Game Hunting license, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the Over-The-Counter (OTC) Licenses, Permits and Stamps link under License Sales 2023. After the Game Hunting license has been purchased, hunters are strongly encouraged to be logged in before the sale begins. Licenses often sell out in minutes, sometimes seconds, after sales begin.
Hunters are advised that they must provide a valid mailing address at the time of purchase. A license/tag will be mailed to the hunter for all approved purchases within 14 days of the purchase, unless the e-tag option is selected.
If you are planning to purchase a leftover license, you must have completed all mandatory 2022-2023 harvest reporting requirements prior to the purchase. If a harvest report is not completed, your purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on rejected purchases.
Wildlife law violation checkpoints start for hunting, fishing seasons
The Department of Game and Fish will conduct checkpoints throughout the state this summer to collect biological data and to detect wildlife law violations. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices.
As a reminder, the 2023-2024 hunting and fishing season began April 1. All hunters and anglers are required to purchase a new license before hunting and fishing. Guides and outfitters are also reminded that new registration is required.
Please report any wildlife crime or suspected crime that you may observe while enjoying New Mexico’s great outdoors. To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn cash rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
Special military and veteran oryx and pronghorn hunts opening June 14
SANTA FE – Three special military and veteran drawing opportunities for oryx and pronghorn will open today, June 14.
Oryx hunts for injured military service members on White Sands Missile Range:
Injured military service members can apply online starting June 14 for one of up to 10 special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range.
Applicants must be veterans of the U.S. military with a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran’s Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Significantly injured, active-duty military members who do not have a VA disability rating also may apply.
Pronghorn hunts for resident Purple Heart recipients on Melrose Air Force Base:
Resident Purple Heart recipients are eligible to apply for one of up to five special pronghorn authorizations on Melrose Air Force Base.
Pronghorn hunts for New Mexico active-duty military on Melrose Air Force Base:
Active-duty military personnel permanently stationed in New Mexico are eligible to apply for one of up to six additional special pronghorn authorizations on Melrose Air Force Base.
Log in to your New Mexico Game and Fish online account, then click the appropriate link in the main menu to apply.
All applicants, except resident Disabled Veteran card holders for oryx, must submit supporting documentation to the Department prior to the July 19 application deadline.
Proof of eligibility may be sent by email to special.hunts@dgf.nm.gov or by postal mail with a postmark on or before July 19 to:
New Mexico Department of Game and FishAttn: Special Hunts1 Wildlife Way
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Governor’s Special Hunt Auction Online for 2023
New Mexico – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, pursuant to 2007 legislation, has authorized the auctioning of eight big-game hunts to benefit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF). NMDGF has partnered with New Mexico Ducks Unlimited (DU) to offer the New Mexico Governor’s Special Hunt Auction 2023 Online. Funds from the public auction support the Game Protection Fund and are used solely for NMDGF mission-related projects and programs.
The eight packages offered this year are up for auction now and will close on June 30 at 8 p.m. The hunts this year include:
- Exotics Hunt Package including an either-sex oryx license and either-sex barbary sheep license.
- Coues deer license in Game Management Units (GMUs) 23, 24, 26, or 27.
- Elk license in GMUs 34 or 36.
- Elk license in GMUs 16 A-E.
- Elk license in GMU 55A Valle Vidal.
- Mule deer license in GMU 2.
- Mule deer license in GMU 4 or 5.
- Pronghorn antelope license in any open GMU.
Distinct from the Enhancement Licenses, each authorization auctioned must correlate to an existing hunt code. The bidder must follow all rules, regulations and restrictions associated with the hunt code selected. These hunts allow the choice of an additional five consecutive days, before or after an existing hunt code’s established dates, to extend the length of the hunt. For a list of hunt codes, season dates and weapon choices, as well as all rules and regulations for big game hunts, please visit: https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/home/publications/ and click on 2023-2024 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet.
DU is the world’s leader in wetland and waterfowl conservation. DU has conserved more than 5,000 acres of habitat across the state of New Mexico. These conservation projects continue to benefit multiple species of waterfowl and other wildlife. To learn more about Ducks Unlimited, please visit www.ducks.org.
Register to bid on any of these hunts and other great items offered by DU by visiting: Hunt Auction 2023 Online.
Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 3
SANTA FE – Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Saturday, June 3, as the state celebrates National Boating and Fishing Week.
Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state Saturday, June 3, but everyone must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department’s website.
“This is a great time to take your family fishing and teach them a skill that will provide a lifetime of enjoyment,” said Mike Sloane, director for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
For information on additional places to fish and what to use, consult the Department’s weekly fishing and stocking report and the Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner. Maps of public fishing waters, lists of where to find family-friendly fishing and tips on how to fish also can be found on the Department’s website.
The Department reminds anglers and outdoor recreationists to “know before you go” and to contact land management agencies regarding additional regulations or restrictions on specific properties of interest before heading afield.
Helpful links for planning your trip include:
May 19 Commission Meeting Postponed
Thew New Mexico State Game Commission meeting originally scheduled for Friday, May 19, in Santa Fe has been postponed. The Department will issue a revised meeting notice once the meeting is rescheduled. At that time, the revised agenda, location address, attendee information additional information will be available on the department of Game and Fish website.
Rio Rancho Archer Takes Top Honors at the National Archery in the Schools Program 2023 Western Nationals Championship
ALBUQUERQUE – In March, 85 New Mexico youth archers competing at the 2023 New Mexico National Archery in the School Program (NASP) State Championship qualified to participate in the Western Nationals Championship. Almost two thousand youth archers from 25 states competed for individual and team awards at the NASP Western Nationals Championship held at the Mountain America Center in Sandy, Utah, April 28-29, 2023.
 Bell Savary, a fifth grader from Maggie Cordova Elementary School in Rio Rancho, won the elementary bullseye division by earning a score of 275 out of 300. Savary outcompeted 182 elementary females for the first-ever NASP national title won by a youth representing New Mexico. Other New Mexico archers earning top-10 status were:
Overall, youth from 13 New Mexico schools attended the 2023 NASP Western Nationals Championship, including: Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (AIMS) at University of New Mexico, Atrisco Heritage Academy, Axiom Christian School, Cibola High School, Corrales Elementary, Eisenhower Middle School, Estancia Valley Classical Academy, George I Sanchez Community School, Maggie Cordova Elementary, Red Mountain Middle School, Rio Rancho Middle School, SAMS Academy, and Tierra Antigua Elementary. NASP is a national in-school archery program that introduces target archery to 4th -12th grade students. The program is highly standardized to maintain archery’s “best in sports” safety record and is easy to teach and enjoy by students of nearly every ability and background. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is the coordinating agency that provides training for educators as basic archery instructors and offers grant money to help schools purchase NASP archery kits. Public, private and home schools throughout New Mexico interested in starting a NASP archery program can contact Bruce Atencio, archery education coordinator, with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at Bruce.Atencio@dgf.nm.gov. |
Game Commission to meet May 19 (MEETING POSTPONED)
Update: The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting originally scheduled has been postponed. The department will issue a revised meeting notice once the meeting is rescheduled. At the time, the revised agenda, location address, attendee information and additional will be available soon.
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, May 19, 2023, in the Fisheries Management Division Conference Room at NMDGF Headquarters; One Wildlife Way; Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507. The full agenda, location details, attendee information, and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Ryan Darr at 505-476-8027 or ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Bill Evans Lake Project Nears Completion
New Mexico Department of Game and FishPublic contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
GRANT COUNTY – Bill Evans Lake, located approximately eight miles south of Cliff, is now open to the public as work to improve boater access and fishing opportunities nears completion.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has installed a new boat ramp and fishing access points, as well as improved road access on the north side of the lake. The old boat ramp has been modified to provide better access for non-motorized watercraft, and several fishing jetties were also added.
Please note that the new boat ramp will remain closed until the water level comes up enough for boats to launch safely – likely in June – at which time the new boat dock will be installed.
The project cost approximately $800,000, with funding coming from license sales as well as Sportfish Restoration and Boater Access funds.
Game Commission to meet May 19 (MEETING POSTPONED)
Update: The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting originally scheduled has been postponed. The department will issue a revised meeting notice once the meeting is rescheduled. At the time, the revised agenda, location address, attendee information and additional will be available soon.
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, May 19, 2023, in the Fisheries Management Division Conference Room at NMDGF Headquarters; One Wildlife Way; Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507. The full agenda, location details, attendee information, and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Ryan Darr at 505-476-8027 or ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Migratory game bird rule topic of public meeting
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866
Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027
darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 13, 2023
Migratory game bird rule topic of public meeting
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting to discuss proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird Rule (19.31.6 NMAC). Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting to learn about proposed revisions and provide comments:
- April 26, 2023, Albuquerque, 6:30 p.m.
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- Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd, NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Register in advance to attend virtually
The proposed revisions were opened for consideration at the Jan. 27, 2023, State Game Commission meeting. Proposed revisions can be found at: https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/proposals-under-consideration/.
In addition to the meeting above, comments on the proposed revisions can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; Attn: Migratory Game Bird Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email: DGF-Waterfowl@dgf.nm.gov.
The commission is scheduled to hear the final proposal and make their final decisions on rule changes at the July 21, 2023, meeting.
Game Commission to meet April 28
New Mexico Department of Game and FishPublic contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
Game Commission to meet April 28
The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, April 28, 2023, at the NMDGF Southeast Area Office; 1615 West College Blvd.; Roswell, New Mexico 88201. The full agenda, location details, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Ryan Darr at 505-476-8027 or ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
2023-2024 Oryx Hunting Forecast
Also known as gemsbok, South African oryx are a visually striking, large African antelope with distinct markings and long, straight horns grown by both sexes. Males typically have horns that are heavier and have larger bases, while the females typically have longer, thinner horns with smaller bases. Approximately 46 inches at the shoulder and six feet in length, oryx males can weigh 300-500 pounds, while females are 50-100 pounds lighter. The thick, tan-colored hide covering the oryx is marked on the face with symmetrical black-and-white, triangular patches and broad stripes from the horns over the eyes to a white muzzle. Black stripes continue down the neck and around the underbody, forming bands around all four legs. A black stripe, also known as the “racing stripe,” extends along the spine from the short black mane at the neck to the black, tasseled tail.
Frank C. Hibben, an avid big-game hunter and chairman of the New Mexico State Game Commission from 1961-71, helped initiate the introduction of oryx into New Mexico. He had hunted oryx in the 1940s in Africa and noted the similarities between the deserts of Africa and those in southern New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, along with the U.S. Department of Defense and White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), released 95 captive-bred oryx onto WSMR on the Tularosa Range between 1969-77. The first oryx hunt took place in New Mexico in 1974 with four hunters. The annual harvest has increased to more than 1,500 oryx in recent years.
Environmental conditions are great for the 2023-2024 hunting season following a record monsoon season and oryx are in excellent body condition. Oryx have the ability to breed year-round; therefore, hunters may see an increase in recruitment over the next year or two. Hunting should be very good both on and off range. During the 2022 rule development period, off-range, public draw licenses were increased due to the high success rates and other data indicating an increased oryx population.
Approximately 80-90% of hunters who draw a once-in-a-lifetime hunt on WSMR are successful. Hunts off of WSMR, which are month-long hunts on Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and State Trust lands, as well as on private property (with permission), have a success rate between 50-60%. Private-land only licenses can be purchased over-the-counter and are valid only on private, deeded land. These month-long hunts have success rates between 70-80%.
Other options include broken-horn oryx hunts, which are not once in a lifetime; once-in-a-lifetime hunts for resident veterans; once-in-a-youth hunts, after which successful applicants remain eligible for once-in-a-lifetime hunts as adults; and once-in-a-lifetime hunts for those with mobility impairments.
2023-2024 Barbary Sheep Hunting Forecast
Barbary sheep, also known as aoudad, is one of three exotic big-game species hunted in New Mexico. Originally native to North Africa, Barbary sheep were first introduced to New Mexico in the 1940s by a private ranch in the southeastern part of the state. They were officially released in the 1950s in the Canadian River drainage near the Las Vegas Plateau. Since their release, there has been a rise in the popularity of hunting Barbary sheep in New Mexico, with licenses increasing to more than 1,000 annually.
Barbary sheep are considered generalist herbivores and are highly flexible in their utilization of available food and water resources. They will feed on grasses, shrubs and forbs. During the winter months, grasses are the majority of their diet. In spring and summer, they consume more oak and mountain mahogany. Barbary sheep can withstand long periods of time without water and are able to draw moisture from the food they eat. This likely results in water resources being a relatively low priority when selecting hunting locations.
Today, Barbary sheep are primarily found in southeastern New Mexico, with some remnant populations in the north. In the southeast, Game Management Units (GMUs) 29 and 30 have some of the highest success rates and remain a top choice for Barbary sheep hunting. GMU 30 has large populations that have remained consistent throughout the years. High mountain elevations and drier desert habitats make for ideal Barbary sheep hunting conditions in this GMU. Hunters must be prepared to scale steep, rough, rocky terrain with an abundance of spiny cacti. Glassing will be essential for success, as the Barbary sheep’s outer coat blends in well with sandy rocks and desert mountains.
GMU 34 is another popular option that draws in many hunters. In previous years, hunters enjoyed draw hunts in GMU 34, but in the 2023-2024 license year, all of GMU 34 will be available to over-the-counter license holders. Barbary sheep can be found in transitional habitats from the southwestern tablelands into Madrean lower mountain woodlands. This habitat is characterized by a lot of canyons with great food resources that hold Barbary sheep. Once again, hunters need to be prepared to scale rough terrain and be equipped with gear for glassing. Hunters need to be aware that native bighorn sheep reside in GMU 34, where they cannot be legally hunted, and must be able to recognize the difference between species.
Hunters not looking to head to southeastern New Mexico can try GMUs 42 and 47 in the northeast region. This area has a higher proportion of private land, but, with landowner permission, it can make for a great hunt. Some Barbary sheep are also found on the few checkerboarded parcels of public land but a bit of luck is required to locate them. Hunters who focus on this area should explore options near the Canadian River Canyon or Mills Canyon.
Video Series Premiere – Drawing Your Way to Success!
Video Series Premiere – Drawing Your Way to Success!
Join New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Communications Director Darren Vaughan and Licensing Operations Manager Chad Nelson as they discuss the ins and outs of the 2023-2024 Big Game Draw in the first video of the department’s “Drawing Your Way to Success” series. The video will premiere at 5 p.m. MST Friday, Jan. 20 on YouTube at https://youtu.be/IYFnzBK28oU. The video will be available from this date forward for you to watch at your convenience. We will be premiering additional videos to help you throughout the draw season. The deadline for Draw 1 (bear and turkey) is Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. MST, and the deadline for Draw 2 (Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina, pronghorn, oryx, and private-land only deer licenses in Units 2A, 2B, 2C, 4 and 5A) is March 22 at 5 p.m. MST. Good luck!
Game Commission to meet Jan. 27
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866
Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027
darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
Game Commission to meet Jan. 27
The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a virtual meeting starting at 9 a.m., Friday, Jan. 27. The full agenda, attendee information and additional information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating in the meeting and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. Participants can attend the virtual meeting using a desktop computer, mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, or by telephone. In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website for those who wish to only view or listen to the meeting.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Ryan Darr at 505-476-8027 or ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
2023-2024 Turkey Hunting Forecast
Turkey populations appear to be entering a period of decline in New Mexico after several years of breeding-season drought. Turkey populations are highly influenced by precipitation and such a decline is anticipated given the drought; numbers respond quickly when the rains return. Spring moisture is important to create food sources for chicks, which need forbs (leafy plants) and insects for survival. Statewide drought conditions make it likely that turkey production has been low in each of the regions. Adult turkeys typically have low mortality rates, with fair mast crops and generally mild winters leading to decent overwinter survival. Some local areas still have very strong numbers of birds, but statewide, numbers appear to be down.
Hunter harvest-success rates are never very high in New Mexico. Overall spring hunter harvest success rates from 2019-2021 ranged from 21% to 26%. Turkey license sales have increased during the past five years, resulting in more hunters getting out in the woods. Below is the turkey hunt forecast for the 2023-2024 season by region of the state.
Northeast
The northeast area will be a little more challenging this year, following massive fires in Merriam’s turkey habitat. Fires in Game Management Units (GMUs) 45 and 48 will result in changes to turkey hunting areas and strategy for the next few years. Turkeys will use burned habitats but often prefer burns at a much smaller patch mosaic. It may take several years for some of the burned habitats to be suitable for turkey populations again. Turkey populations appear to be doing well in other portions of the northeast area, but these habitats often have a complicated land-ownership mosaic making the area more difficult for hunters to access. In the past, the northeast portion of the state has had the highest hunter harvest success, ranging from 30-35% between 2019-2021.
Northwest
The northwest portion of the state has the lowest average hunter harvest-success rates in New Mexico. Success rates have ranged from 14-18% between 2019 and 2021. Officers report that turkey populations in the Jemez Mountains appear to be declining over the last few years. This area receives a high level of hunting pressure, being that it is the closest area to Albuquerque. There are turkeys in other northern mountain ranges, though these areas require additional planning as snow levels may remain later into the spring than other portions of turkey habitat.
Southwest
Harvest success rates in the southwest ranged from 20-30% from 2019-2021. The Gila National Forest provides abundant Merriam’s turkey habitat, although much of the habitat is not close to a road and could require some hiking to access turkeys. Newly implemented this year is a very limited draw hunt for Gould’s turkeys in GMUs 26 and 27 starting in 2023. Gould’s turkeys occur only in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, as most of the species’ range occurs in Mexico.
Southeast
The southeast has had strong turkey populations in the past, particularly in the Lincoln National Forest; note that the Guadalupe Ranger District is closed to turkey hunting. Some hunters have reported lower numbers the past few years, likely due to drought conditions negatively impacting production in the area. This area is close to El Paso and Las Cruces, so it receives heavy hunting pressure, especially on weekends. Hunter harvest success from 2019-2021 ranged from 17-30%.
Pronóstico de caza del pavo 2023-2024
Las poblaciones de pavos parecen estar entrando en un período de disminución en Nuevo México después de varios años de sequía en la temporada reproductiva. Las poblaciones de pavos están mus influenciadas por las precipitaciones y se anticipa tal disminución dada la sequía; los números responden rápidamente cuando vuelven las lluvias. La humedad primaveral es importante para crear fuentes de alimento para los pavitos, que necesitan plantas frondosas e insectos para sobrevivir. Las condiciones de sequía en todo el estado hacen probable que la producción de pavo haya sido baja en cada una de las regiones. Los pavos adultos suelen tener bajas tasas de mortalidad, con cosechas de mástil aceptables e inviernos generalmente templados que conducen a una supervivencia decente durante el invierno. Algunas áreas locales todavía tienen un gran número de aves, pero en todo el estado, el número parece haber disminuido.
Las tasas de éxito de la cosecha de los cazadores nunca son muy altas en Nuevo México. Las tasas generales de éxito de la cosecha de cazadores de primavera de 2019-2021 oscilaron entre el 21% y el 26%. Las ventas de licencias de pavo han aumentado durante los últimos cinco años, lo que ha dado lugar a que más cazadores salgan al bosque. A continuación, se muestra el pronóstico de caza de pavos para para la temporada 2023-2024 por región del estado.
Noreste
El área noreste será un poco más desafiante este año, después de los incendios masivos en el hábitat del pavo de Merriam. Los incendios en las Game Management Units (GMU) 45 y 48 resultarán en cambios en las áreas y la estrategia de caza de pavos para los próximos años. Los pavos usarán hábitats quemados, pero a menudo prefieren las quemaduras con un mosaico de parches mucho mas pequeño. Puede tomar varios años para que algunos de los hábitats quemados vuelvan a ser adecuados para las poblaciones de pavos. Las poblaciones de pavos parecen estar bien en otras partes del área noreste, pero estos hábitats a menudo tienen un complicado mosaico de propiedad de la tierra que hace que el área sea más difícil de acceder para los cazadores. En el pasado, la parte noreste del estado ha tenido el mayor éxito de cosecha de cazadores, con un rango de 30 a 35% entre 2019 y 2021.
Noroeste
La parte noroeste del estado tiene las tasas promedio más bajas de éxito de cosecha de cazadores en Nuevo México. Las tasas de éxito oscilaron entre el 14 y el 18% entre 2029 y 2021. Los oficiales reportan que las poblaciones de pavos en las montañas Jemez parecen estar disminuyendo en los últimos años. Esta área recibe un alto nivel de presión de caza, siendo que es el área más cercana a Albuquerque. Hay pavos en otras cadenas montañosas del norte, aunque estas áreas requieren una planificación adicional ya que los niveles de nieve pueden permanecer mas tarde en la primavera que en otras partes del hábitat de los pavos.
Suroeste
Las tasas de éxito de cosecha en el suroeste oscilaron entre 20 y 30% entre 2019 y 2021. El Gila National Forest proporciona abundante hábitat para pavos de Merriam, aunque gran parte del hábitat no está cerca de una carretera y podría requerir algunas caminatas para acceder a los pavos. Este año se implementó una caza de sorteo muy limitada para los pavos de Gould en las GMU 26 y 27 a partir de 2023. Los pavos de Gould se encuentran solo en Arizona y Nuevo México en los Estados Unidos, ya que la mayor parte del rango de la especie se encuentra en México.
Sureste
El sureste ha tenido fuertes poblaciones de pavos en el pasado, especialmente en el Lincoln National Forest; tenga en cuenta que el distrito de guardabosques de Guadalupe está cerrado a la caza de pavos. Algunos cazadores han reportado números más bajos en los últimos años, probablemente debido a que las condiciones de sequía afectaron negativamente la producción en el área. Esta zona está cerca de El Paso y Las Cruces, por lo que recibe una fuerte presión de caza, especialmente los fines de semana. El éxito de la cosecha de los cazadores de 2019-2021 osciló entre el 17 y el 30%.
Casey Cardinal es la bióloga de pavos y caza de tierras altas del Departamento de Caza y Pesca de Nuevo México.
2023-2024 Pronghorn Hunting Forecast
New Mexico offers world-class pronghorn hunting opportunities throughout the state and is considered a premier hunting destination with many trophy bucks harvested throughout the years. In 2021, the latest data available, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish sold 6,857 licenses resulting in 4,655 bucks and 282 does harvested. Average reported hunt success, across all weapons and license types, was 70%. Annual success rates for pronghorn hunts in New Mexico typically range from 70-80%.
Pronghorn population trends are largely driven by survival rates of adult females and fawns. Precipitation and predation impact pronghorn populations greatly. The department monitors pronghorn herds using a combination of aerial fixed-wing surveys and hunter harvest reports to provide meaningful population and harvest management recommendations. Fawn-to-doe ratios are used to monitor population productivity and trajectory, and buck-to-doe ratios help determine hunting opportunities. Poorly timed and confined rainfall throughout most pronghorn distributions have led to population reductions and low fawn recruitment over the last two years.
Recent population estimates for pronghorn indicate that the majority of herds are either stable or slightly decreasing in size, with approximately 64,000 pronghorn across all of New Mexico. Below is the pronghorn hunt forecast for the 2023-2024 season by region of the state.
Northwest
Pronghorn can be found in Game Management Units (GMU) 2, 7, 9 and 10; however, populations in the Northwest Region are small, localized and potentially decreasing, resulting in a challenging hunt. Hunt success in 2021 was less than 50%. Drought and resulting degraded habitat have severely impacted populations in this region.
Southwest
The Southwest Region contains two distinct herds of pronghorn: one from the Gila National Forest and north to Interstate 40, containing units 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17; the other south from the Gila to the Mexico border, containing units 21, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27. The northern herds in this region have steady populations in tall pinon-juniper stands from mesa tops, to the flat, open expanses closer to the interstate. Hunt success is on par with the state average for this subregion, with occasional sightings of above-average bucks. The southern portion of this region has maintained smaller herds with less-dense populations and is far more precipitation driven. Hunt success in the southern units is highly variable but offers large, open areas with little brush reaching over two feet in height. This region has very high trophy potential but will require skill in searching, field judging, and patience.
North-Central
This unique herd of pronghorn is migratory and can offer a challenging opportunity to hunt pronghorn in montane regions at over 10,000 feet of elevation! Recent GPS collar data shows that this herd migrates from their summer range in the southern San Juan Mountains, east of Chama, down to the Taos Plateau just west of the Rio Grande Gorge. While this population is small, it continues to be healthy and stable. There are few trophy bucks harvested in this region, and, although success on hunts in this region are under state averages, the primitive weapons (muzzleloader and archery) used on these hunts keep harvest opportunities sustainable.
Northeast
This region holds approximately 60% of the pronghorn for the state and is stable. As such, hunts in this region of the state have the most licenses available for the draw. While populations are better in units 56, 58 and 59, there is still opportunity to harvest in units 14, 39, 40, 41 and 47. Private-land hunts in this region can offer multiple opportunities at 80+ inch bucks, and this region’s habitats consists of rolling hills with short grass cover that can challenge the quality of your optics and your ability to shoot long distances. Hunts in this region remain extremely successful.
Southeast
While this region holds fewer pronghorn than the northeast, there is still potential for harvest of 80+ inch trophy bucks. Herds are decreasing in units 28, 29, 30, 37 and 38; however, they are increasing in units 31, 32 and 33. Low rainfall and significant landcover changes have made pronghorn hunting difficult in the southern portions of this region. More brush cover and rolling sand hills offer hunters much better opportunities at stalking and close shots in this region than hunts in the Northeast Region, and there is ample opportunity for private-land hunts. Hunt success falls very close to the state average of 75% for the majority of hunts in this region.
Pronóstico de caza del berrendo 2023-2024
Nuevo México ofrece oportunidades de caza de berrendo de clase mundial en todo el estado y se considera un destino de caza de primer nivel con muchos machos de trofeo cosechados a lo largo de los años. En 2021, según los últimos datos disponibles, el Departamento de Caza y Pesca de Nuevo México vendió 6,857 licencias, lo que resultó en la cosecha de 4,655 machos y 282 hembras. El éxito promedio de caza reportado, en todas las armas y tipos de licencia, fue del 70%. Las tasas anuales de éxito de la caza de berrendos en Nuevo México suelen oscilar entre el 70 y 80%.
Las tendencias de la población de berrendos están impulsadas en gran medida por las tasas de supervivencia de hembras adultas y crías. La precipitación y la depredación tienen un gran impacto en las poblaciones de berrendos. El departamento monitorea los rebaños de berrendos utilizado una combinación de censo áreas de ala fija y reportes de cosecha de cazadores para proporcionar recomendaciones significativas de manejo de la población y la cosecha. Las proporciones cría-hembra se utilizan para monitorear la productividad y la trayectoria de la población, y las proporciones macho-hembra ayudan a determinar las oportunidades de caza. Lluvias limitadas y mal sincronizadas a lo largo de la mayoría de las distribuciones de berrendos han llevado a reducciones en la población y un bajo reclutamiento de crías en los últimos dos años. Estimaciones recientes de la población de berrendos indican que la mayoría de los rebaños son estables o están disminuyendo levemente en tamaño, con aproximadamente 64,000 berrendos en todo Nuevo México. A continuación, se muestra el pronóstico de caza de berrendos para la temporada 2023-2024 por región del estado.
Noroeste
El berrendo se puede encontrar en las Game Management Units (GMU) 2, 7, 9 y 10; sin embargo, las poblaciones en la región noroeste son pequeñas, localizadas o potencialmente decrecientes, lo que resulta en una caza desafiante. El éxito de la caza en 2021 fue inferior al 50%. La sequía y la degradación del hábitat resultante han afectado gravemente a las poblaciones de esta región.
Suroeste
La región suroeste contiene dos rebaños distintos de berrendos: un del Gila National Forest y al norte de la Interestatal 40, que contiene las unidades 12, 13, 15, 16 y 17; el otro al sur desde Gila hasta la frontera con México, que contiene las unidades 21, 23, 24, 25, 26 y 27. Los rebaños del norte en esta región tienen poblaciones estables en rodales altos de piñón y enebro desde la parte superior de la mesa hasta las extensiones planas y abiertas más cerca de la interestatal. El éxito de la caza está a la par con el promedio estatal de esta subregión, con avistamientos ocasionales de machos superiores al promedio. La parte sur de esta región ha mantenido rebaños más pequeños con poblaciones menos densas y está mucho más impulsada por las precipitaciones. El éxito de la caza en las unidades del sur es muy variable, pero ofrece áreas grandes y abiertas con poca maleza que alcanza más de dos pies de altura. Esta región tiene un potencial de trofeos muy alto, pero requerirá habilidad en la búsqueda, evaluación de campo y paciencia.
Norte-central
¡Este rebaño único de berrendos es migratorio y puede ofrecer una oportunidad desafiante para cazar berrendos en regiones montañosas a más de 10,000 pies de altura! Los datos recientes del collar GPS muestran que este rebaño migra desde su rango de verano en las montañas San Juan del sur, al este de Chama, hasta la meseta de Taos justo al oeste de Rio Grande Gorge. Si bien esta población es pequeña, continúa siendo saludable y estable. Se capturan pocos machos de trofeo en esta región y, aunque el éxito en las cazas en esta región está por debajo de los promedios estatales, las armas primitivas (armas de avancarga y tiro con arco) utilizadas en estas cazas mantienen las oportunidades de captura sostenibles.
Noreste
Esta región tiene aproximadamente el 60% del berrendo del estado y es estable. Como tal, las cazas en esta región del estado tienen la mayor cantidad de licencias disponibles para el sorteo. Si bien las poblaciones son mejores en las unidades 56, 58 y 59, todavía hay oportunidad de cosechar en las unidades 14, 39, 40, 41 y 47. Las cazas en tierras privadas en esta región pueden ofrecer múltiples oportunidades con machos de más de 80 pulgadas, y los hábitats de esta región consisten en colinas onduladas con una cubierta de hierba corta que puede desafiar la calidad de su óptica y so capacidad para disparar largas distancias. Las cazas en esta región siguen siendo extremadamente exitosas.
Sureste
Si bien esta región tiene menos berrendo que el noreste, todavía hay potencial para la cosecha de machos de trofeo de más de 80 pulgadas. Los rebaños están disminuyendo en las unidades 28, 29, 30, 37 y 38; sin embargo, están aumentando en las unidades 31, 32 y 33. Las bajas precipitaciones y los cambios significativos en la cobertura del suelo han dificultado la caza del berrendo en las partes del sur de esta región. Una mayor cantidad de maleza y colinas de arena onduladas ofrecen a los cazadores muchas mejores oportunidades para acechar y hacer tiros cercanos en esta región que las cazas en la región noreste, y hay muchas oportunidades para cazas en tierras privadas. El éxito de la caza cae muy cerca del promedio estatal del 75% para la mayoría de las cazas en esta región.
Tony Opatz es el biólogo del berrendo del Departamento de Caza y Pesca de Nuevo México.
Pronóstico de caza del uapití 2023-2024
Nuevo México ofrece oportunidades de caza de uapitíes de clase mundial en todo el estado y se considera un destino de caza de primer nivel. Es conocido por sus productivos rebaños de uapitíes en diversos paisajes y por el acceso a la caza a través de etiquetas tanto de sorteo público como de propietarios privados. El Departamento de Caza y Pesca de Nuevo México ofrece muchas oportunidades de caza en propiedades públicas y privadas a través de opciones de caza con rifle, avancarga o tiro con arco. Entre 2017 y 2021, se vendieron un promedio de 37,282 licencias a cazadores, lo que resultó en cosechas promedio de 8,404 machos y 6,428 hembras cada año. El éxito promedio de caza reportado, en todos los tipos de armas y licencias, fue del 41.1% anual.
Las tendencias de la población de uapitíes están impulsadas en gran medida por las tasas de supervivencia de hembras adultas y crías. Los machos adultos son ciertamente importantes para las poblaciones de uapitíes, pero proporcionalmente menos machos no reducen el potencial reproductivo de la población debido principal mente a la capacidad de un solo macho para engendrar muchas crías. El clima, las enfermedades, la depredación y la mortalidad inducida por los humanos afectan a los uapitíes; sin embargo, la disponibilidad de cobertura de forraje y ocultación puede disminuir o intensificar el efector de estos factores individuales. Es imperativo que los biólogos del departamento comprendan la productividad de cada rebaño de uapitíes para brindar recomendaciones de manejo significativas. Por esta razón, el departamento monitorea los rebaños de uapitíes usando una combinación de encuestas aéreas en helicóptero y reportes de cosecha de cazadores.
Estimaciones recientes de la población de uapitíes indican que la gran mayoría de los rebaños son estables o aumentan ligeramente de tamaño, con aproximadamente 104,000 uapitíes en todo Nuevo México. A continuación, se muestra el pronóstico de caza de uapitíes para la temporada 2023-2024 por unidad de rebaño.
Noroeste (unidades de rebaño San Juan, Lindrith, Mt. Taylor y Zuni)
Las poblaciones de uapitíes dentro de las unidades de rebaño del noroeste se han mantenido constantes, con algunas poblaciones aumentado ligeramente. Las tasas generales de éxito de la caza han sido similares a las tasas de éxito en todo el estado. El rebaño de Mt. Taylor es la única excepción, ya que los números acordes con el tamaño de la población más pequeña. Un estudio de varios años ha dado lugar a acciones de gestión que están empezando a dar respuestas positivas de la población.
Se han aumentado las licencias en la Game Management Unit (GMU) 2 para reflejar el aumento de la población en esta región, mientras que se ha producido una ligera reducción el el total de licencias en la GMU 9 para reflejar las métricas de población. Sin embargo, el establecimiento reciente del Marquez/L Bar Wildlife Management Area (WMA) por parte del departamento en GMU 9 aumentará el número de licencias públicas de sorteo y las tierras públicas de caza a medida que el área se abre a la caza para la temporada 2023-2024. Si bien las licencias de propietarios privados comprenden la mayoría de las licencias en las GMU 5 y 9, licencias del sorteo público todavía están disponibles. Las licencias del sorteo público constituyen la mayoría de las licencias dentro de las GMU 2 y 10, y también están disponibles las licencias de propietarios privados.
Norte-Central (Unidad de rebaño Norte-Central)
Esta región es una de las más populares para la caza de uapitíes en el estado, y la Unidad de rebaño de uapitíes del norte-central alberga la mayor población de uapitíes en Nuevo México. Estimaciones recientes de la población indican que el rebaño es estable, con proporciones saludables de macho y crías en todo momento. Algunas licencias públicas se han redistribuido a través de la unidad de rebaño para abordar segmentos concentrados de la población, y la cantidad de licencias disponibles en algunas WMA en la unidad ha aumentado como resultado de la alta productividad del rebaño.
Aunque esta unidad de rebaño se maneja para una oportunidad óptima, a menudo se cosechan machos trofeo (más de 300 pulgadas). La mayoría de las licencias disponibles para los cazadores dentro de esta unidad de rebaño están disponibles a través del sorteo público, con la excepción de GMU 4, donde las únicas licencias de sorteo público disponibles para uapitíes están dentro de las WMA Sargent y Humphries.
Jemez (Unidad de rebaño Jemez)
Las montañas Jemez, incluida la Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP), ofrecen un hábitat prístino para uapitíes que va desde la estepa de artemisa en el rango de invierno de menor elevación hasta la pradera montañosa superior y los bosques mixtos de coníferas en el rango de verano de gran altitud. Las poblaciones dentro de la unidad de rebaño son estables, con proporciones macho-hembra más altas que el promedio.
Las tasas de éxito de los cazadores para esta unidad de rebaño están cerca de los promedios estatales, con la excepción de la GMU 6B (VCNP), donde las tasas de éxito son ligeramente elevadas. Se asignarán 85 licencias adicionales de uapitíes sin astas dentro de la VCNP para 2023-24 como resultado del desempeño de esta población. Las densidades de cazadores son muy bajas dentro de la VCNP; sin embargo, las licencias son muy limitadas y muy solicitadas. La mayoría de las licencias disponibles para esta unidad de rebaño están disponibles a través del sorteo público; sin embargo, las licencias de propietarios privados están disponibles fuera de la GMU 6B.
Suroeste (unidades de rebaño Fence Lake, Datil, Greater Gila, San Mateo y Lesser Gila)
Se sabe que la región suroeste de Nuevo México produce algunos de los uapitíes macho de trofeo más grandes del estado, principalmente dentro de los rebaños de Greater Gila, San Mateo y Datil. La mayoría de las unidades de rebaños dentro de esta región del estado se manejan para cazas de calidad; con un número limitado de licencias emitidas para permitir una mayor supervivencia de machos a clases de trofeos/edades mayores, con la excepción de la unidad de rebaño Lesser Gila. Las probabilidades de sorteo para muchas de las cazas en esta región son muy bajas debido a las altas tasas de solicitud, y los cazadores encontrarán que el acceso es más limitado que en las unidades de cazaa más al norte.
Estas cazas pueden ser más difíciles, especialmente la GMU 16B, que se encuentra exclusivamente dentro de áreas silvestres designadas, pero a menudo pueden ser más gratificantes. Se agregarán propiedades públicas adicionales a la Primary Management Zone (PMZ) en la GMU 17 (+90,605 acres) y la GMU 13 (+78,917 acres) a partir de 2023. Las preocupaciones sobre las tasas de mortalidad de machos llevaron a una leve diminución en las licencias de machos en el rebaño de uapitíes Greater Gila, mientras que la expansión de las poblaciones en el rebaño de Lesser Gila permitió licencias de hembras adicionales a partir de 2023. Las licencias de propietarios privado están disponibles; sin embargo, la mayoría de las licencias en esta región están disponibles a través del sorteo público (con la excepción de la GMU 12).
Sureste (unidades de rebaño Sacramento y Ruidoso)
Las poblaciones de uapitíes continúan prosperando y aumentando dentro de las montañas Sacramento (GMY 34 y 36). A pesar del aumento de la cosecha, las proporciones macho-hembra son más altas dentro de estas dos unidades de rebaño. El departamento ha aumentado la disponibilidad de licencias dentro de las GMU 34 y 36 en forma de cazas adicionales de uapitíes sin astas para aumentar la presión de captura en el segmento femenino de estas poblaciones.
Las tasas de éxito de los cazadores en estas unidades suelen estar por encima del promedio del estado, como resultado de las abundantes poblaciones. La mayoría de las licencias dentro de estas unidades están disponibles a través del sorteo público; sin embargo, también hay disponibles licencias de propietarios privados.
Noreste (unidades de rebaño San Cristóbal, Whites Peak, Peñasco y Pecos)
Las poblaciones de uapitíes dentro de estas unidades de rebaño son estables o aumentan ligeramente. La actividad reciente de incendios forestales (Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon) en esta región puede cambiare el uso de hábitat regional. Sin embargo, el aumento de la disponibilidad y la calidad del forraje debería beneficiar en última instancia a estas poblaciones en los próximos años.
Los cazadores en estas unidades deben esperar un acceso por carretera limitado o nulo, ya que grandes extensiones de algunas GMU se encuentran dentro de áreas silvestres designadas. El terreno suele ser escabroso y remoto, y ofrece condiciones desafiantes pero gratificantes para la caza de uapitíes (especialmente en las GMU 45 y 53). El éxito del cazador varía entre estas unidades de rebaño, con tasas de éxito promedio en las GMU 48 y 49, y un éxito inferior al promedio en las GMU 45 y 53. La mayoría de las licencias de uapitíes dentro de estas unidades de rebaño se ofrecen a través del sorteo público, aunque las licencias de propietarios privados también están disponibles.
Travis Zaffarano es el gerente del programa de uapitíes para el Departamento de Caza y Pesca de Nuevo México.
2023-2024 Deer Hunting Forecast
Deer population growth is driven by adult doe and fawn survival. While adult doe survival is largely consistent across mule deer range, fawn survival varies by region and across years. The timing and amount of precipitation, coupled with habitat conditions, heavily influences fawn survival.
Because of the influence of precipitation on fawn survival, most of New Mexico’s fawns are lost during the dry summer. New Mexico experiences regular periods of drought; because of this, the state’s deer populations are frequently below habitat carrying capacity. At least 2-3 consecutive years of timely summer rainfalls are necessary to increase populations.
Drought may also impact deer distribution on the landscape; in arid regions, deer will travel up to 30 miles to take advantage of the sporadic precipitation events. This redistribution may appear as though populations have declined when in fact they are temporarily using a different part of the landscape to maximize water and forage potential.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conducts winter aerial surveys annually to monitor post-hunt composition ratios. Fawn-to-doe ratios are used to monitor population productivity and trajectory and buck-to-doe ratios help determine hunting opportunities. Mule deer populations in southwestern ecosystems require at least 35 fawns per 100 does over the long term to maintain stable populations. This is much lower than the 60-70 fawns per 100 does required in northern states, because New Mexico does not experience the heavy winter die-off that is experienced in those areas. Below is the deer hunt forecast for the 2023-2024 season by region of the state.
Northwest
This region has some of the highest deer densities in the state. Because of the higher elevation, suitable habitat and northern latitudes of this region, annual precipitation leads to greater herd productivity in most Game Management Units (GMUs). In addition, migratory herds migrate from Colorado to winter in GMUs 2B, 4, 5A and 5B. GMUs 2B, 2C, 4, 5A, 5B, 6 and 8 all have high deer densities and some large bucks are often harvested in these units. The long-term composition ratios are 29 bucks per 100 does and 39 fawns per 100 does.
Northeast
In general, deer densities in the plains and rolling hills habitats in northeastern New Mexico are not as high. However, decent populations can still be found on scattered and patchwork public lands in this region. Hunters will need to search more and be mobile to find bucks on public lands. The mountainous units in this region have good deer numbers; in particular, GMU 45. This unit has a stable deer population with the potential to harvest a large-antlered buck. Although the 2022 wildfire in GMU 45 should be beneficial in about five years, the department is uncertain how the fire will impact deer in the short-term. The long-term composition ratios are 36 bucks per 100 does and 35 fawns per 100 does.
Southeast
Hunters report that hunting in southeastern New Mexico has been difficult during the past few years. Despite this, success rates remain generally high and within the targeted guidelines. The buck-to-doe and fawn-to-doe ratios remain high, which indicates that the populations are stable or growing. The highest deer densities are found in GMUs 29, 30, 31 and 32. Large bucks can be harvested in any GMU, but GMU 33 is likely the best unit in which to find a large-antlered buck in this region. The long-term composition ratios are 35 bucks per 100 does and 35 fawns per 100 does.
Southwest
Drought seems to have impacted mule deer populations in the southwest more than other regions in the state, and recruitment in the southwest has been negatively impacted. However, success rates in most southwestern units remains within the targeted guidelines. Higher mule deer densities can be found in GMUs 17, 20, 21, 25, 26 and 27. GMUs 17, 27, and the Burro Mountains present the best opportunity for harvesting a big buck. The Coues white-tailed deer population continues to be strong and growing. The best opportunities for a Coues buck are in GMUs 23, 24 and 27. Long-term composition ratios are 30 bucks per 100 does and 32 fawns per 100 does.
January 12 Commission Meeting Postponed
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866
Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027
darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JANUARY 11, 2023:
January 12 Commission Meeting Postponed
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, January 12, in Santa Fe has been postponed due to an illness and family emergency. The department will issue a revised meeting notice once the meeting is rescheduled. At that time, the revised agenda, location address, attendee information and additional information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
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**CANCELED** Game Commission to meet Jan. 12
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866
Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027
darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JAN. 6, 2023:
**CANCELED** Game Commission to meet Jan. 12
The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, at State Records and Archives in Santa Fe. The full agenda, location address, attendee information and additional information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, will be available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Ryan Darr at 505-476-8004 or ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Monastery Lake closed to fishing due to unsafe ice conditions
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Darren Vaughan: (505) 476-8027
darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DEC. 28, 2022:
Monastery Lake closed to fishing due to unsafe ice conditions
SANTA FE – Monastery Lake, near Pecos, has been closed to fishing until further notice due to unsafe ice conditions.
Ice fishing is not allowed at the Benedictine Monastery lake that is leased through the Department’s Open Gate program. A layer of ice has formed on the lake, prompting the closure.
The lake will reopen when there are sufficient open areas of water available to allow fishing from the bank.
Anglers can find good winter trout fishing in the Albuquerque area drains, at Tingley Beach and at other fishing waters throughout the state. Visit our website for more information on trout species, the weekly fishing report, a list of convenient fishing locations and fish stocking reports.
Game Commission to meet Oct. 14
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866
Media contact, Ryan Darr: 505-476-8027
ryan.darr@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCT. 6, 2022:
Game Commission to meet Oct. 14
LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 14, at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces. The full agenda, location address, attendee information and general information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, will be available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Ryan Darr at 505-476-8027 or ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to meet Sept. 27
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Ryan Darr: (505) 476-8027
ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 16, 2022
Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Meet Sept. 27
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting with the Citizen Advisory Committee. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting in order to provide comments.
- Sept. 27, 2022, Santa Fe, 9 a.m.
- Attend in person at 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- Register in advance to attend virtually
Information about how to attend and participate in the virtual component of this meeting is available on the NMDGF webpage, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/habitat-stamp.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Program Manager, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; or by email, Daniel.Lusk@dgf.nm.gov, or in person at the meeting listed above.
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Tres Piedras Shooting Range will close for one-day cleanup on Sept. 21
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866
Media contact, Ryan Darr: 505-476-8027
ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 16, 2022:
Tres Piedras Shooting Range will close for one-day cleanup on Sept. 21
Tres Piedras – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will close its Tres Piedras Shooting Range at 9 a.m. on Sept. 21, 2022, and will reopen at sunrise on Sept. 22, 2022. The range will be closed to allow department staff to safely clean up trash and debris on the shooting range.
Public access to the range will be restricted on this day.
The department wants to remind the public to recreate responsibly, pack out all of your shooting trash, including shell casings and targets, and not to shoot at glass or other items not designed to be shot at on the range.
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Game Commission to meet Aug. 20
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866
Media contact, Ryan Darr: 505-476-8027
ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 12, 2022:
Game Commission to meet Aug. 20
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 20, at the New Mexico Game and Fish Albuquerque office. The full agenda, location address, attendee information and general information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Ryan Darr at 505-476-8027 or ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Game Commission to meet Aug. 19
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866
Media contact, Ryan Darr: 505-476-8027
ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 12, 2022:
Game Commission to meet Aug. 19
GALLUP – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, Aug. 19, at UNM Gallup Campus. The full agenda, location address, attendee information and general information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, will be available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Ryan Darr at 505-476-8027 or ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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State agencies join forces to make New Mexico’s roads safer
Department of Transportation media contact, Marisa Maez: (505) 269-8243, Marisa.Maez@dgf.nm.gov
Department of Game and Fish media contact, Ryan Darr: (505) 476-8027, Ryan.Darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 9, 2022:
State agencies join forces to make New Mexico’s roads safer Wildlife Corridors Action Plan now available
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) has released the final Wildlife Corridors Action Plan (Plan). The Plan has been prepared to minimize wildlife-vehicle collisions and increase motorist safety in accordance with New Mexico Senate Bill 228, the Wildlife Corridors Act (Act).
The Act, signed into law by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2019, directed the NMDOT and the NMDGF to develop the Plan for NMDOT roads statewide. The Plan identifies wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots that pose a high risk to the traveling public; see map in the Plan linked below. Using ecological data and corridor modeling, it also identifies wildlife corridors that bisect roads, and provides a list of prioritized wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation projects with site-specific, detailed recommendations based on the results of the Plan’s analyses.
The Plan focuses primarily on the movements of six large mammals: elk, deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, black bear and mountain lion. However, other sensitive species were also considered. A team of national experts led by Daniel B. Stephens and Associates (DBS&A) cooperated with NMDOT and NMDGF to develop the final Plan.
The DBS&A team used a science-driven approach to identify areas per the Act that “pose a risk to successful wildlife migration or that pose a risk to the traveling public.” DBS&As approach incorporated NMDOT crash data, NMDGF wildlife-movement data and other ecological information provided by partners and local contributors. “Developing the Wildlife Corridors Act Plan was truly a cooperative effort that involved not only working closely with the DBS&A team of nationally recognized experts in the field of highway ecology, but also with tribal wildlife experts, non-profit conservation organizations and local citizen scientists,” stated Mark Watson, terrestrial habitat specialist and Wildlife Corridors Act lead for NMDGF.
The Draft version of the Plan was released in January 2022 and two public meetings were held the following month. After a 60-day comment period, NMDOT, NMDGF and DBS&A reviewed all comments and made edits to the draft Plan accordingly.
The NMDOT and NMDGF will continue to work cooperatively to secure funding for implementation of the Plan’s prioritized wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation projects. Various funding avenues will be pursued including applying for federal grant money, requesting direct allocation from the legislature, and incorporating wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation measures into future NMDOT projects when feasible. Per the Act, an annual report must be submitted to the governor’s office and legislature describing the progress made in Plan implementation. Additionally, the Plan must be revised within 10 years of finalization but may be updated more frequently if necessary.
Visit Us at https://wildlifeactionplan.nmdotprojects.org/ to View the Final Plan
Questions Regarding the Final Plan? Please Contact:
Matthew Haverland, NMDOT Wildlife Coordinator
P.O. Box 1149
1120 Cerrillos Rd., Room 206
Santa Fe, NM 87504
or…
Wildlife.Corridors@dgf.nm.gov
or…
505-470-3656
(If no answer, please leave a name and number and we will call you right back!)
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Cutthroat Trout Restoration Projects Continue
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Ryan Darr: (505) 476-8027
ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUGUST 2, 2022:
Cutthroat Trout Restoration Projects Continue
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) will continue native fish restoration projects in Middle Ponil Creek and Willow Creek. Middle Ponil Creek is within the Valle Vidal unit of the Carson National Forest and project activities will occur from Aug. 8-14, 2022. Willow Creek is on the Pecos District of the Santa Fe National Forest and project activities will occur from Aug. 15-21. These projects will remove non-native fish to create suitable habitat for stocking native Rio Grande cutthroat trout, some of which were rescued from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire.
Public access to the project areas will be restricted during the project periods. This will include a 300-foot buffer around Middle Ponil Creek from the headwaters to the FR 1910 road crossing. Signs indicating the restricted areas will be posted at trailheads, along roadways and in parking areas. All public roads will remain open to travel. Cimarron Campground and Upper Shuree Pond will also remain open. Willow Creek is within the ongoing Hermits Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire closures. No change to that closure will result from the project.
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Governor’s Special Hunt Auction returns online for 2022
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866
Media contact, Ryan Darr: 505-476-8027; ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 19, 2022:
Governor’s Special Hunt Auction returns online for 2022
Proceeds to benefit Game Protection Fund and NMDGF mission-related projects and programs
New Mexico – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, pursuant to 2007 legislation, has authorized the auctioning of eight big-game hunts to benefit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF). NMDGF has partnered with New Mexico Ducks Unlimited (DU) to offer the New Mexico Governor’s Special Hunt Auction 2022 online at www.nmdgfhunts.com. Funds from the public auction support the Game Protection Fund and are used solely for NMDGF mission-related projects and programs.
The eight packages offered this year will be up for auction starting on July 20 at 8 a.m. and will close on Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. The hunts this year include:
Exotics Hunt Package including an either-sex oryx license and either-sex barbary sheep license.
- Coues deer license in Game Management Units (GMUs) 23, 24, 26, or 27.
- Elk license in GMUs 34 or 36.
- Elk license in GMUs 16 A-E.
- Elk license in GMU 55A Valle Vidal.
- Mule deer license in GMU 2.
- Mule deer license in GMU 4 or 5.
- Pronghorn antelope license in any open GMU.
Distinct from the Enhancement Licenses, each Authorization auctioned must correlate to an existing hunt code. The bidder must follow all rules, regulations and restrictions associated with the hunt code selected. These hunts allow the choice of an additional five consecutive days, before or after an existing hunt code’s established dates, to extend the length of the hunt. For a list of hunt codes, season dates and weapon choices, as well as all rules and regulations for big game hunts, please visit: Publications and click on 2022-2023 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet.
DU is the world’s leader in wetland and waterfowl conservation. DU has conserved more than 5,000 acres of habitat across the state of New Mexico. These conservation projects continue to benefit multiple species of waterfowl and other wildlife. To learn more about Ducks Unlimited, please visit www.ducks.org.
Register to bid on any of these hunts and other great items offered by DU by visiting: www.nmdgfhunts.com.
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Game Commission to meet July 22
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866
Media contact, Ryan Darr: 505-476-8027
ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 18, 2022:
Game Commission to meet July 22
MESCALERO – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 8:30 a.m., Friday, July 22, at Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero. The full agenda, location address, attendee information and general information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, will be available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Ryan Darr at 505-476-8027 or ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Partners Sign Letter of Intent to Forward Collaborative Binational Approach to Mexican Wolf Recovery
Media Contacts:
Tom Cadden, AZGFD, (602) 377-1632, tcadden@azgfd.gov
Aislinn Maestas, USFWS, (505) 331-9280, Aislinn_maestas@fws.gov
Ryan Darr, NMDGF, (505) 476-8027, ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 13, 2022:
Partners Sign Letter of Intent to Forward Collaborative Binational Approach to Mexican Wolf Recovery
A male Mexican gray wolf tries to elude capture inside an enclosure at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, Wednesday, November 8, 2017. The wolf was to be transported to the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, Missouri, for breeding purposes.
NEW MEXICO – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) through its National Commission for Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) and the Directorate General for Wildlife, have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) establishing the intentions of all parties to collaboratively continue to conserve, manage, and recover the Mexican wolf in the U.S. and Mexico.
“This Letter of Intent provides a positive step forward in our binational efforts to recover the Mexican wolf,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “Together we present a united effort committed to recovering this subspecies both here in the United States as well as in Mexico.”
The U.S. and Mexico have collaborated on a binational recovery effort for the Mexican wolf since its listing under the Endangered Species Act in 1976. The 2017 Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, First Revision (revised recovery plan) established a binational recovery strategy for the Mexican wolf in both the U.S. and Mexico. Participants to the LOI collaborated in the development of the recovery plan, which calls for the establishment and maintenance of a self-sustaining population in each country. Partners in the U.S. strongly support the establishment and maintenance of viable populations of Mexican wolves in both countries, while recognizing differences in habitat availability, land tenure, agency structure, and Federal laws.
The LOI is a mechanism to demonstrate continued support for the binational recovery effort. Specific conservation and management activities laid out in the LOI to be carried out by participants will advance the implementation of the recovery plan and contribute to achieving the plan’s recovery criteria in both countries. The Service, NMDGF, and AZGFD signed the LOI at a signing ceremony in New Mexico in early June, followed shortly by partners signing in Mexico. A copy of the signed LOI can be found here: https://www.fws.gov/media/us-mexico-letter-intent-mexican-wolf.
Last year in 2021, the U.S. population of Mexican wolves continued to experience growth with a minimum of 196 wolves recorded. Mexico celebrated its 10th anniversary of releasing wolves to the wild and reported at least 40 wolves in the wild at the end of 2021. The Service worked with Mexico to release four adult wolves into Mexico in 2021.
Participants jointly developed the LOI under the auspices of the Canada-Mexico-United States Trilateral Committee Working Table for Species of Common Conservation Concern.
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Apply now for sandhill crane and pheasant draw permits
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Ryan Darr: (505) 476-8027
ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 12, 2022:
Apply now for sandhill crane and pheasant draw permits
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will begin accepting applications for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits on Wednesday, July 13.
Applications can be made through your online account. The application deadline for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits is 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 17.
Successful applicants must have a Game Hunting license and applicable stamp(s) in addition to their draw permit.
Successful sandhill crane applicants also must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
Digital copies of the 2022-2023 Upland Game and Migratory Bird Rules and Information Booklets will be available on the Department’s website later this year.
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Encouragement elk license sale begins July 13
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Ryan Darr: (505) 476-8027
ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 11, 2022:
Encouragement elk license sale begins July 13
SANTA FE – New Mexico resident youth and senior hunters who applied and were unsuccessful in the 2022-2023 big-game draw are eligible to purchase one of nearly 1,900 antlerless elk licenses. The licenses will go on sale through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Online License System at 10 a.m. MDT, July 13 for resident youth and expand to include resident seniors at 10 a.m. MDT, July 27.
The sale is designed to encourage unsuccessful youth and senior draw applicants and includes almost 1,500 licenses for any legal sporting arm and 390 licenses for muzzleloader, crossbow or bow.
Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log into their Online License System account.
Eligibility and requirements:
- For the first 14 days, the sale is open only to resident youth who have successfully applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, oryx or ibex and did not successfully draw a license for any hunt. Please note that the purchase of a leftover draw hunt counts as a successful draw application in this case. Eligible applicants:
- Must have a valid Hunter Education certification.
- Must be 17 years of age or younger on the opening day of their hunt.
- Beginning at 10 a.m. MDT, July 27, the sale will expand to also include all resident seniors, 65 years of age or older, who successfully applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, oryx or ibex and did not successfully draw a license for any hunt.
- Nonresidents and youth and/or senior applicants who were successful for another species are not eligible for these hunts.
- All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility.
Hunters planning to purchase an encouragement license must have completed all mandatory 2021-2022 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded for rejected purchases. After eligibility is verified – usually within a few days – the license will be available to view in the E-Tag app or from any computer by logging into your account and selecting “My Purchases” in the main menu.
Following the successful purchase of an encouragement license, the license/tag will be mailed to the hunter, unless the e-tag option is selected. Complete information about tagging requirements is available on the Department’s website and in the Hunting Rules and Information booklet.
For more information about the encouragement elk sale, hunting in New Mexico or for help logging in, please call the Information Center at (888) 248-6866 or email us at ispa@dgf.nm.gov.
Encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone. For the list of available hunts please see pages 81 and 82 of the 2022-2023 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet available online.
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Native Fish Restoration Planned for Middle Ponil Creek
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Ryan Darr: (505) 476-8027
ryan.darr@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 7, 2022:
Native Fish Restoration Planned for Middle Ponil Creek
Colfax County – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) will be conducting a native fish restoration project in Middle Ponil Creek within the Valle Vidal unit of the Carson National Forest from July 11-17, 2022. This project will remove non-native, hybrid fish to create suitable habitat for stocking native Rio Grande cutthroat trout rescued from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire.
Public access to the project area will be restricted during the project period. This will include a 300-foot buffer around Middle Ponil Creek from the headwaters to the FR 1910 road crossing. Signs indicating the restricted areas will be posted at trailheads, along roadways and in parking areas. All public roads will remain open to travel. Cimarron Campground and Upper Shuree Pond will also remain open.
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Agencies and volunteers gather over 750 pounds of trash near Mesilla Dam
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 22, 2022:
Agencies and volunteers gather over 750 pounds of trash near Mesilla Dam
Mesilla – Multiple public land user groups gathered June 18 to clean up areas with a high amount of illegal dumping and Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) use.
Staff and volunteers from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Friends of the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks, Bureau of Land Management and Throat Punch Performance SXS cleaned areas west of Mesilla Dam in southern New Mexico. Over 750 pounds of trash were gathered, including mattresses, box springs, aluminum cans, glass and yard debris.
“Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks were excited to help clean up our public lands with our valued agency partners and community members. We look forward to more events like this and future collaborations with the OHV community as we work to educate on responsible usage on public lands,” said Patrick Nolan, Executive Director, Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks.
This area is heavily utilized for recreation by local hikers, OHV users and those looking for a break from the city streets. With the increased use of public lands, an increase in illegally dumped trash has become an issue for land management agencies. “The majority of OHV users are responsible. They leave very little evidence that they were there, but when a small percentage leaves trash and drive where they want, it ruins natural resources and paints a negative image of responsible users. Saturday’s event was a collaborative effort that demonstrates what can happen when all users of public land work together,” said Desi Ortiz, OHV Program Law Enforcement Coordinator for the Department of Game and Fish.
Bureau of Land Management Rangers and Department of Game and Fish Conservation Officers are increasing patrols of the area and monitoring for illegal dumping, OHV violations and unlawful hunting activity. If you observe illegal activity, please contact Operation Game Thief (OGT) online or by calling 1-800-432-4263. You can provide your OGT report anonymously.
The Department encourages everyone to practice responsible recreation by being considerate of the other users of our lands, including ranchers and their livestock, wildlife, equestrians, hikers and mountain bikers. Use the proper equipment to keep you and your children as safe as possible while riding OHVs. Also, respect and obey the laws and rules that are put in place to protect New Mexico’s precious land and people and that help preserve the customs and culture that are deeply woven into our state.
Visit the Department of Game and Fish’s website for more information on proper OHV use in New Mexico. If you are interested in volunteering or supporting future clean-up events, please email the Friends of the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks.
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Leftover draw licenses go on sale June 29
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 15, 2022:
Leftover draw licenses go on sale June 29
SANTA FE – A total of 164 deer and 5 youth-only pronghorn licenses, that were not issued during the annual 2022-2023 big-game draw, will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 29, through the Department’s Online License System.
New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses for the first 24 hours of the first-come, first-served sale. If any licenses remain after the first 24 hours, the sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. June 30.
To buy a leftover license, hunters must possess an annual Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Hunters may buy the Game Hunting license, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the Over-The-Counter (OTC) Licenses, Permits and Stamps link under License Sales 2022. After the Game Hunting license has been purchased, hunters are strongly encouraged to be logged in before the sale begins. Licenses often sell out in minutes, sometimes seconds, after sales begin.
Hunters are advised that they must provide a valid mailing address at the time of purchase. A license/tag will be mailed to the hunter for all approved purchases within 14 days of the purchase, unless the e-tag option is selected.
If you are planning to purchase a leftover license, you must have completed all mandatory 2021-2022 harvest reporting requirements prior to the purchase. If a harvest report is not completed, your purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on rejected purchases.
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Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 15, 2022:
Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone
SANTA FE – Spring is the time of year when most wildlife babies are born. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reminds the public to leave alone any deer or antelope fawns, elk calves, bear cubs or other wild animals they may find.
Most young-of-the-year wildlife people discover are simply hiding while awaiting their parents’ return from foraging nearby.
Removing these young animals can cost them their lives, Orrin Duvuvuei, Department deer biologist, warned. “For about a week after birth, young wildlife exhibit hiding behaviors to avoid detection and increase their chance for survival. You might think it has been abandoned, but in reality, the mother is typically a few hundred yards away,” Duvuvuei said. “In most cases, the best thing to do is just leave it alone and quietly leave the area.”
Returning a young wild animal to its natural environment after being carried off by a human can be very difficult and may not work in many cases, Duvuvuei said.
If you see young wildlife, please follow these guidelines:
- Do not approach. Its mother is likely close by and aware that you are in the area.
- Leave the area quickly and quietly.
- Observe the animal from a safe distance, but don’t linger in the area or touch the animal.
- If you think the animal has been abandoned, mark the location using a GPS if possible and contact the local Department of Game and Fish office.
Here are several resources to learn more about young wildlife and for more information about living with wildlife in New Mexico:
- Encountering newborn deer fawns
- Feeding wildlife puts you and others at risk
- Living with large predators in New Mexico
- Department’s publication page
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Special oryx hunts available for injured service members
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 14, 2022:
Special oryx hunts available for injured service members
SANTA FE – Injured military service members can apply online starting June 15 for an upcoming special drawing to award up to 10 special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range.
“New Mexico is the only place in North America that allows non-ranch, free-range hunting for oryx,” said New Mexico Department of Veterans Services Cabinet Secretary Sonya Smith. “This is a unique opportunity for veterans for whom hunting is a passion, so I encourage them to submit their applications before time runs out.”
Applicants must be veterans of the U.S. military with a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran’s Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Significantly injured, active-duty military members who do not have a VA disability rating also may apply.
All applicants (except resident Disabled Veteran card holders) will need to submit supporting documentation to the Department prior to the July 20 application deadline.
Proof of eligibility may be emailed to specialhunts@dgf.nm.gov or by postal mail with a postmark on or before July 20 to:
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Attn: Special Hunts
1 Wildlife Way
Santa Fe, NM 87507
The drawing is open to resident and nonresident eligible applicants who do not hold a current-year oryx license. Applications will be accepted only through the Department’s Online License System by clicking Injured Military Oryx Hunts in the main menu. Successful applicants will be notified by the Department and must buy the appropriate license(s) and pay White Sands Missile Range’s access fee.
The hunts will be three days between Sept. 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, with dates and areas to be determined by the successful applicants in coordination with White Sands Missile Range. These hunts will not be considered once-in-a-lifetime.
For more information, contact the Department’s Information Center at (888) 248-6866.
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Cacerías especiales de órix disponibles para miembros del servicio lesionados
SANTA FE – Los miembros de servicio militar lesionados pueden solicitar en línea a partir del 15 de junio un próximo sorteo especial para otorgar hasta 10 autorizaciones especiales de órix para cazar en White Sands Missile Range.
“Nuevo México es el único lugar en América del Norte que permite la caza de órix fuera de los ranchos y al aire libre”, dijo Sonya Smith, Secretaria del Gabinete del Departamento de Servicios para Veteranos de Nuevo México. “Esta es una oportunidad única para los veteranos para quienes la caza es una pasión, por lo que los animo a enviar sus solicitudes antes de que se agote el tiempo”.
Los solicitantes deben ser veteranos de las Fuerzas Armadas de los Estados Unidos con una calificación de discapacidad de 50 por ciento o más de acuerdo con las pautas de la Administración de Veteranos (VA) de los Estados Unidos para recibir beneficios para veteranos discapacitados. Los militares en servicio activo con lesiones significativas que no tengan una calificación de discapacidad de la VA también pueden presentar una solicitud.
Todos los solicitantes (excepto los titulares de la tarjeta de veterano discapacitado residente) deberán presentar los documentos justificativos al Departamento antes de la fecha límite de solicitud del 20 de julio.
La prueba de elegibilidad se puede enviar por correo electrónico a specialhunts@dgf.nm.gov o por correo postal con matasellos del 20 de julio o antes a:
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Attn: Special Hunts
1 Wildlife Way
Santa Fe, NM 87507
El sorteo está abierto a solicitantes elegibles residentes y no residentes que no tengan una licencia de órix del año en curso. Las solicitudes se aceptarán solo a través del Online License System del Departamento haciendo clic en Injured Military Oryx Hunts en el menú principal. Los solicitantes seleccionados serán notificados por el Departamento y deberán comprar la(s) licencia(s) correspondiente(s) y pagar la tarifa de acceso de White Sands Missile Range.
Las cacerías serán de tres días entre el 1 de septiembre de 2022 y el 31 de marzo de 2023, con fechas y áreas que determinarán los solicitantes en coordinación con White Sands Missile Range. Estas cacerías no se considerarán únicas en la vida.
Para obtener más información, comuníquese con el Centro de Información del Departamento al (888) 248-6866.
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Drought conditions increase chance of encountering bears
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 13, 2022:
Drought conditions increase chance of encountering bears
SANTA FE – Due to drought conditions throughout the state, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is urging residents to be aware of the increased chances of encountering bears and other wildlife.
“The state has experienced less than average precipitation for this time of the year, which means that bears may be in search of other food sources”, said Rick Winslow, bear and cougar biologist with the Department. “Droughts historically have led to a lot of bear conflict, not only at camping and picnic sites, but also in more populated areas.”
“For bears, almost all of their food resources, such as green grasses and forbs — flowering and grass-like plants — are sustained by moisture,” Winslow said. When these food sources are stressed, bears may start moving closer to towns and neighborhoods. Bears that move into populated areas can cause problems and may become habituated to humans. Problem bears that are deemed a threat may be euthanized.
The Department offers the following suggestions if you visit, or live in, bear country:
- Keep trash properly contained until the day of pickup, especially if you reside in, or close to, wooded areas.
- Never leave fruit from trees and bushes to rot on the ground. It can be a powerful attractant to bears and other wildlife.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as high calorie treats, and often they will look for additional food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps, such as melon, in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 6 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site. A distance of at least 100 yards is recommended.
Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
If you encounter a bear:
- Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you are experiencing a persistent problem with bears, please contact your regional Game & Fish office or contact your local law enforcement for immediate assistance. Visit the Department’s website to find contact information for local Department offices. For more information about living with bears in New Mexico, please consult Keeping Bears Alive and Yourself Safe.
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Game Commission to meet June 17
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 9, 2022:
Game Commission to meet June 17
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, June 17 at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe. The full agenda, location address, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, will be available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact James Pitman at (505) 476-8004. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 4
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 31, 2022:
Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 4
SANTA FE – Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Saturday, June 4, as the state celebrates National Boating and Fishing Week.
Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state Saturday, June 4, but everyone must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department’s website.
“This is a great time to take your family fishing and teach them a skill that will provide a lifetime of enjoyment,” said Mike Sloane, Director for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
If you are new to fishing, the Department will be hosting an event at Liam Knight Pond in Corrales from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and will offer free fishing activities, archery and pellet gun target shooting, wildlife identification and a fishing game. No fishing license is required for this event that will feature prizes for heaviest, largest, smallest and tagged fish. You do need to bring your fishing equipment and bait.
The Department’s Fisheries Management Division continues to implement research projects and management actions across the state that improve fisheries and angling opportunities. To improve fish habitat at Bill Evans and Carlsbad Lakes, man-made habitat structures were created. Biologists are currently working on multiple Gila trout projects to improve angling and have modified the stocking strategy at Eagle Nest Lake based on current research. A newly opened Kid’s Pond at Rock Lake Hatchery is now available for anglers 11 years of age and younger. The Department has also improved fish habitat and angler access on the Rio Chama and is working on many other projects to improve fisheries and angler opportunities statewide.
For information on additional places to fish and what to use, consult the Department’s weekly fishing and stocking report and the Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner. Maps of public fishing waters, lists of where to find family-friendly fishing and tips on how to fish also can be found on the Department website.
The Department reminds anglers and outdoor recreationists to “know before you go” and to contact land management agencies regarding additional regulations or restrictions on specific properties of interest before heading afield. Helpful agencies include:
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
New Mexico State Lands
New Mexico State Parks
New Mexico Open Gate Properties
New Mexico Wildlife Management Areas
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
To provide the most up-to-date fire information in New Mexico, including closures, the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) has established a Joint Information Task Force (JIC) in coordination with multiple state agencies. Please visit the wildfire page on the DHSEM website and their Facebook account for fire updates and more information.
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New Mexicans encouraged to give space to wildlife affected by New Mexico fires
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 12, 2022:
New Mexicans encouraged to give space to wildlife affected by New Mexico fires
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish encourages the public to be mindful of wildlife displaced by fires.
Like humans, wild animals are also fleeing wildfires burning around the state. Wildlife is incredibly resilient to fire, but need space to find new habitat while the fire is burning.
It is normal during wildfires to see wildlife in areas where they do not typically occur. There is no need to report these sightings to the Department. However, if wildlife appears to be injured, please contact local conservation officers through the New Mexico State Police non-emergency number at (505) 841-9256. The Department recommends you do not feed, approach or handle wildlife. Under stressful situations like those currently being experienced, wild animals can be even more unpredictable.
“Conservation officers across the state are working closely with local fire officials and the New Mexico State Police to ensure public safety during these horrific fires, while also responding to, and handling, wildlife calls. Conservation officers have received extensive training in handling wildlife to ensure public safety and safety for the animal as well,” said Colonel Tim Cimbal.
While full impacts on wildlife will not be known until after the fires are out, wildlife and fisheries biologists will continue to monitor species found in the fire areas. You can help wildlife by allowing them room to move to suitable habitat.
“We know that folks want to help in any way they can during this emergency, including helping animals that have been affected. The Department strongly encourages people not to feed and water wildlife,” said Elise Goldstein, Assistant Chief of Wildlife. “It may seem like you are helping them, but this can encourage them to start relying on humans for these resources. If they do not find these resources in town, they tend to move to a more natural environment.”
For the most up-to-date information on fire in New Mexico, the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) has established a Joint Information Task Force (JIC) in coordination with multiple state agencies. They have launched an updated wildfire page on the DHSEM webpage. This webpage is the most reputable, up-to-date site for anything related to wildfires in New Mexico. DHSEM and the JIC have also established a Facebook account to share information.
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Monastery Lake will remain closed due to extreme fire danger
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 6, 2022:
Monastery Lake will remain closed due to extreme fire danger
SANTA FE – Due to drought and extreme fire danger, Monastery Lake will remain closed until further notice. The closure of Monastery Lake is consistent with other closures in the area issued by the Pecos Ranger District and Pecos Canyon State Park.
Department of Game and Fish conservation officers will continue patrols at Monastery Lake to ensure the public complies with the closure. Alternative fishing opportunities can be found in the Department’s weekly fishing and stocking reports.
Monastery Lake is leased by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for public fishing from the Benedictine Monastery in Pecos through the Open Gate Program. More information on the Open Gate Program and the opportunities it provides to private landowners and public recreationists can be found on the Department’s website.
Anglers, campers, hikers and hunters are urged to check fire restrictions statewide before heading afield. Wildlife Management Areas observe the same fire restrictions put in place by the New Mexico Forestry Division or issued for adjoining National Forests, Bureau of Land Management or State Trust lands.
To provide the most up-to-date fire information in New Mexico, the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) has established a Joint Information Task Force (JIC) in coordination with multiple state agencies. Please visit the wildfire page on the DHSEM website and their Facebook account for fire updates and more information.
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Game Commission to meet May 9
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 3, 2022:
Game Commission to meet May 9
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a special meeting at 1 p.m., Monday, May 9 in Albuquerque. The full agenda, location, attendee information and general information is available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, will be available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact James Pitman at (505) 476-8004. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Monastery Lake to be closed Tuesday, May 3 through Friday, May 6
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 29, 2022:
Monastery Lake to be closed Tuesday, May 3 through Friday, May 6
SANTA FE – Monastery Lake, near Pecos, will be closed to the public from dusk Tuesday, May 3, until dawn Saturday, May 7.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish leases the lake for public fishing from the Benedictine Monastery in Pecos through the Open Gate Program. The owners and the Department have agreed to this brief closure. Conservation officers will monitor the lake during this time. The angling public’s cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of other nearby fishing opportunities on the Pecos River and at Cowles Ponds. Additional fishing opportunities can be found in the Department’s weekly fishing and stocking reports. More information on the Open Gate Program and the opportunities it provides to private landowners and public recreationalists can be found on the Department’s website.
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Deer, elk and exotics hunting rules topic of public meetings
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 26, 2022:
Deer, elk and exotics hunting rules topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the deer, elk and exotics (Barbary sheep, oryx, Persian ibex) rules which opened at the State Game Commission meeting on April 11, 2022.
For deer, the Department is seeking input on adjustments to license numbers and hunt dates and adding some new hunt opportunities. Additionally, the Department is proposing creating an October youth hunt in GMUs 2A and 2B and moving the majority of licenses out of the current November hunt period.
For elk, the Department is seeking input on creating several new hunt opportunities, “Primary Management Zone” expansion in some southwestern GMUs, designating GMUs 34 and 46 as “Secondary Management Zone” and changes to sales procedures for youth encouragement hunts statewide.
For Barbary sheep, the Department is proposing changes to season dates, hunt structure, opening some new hunt areas and increasing licenses. The Department is considering some license increases for oryx. For ibex, considerations include decreasing license numbers and shifting season dates.
The Department is also looking for public input on modifying the definition of a muzzleloader to include only those muzzleloading firearms that do not have a scope for all big game species.
To gather public comments, four hybrid public meetings have been scheduled for the following dates and locations:
- May 10, 2022: Las Cruces 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Attend in person at 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NM
Register in advance to attend virtually - May 11, 2022: Roswell 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Attend in person at 1615 West College Boulevard, Roswell, NM
Register in advance to attend virtually - May 12, 2022: Raton 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Attend in person at 215 York Canyon Road, Raton, NM
Register in advance to attend virtually - May 16, 2022: Albuquerque 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM
Register in advance to attend virtually
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Big Game Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email, DGF-Deer-Rule@dgf.nm.gov, DGF-Elk-Rule@dgf.nm.gov or DGF-Exotics-Rule@state.nm.us; or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
These topics will also be discussed at several State Game Commission meetings over the summer and autumn of 2022. Meeting details and additional information will be available online.
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Fire restrictions implemented 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@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 22, 2022:
Fire restrictions implemented statewide; Game and Fish patrolling Commission properties
SANTA FE – With incidences of wildfires increasing daily, the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) Forestry Division announced restrictions on fireworks, smoking, campfires and open fires in New Mexico.
The restrictions are in effect as of 12:00 p.m. today, Friday, April 22, 2022. The Forestry Division will continue to coordinate with other jurisdictions including federal, counties and municipalities to ensure that appropriate protections are in place to protect New Mexico as fire danger and wildfires increase.
The Department of Game and Fish will follow guidelines initiated by the State Forestry Division for Game Commission-owned properties across the state. Commission-owned properties will also follow the same restrictions or closures in place on adjacent U.S. Forest Service or BLM lands. Additional information about active fires, restrictions and closures can be found at nmfireinfo.com.
Department of Game and Fish conservation officers will enforce current fire restrictions and increase patrols on State Game Commission-owned properties. Conservation officers will be looking for other common violations, including off-highway vehicle registration and safe use as well checking for fishing licenses and related violations.
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Expect checkpoints 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@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 15, 2022:
Expect checkpoints statewide during hunting and fishing seasons
The Department of Game and Fish will conduct checkpoints throughout the state during hunting and fishing seasons, in hunting and angling areas, to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations.
The 2022-2023 hunting and fishing season began April 1. All hunters and anglers are required to purchase a new license before hunting and fishing. Guides and outfitters are also reminded that new registration is required.
The general turkey season begins April 15. For more information, please consult the Department’s Hunting Rules and Information Booklet.
Hunters and anglers can expect checkpoints throughout the spring and summer. At checkpoints, conservation officers will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
Everyone is encouraged to report any wildlife crime or suspected crime they see while enjoying New Mexico’s great outdoors.
To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
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Turkey rule and delisting topic of public meeting
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 12, 2022:
Turkey rule and delisting topic of public meeting
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will hold hybrid public meetings and request public comments on the Turkey Rule and Gould’s turkey delisting. All three public meetings will be held in person, while two of the meetings will be available virtually. Biologists will provide a presentation at the meetings and allow time for questions and comments. The meetings will cover:
- The proposed changes to the Turkey Rule (19.31.16 NMAC)
- The recommendation to remove Gould’s turkey (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) from the state list of threatened and endangered species.
Both items were opened for consideration at the April 11, 2022, State Game Commission meeting in Santa Fe.
The Department will hold public meetings to discuss both items as follows:
- July 12, 2022 (hybrid) – Albuquerque Game & Fish Office, 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, 6:30 p.m. Register here for the Zoom webinar.
- July 13, 2022 (hybrid) – Las Cruces Game & Fish Office, 2715 E Northrise Dr., 6:30 p.m. Register here for the Zoom webinar.
- July 14, 2022 (in-person only) – Animas High School, #1 Panther Blvd., 6:00 p.m.
Comments pertaining to the proposed Turkey Rule changes or the Delisting Investigation Report should be emailed to the Department at DGF-Gamebird@dgf.nm.gov. The public comment period will close on September 18, 2022. The Commission is scheduled to hear the final proposal and make their final decisions at the October 14, 2022 meeting.
The Department’s recommendation to delist Gould’s turkey is based on information detailed in the Gould’s Wild Turkey Delisting Investigation Report. Materials for review and comment, including the Delisting Investigation Report, are available on the Department’s website.
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Game Commission to meet April 11
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 1, 2022:
Game Commission to meet April 11
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet at 9 a.m., Monday, April 11 in Santa Fe. The full agenda, location, attendee information and general information is available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, will be available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact James Pitman at (505) 476-8004. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Eagle Nest Lake Fisheries Informational Meeting
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 31, 2022:
Eagle Nest Lake Fisheries Informational Meeting
SANTA FE – New Mexico anglers continue to show tremendous passion for fishing at Eagle Nest Lake. Over the past few years, the Department has implemented several tools to help enhance the trout fishery, including:
– Pike must be kept after catching. They cannot be released.
– A multi-year study of the interactions of trout and pike.
– Rainbow trout stocking strategy adjustments and evaluation.
On April 13, 2022, the Department will be hosting a meeting at the Eagle Nest Lake State Park Visitor’s Center. Our goal is to provide information about the history of fisheries management at Eagle Nest Lake, what we have learned so far from our multi-year study and what to expect moving forward. We will also have time for questions from the public. The meeting is scheduled for 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. MST.
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New Mexico Trapping Statute Goes into Effect April 1
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 30, 2022:
New Mexico Trapping Statute Goes into Effect April 1
SANTA FE – Legislation passed in 2021 making trapping on public lands illegal, with few exceptions, goes into effect this Friday, April 1. This new statute, titled the Wildlife Conservation and Public Safety Act (17-11-1 through 17-11-5 NMSA), makes the use of “a trap, snare or wildlife poison for the purposes of capturing, injuring or killing an animal on public land…” unlawful.
Public land is defined as “state-owned land, state-leased land, lands held in trust by the state, lands administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Forest Service, the Federal Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the United States Department of Defense, State Parks and any county or municipality…”
Violators of the statute are guilty of a misdemeanor and each trap, snare or poison application constitutes a single violation of the Act. Penalties under the Act are cumulative to any other penalties provided by law and the court may also consider appropriate restitution to a state agency that incurs costs in enforcing the Act.
The entirety of the Wildlife Conservation and Public Safety Act, including exceptions to the Act, can be found online at NMOneSource.com under Chapter 17 Game and Fish and Outdoor Recreation Article 11.
Anyone with information on possible wildlife crimes is encouraged to call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-432-4263. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for rewards if information leads to charges being filed.
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Wild population of Mexican wolves continues to experience growth with a minimum of 196 wolves recorded
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Media contact, Aislinn Maestas: 505-331-9280
aislinn_maestas@fws.gov
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Media Contact, Tom Cadden, tcadden@azgfd.gov
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 30, 2022:
Wild population of Mexican wolves continues to experience growth with a minimum of 196 wolves recorded
The wild population of Mexican wolves in the United States continued to grow in 2021. According to the 2021 annual count, the U.S. population of Mexican wolves has increased by 5 percent since the previous year, raising the total number of wolves in the wild to a minimum of 196 animals. This marks the sixth consecutive year of growth in the wild population.
From November 2021 through February 2022, the Interagency Field Team (IFT) conducted ground and aerial counts of Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico. According to the IFT, the population is distributed with 112 wolves in New Mexico and 84 in Arizona. In 2020, the team documented a minimum of 186 wolves. The slower growth in 2021 is attributed to low pup recruitment in the wild population.
“We are happy to see the wild population of Mexican wolves continue to grow year after year,” said Brady McGee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator. “The Service and our partners remain focused on recovery through improving the genetic health of the wild population and reducing threats, while also working to minimize conflicts with livestock.”
Among the 2021 findings:
- A minimum of 45 packs (including new pairs) were documented at the end of 2021: 28 in New Mexico and 17 in Arizona. A wolf pack is defined as two or more wolves that maintain an established territory.
- A minimum of 144 pups were born in 2021, with at least 56 surviving until the end of the year (a 38 percent survival rate). The average survival of Mexican wolf pups in their first year is around 50 percent.
- The IFT recorded a minimum of 25 breeding pairs (13 in New Mexico, 12 in Arizona) with pups in 2021. By comparison, there were an estimated 20 breeding pairs in 2020. A breeding pair is defined as a pack that consists of an adult male and female and at least one pup of the year surviving through December 31.
There were 92 collared wolves in the wild at the end of the year, which is nearly 50 percent of the wild population. These radio collars use satellite technology to accurately record wolf locations on a frequent basis. Biologists on the IFT use this information to gain timely information about wolf behavior in the wild and assist with management of the wild population. - The IFT documented 25 mortalities in the wild population of Mexican wolves in 2021, which is similar to the mortality rate in 2019 and 2020.
Mexico celebrated its 10th anniversary of releasing wolves to the wild and reported at least 40 wolves in the wild at the end of 2021. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service worked with Mexico to release four adult wolves into Mexico in 2021. - “While we hope for a higher growth rate, the 5% growth observed, when looking at the totality of the program, still indicates a recovering population. Overall wildlife populations had a hard year with low precipitation and little winter snowpack last year. I am encouraged by the increase in breeding pairs and the number of packs present. These measures continue to increase and bode well for future recovery for the Mexican wolf,” said Jim deVos, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mexican wolf coordinator.
In 2021, the IFT placed a record 22 captive-born pups into seven wild dens (a process called “cross fostering”) to boost the genetic diversity in the wild population. These cross-fostered pups are included in the minimum of 144 pups recorded for the year. The IFT has since captured and collared two of these pups and will continue efforts in 2022 to document others that may have survived. With these newly collared pups, the known number of fostered wolves alive is 14.
The Mexican wolf is the rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America. It is listed separately from the gray wolf as an endangered subspecies under the federal Endangered Species Act. In 1977, the Service and many partners initiated efforts to conserve the subspecies by developing a bi-national captive breeding program with the seven remaining Mexican wolves in existence. Approximately 380 Mexican wolves are currently maintained in more than 60 facilities throughout the United States and Mexico.
Partners in Mexican wolf recovery in the United States include the Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service.
For more information on the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, visit the Mexican wolf website (www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf) or visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department website on wolves (www.azgfd.gov/wolf).
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Monastery Lake reopens for fishing just in time for spring
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 21, 2022:
Monastery Lake reopens for fishing just in time for spring
SANTA FE – After a winter closure, the Benedictine Monastery Lake, near the village of Pecos, has been freshly stocked with trout and reopened for fishing at 8 a.m. Monday, March 21. The Benedictine Monastery Lake is part of the Department’s Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.
If you are planning a fishing trip this spring, the Department has several tools to help you. The Weekly Fishing Report provides up-to-date information on fishing conditions at numerous water bodies throughout the state. The Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner is full of figures depicting fishing conditions for several species and water bodies throughout the year. Additionally, the interactive Fishing Waters Map contains a wealth of information on fishing locations in New Mexico, displaying hundreds of fishing access points with information on fish species available, facilities, accessibility, boat ramps and general regulations.
Anglers are reminded that their 2021-2022 fishing licenses will expire on March 31, 2022. Fishing licenses for the 2022-2023 season will go on sale starting March 23, 2022, and will be valid from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.
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Game Commission Acts Swiftly Following Supreme Court Ruling
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 14, 2022:
Game Commission Acts Swiftly Following Supreme Court Ruling
SANTA FE – On Tuesday, March 1, the New Mexico Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Landowner Certification of Non-Navigable Water Rule (19.31.22 NMAC) was unconstitutional. This rule, promulgated in 2018 under the Martinez administration, allowed for the certification of watercourse segments crossing private property as non-navigable and therefore closed to public access.
This Court decision provided clarity on a rule that had been the subject of several lawsuits and Attorneys General opinions. The Court held that certificates previously issued to private landowners were void and that the rule couldn’t be implemented and needed to be withdrawn. Immediately after the Supreme Court hearing, the State Game Commission held a special meeting and repealed the rule.
Subsequently, and under the direction of the Commission, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish sent letters to the private landowners who had previously held non-navigable certifications under the rule. These letters informed the landowners that the certificates they had been issued were now void, that any signage referencing the certification and restricting access to the watercourse must be removed and that, unless otherwise authorized by law, any barriers limiting access to legally accessible water must also be removed.
Both the Commission and Department express sincere appreciation for the clarity provided by the Supreme Court decision. “The Court ruling removed any confusion or uncertainty surrounding public access to the waters of state,” said Director Mike Sloane. Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey stated, “The clarity provided by this Court decision gives both public recreationists and private landowners a better understanding of the legality of stream access in New Mexico.”
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Statewide Fisheries Management Plan topic of public meetings
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 9, 2022:
Statewide Fisheries Management Plan topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department is seeking public comments on the draft Statewide Fisheries Management Plan.
The plan is an update of the 2016 plan, which the Department uses to manage fisheries across the state. A copy of the draft plan can be found on the Department’s website.
Highlights include:
- Updates to various language throughout the document to reflect new information on various species or waters
- Updates to the parameters for monitoring specific species as well as an appendix documenting those changes
- A major accomplishment section, which lists major accomplishments of the division since 2016
- Updates to the Identified Priority Projects and Needs for Further Investigation and Research Section to reflect new projects
- An index to help find waterbodies throughout the plan
- An appendix that provides a summary of the progress towards the priority projects identified in the 2016 plan
Two virtual meetings will be conducted to gather public comment:
- March 23, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. – to register for the meeting click here.
- March 24, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. – to register for the meeting click here.
Comments should be submitted by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Fisheries Management Plan, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; or by email, dgf-statewidefishplan@dgf.nm.gov by April 8, 2022.
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Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to meet
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 9, 2022:
Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to meet
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting to allow the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) to the Habitat Stamp Program to discuss updates on fisheries projects prioritized by the CAC in November 2021 and an update from the sub-committee of the CAC. Members of the public are invited to attend this virtual meeting to offer feedback and ask questions.
The virtual meeting is scheduled for March 15 at 5:30 p.m. Use this link to register for the meeting.
Additional information about this meeting will be available on the Habitat Stamp Program webpage.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Program Manager, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, Daniel.Lusk@dgf.nm.gov; or in person at the meeting listed above.
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Migratory game bird rule topic of public meeting
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 24, 2022:
Migratory game bird rule topic of public meeting
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird rule.
The proposals will be available on the Department’s website following the State Game Commission meeting on Mar. 4.
To gather public comments, one virtual public meeting will be conducted via Zoom, March 10 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Use this link to join the virtual Zoom meeting.
Or enter the following in your Zoom client: Meeting ID: 889 0744 4535 Passcode: 803351.
To join the meeting by phone please dial 1-346-248-7799. You will be prompted to enter the Webinar ID: 889 0744 4535 and Passcode: 803351.
Presentation slides will be posted to the Department’s website prior to the meetings so attendees can follow along. If you do not have access to the website to view the presentation, please contact DGF-Waterfowl@dgf.nm.gov or 505-470-8947 to make arrangements to acquire a copy of the presentation.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Migratory Game Bird Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; or by email, DGF-Waterfowl@dgf.nm.gov.
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Applications Now Available for 2022-2023 Off-Highway Vehicle Grants
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 21, 2022:
Applications Now Available for 2022-2023 Off-Highway Vehicle Grants
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is now accepting grant applications for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation projects and law enforcement patrols.
Federal, state and local government agencies as well as not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for grants to enhance safe recreational use or mitigate impacts of side-by-sides, ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles on public lands. Law enforcement agencies can apply for grants to conduct OHV patrols and enforce the provisions of the OHV Act (66-3-1001 NMSA).
Funds for grants are user-generated revenues from OHV registrations, collected in the state’s Trail Safety Fund and administered by the Department. Grants will reimburse up to $15,000 for projects starting July 1, 2022, with final invoices due no later than June 15, 2023.
Grant application forms and information can be downloaded from the OHV program website. Applications will be accepted via email until Friday, March 25, 2022. Applications can also be mailed to: OHV Program, 7816 Alamo Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120, postmarked no later than Friday, March 22, 2022.
For further information, please contact the OHV Law Enforcement Coordinator, Desi Ortiz, by phone at (505) 222-4718 or email.
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Game Commission to meet March 4
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 18, 2022:
Game Commission to meet March 4
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet at 9 a.m., Friday, March 4 in Socorro. The full agenda, location, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact James Pitman at (505) 476-8004. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Game Commission to meet March 1
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 18, 2022:
Game Commission to meet March 1
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a special meeting in Santa Fe, Tuesday March 1, to conduct a closed executive session. The meeting will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Mexico State Capitol (Roundhouse). The full agenda, and other information, is available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact James Pitman at (505) 476-8004. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Bighorn, javelina and pronghorn hunting rules topic of public meetings
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 9, 2022:
Bighorn, javelina and pronghorn hunting rules topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments on proposed revisions to the bighorn sheep, javelina and pronghorn rules.
For bighorn sheep, the Department is seeking input on several management considerations across the state including: opening the Jemez population to ram hunting; separating the Hatchets hunt to spread hunters across the mountain range; splitting the Ladron and Peloncillo hunts into two hunt periods to distribute hunters; and adding a third hunt window for rams in the Rio Grande Gorge.
For javelina, the Department is seeking input on possible increases in total licenses and season lengths, and expanding the areas javelina can be hunted to include some Wildlife Management Areas.
For pronghorn, the Department is seeking input on moving hunt dates later in the season based on public feedback that the current season (August, annually) is quite hot and not ideal for hunting pronghorn. The Department also anticipates proposing small adjustments to license numbers.
To gather public comments, two virtual public meetings will be conducted:
- February 22, 2022: 6 to 7 p.m. Register in advance for this webinar.
- February 24, 2022: 6 to 7 p.m. Register in advance for this webinar.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Big Game Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email, DGF-Pronghorn-Rule@dgf.nm.us, DGF-Bighorn-Rule@dgf.nm.us or DGF-Javelina-Rule@dgf.nm.gov; or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
These topics will also be discussed at the next regularly scheduled State Game Commission meeting. Meeting details and additional information will be available online.
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Monastery Lake closed to fishing due to unsafe ice conditions
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 4, 2022:
Monastery Lake closed to fishing due to unsafe ice conditions
SANTA FE – Monastery Lake, near Pecos, has been closed to fishing until further notice due to unsafe ice conditions.
Ice fishing is not allowed at the Benedictine Monastery lake that is leased through the Department’s Open Gate program. A thin layer of ice has formed on the lake prompting the closure.
The lake will reopen when there is sufficient open areas of water available to allow fishing from the bank.
Anglers can find good winter trout fishing in the Albuquerque area drains, at Tingley Beach and at other fishing waters throughout the state. Visit our website for more information on trout species, the weekly fishing report, a list of convenient fishing locations and fish stocking reports.
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Game Commission Meeting Cancelled
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, JAN. 13, 2022:
Game Commission Meeting Cancelled
SANTA FE –The Director of the Department of Game and Fish, in consultation with the State Game Commission, has cancelled the scheduled January 14, 2022, State Game Commission meeting in Santa Fe. The meeting was noticed under the Open Meetings Act as an in person meeting. Given the increasing covid related concerns and in order to avoid violation of the Open Meetings Act requirements, it is necessary to reschedule the meeting for a later date.
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Wildlife Corridors Action Plan: Request for statewide public input
Department of Transportation media contact,
Marisa Maez: (505) 269-8243, Marisa.Maez@state.nm.us
Department of Game and Fish media contact,
Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027, Tristanna.Bickford@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JAN. 13, 2022:
Wildlife Corridors Action Plan
Request for statewide public input
SANTA FE– The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) is releasing the Draft Wildlife Corridors Action Plan for public review. The plan has been prepared in accordance with New Mexico Senate Bill 228, the Wildlife Corridors Act (Act).
The Act, signed into law by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2019, directed the NMDOT and the NMDGF to develop the Plan for NMDOT roads statewide. The plan identifies wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots that pose a particularly high risk to the traveling public. Using ecological data and modeling, it also identifies wildlife corridors that bisect roads and provides a list of priority projects based on the results of the plan’s analysis.
The plan focuses primarily on the movements of six large mammals: elk, deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, black bear and mountain lion. However, other sensitive species and confounding factors were also taken into consideration when developing the priority project list. A team of national experts led by Daniel B. Stephens and Associates (DBS&A), under contract with NMDOT, has developed the plan in partnership with NMDGF. The DBS&A team used a science-driven approach to identify areas per the Act that “pose a risk to successful wildlife migration or that pose a risk to the traveling public” and is based on NMDOT crash data and ecological information on wildlife movements.
To provide input and support for potential actions that will increase public safety and promote wildlife habitat connectivity, we ask you to visit the website below to access the plan, learn how to share comments, and register for an upcoming public meeting. Please contact Matthew Haverland, NMDOT Wildlife Coordinator, at (505) 470-3656 if you have any questions.
Visit Us at: https://wildlifeactionplan.nmdotprojects.org/
(Registration details to be provided on the website soon!)
Participate in a Live Virtual Meeting:
Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 6:00 p.m. (MTD)
Thursday, Feb. 3 at 6:00 p.m. (MTD)
Share Your Comments: January 12, 2022 to March 12, 2022
(Comments can be sent by mail, email or by phone)
The intent of public outreach is to raise support for and consensus in the identification of priority wildlife corridors and priority projects across New Mexico and solicit input from the public, tribal governments, and interested stakeholders.
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Game Commission to meet January 14
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, JAN. 12, 2022:
Game Commission to meet January 14
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet at 9 a.m., Friday, January 14 in Santa Fe. The full agenda, location, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting. Due to COVID concerns, masks are required.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Jimmy Bates, Tirzio Lopez and Roberta Salazar-Henry.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Lance Cherry at (505) 476-8003. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Public meetings to discuss potential stocking of hybrid striped bass into Caballo Reservoir
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, NOV. 29, 2021:
Public meetings to discuss potential stocking of hybrid striped bass into Caballo Reservoir
SANTA FE – The Department is hosting two public meetings to discuss the potential stocking of hybrid striped bass. The Department is considering stocking hybrid striped bass into Caballo Reservoir to provide a new sportfishing opportunity. Hybrid striped bass are a popular sport fish in neighboring states. They grow rapidly and can attain weights in excess of 10 pounds. During the meetings, fisheries biologists will provide background information on the proposal and answer questions from attendees.
The virtual meetings are scheduled for:
- Dec. 7, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Register for the meeting here.
- Dec. 14, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Register for the meeting here.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Warmwater Fisheries Biologist, 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88011; by email: dgf-fisheries-management-comment@state.nm.us; or in person at the meeting(s) listed above.
11-30-2021: For more information on hybrid striped bass see Hybrid Striped Bass Fisheries in New Mexico FAQ.
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New Mexico Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board Meeting
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOV. 19, 2021:
New Mexico Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board Meeting
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting of the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Advisory Board for Dec. 8, 2021, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually on the OHV website.
Those interested in participating and providing comments are encouraged to pre-register and attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board will meet in public session to hear updates on the following: OHV budget, general program, OHV education, OHV law enforcement and to hear public comment.
The Department’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program has an annual budget of $795,100.00 funded by revenue generated from the Trail Safety Fund. The OHV Act required the creation of the Trail Safety Fund, which generates revenue from OHV registration fees.
The OHV Advisory Board was established to advise the Department of Game and Fish on matters related to administration of the OHV Act. The board consists of the following seven members appointed by the governor to two-year terms:
- One landowner living near a national forest or bureau of land management property that is used extensively for recreational off-highway vehicle activity;
- One producer or one grazing permittee on public lands from the farming or livestock industry;
- One person from the off-highway motor vehicle industry;
- One off-highway motor vehicle user;
- One hunter or angler;
- One quiet recreationalist, such as a hiker, backpacker, birdwatcher, equestrian, mountain biker, rock climber or archaeological enthusiast; and
- One member with expertise in injury prevention or treatment.
For more information about the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program, please contact Matt Seidel, (505) 222-4728, matthew.seidel@state.nm.us or visit the Department’s OHV webpage.
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Public meetings to discuss proposed changes to the Revocations Rule
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, NOV. 19, 2021:
Public meetings to discuss proposed changes to the Revocations Rule
SANTA FE – The Department is hosting two hybrid public meetings to discuss the proposed changes to the Revocation Rule (19.31.2 NMAC). Proposed changes include modifications to the point values, simplifying revocation timelines, streamlining the suspension process and allowing for video conference appearances by violators. The complete proposal can be found on the Department’s website.
The hybrid meetings are scheduled for:
- Dec. 3, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Northwest Area Office at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM. The meeting will also be available through Zoom.
- Dec. 13, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Southwest Area Office at 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NM. The meeting will also be available through Zoom.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Revocations Rule, 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120; or by email DGF-Revocations@state.nm.us.
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Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Fish Projects
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, NOV. 18, 2021:
Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Fish Projects
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting in order to allow the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) to the Habitat Stamp Program to discuss fish habitat restoration project opportunities. At this meeting, the Department will solicit CAC prioritization and guidance. Members of the public are invited to attend this virtual meeting in order to offer feedback and ask questions.
The virtual meeting is scheduled for Nov. 29, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Use this link to register for the meeting.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Program Manager, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or by email, Daniel.Lusk@state.nm.us; or in person at the meeting listed above.
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Game Commission to meet November 15
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, NOV. 10, 2021:
Game Commission to meet November 15
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet at 9 a.m., Monday, November 15 in Albuquerque.
The full agenda, location, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting. Due to COVID concerns, masks are required.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chair Jeremy Vesbach, Jimmy Bates, Tirzio Lopez and Roberta Salazar-Henry.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Lance Cherry at (505) 476-8003. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Public Comments Sought on Potential Delisting of Gould’s Wild Turkey
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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, NOV. 3, 2021:
Public Comments Sought on Potential Delisting of Gould’s Wild Turkey
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) is initiating an investigation into potentially removing Gould’s wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo mexicanus) from the state list of threatened and endangered species. Pursuant to the Wildlife Conservation Act [17-2-40 NMSA 1978], investigations into delisting a species may be conducted based on new biological evidence. Gould’s wild turkey was listed as state threatened in 1974 due to its limited range within New Mexico and uncertainty about its abundance at that time. Results of sustained field research conducted by the Department in recent years, in conjunction with a successful augmentation of the Peloncillo Mountains population, indicate that recovery criteria specified in the Gould’s Wild Turkey Recovery Plan (April 2017) have now been met. The delisting investigation will be conducted by Department Resident Game Bird Biologist Casey Cardinal and Recovery Coordinator John Bulger.
At this time the Department is soliciting comments and concerns from the general public about the potential delisting of Gould’s wild turkey. In accordance with the Wildlife Conservation Act, we are accepting data, views or information about the biological or ecological status of the species for use in the investigation. A public repository file has been created to document the delisting investigation and to record public comments on the process.
Public comments will be accepted throughout the delisting process. Comments received prior to February 18, 2022, will be considered in the development of the Delisting Proposal. Once the draft proposal is finalized, it will be available for review on the Department’s website at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/wildlife-species-information/threatened-and-endangered-species/.
Please direct comments, questions, and information to John Bulger at john.bulger@state.nm.us, or Department of Game & Fish, One Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507.
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State Game Commission and Department of Game and Fish honor the late David Soules
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, OCT. 22, 2021:
State Game Commission and Department of Game and Fish honor the late David Soules
SANTA FE – During todays meeting, the State Game Commission and the Department of Game and Fish honored the late David Soules. Soules, who passed away in March at age 63, was a passionate and dedicated outdoorsman and conservationist.
“Since David’s passing this past spring, there has been such an outpouring of respect and honor to such a great man that had given his life to wildlife, to conservation, to hunting, to the sports and activities of this great state and our country,” said Commission Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey. “During his tenure on the Commission, David was instrumental in negotiating the State Game Commission Easement for Hunter and Angler Access on State Lands Trust Lands with the State Land Office. He was known for his passion for the state’s habitat and was an advocate for projects statewide. David had a strong interest and understanding of Mexican Grey Wolf Program and supported efforts for the recovery of many threatened and endangered species.”
Soules began developing his lifelong interest in the outdoors at an early age, hunting and fishing with his brother and friends. Throughout his life, Soules was a conservationist who enjoyed hiking, camping, canoeing, hunting and fishing on public lands and waters in Southern New Mexico. He was co-author of “Exploring Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument” and earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University.
“Even six months after this loss, it is important to reflect on who he was and how he went about his advocacy for New Mexico’s outdoors, particularly here in his hometown of Las Cruces,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in a pre-recorded video. “David Soules was a devout conservationist, an engaging storyteller, a beloved husband, father and grandfather. His great service to this Commission and our state was only a part of the legacy he leaves behind.”
“David was a great friend and colleague. He was an important conservation leader in Las Cruces who will be hard to replace,” said State Game Commissioner Roberta Salazar-Henry.
Game and Fish Director Mike Sloane remarked, “He was at once playful and inquisitive, always setting you at ease but asking important questions – and always willing to share.”
During the memorial, family and friends gathered to share memories, tell stories and remember a great conservationist.
“David was, in many ways, one of the primary spark plugs behind the successful Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument and all that it protected, especially the cultural areas that he mapped over years and years,” remembered U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich. “I will always be grateful for his thoughtful leadership and communication and advocacy around the very concepts of public land and of public wildlife.”
“David was on our board of directors for the past 11 years,” said Mark Allison, Executive Director at New Mexico Wild. “He was a mentor, a guide, an interpreter, an evangelist for the land. He was a friend of mine and of all of us at New Mexico Wild.”
Soules was appointed to an at-large position representing conservation interests on the State Game Commission by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in March 2019.
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Department of Game and Fish announces support for Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
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, OCT. 20, 2021:
Department of Game and Fish announces support for Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish applauds the introduction of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), which could transform wildlife management in New Mexico. The legislation, as well as House of Representatives companion bill, was introduced by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich and is co-sponsored by 158 bipartisan legislators, including U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández and Melanie Stansbury.
RAWA would bring approximately $28 million federal dollars to New Mexico for species that currently lack the necessary funding for management. The legislation would support the state’s Wildlife Action Plan and the Species of Greatest Conservation Need identified in the plan. Management actions to benefit species such as Jemez Mountain Salamander, burrowing owl, Bendire’s thrasher, lesser prairie chicken, Gila monster, pinyon jay, black-footed ferret, Rio Grande chub, Pacific marten and the Gila trout, to name only a few, could be funded through this legislation.
“We are excited that New Mexico’s Senators and Representatives recognize the importance of our state’s wildlife and wild places and are advancing this transformational legislation in congress,” said Director Mike Sloane. “New Mexico is fortunate to have incredibly diverse wildlife that can only benefit from this funding.” Sloane also noted that in order to be eligible for the full funding, the legislation requires the state to provide $9.0 million in state matching funds.
\“Protecting America’s fish and wildlife habitat means conserving the creatures we love before they ever become imperiled,” said Senator Heinrich. “After all, our children deserve to inherit the full breadth of American wildlife, from bumble bees to bison, that we know today. This legislation will make that possible. I’m pleased to have so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle joining Senator Blunt and me in this effort.”
RAWA is the most significant wildlife conservation legislation in nearly half a century. Providing permanent funding for a broad array of species in need of additional support will secure persistence of these species for future generations.
“As the climate crisis continues to threaten our way of life, our country cannot lose sight of the countless endangered species that are also at risk,” said Senator Luján. “That’s why I’m proud to join Senator Heinrich to introduce legislation to protect endangered species and provide critical resources to prevent other wildlife from facing extinction.”
“New Mexicans know the important value of wildlife to our natural world and the deep significance it carries for our cultural heritage. This bill will allow us to provide state fish and wildlife agencies the necessary tools to implement science-based recovery and support plans,” said Representative Leger Fernández. “We need to consult local communities because that’s the best way to ensure a successful recovery program. I will continue to advocate for comprehensive legislation and an approach that protects our wildlife and their habitat consistent with our community values.”
“Restoring the threatened and endangered species that are integral to our landscapes and cultures requires all-hands on deck. That’s why I am proud to co-sponsor the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which would allocate millions of dollars to state, Tribal and other partners to deploy innovative solutions to wildlife recovery,” said Congresswoman Stansbury. “This bipartisan legislation represents the best in conservation policy, and I am proud to join Senator Heinrich and the New Mexico delegation in this effort to restore the wildlife and wild systems of New Mexico and our country.”
A copy of the bill can be found here.
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Game Commission to meet October 22
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, OCT. 20, 2021:
Game Commission to meet October 22
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet at 9 a.m., Friday, October 22 in Las Cruces to hold the final hearing for upland game bird, trapping and fisheries rules. The Commission will also hold a Memorial to honor the late Commissioner David Soules and his contributions to conservation and public lands in New Mexico.
The full agenda, location, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting. Due to COVID concerns, masks are required.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chair Jeremy Vesbach, Jimmy Bates, Tirzio Lopez and Roberta Salazar-Henry.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford at (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Department of Game and Fish purchases new property in southeast New Mexico
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, SEPT. 24, 2021:
Department of Game and Fish purchases new property in southeast New Mexico
SANTA FE – On Thursday, September 23 the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) was joined by members of the State Game Commission, NGL Energy Partners LP, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Secretary Sarah Cottrell Propst and members of the public to cut the ribbon on a newly purchased property for the benefit of the lesser prairie chicken, other grassland birds, pronghorn and grassland habitats.
The acquisition of the Pipkin Ranch, located about 40 miles southeast of Fort Sumner was made possible through a public-private partnership with NGL Energy Partners and funds generated through the sale of fishing and hunting licenses. This 7,500 acre purchase connects two existing Department properties, creating over 10,000 continuous acres dedicated to New Mexico’s grassland wildlife.
“I’d like to thank the sportsmen and sportswomen of New Mexico and our NGL partners for their contributions to conservation,” said NMDGF Director Mike Sloane. “This public-private partnership is an example of the positive work that can occur when we all recognize the value of conservation. I am excited to have been a part of this effort and believe that it will stand as an example going forward as we begin to implement the 30 x 30 initiative recently advanced by the governor.”
Game Commission Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey said, “Purchasing and maintaining property, such as this ranch, provide a great example of conserving wildlife habitat.” She added, “To the average eye, the Pipkin Ranch might look like rolling grassland with little value; but to the lesser prairie chicken it is a chance for growth – an important conservation stronghold!”
The lesser prairie chicken is an iconic American grouse species that is being considered for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. The lesser prairie chicken tends to occupy native grasslands and prairies. One of the primary causes for concern for the lesser prairie chicken is loss of habitat.
NGL Energy Partners LP is a diversified, publicly traded, mid-stream energy company, with infrastructure to primarily move liquid hydrogen carbons and New Mexico water including waste water. NGL Energy Partners selflessly stepped in to facilitate the purchase – ensuring that this property, with its known multiple lesser prairie chicken leks, would be added to the state’s conservation portfolio.
Matthias Sayer, with NGL Energy Partners, said, “Given our land ownership and lease holdings in New Mexico, it was organic and natural that we engage with Game and Fish, and started talking about wildlife conservation not only on our properties and those we manage but across the State.”
This public-private partnership came about just days before Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 30 x 30 initiative was issued. Sayer quoted from Governor Lujan Grisham’s executive order Protecting New Mexico’s Land, Watersheds, Wildlife and Natural Heritage, “Voluntary practices implemented by land managers, including private landowners and leaseholders, on working lands (both private and public) provide opportunities to support broader restoration activities, improve watershed health, create resilience in rural and urban communities, add value to the food chain and food security and contribute to the state’s outdoor recreation and eco-tourism economy.” Sayer continued, “That is exactly what has been done here today and we are happy to be a part of it.”
The full comments and ribbon cutting ceremony can be found on the Department’s YouTube Page.
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Governor declares Saturday, Sept. 25, National Hunting and Fishing Day in New Mexico
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, SEPT. 24, 2021:
Governor declares Saturday, Sept. 25, National Hunting and Fishing Day in New Mexico
SANTA FE – Each year hunters and anglers contribute more than $579 million dollars to the state’s economy, providing the funding necessary to manage New Mexico’s wildlife for the benefit of our citizens and future generations.
In honor of the sportsmen and women’s contributions to wildlife conservation, Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham issued a proclamation, declaring Saturday, Sept. 25 National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) in New Mexico.
Saturday, the Department will celebrate NHFD with a day of free fishing in New Mexico. All anglers, residents and nonresidents, may fish free on public waters statewide. No one needs a license or stamp, although bag limits and all other fishing rules apply.
Whether you feel like testing the waters for the first time or you are an old hand at fishing, it’s the perfect time to get out and make a cast or two at lakes and streams across New Mexico.
For more information about places to fish on Saturday, check out this week’s Fishing and Stocking Report and our new Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner.
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Special Game Commission meeting to be held virtually Oct. 1
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, SEPT. 24, 2021:
Special Game Commission meeting to be held virtually Oct. 1
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a special virtual meeting 9 a.m., Friday, October 1.
The full agenda and other information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will also be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chairman Jeremy Vesbach, Jimmy Bates, Tirzio Lopez and Roberta Salazar-Henry.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Maintenance Projects
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, AUG. 26, 2021:
Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Maintenance Projects
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting for the Citizen Advisory Committee to discuss Habitat Stamp Program maintenance activities. Members of the public are invited to attend this virtual meeting to provide feedback and ask questions.
The virtual meeting will be held September 2 at 5:30 p.m. Register for the virtual meeting.
Information about how to attend and participate in this meeting will be available on the Department’s webpage.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Program Manager, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or by email to Daniel.Lusk@state.nm.us or in person at the meeting listed above.
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Game Commission to meet August 12
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, AUG. 9, 2021:
Game Commission to meet August 12
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet at 9 a.m., Thursday, August 12.
The full agenda, location, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting. Due to COVID concerns, masks are required.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
In addition, there will be a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chair Jeremy Vesbach, Jimmy Bates, Tirzio Lopez and Roberta Salazar-Henry.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford at (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Maintenance Projects
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 19, 2021:
Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Maintenance Projects
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting for Citizen Advisory Committee to discuss Habitat Stamp Program maintenance activities. Members of the public are invited to attend this virtual meeting to provide feedback and ask questions.
The virtual meeting will be held July 27th at 5:30pm.
Information about how to attend and participate in this meeting will be available on the Department’s webpage.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Program Manager, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or by email to Daniel.Lusk@state.nm.us or in person at the meeting listed above.
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Upland Game rule changes topic of public meeting
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 16, 2021:
Upland Game rule changes topic of public meeting
The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Upland Game rule.
The proposals are available on the Department’s proposals under consideration webpage.
To gather public comments, one public meeting will be conducted via Zoom. The meeting will be held August 3 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Click here to join the virtual Zoom meeting.
Or enter the following in your Zoom client:
- Meeting ID: 211 476 4712
- Passcode: 202226
To join the meeting by phone, please dial 1-346-248-7799. You will be prompted to enter the Webinar ID: 211 476 4712 and Passcode: 202226
Presentation slides will be posted on the Department’s proposals under consideration webpage prior to the meeting so attendees can follow along. If you do not have access to the website to view the presentation, please email DGF-Gamebird@state.nm.us or call (505) 414-2341 to arrange acquiring a copy of the presentation.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Upland Game Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email DGF-Gamebird@state.nm.us, or at the meeting listed above.
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Apply now for sandhill crane and pheasant draw permits
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 14, 2021:
Apply now for sandhill crane and pheasant draw permits Sandhill Crane
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is now accepting applications for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits.
Applications can be made through your online account. The application deadline for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits is 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 18.
Successful applicants must have a Game Hunting license and applicable stamp(s) in addition to their draw permit.
Successful sandhill crane applicants also must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
Digital copies of the 2021-2022 Upland and Migratory Rules and Information Booklets will be available on the Department’s website later this year.
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Comment period for Landowner Certification of Non-Navigable Water Extended
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 22, 2021:
Comment period for Landowner Certification of Non-Navigable Water Extended
SANTA FE – At the New Mexico State Game Commission meeting held Friday, June 18, 2021 at the New Mexico State Capitol (Roundhouse), agenda item 6, Applications for Landowner Certification of Non-Navigable Water, was tabled until the August 12, 2021 Commission meeting, allowing additional time for public input.
At the August 12, 2021 State Game Commission Meeting, to be held in Santa Fe, a hearing and final decision on applications of Landowner Certification of Non-Navigable Water will be included in the agenda. Applications can be found on our website and include:
- Rancho Del Oso Pardo, Inc.
- River Bend Ranch, LLC
- Chama II, LLC, dba Canones Creek Ranch
- Fenn Farm
- Three Rivers Cattle Ltd. Co
The comment period closes at 5 p.m. MDT, Thursday, July 29, 2021.
All comments or proposed documentary evidence related to the hearing and final decision on applications of Landowner Certification of Non-Navigable Water must be provided in a written format by email to NonNav.Comments@state.nm.us or to the Office of the Director, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504, to allow it to be included electronically in the record. Interested participants can view the hearing rule and procedures online.
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Department continues black bear population estimate survey in the Gila National Forest
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 14, 2021:
Department continues black bear population estimate survey in the Gila National Forest
SANTA FE – During the summer of 2021, Department biologists and conservation officers will be entering the second year of a two-year black bear population estimate study using hair snares in the Gila National Forest.
Bear hair snares are a modern study technique designed to collect DNA and allow biologists to identify the number of bears in an area. Starting in early June, Department biologists and conservation officers will set up the hair snares across the Gila National Forest. The hair snares will consist of strands of barbed wire stretched across an area with bait in the middle. As bears duck under or step over the wire a small amount of hair will be collected.
Nick Forman, carnivore and small mammal program manager for the Department said “we had great success last year in the northern half of the Gila National Forest, and we look forward to continuing this year as we cover the wilderness and remaining areas and ultimately get a comprehensive look at the bear population in the greater Gila area.”
BHS1
Summer is the ideal time for these DNA samples to be collected; bears are shedding their winter coats and the snare will pull this loose hair without harming the bear. The study occurs during breeding season when bears are moving more. Biologists will collect the hair which will then be sent for DNA analysis at an internationally recognized lab utilized by many state agencies and universities for their wildlife genetic studies.
Bear hair snare sites are not located in high human use areas, but if you are recreating in the Gila National Forest and find one of these sites, the Department asks you to not touch the study areas and to make your way around the sites.
In the past several years similar studies have been completed in the northern and southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Sandia Mountains and the northern and southern Sacramento Mountains. Learn more about these studies in this report. The Department also recently wrapped up a bear hair study in the Jemez Mountains.
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Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Maintenance Projects
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 8, 2021:
Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Discuss Maintenance Projects
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting to allow the Citizen Advisory Committee to discuss Habitat Stamp Program maintenance activities. Members of the public are invited to attend this virtual Zoom meeting Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. in order to offer feedback and ask questions.
More information about this meeting is available on the NMDGF webpage http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/habitat-stamp. Copies of the proposed projects are also available on this webpage. Those interested in attending and participating in this meeting are encouraged to pre-register and attend the meeting on the Zoom webinar platform.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Program Manager, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or by email to Daniel.Lusk@state.nm.us or in person at the meeting listed above.
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Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone
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 4, 2021:
Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone
Spring in New Mexico is an exciting time for wildlife. This is the time of year when most babies are born. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reminds the public to leave alone any deer or antelope fawns, elk calves, bear cubs or other wild animals they may find.
Most young-of-the-year wildlife that people discover are simply hiding while awaiting their parents’ return from foraging nearby.
Removing these young animals can cost them their lives, Orrin Duvuvuei, Department deer biologist, warned.
“For about a week after birth, young wildlife exhibit hiding behaviors to avoid detection and increase their chance for survival. You might think it has been abandoned, but in reality, the mother is typically a few hundred yards away,” Duvuvuei said. “In most cases, the best thing to do is just leave it alone and quietly leave the area.”
Returning a young wild animal to its natural environment after it’s been carried off by a human can be very difficult and may not work in many cases, Duvuvuei said.
If you see young wildlife, please follow these guidelines:
- Do not approach. Its mother is likely close by and aware that you are in the area.
- Leave the area quickly and quietly.
- Observe the animal from a safe distance, but don’t linger in the area or touch the animal.
- If you think the animal has been abandoned, mark the location using a GPS if possible and contact the your local officer.
For more information about living with wildlife in New Mexico, please visit the Department website.
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Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 5
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 3, 2021:
Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 5
Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Saturday, June 5, as the state celebrates National Boating and Fishing Week.
Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state Saturday, June 5, but everyone must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department’s website.
“This is a great time to take your family fishing and teach them a skill that will provide a lifetime of enjoyment,” said Mike Sloane, Director for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Before heading out, anglers are encouraged to check current fire restrictions. For information about where to fish and what to use, consult the Department’s weekly fishing and stocking report and the new Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner. Maps of public fishing waters, lists of where to find family-friendly fishing and tips on how to fish also can be found on the Department website.
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Game Commission to meet June 18
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 24, 2021:
Game Commission to meet June 18
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting, 9 a.m., Friday, June 18, 2021 at the New Mexico State Capitol (Roundhouse), Room 322, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501.
Among the items on the agenda will be a hearing and final decision on applications of Landowner Certification of Non-Navigable Water. Applications can be found on our website and include:
- Rancho Del Oso Pardo, Inc.
- River Bend Ranch, LLC
- Chama II, LLC, dba Canones Creek Ranch
- Fenn Farm
- Three Rivers Cattle Ltd. Co
All comments or proposed documentary evidence related to the hearing and final decision on applications of Landowner Certification of Non-Navigable Water must be provided in a written format to the Office of the Director, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 or by email to NonNav.Comments@state.nm.us, to allow it to be included electronically in the record. The comment period closes at 5 p.m. MDT, Friday, June 4, 2021. Interested participants can view the hearing rule and procedures online.
The full agenda and other information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting.
The meeting will also be available to view by live webcast on the Department’s website.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chair Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chair Jeremy Vesbach, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez and Roberta Salazar-Henry.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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New Mexico Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board Meeting
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 12, 2021:
New Mexico Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board Meeting
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting of the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Advisory Board for Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually on the OHV website.
Those interested in participating and providing comments are encouraged to pre-register and attend the meeting on the Zoom webinar platform. The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board will meet in public session to hear the following: OHV budget update, general program update, OHV education update, OHV law enforcement update and public comment.
The Department’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program has an annual budget of $795,100.00 funded by revenue generated from the Trail Safety Fund. The OHV Act required the creation of the Trail Safety Fund, which generates revenue from OHV registration fees.
The OHV Advisory Board was established to advise the Department of Game and Fish on matters related to administration of the OHV Act. The board consists of the following seven members appointed by the governor to two-year terms:
- One landowner living near a national forest or Bureau of Land Management property that is used extensively for recreational off-highway vehicle activity;
- One producer or one grazing permittee on public lands from the farming or livestock industry;
- One person from the off-highway motor vehicle industry;
- One off-highway motor vehicle user;
- One hunter or angler;
- One quiet recreationalist, such as a hiker, backpacker, birdwatcher, equestrian, mountain biker, rock climber or archaeological enthusiast; and
- One member with expertise in injury prevention or treatment.
For more information about the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program, please contact Matt Seidel, by email or phone (505) 222-4728, or visit the Department’s OHV webpage.
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Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Prioritize Projects for 2021-2022
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 12, 2021:
Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to Prioritize Projects for 2021-2022
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting on May 21 at 5:30 p.m. to allow the Citizen Advisory Committee to prioritize proposed projects for the upcoming fiscal year. Members of the public are invited to attend this meeting (to be held virtually) in order to become familiar with the proposed projects and to offer feedback and opinions.
Information about how to attend and participate in this virtual meeting will be available on the Department’s Habitat Stamp webpage. Copies of the proposed projects are also available on this webpage.
Comments on the proposed projects can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Program Manager, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or by email to Daniel.Lusk@state.nm.us or in person at the virtual meeting listed above.
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Fisheries rule changes topic of public meetings
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 26, 2021:
Fisheries rule changes topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Fisheries, Manner and Method and Commercial Use of Fish rules.
The proposals are available on the Department’s proposals under consideration webpage.
To provide information on proposed changes and gather public comments, two public meetings will be conducted via Zoom. The meetings will be held May 19 and May 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Click here to register for the May 19 webinar.
Click here to register for the May 20 webinar.
Presentation slides will be posted on the Department’s proposals under consideration webpage prior to the meetings so attendees can follow along. If you do not have access to the website to view the presentation, please email DGF-FisheriesRule@state.nm.us or call (505) 476-8102 to make arrangements to acquire a copy of the presentation.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Fisheries Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, DGF-FisheriesRule@state.nm.us or at the meetings listed above.
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Migratory Game Bird rule changes topic of public meetings
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 12, 2021:
Migratory Game Bird rule changes topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird rule.
The proposals are available on the Department’s proposals under consideration webpage.
To gather public comments, one public meeting will be conducted via Zoom. The meeting will be held April 26 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Click here to join the virtual Zoom meeting.
Or enter the following in your Zoom client:
- Meeting ID: 824 6900 9878
- Passcode: 444544
To join the meeting by phone please dial 1-346-248-7799. You will be prompted to enter the Webinar ID: 824 6900 9878 and Passcode: 444544
Presentation slides will be posted on the Department’s proposals under consideration webpage prior to the meetings so attendees can follow along. If you do not have access to the website to view the presentation, please email DGF-Waterfowl@state.nm.us or call (505) 470-8947 to make arrangements to acquire a copy of the presentation.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Migratory Game Bird Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, DGF-Waterfowl@state.nm.us or at the meeting listed above.
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Public Meetings to Present 2021-2022 Proposed Projects for the Habitat Stamp Program
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 9, 2021:
Public Meetings to Present 2021-2022 Proposed Projects for the Habitat Stamp Program
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled two public meetings in order to inform the Citizen Advisory Committee, as well as the members of the public, of proposed projects for the upcoming fiscal year. A short presentation providing background information about each proposal will be followed by a brief Q & A session where members of the Citizen Advisory Committee and the public are encouraged to ask questions. Members of the public are invited to attend one or both of these meetings (to be held virtually) in order to become familiar with the proposed projects.
- April 12 at 5:00 p.m. (Bureau of Land Management Proposals)
- April 13 at 5:00 p.m. (Forest Service Proposals)
Information about how to attend and participate in this meeting is available on the NMDGF Habitat Stamp webpage, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/habitat-stamp, and copies of the proposed projects are also available on this page.
Comments on the proposed projects can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Program Manager, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email to Daniel.Lusk@state.nm.us; or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
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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 of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
Everyone is encouraged to report any wildlife crime or suspected crime they see while enjoying New Mexico’s great outdoors.
To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
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Game Commission to meet virtually April 7
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 31, 2021:
Game Commission to meet virtually April 7
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet virtually Wednesday, April 7, at 9 a.m.
The full agenda and other information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will also be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chair Jeremy Vesbach, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez and Roberta Salazar-Henry.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Department Announces Sudden Passing of Commissioner David Soules
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 30, 2021:
Department Announces Sudden Passing of Commissioner David Soules
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is saddened to announce State Game Commissioner David Soules died suddenly late Friday.
“We are heartbroken and saddened,” said Sharon Salazar Hickey, Chair of the State Game Commission. “David had the deepest passion and advocacy for hunting, wildlife and the outdoors. So many knew him through his outstanding service on sportsmen and wildlife conservation boards and he was trusted and respected by the entire hunting and non-hunting wildlife conservation community.”
Solues, age 63 of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was appointed to the Commission in 2019. During his tenure on the Commission, he was instrumental in negotiating the State Game Commission Easement for Hunter and Angler Access on State Lands Trust Lands with the State Land Office. He was known for his passion for the state’s habitat, and was an advocate for projects statewide. Soules had a strong interest and understanding of Mexican Grey Wolf Program and supported efforts for the recovery of many threatened and endangered species.
“David believed that for wildlife to thrive there should be a balance between consumptive and non-consumptive use of wildlife,” said friend and State Game Commissioner Roberta Salazar-Henry. “He asked many individuals their thoughts on a wildlife issue so he could truly understand their position.”
Soules was a lifelong conservationist who enjoyed hiking, camping, canoeing, hunting and fishing on public lands and waters in Southern New Mexico. He was co-author of, “Exploring Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument,” and earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University.
Soules is survived by his wife Nancy, his son Kevin and wife Robyn, his son Keith and wife Lauren, his two grandchildren Theodore and Isla, his brother Senator Bill Soules and his sister Merrie Lee Soules.
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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 advancement webpage details on the hiring timeline, study guides and the physical requirements.
Prior law enforcement experience is not required. Successful applicants must possess a qualifying bachelor’s degree and provide documentation of the degree by May 1, 2021. A list of qualifying degrees can be found on the Department’s conservation officers career advancement webpage. Aside from a written exam, oral interview and fitness test, successful candidates must also pass a psychological exam, medical exam, background investigation and drug test.
Upon hiring, recruits will receive basic training at the law enforcement academy, Department’s recruit school and 14 weeks of on-the-job field training before working alone in the field. Conservation officers are charged with enforcing New Mexico’s game and fish laws, educating the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conducting wildlife surveys, capturing “problem animals,” investigating wildlife damage to crops and property, assisting in wildlife relocations and helping develop new hunting, fishing and trapping regulations. The training is rigorous and the work is often difficult, requiring sound judgement, a good work ethic and common sense.
“The Department is seeking highly motivated personnel who are up to the challenge this career represents,” says recruiting officer Captain Ty Jackson. “Conservation officers primarily work alone in the most remote regions of the state and are often stationed in small towns.”
Interested applicants can get more information about conservation officer duties, educational and physical requirements, training and employee benefits by visiting the Department’s conservation officers career advancement webpage or contacting Captain Ty Jackson at Ty.Jackson@state.nm.us.
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Special Game Commission meeting to be held virtually March 22
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 17, 2021:
Special Game Commission meeting to be held virtually March 22
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a special virtual meeting, Monday, March 22, at 3 p.m., for an executive session to discuss pending litigation.
The full agenda and other information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will also be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, vice chairman Jeremy Vesbach, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, Roberta Salazar-Henry and David Soules.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Invasive mussel found in aquarium plants in New Mexico
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 12, 2021:
Invasive mussel found in aquarium plants in New Mexico
Santa Fe – Invasive zebra mussels have been found in moss balls sold as aquarium plants in pet stores and through online vendors across the state. Any moss balls purchased in New Mexico or online within the last year may pose serious risks to our state’s waterbodies, water systems and wildlife.
Retailers and anyone who has recently purchased a moss ball are urged to immediately follow the steps below to protect our waters and wildlife resources.
- Remove moss ball and any aquarium items and place in a heat safe pot; fill pot with tap water.
Bring water to a boil and boil contents for a minimum of one minute. - Discard moss ball in the trash; allow other aquarium items to completely dry.
- Discard boiled water onto grass or dirt.
- Complete a 100% aquarium water exchange; draining water onto grass or dirt and replace filter media, bio bags, etc.
- Rinse aquarium with hot water (minimum of 140 degrees), ensuring all sides receive hot water.
- Rebuild aquarium and monitor monthly for presence of zebra mussels.
Do not flush moss balls or discard any water into a toilet, sink, bathtub, storm drain or any water sources like ponds, lakes or rivers.
The Department and our federal partners have worked with pet stores to remove these products from store shelves and to limit further importation. Zebra mussels are a dangerous invasive species because they can reproduce quickly and become so dense they clog water pipes and boat motors as well as altering aquatic habitats to the detriment of fish and wildlife.
New Mexico remains one of seven states in the west without a population of invasive zebra or quagga mussels and has active education/outreach, early detection monitoring and prevention programs designed to reduce introduction.
For more information, visit the Department’s Aquatic Invasive Species webpage.
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Wild Population of Mexican Wolves Grows for Fifth Consecutive Year
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Media contact, Aislinn Maestas: 505-331-9280
aislinn_maestas@fws.gov
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Media Contact, Jackie Follmuth: 928-532-3691
jfollmuth@azgfd.gov
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 12, 2021:
Wild Population of Mexican Wolves Grows for Fifth Consecutive Year
2020 survey shows at least 186 wolves across the Southwest
SANTA FE – The wild population of Mexican wolves in the United States saw its fifth consecutive year of growth in 2020. According to the recent count, the U.S. population of Mexican wolves has increased by 14% since last year, raising the total number of wolves in the wild to a minimum of 186 animals.
From Nov. 2020 through Jan. 2021, the Interagency Field Team (IFT) conducted ground counts in Ariz. and N.M. that concluded with aerial counts of Mexican wolves in January and February. According to the IFT, the 186 wolves are distributed with 114 in N.M. and 72 in Ariz. In 2019, the team documented a minimum of 163 wolves, which was a 24% increase from 2018. This population has nearly doubled in size over the last five years.
“With careful planning and using best practices, we were able to conduct the annual survey with the utmost emphasis on the health and safety of our staff,” said Brady McGee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator. “Thanks to our staff’s efforts, we were able to document a minimum of 64 pups surviving in the wild last year. Pup production and recruitment in the wild population is extremely important to the recovery of this species. We are thrilled to see this number continuing to rise.”
Among the 2020 findings:
- There were a minimum of 46 packs (including new pairs) documented at the end of 2020: 29 in N.M. and 17 in Ariz., plus five single wolves in Ariz. A wolf pack is defined as two or more wolves that maintain an established territory. By comparison, there were a minimum of 42 packs at the end of 2019.
- A minimum of 124 pups were born in 2020, with at least 64 surviving until the end of the year (a 52% survival rate). The average survival of Mexican wolf pups is around 50%.
- The IFT recorded a minimum of 20 breeding pairs (12 in N.M., eight in Ariz.) with pups in 2020.
- There were 96 collared wolves in the wild at the end of the year, which is slightly more than 50% of the wild population. These radio collars use satellite technology to accurately record wolf locations on a frequent basis. Biologists on the IFT use this information to gain timely information about wolf behavior in the wild and assist with management of the wild population.
- The IFT documented 29 mortalities in the wild population of Mexican wolves in 2020, which is similar to the mortality rate in 2019 given the growing population.
- This year’s survey represents not only an all-time record number of wolves in the wild but also the most ever breeding pairs, wild packs, pups born in the wild, and pups surviving to the end of the year.
“Many people eagerly await the results of the annual Mexican wolf count. As has been the case for a decade, this year’s result signals success in recovery of this element of the Southwest’s biodiversity and offers hope of eventually meeting recovery goals,” said Clay Crowder, Assistant Director, Wildlife Management Division, Arizona Game and Fish Department. “With continued year-over-year increases in the United States, it is important to recognize that Mexico is key to full recovery, and more attention is needed in support of efforts there.”
In 2020, the IFT placed 20 captive-born pups into seven wild dens (a process called “cross fostering”) to boost the genetic diversity in the wild population. The IFT has since captured and collared seven of these pups and will continue efforts in 2021 to document others that may have survived. With these newly collared pups, the known number of fostered wolves alive is 12.
The Mexican wolf is the rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America. It is listed separately from the gray wolf as an endangered subspecies under the federal Endangered Species Act. In 1977, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and many partners initiated efforts to conserve the subspecies by developing a bi-national captive breeding program with the seven remaining Mexican wolves in existence. Approximately 350 Mexican wolves are currently maintained in more than 55 facilities throughout the United States and Mexico.
Partners in Mexican wolf recovery in the United States include the Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, USDA Forest Service, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service.
For more information on the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, visit the Mexican wolf website or visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department website on wolves.
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Remember to be aware of wild animals along the Bosque
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, FEB 24, 2021:
Remember to be aware of wild animals along the Bosque
SANTA FE – Due to an increase in recent sightings of coyotes by hikers along the Bosque in the Albuquerque metro area, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reminds everyone to be mindful and prepared for potential encounters with wild animals.
The Bosque along the Rio Grande is an essential corridor for wild animals moving through the Albuquerque metro area. This area provides easy food sources, water, shelter and an escape from pressures that wild animals have as they travel. There are also wild animals that will live their whole life in the Bosque.
The corridor, surrounded by houses, schools, shopping centers and restaurants, also offers people and families an escape from the every-day-hustle and an opportunity for fresh air.
If you enjoy recreating along the Bosque, remember:
- Never approach a wild animal. If you see wildlife, snap a picture while keeping a safe distance.
- Avoid outdoor activities such as running or hiking at, or around, dawn and dusk, when predators are most active.
- Supervise children when they are outdoors and keep them close when hiking.
- A leash will help protect your pet and usually is required by law.
If you live near the Bosque, remember:
- Eliminate hiding places for predators. Remove enough vegetation to detect large predators in your yard and make it difficult for them to hide or approach unseen.
- Enclose open spaces below porches and decks.
Install outside lighting (preferably motion sensors). Illuminate walking areas. - Avoid non-native shrubs and plants. These can attract prey that predators may follow.
- Bring pets inside at night. If they must stay outside, confine them in a kennel with a secure roof.
- Do not feed pets outside. Pet food can attract predators and prey.
Store all garbage securely. Most predators will not cause damage and will move on if abundant food cannot be found.
Additional information on wild animals such as raccoons, mule deer, bobcats, bears and other predators can be found on the Department’s website.
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State Game Commission expands agreement with State Land Office
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, JAN 26, 2021:
State Game Commission expands agreement with State Land Office
SANTA FE – At the Jan. 15, 2021, State Game Commission Meeting, a unanimous vote finalized a four-year agreement between the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico State Land Office. The easement will allow hunters, anglers and trappers to access state trust lands in exchange for an annual payment of $800,000 and $200,000 of habitat improvement projects on state trust land.
“This is a wonderful agreement that increases opportunities for hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationists,” said State Game Commission chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey. “The Department of Game and Fish and the State Land Office worked together, to find balance for the benefit of all New Mexicans.”
The Department of Game and Fish and the State Land Office agreed to the success of a 2020 pilot programs for backpacking and dispersed and roadside camping. With the new agreement these pilot programs have become permanent additions.
Additional changes include:
- Expanding the easement from a one-year agreement to a four-year agreement.
- Representatives from the Department of Game and Fish and the State Land Office will meet within 30 days of the execution of this agreement to discuss additions, deletions and other changes to the access points. Access points will be finalized by May 15 of each year.
- The Department shall provide the State Land Office with a dedicated after-hours point of contact for law enforcement-related calls and complaints, including but not limited to reports of violations, locked gates or other access problems and resource damage (such as unlawfully cut fences or unauthorized road construction).
- Expanded camping opportunities.
During the State Game Commission meeting, Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard said this is a great day for sportspeople across the state of New Mexico because we have a great agreement between our two agencies to provide access throughout the state for hunting seasons on state trust land.
State Game Commission vice-chairman Jeremy Vesbach summed up the agreement, “One of the values we share with the State Land Office is the ability to get our families in this state outside. This pandemic has shown us just how important outdoor recreation and the tie we have to the land is.”
Since March 2020, the Department and the State Land Office partnered on $200,000 worth of projects to fulfill the indirect project spending portion of the easement. Those successes include completed projects and some that are currently in progress, including:
- sheep net-wire fence modification to wildlife friendly design in SE New Mexico,
- Canadian River native riparian vegetation establishment project in Harding and Mora counties where several thousand willows and hundreds of cottonwood poles will be planted along two to three miles of stream bank,
- improvements to Luera Mountains Access Road in Catron County,
- new Turkey Ridge campsite and fencing on Chupadera Mesa in Socorro County,
- sixty-seven new sportsperson access points including signage and gate installation (20 vehicle access, 47 walk-in access),
- and two new pilot programs for licensed New Mexico hunters that created the previously mentioned dispersed and backpack camping opportunities.
Visit the Department’s YouTube Channel to view the past State Game Commission meeting.
Easement details and hunting access maps can be found on the Department’s website. The updates easement will be posted when signed by both parties.
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Game Commission to meet virtually Jan. 15
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, Jan. 9, 2020:
Game Commission to meet virtually Jan. 15
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet virtually Friday, Jan. 15, at 9 a.m.
The full agenda and other information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will also be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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At Least Seven Mexican Wolf Pups Successfully Cross-Fostered into Wild Packs
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Media contact, Tom Cadden: (623) 236-7392
tcadden@azgfd.gov
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Media contact, Aislinn Maestas: (505) 331-8027
aislinn_maestas@fws.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DEC. 17, 2020:
At Least Seven Mexican Wolf Pups Successfully Cross-Fostered into Wild Packs
Record number of cross-fostered pups captured and collared by field team
The Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team (IFT) has successfully captured and radio-collared seven of this year’s cross-fostered pups, documenting record success for the program. Last spring, members of the IFT and the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan cross-fostered a total of 20 genetically diverse wolf pups from captive facilities into litters of wild wolf packs. As part of ongoing efforts to record survival of cross-fostered pups, the IFT reports the following:• One of two pups cross-fostered from the Phoenix Zoo to the Iron Creek pack (NM) has been caught and radio-collared.
• One of two pups cross-fostered from the Endangered Wolf Center to the San Mateo pack (NM) has been caught and radio-collared.
• Three of four pups cross-fostered from the Sedgwick County Zoo to the Hoodoo pack (AZ) have been caught and radio-collared.
• One of the four pups cross-fostered from the Endangered Wolf Center to the Dark Canyon pack (NM) has been caught and radio-collared.
• One of the three pups cross-fostered from the Endangered Wolf Center to the Elk Horn pack (AZ) has been caught and radio-collared.
Unfortunately, this animal was found dead in December.
These results represent the minimum number of the 20 pups cross-fostered in the spring of 2020 having survived to date. In 2019, the IFT captured and collared two out of the 12 pups cross-fostered into the wild. The IFT has documented that cross-fostered pups have the same survival rate as wild-born pups in their first year of life (about 50 percent).
“We have documented survival in four out of the seven packs that received cross-fostered pups this year—and there could still be more. This is an extraordinary accomplishment by our field team,” said John Oakleaf, Mexican Wolf Field Projects Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The Service would once again like to thank the staff from the captive facilities, LightHawk, and the Interagency Field Team who continue to do incredible and visionary conservation work for the Mexican wolf.”
“It’s exciting to see these results from the team’s cross-fostering efforts this past spring,” said Paul Greer, Mexican Wolf IFT Leader for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “We’re continuing to see progress on numeric recovery while at the same time making progress at infusing new genetics into the Mexican wolf population.”
Cross-fostering is a proven method used by IFT, a task force comprising federal, state and tribal partners, to increase genetic diversity in the wild Mexican wolf population. It involves placing genetically diverse pups less than 14 days old from captive breeding populations into wild dens with similarly aged pups to be raised as wild wolves. Since 2014, there have been 50 genetically diverse wolf pups cross-fostered into the wild. Five cross-fostered wolves have survived to breeding age, resulting in multiple litters of genetically diverse pups born in the wild. There are currently 14 genetically valuable cross-fostered wolves that are collared and alive in the wild that the IFT is actively monitoring. Very likely there are additional cross-fostered wolves alive in the population that have yet to be captured and collared. The IFT will continue collaring efforts in 2021 to document additional cross-foster survival.
Read about this year’s cross-foster efforts.
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Starvation, unexpected weather to blame in mass migratory songbird mortality
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, DEC. 4, 2020:
Starvation, unexpected weather to blame in mass migratory songbird mortality
SANTA FE –The U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center has analyzed representative samples of the migratory songbirds collected, cataloged and sent for analyses by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologists, in early September. The lab report indicates that the single abnormality shared by nearly all birds was body condition ranging from poor to severely emaciated.
Kerry Mower, the Department’s wildlife disease specialist, said, “The laboratory results are very informative but did not identify a single definitive cause of mortality. However, they did find that nearly all birds were severally emaciated.”
The single abnormality shared by nearly all birds was body condition ranging from poor to severely emaciated. These observations are evidence of physical exertion without nourishment to support recovery, including:
the large breast muscles controlling birds’ wings were severely shrunken;
- kidney failure was apparent in many of the birds;
- stomachs and intestines were empty of foodstuffs;
- many intestines contained small amounts of blood, which is one of the effects of starvation;
- fat deposits, the stored energy for migration, were depleted; and
- lung tissues were irritated.
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, located in Madison, Wis., is renowned for the thoroughness of the diagnostic tests for wildlife disease diagnosis and management. The center conducted numerous tests during analyses, ruling out contagious bacterial disease, contagious viral disease including avian influenza and Newcastle disease and parasites as cause of death, as well as finding no evidence of smoke poisoning or pesticide poisoning.
From the lab reports, Department biologists know that migrating birds entered New Mexico in poor body condition and some birds were already succumbing to starvation. The unusual winter storm exacerbated conditions, likely causing birds to become disoriented and fly into objects and buildings. Some were struck by vehicles and many landed on the ground where cold temperatures, ice, snow and predators killed them.
“The Department would like to thank many partners and the public who reported mortalities across New Mexico,” said Erin Duvuvuei, the Department’s avian biologist. “Hundreds of reports were received through email, phone calls and the iNaturalist app.” Reports declined by late September.
The Department would also like to thank all of the partner organizations who were essential to this process. Partners include the: United States Fish and Wildlife Service, White Sands Missile Range, United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico Avian Conservation Partners, New Mexico State University, University of New Mexico, Audubon Southwest, Los Alamos National Laboratories and the New Mexico Wildlife Center.
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Call for applicants: Citizen advisors needed for Habitat Stamp Program
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, DEC. 1, 2020:
Call for applicants: Citizen advisors needed for Habitat Stamp Program
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is accepting applications for volunteer citizen advisors to the Habitat Stamp Program.
Advisors will serve on a Citizen Advisory Committee to the Habitat Stamp Program, and will review and prioritize proposed projects for annual funding.
Advisors are expected to engage and encourage public participation and involvement in the program. They will also be expected to represent public interest and be engaged and informed with regard to wildlife and fish habitat conservation needs.
The citizen advisors will be appointed at the January 15, 2021 Commission meeting, which will be held virtually. Those applying to serve will be evaluated upon:
- Familiarity with current wildlife conservation or habitat restoration activities.
- Knowledge of public lands and habitats.
- Ability to engage with their local communities to promote participation.
- Representation from across the state.
To apply, please visit the habitat stamp website and download the application. Completed applications will be accepted through January 4, 2021. For questions or further information about the program please contact Daniel Lusk via email.
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Applications Now Available for 2021-2022 Off-Highway Vehicle Grants
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, DEC 1, 2020:
Applications Now Available for 2021-2022 Off-Highway Vehicle Grants
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is now accepting grant applications for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation projects and law enforcement patrols.
Federal, state and local government agencies as well as not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for grants to enhance safe recreational use or mitigate impacts of side-by-sides, ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles on public lands. Law enforcement agencies can apply for grants to conduct OHV patrols and enforce the provisions of the OHV Act (66-3-1001 NMSA).
Funds for grants are user-generated revenues from OHV registrations, collected in the state’s Trail Safety Fund and administered by the Department. Grants will reimburse up to $15,000 for projects starting July 1, 2021, with final invoices due no later than June 15, 2022.
Grant application forms and information can be downloaded from the OHV program website. Applications will be accepted via email until Friday, March 26, 2021. Applications can also be mailed to: OHV Program, 7816 Alamo Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120, postmarked no later than Friday, March 26, 2021.
For further information, please contact the OHV program manager, Matt Seidel, by phone at (505) 222-4728 or email.
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New Mexico Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board Meeting
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, NOV. 25, 2020:
New Mexico Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board Meeting
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting of the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Advisory Board for Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually on the OHV website.
Those interested in participating and providing comments are encouraged to pre-register and attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board will meet in public session to hear the following: OHV budget update, general program update, OHV education update, OHV law enforcement update and public comment.
The Department’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program has an annual budget of $795,100.00 funded by revenue generated from the Trail Safety Fund. The OHV Act required the creation of the Trail Safety Fund, which generates revenue from OHV registration fees.
The OHV Advisory Board was established to advise the Department of Game and Fish on matters related to administration of the OHV Act. The board consists of the following seven members appointed by the governor to two-year terms:
- One landowner living near a national forest or bureau of land management property that is used extensively for recreational off-highway vehicle activity;
- One producer or one grazing permittee on public lands from the farming or livestock industry;
- One person from the off-highway motor vehicle industry;
- One off-highway motor vehicle user;
- One hunter or angler;
- One quiet recreationalist, such as a hiker, backpacker, birdwatcher, equestrian, mountain biker, rock climber or archaeological enthusiast; and
- One member with expertise in injury prevention or treatment.
For more information about the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program, please contact Matt Seidel, (505) 222-4728 or visit the Department’s OHV webpage.
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Game Commission to meet virtually Dec. 3
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, NOV. 25, 2020:
Game Commission to meet virtually Dec. 3
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet virtually Thursday, Dec. 3, at 9:00 a.m.
The full agenda and other information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will also be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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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 safe from COVID-19. All New Mexico Department of Game and Fish offices, including Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Raton, Roswell and Santa Fe, will be closed to all staff and will remain closed to the public at least through December 4. Other properties, such as the state fish hatcheries, will also remain closed to the public. Visit the Department’s Alert page for information on the closures.
Private land hunters need to be proactive, purchasing licenses online as soon as possible to allow ample time to receive their carcass tag(s). Shipping the paper tag typically takes 14-days. Hunters do have the option to use the NM E-Tag app if they purchase a license within the 14-day window.
If you need assistance, call the Information Center at (888) 248-6866 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you need in person help, such as pelt tagging a bear or cougar, appointments must be made in advance. For pelt tagging, please call the Harvest Hotline at (877) 950-5466.
If you need to report a poaching, the Operation Game Thief program is available 24/7. You can report online or by calling 1-800-432-4263.
For all other appointments, call the Information Center.
The Department, including the Information Center, will be closed on Nov. 26 and 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Department of Game and Fish requests flat budget
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, NOV. 16, 2020:
Department of Game and Fish requests flat budget
SANTA FE – At this time of fiscal constraints, the Department of Game and Fish has submitted a flat budget to ensure the continuation of services to New Mexico hunters, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts.
“The Department recognizes its role as an economic engine for many of our small, rural communities across the state,” said Director Mike Sloane. “Hunting, fishing and wildlife associated recreation brings nearly $1 billion a year to the state’s economy, often to rural areas where funds are needed most.”
Receiving no money from the state’s General Fund, the Department is largely funded by our customers — the hunters and anglers. They enable the Department to conserve wildlife and provide recreational opportunities that benefit everyone.
The sale of hunting and fishing licenses annually provides approximately $20 million, our primary funding source. The federal Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program supplements this, which provide an additional $12 million by matching on a three-to-one basis the dollars the Department invests in wildlife conservation.
The Department will continue to ensure we bring in as many federal dollars as possible to help New Mexico’s economy.
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Public Meeting to Gather Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to the Habitat Stamp Program
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, November 2, 2020:
Public Meeting to Gather Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to the Habitat Stamp Program
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting in order to seek public comment on proposed revisions to the Public Land User Stamp Rule 19.34.6 NMAC (Habitat Stamp Program Rule). A short presentation providing information about the Habitat Stamp Program and details of the proposed revisions will be followed by a Q & A session where members of the public are encouraged to ask questions. Members of the public are invited to attend the virtual meeting 6 p.m., Nov. 5 in order to become familiar with the program and the proposed revisions.
Summary of Proposed Changes:
- Renew Program for 10 additional years (through March 2031)
- Update planning efforts to align with current interagency coordination efforts
- Require that 50% of Habitat Stamp expenditures benefit fish
- Adjust from five (5) Citizen Advisory Committees to one (1) Citizen Advisory Committee with a statewide jurisdiction
- Increase the Habitat Stamp fee from $5 to $10
Information about how to attend and participate in this meeting will be available on the NMDGF webpage, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/commission/proposals-under-consideration/. A copy of the presentation and a summary of the proposed changes are also available on this webpage.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or by email, dgf-habitat-stamp-rule@state.nm.us.
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Public Meeting to Gather Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to the Habitat Stamp Program
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, October 27, 2020:
Public Meeting to Gather Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to the Habitat Stamp Program
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting in order to seek public comment on proposed revisions to the Public Land User Stamp Rule 19.34.6 NMAC (Habitat Stamp Program Rule). A short presentation providing information about the Habitat Stamp Program and details of the proposed revisions will be followed by a Q & A session where members of the public are encouraged to ask questions. Members of the public are invited to attend the virtual meeting 6 p.m., Nov. 5 in order to become familiar with the program and the proposed revisions.
Summary of Proposed Changes:
- Renew Program for 10 additional years (through March 2031)
- Update planning efforts to align with current interagency coordination efforts
- Require that 50% of Habitat Stamp expenditures benefit fish
- Adjust from five (5) Citizen Advisory Committees to one (1)
- Citizen Advisory Committee with a statewide jurisdiction
- Increase the Habitat Stamp fee from $5 to $10
Information about how to attend and participate in this meeting will be available on the NMDGF webpage, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/commission/proposals-under-consideration/. A copy of the presentation and a summary of the proposed changes are also available on this webpage.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or by email, dgf-habitat-stamp-rule@state.nm.us.
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Game Commission to meet virtually Oct. 16
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, OCT. 6, 2020:
Game Commission to meet virtually Oct. 16
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet virtually Friday, Oct. 16 at 9:00 a.m.
The full agenda and other information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will also be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
###
New Mexico Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board Meeting
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 29, 2020:
New Mexico Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board Meeting
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting of the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Advisory Board for Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually on the OHV website.
Those interested in participating and providing comments are encouraged to pre-register and attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board will meet in public session to hear the following: OHV budget update, general program update, OHV education update, OHV law enforcement update and public comment.
The Department’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program has an annual budget of $795,100.00 funded by revenue generated from the Trail Safety Fund. The OHV Act required the creation of the Trail Safety Fund, which generates revenue from OHV registration fees.
The OHV Advisory Board was established to advise the Department of Game and Fish on matters related to administration of the OHV Act. The board consists of the following seven members appointed by the governor to two-year terms:
- One landowner living near a national forest or bureau of land management property that is used extensively for recreational off-highway vehicle activity;
- One producer or one grazing permittee on public lands from the farming or livestock industry;
- One person from the off-highway motor vehicle industry;
- One off-highway motor vehicle user;
- One hunter or angler;
- One quiet recreationalist, such as a hiker, backpacker, birdwatcher, equestrian, mountain biker, rock climber or archaeological enthusiast; and
- One member with expertise in injury prevention or treatment.
For more information about the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program, please contact Matt Seidel, (505) 222-4728, matthew.seidel@state.nm.us or visit the Department’s OHV webpage.
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Department biologists investigate avian mortality in New Mexico
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, SEPT. 17, 2020:
Department biologists investigate avian mortality in New Mexico
Correction: Please continue to use the iNaturalist app or website, however do not use the “Southwest Avian Mortality Project” for reporting; the team tracking these avian mortalities will be able to filter iNaturalist data for New Mexico.
SANTA FE – Over the past week, Department biologists have been working with federal agencies, avian researchers and other colleagues to document and to identify the cause of statewide avian mortalities. Biologists are working diligently with our partners to determine the number of deaths and the reason for the occurrence.
The Department is interested in your observations and photos to track the avian mortality event in New Mexico. To submit your observations and photos, please use the iNaturalist app or website, available on Google Play or the Apple App Store and https://www.inaturalist.org/. For help with the iNaturalist app, the “Getting Started Guide” has simple instructions to submit an observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/getting+started. iNaturalist also has tutorial videos for the mobile app and web uploader.
Over the past week, Department biologists have collected approximately 300 samples from the public and partner agencies. Samples will be sent to the National Wildlife Health Center. Samples are also being collected by biologists at White Sands Missile Range and New Mexico State University. Migratory song birds, such as warblers and swallows, are the primary species that have been collected.
If specimens are collected, please contact erin.duvuvuei@state.nm.us.
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Special Game Commission meeting to be held virtually Sept. 11
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, SEPT. 3, 2020:
Special Game Commission meeting to be held virtually Sept. 11
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a special virtual meeting, Friday Sept. 11, to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register, to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone and the meeting agenda, is available on the Department’s website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will also be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Current members are chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, vice chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Public Meeting on Proposed Changes to the Hunter Education Rule
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, SEPT. 3, 2020:
Public Meeting on Proposed Changes to the Hunter Education Rule
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled two public meetings on proposed revisions to the Hunter Education Rule 19.36.3 NMAC. A short presentation providing details of the proposed revisions will be given. The presentation will be followed by a Q & A session where members of the public are encouraged to ask questions and provide input. Members of the public are invited to attend one or both of these meetings (to be held virtually) to become familiar with the rule and the proposed revisions:
- September 24, 2020 at 6 p.m.
Register in advance for this webinar here. - September 29, 2020 at 6 p.m.
Register in advance for this webinar here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Additional information about this meeting, including a copy of the presentation and a summary of the proposed revisions, is available on the Department webpage, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/commission/proposals-under-consideration/.
Comments on the proposed revisions can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Hunter Education Rule Amendments, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507; or by email, lance.cherry@state.nm.us.
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Public Meetings on Proposed Changes to the Importation Rule
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, SEPT. 2, 2020:
Public Meetings on Proposed Changes to the Importation Rule
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled two public meetings on proposed revisions to the Importation Rule 19.35.7 NMAC. A short presentation providing details of the proposed revisions will be given. The presentation will be followed by a Q & A session where members of the public are encouraged to ask questions and provide input. Members of the public are invited to attend one or both of these meetings (to be held virtually) to become familiar with the rule and the proposed revisions:
- September 23, 2020 at 6 p.m.
Register in advance for this webinar here. - September 30, 2020 at 6 p.m.
Register in advance for this webinar here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Additional information about this meeting, including a copy of the presentation and a summary of the proposed revisions, is available on the Department webpage, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/commission/proposals-under-consideration/.
Comments on the proposed revisions can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Importation Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or by email, dgf-importation.rule@state.nm.us.
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Public Meetings on Proposed Revisions to the Habitat Stamp Program
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, August 28, 2020:
Public Meetings on Proposed Revisions to the Habitat Stamp Program
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled two public meetings on proposed revisions to the Public Land User Stamp Rule 19.34.6 NMAC (Habitat Stamp Program Rule). A short presentation providing background information about the Habitat Stamp Program and details of the proposed revisions will be given. The presentation will be followed by a Q & A session where members of the public are encouraged to ask questions and provide input. Members of the public are invited to attend one or both of these meetings (to be held virtually) in order to become familiar with the program and the proposed revisions:
- September 10th at 6 p.m.
Register in advance for this webinar here. - September 28th at 6 p.m.
Register in advance for this webinar here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Additional information about this meeting, including a copy of the presentation and a summary of the proposed revisions, is available on the NMDGF webpage, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/commission/proposals-under-consideration/.
Comments on the proposed revisions can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Habitat Stamp Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or by email, dgf-habitat-stamp-rule@state.nm.us.
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Game Commission to meet virtually Aug. 13
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, August 5, 2020:
Game Commission to meet virtually Aug. 13
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet virtually Thursday, Aug. 13 at 8:30 a.m.
The full agenda and other information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will also be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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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 indicate that the woman sustained multiple injuries including several broken bones, a collapsed lung, bite marks and scratches.
After arriving on scene, responding officers located and dispatched a bear that was eating trash in the vicinity. Conservation officers will work with the Veterinary Diagnostic Services (VDS) lab in Albuquerque to examine the bear.
DNA samples will be collected from the victim, her clothing and the area where the attack occurred. Evidence will be analyzed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Forensic Laboratory to verify that this was the bear involved in the attack.
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.
Though bears can be unpredictable, here are some ways to protect yourself if you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile. - Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and four feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
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Apply now for sandhill crane and pheasant draw permits
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 13, 2020:
Apply now for sandhill crane and pheasant draw permits
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will be accepting applications for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits starting 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15.
Applications can be made online through your account or over the telephone with the Department’s information center, 1-888-248-6866. The application deadline for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits is 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Pheasant hunts that will be included in the draw include:
|
Hunt |
Hunt |
Season |
Number of |
|
Bernardo Youth Only |
PHE-0-001 |
Oct. 17 |
20 |
|
W.S. Huey Youth Only |
PHE-0-002 |
Dec. 5 |
40 |
|
W.S. Huey (open to all applicants) |
PHE-0-005 |
Dec. 12 |
40 |
Sandhill crane hunts that will be included in the draw include:
|
Hunt |
Hunt |
Season |
Number of |
|
Estancia Valley Hunt |
SCR-0-101 |
Oct. 24 – 27, |
65 |
|
Middle Rio |
SCR-0-102 |
Nov. 7-8 |
60 |
|
|
SCR-0-103 |
Nov. 28-29 |
50 |
|
|
SCR-0-104 |
Dec. 5-6 |
55 |
|
|
SCR-0-105 |
Jan. 2-3, 2021 |
55 |
|
|
SCR-0-106 |
Jan. 9-10, 2021 |
50 |
|
MRGV Youth Only |
SCR-0-107 |
Nov.21 |
24 |
|
Southwestern |
SCR-0-108 |
Oct. 24 – Nov. 1 |
70 |
|
|
SCR-0-109 |
Jan. 2 – 3, 2021 |
60 |
Successful applicants must have a Game Hunting license and applicable stamp(s) in addition to their draw permit. Successful sandhill crane applicants also must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
The 2020-2021 Upland Game Hunting Rules and Information Booklet will be online at the end of July. The 2020-2021 Migratory Game Bird Rules and Information Booklet will be online in mid-August. These publications will only be published on the Department’s website for the 2020-2021 hunting season.
###
Department cautions homeowners be aware of increased bear activity in the foothills around Santa Fe
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 10, 2020:
Department cautions homeowners be aware of increased bear activity in the foothills around Santa Fe
SANTA FE – Due to multiple sightings of bears, including a sow and cubs, in the foothills of Santa Fe between Canyon Road and Highway 285, homeowners are reminded to remove bird feeders, store trash in a secured location and never leave pet food in a space where a bear can access it.
Director Mike Sloane warns while “some may view this as a unique opportunity to view wildlife; it is very important to follow our guidelines to keep yourself and bears safe.”
The Department strongly urges you to avoid approaching a bear or getting between the mother and her cubs. Conservation officer Manny Overby said, “Approaching wildlife is dangerous and getting into the personal space of any wild animal is a bad idea.”
“The state has experienced less than average precipitation for this time of the year, which means that bears may be in search of other food sources,” said Sloane. “Droughts historically have led to a lot of bear conflicts in urban areas, not only in Santa Fe, but across the state,” he continued.
Due to the recent increased bear activity, the public should be even more diligent about paying attention to their surroundings when living in bear country.
The Department offers the following suggestions if you reside in, or recreate in, areas where bears may be present:
- Never feed or approach bears. Feeding bears (intentionally or unintentionally) trains them to approach homes and people for more food.
- Secure food, garbage and recycling. Food and food odors attract bears so don’t reward them with easily available food or garbage.
- Remove bird feeders when bears are active. Birdseed and other grains have a high caloric content, making them very attractive to bears. The best way to avoid conflicts with bears is to remove feeders.
- Never leave pet food outside. Feed outdoor pets portion sizes that will be completely eaten during each meal and then remove leftover food and food bowls. Securely store these foods so nothing is available to bears.
- Clean and store grills. After you use an outdoor grill, clean it thoroughly and make sure that all grease and fat is removed. Store cleaned grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out.
- Let neighbors know. Share news with your friends and neighbors about recent bear activity and how to avoid conflicts.
If you encounter a bear:
- Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands.
- Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you are experiencing a persistent problem with bears, please contact the Department or your local law enforcement for immediate assistance. Visit the Department’s website to find contact information. For more information about living with bears in New Mexico please consult Keeping Bears Alive and Yourself Safe.
###
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 a large headless mule deer buck near Lindrith, N.M. Officers were then able to locate the stashed severed head and conducted nearly 24/7 surveillance on the head’s location. When Davis loaded the mule deer head into his truck four months later, officers were there watching. Davis led the surveillance officers down HWY 550, towards Bernalillo, to the bridge over the Rio Grande where he dumped the trophy head in an attempt to avoid getting caught.
Conservation officers and biologists conducted a grid search of the river for nearly two weeks and eventually found the mule deer head. The recovered head scored 232 7/8” using the Safari Club International system, a score that far exceeds the highest range of trophy scores and associated values listed in the regulations of Section 19.30.11.7 NMAC.
Department officers then traveled to Davis’ home at the time in Dickinson, N.D. where they worked with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to serve a search warrant that resulted in a full confession from Davis. Davis, originally from Lindrith, N.M., has an extensive history of game law violations in New Mexico dating back to 2000.
At the conclusion of the investigation, nearly 2,000 hours had been logged, over 25,000 miles were driven and numerous search warrants were conducted in two different states. “It was a long investigation, involving many conservation officers, Department biologists and staff from every part of the agency,” Conservation Officer Ben Otero said. “It also would not have been possible without support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and North Dakota Game and Fish Department.”
At the State Game Commission meeting June 25, Director Mike Sloane announced the judgement saying “I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and perseverance of all of our officers in their ceaseless pursuit of wildlife violators and our legal staff for the support they provide.” Sloane continued, “We anticipate that this case may be appealed but feel comfortable that we have a strong argument in support of the final order of the District Court.”
OGT is a New Mexico Department of Game and Fish program, which pays rewards to citizens who turn in poachers. Since 1977, Operation Game Thief is the Crime-Stoppers for wildlife. Anyone with information about wildlife crimes is encouraged to call Operation Game Thief at (800) 432-4263. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for rewards if information leads to charges being filed.
###
Encouragement elk license sale begins July 8
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 24, 2020:
Encouragement elk license sale begins July 8
SANTA FE – New Mexico resident youth and senior hunters who applied and were unsuccessful in the 2020-2021 big-game draw are eligible to purchase one of nearly 1,900 antlerless elk licenses. The licenses will go on sale through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Online License System at 10 a.m. MDT July 8.
The sale is designed to encourage unsuccessful youth and senior draw applicants and includes almost 1,500 licenses for any legal sporting arm and 390 licenses for muzzleloader, crossbow or bow.
Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log in to their Online License System account.
Eligibility and requirements:
- For the first 14 days, the sale is open only to resident youth who have applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, oryx or ibex and were not successful for any hunt. Please note that the purchase of a leftover draw hunt counts as a successful application.
- Must have a valid Hunter Education certification.
- Must be 17 years of age or younger on the opening day of hunt.
- Beginning at 10 a.m. MDT, July 22, the sale will open to all resident seniors, ages 65 years of age or older, who applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, oryx or ibex and were not successful for any hunt.
- Nonresidents and youth and/or senior applicants who were successful for another species are not eligible for these hunts.
- Hunters must have a current annual Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license with a Habitat Management and Access Validation prior to purchasing an elk license. Customers without a Game Hunting license and Habitat Management and Access Validation will be directed to purchase one before continuing to the encouragement sale.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility.
Hunters planning to purchase an encouragement license must have completed all mandatory 2019-2020 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded for rejected purchases. After eligibility is verified – usually within a few days – the license will be available to print from any computer by logging in to your account and selecting “My Purchases” in the main menu.
Following the successful purchase of an encouragement license, the license/tag will be mailed to the hunter, unless the e-tag option is selected. Complete information about the new tagging requirements is available on the Department website and in the Hunting Rules and Information booklet.
For more information about the encouragement elk sale, hunting in New Mexico or for help logging in, please call customer service at (888) 248-6866, email us at ispa@state.nm.us or contact us through our social media accounts.
Encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone. For the list of available hunts please see pages 81 and 82 of the 2020-2021 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet available online or at license vendors.
###
Game Commission to meet virtually June 25
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 17, 2020:
Game Commission to meet virtually June 25
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet virtually Thursday, June 25.
The full agenda and other information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website before the meeting.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will also be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
###
Department expands black bear population estimate survey into the Gila National Forest
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 12, 2020:
Department expands black bear population estimate survey into the Gila National Forest
SANTA FE – During the summer of 2020, Department biologists and conservation officers will be starting a two-year black bear population estimate study using hair snares in the Gila National Forest.
Bear hair snares are a modern study technique designed to collect DNA and allow biologists to identify the number of bears in an area. Starting in early June, Department biologists and conservation officers will set up the hair snares across the Gila National Forest. The hair snares will consist of strands of barbed wire stretched across an area with bait in the middle. As bears duck under or step over the wire a small amount of hair will be collected.
Elise Goldstein, assistant chief of wildlife for the Department said “the DNA collected will help biologists continue to make informed wildlife management decisions, ensuring that New Mexico continues to have a healthy, robust population of bears.”
Summer is the ideal time for these DNA samples to be collected; bears are shedding their winter coats and the snare will pull this loose hair without harming the bear. The study occurs during breeding season when bears are moving more. Biologists will collect the hair, which will then be sent for DNA analysis at an internationally recognized lab utilized by many state agencies and universities for their wildlife genetic studies.
Bear hair snare sites are not located in high use areas, but if you are recreating in the Gila National Forest and find one of these sites, the Department asks you to not touch the study areas and to make your way around the sites.
In the past several years similar studies have been completed in the northern and southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Sandia Mountains and the northern and southern Sacramento Mountains. Learn more about these studies in this report. The Department also recently wrapped up a bear hair study in the Jemez Mountains.
###
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. “Even in the city, it’s important for people to know they can help keep wildlife wild by reducing the amount of attractants in their own yards and neighborhoods.”
As the summer months trek on, the Department wants residents to be aware of the increased chance of encountering bears.
For public safety and for the bears’ safety, people should continue to be diligent about keeping trash properly contained until the day of pickup, especially if you reside in or close to wooded areas.
The Department offers the following suggestions if you visit or live in bear country:
- Never leave fruit from trees and bushes to rot on the ground as it is a powerful attractant to bears and other wildlife.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as high calorie treats and often will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Keep your camp clean and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and six feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site, 100 yards is recommended.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
If you encounter a bear:
- Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped.
- If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you are experiencing a persistent problem with bears, please contact your local law enforcement for immediate assistance. Visit the Department’s website to find contact information. For more information about living with bears in New Mexico please consult Keeping Bears Alive and Yourself Safe.
###
Special oryx hunts available for injured service members
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 9, 2020:
Special oryx hunts available for injured service members
SANTA FE — Injured military service members can apply online starting June 17 for an upcoming special drawing to award up to 10 special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range.
Applicants must be veterans of the U.S. military with a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran’s Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Significantly injured, active-duty military members who do not have a VA disability rating also may apply.
All applicants (except Disabled Veteran card holders) will need to submit supporting documentation to the Department prior to the July 22 application deadline.
Proof of eligibility may be emailed to specialhunts@state.nm.us or by postal mail with a postmark on or before July 22 to:
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Attn: Special Hunts
P.O. Box 25112
Santa Fe, NM 87504
The drawing is open to resident and nonresident eligible applicants who do not hold a current-year oryx license. Applications will be accepted only through the Department’s Online License System by clicking Injured Military Oryx Hunts in the main menu. Successful applicants will be notified by the Department and must buy the appropriate license(s) and pay White Sands Missile Range’s access fee.
The hunts will be three days between Sept. 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, with dates and areas to be determined by the successful applicants in coordination with White Sands Missile Range. These hunts will not be considered once-in-a-lifetime.
For more information, contact the Department’s Information Center at (888) 248-6866.
###
Leftover draw licenses go on sale June 24
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 4, 2020:
Leftover draw licenses go on sale June 24
SANTA FE – 711 deer and 56 youth-only pronghorn licenses that were not issued during the annual 2020-2021 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 24, through the Department’s Online License System.
New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses for the first 24 hours of the first-come, first-served sale. The sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. June 25.
Important note for youth and senior hunters: Because these are leftover draw licenses, purchasing a leftover deer or pronghorn license will render youth and/or senior hunters ineligible to purchase an encouragement elk license during the upcoming sale in July.
To buy a leftover license, hunters must possess an annual Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Hunters may buy the Game Hunting license, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the Over-The-Counter (OTC) Licenses, Permits and Stamps link under License Sales 2020. After the Game Hunting license has been purchased, click the 2020-2021 Leftover Draw Licenses link to go to the sale.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to be logged in and review their account before the sale begins. Popular licenses often sell out in minutes, sometimes seconds, after sales begin.
Hunters are advised that they must provide a valid mailing address at the time of purchase. A license/tag will be mailed to the hunter for all approved purchases within 14 days of the purchase, unless the e-tag option is selected.
Hunters planning to purchase a leftover license must have completed all mandatory 2019-2020 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded for rejected purchases.
For more information about the leftover license sale please call the Department’s toll-free information line (888) 248-6866, email ispa@state.nm.us or contact us through our social media accounts. Leftover licenses will only be sold through the Online License System.
Mexican wolf population gets genetic boost with a record 20 captive-born pups cross-fostered into wild packs
Mexican wolf population gets genetic boost with a record 20 captive-born pups cross-fostered into wild packs
PHOENIX – The Mexican wolf recovery effort recently got a genetic boost when biologists from the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), and Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP), with extensive logistical support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), worked together to cross-foster 20 genetically diverse wolf pups from captive facilities across the U.S. into litters of wild wolf packs.
Over a six-week period in April and May, 12 pups were fostered into four different packs in eastern Arizona and eight were fostered into three packs in western New Mexico.
Cross-fostering is a proven method used by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team (IFT) to increase genetic diversity in the wild Mexican wolf population. It involves placing genetically diverse pups less than 14 days old from captive breeding populations into wild dens with similarly aged pups to be raised as wild wolves. The IFT has documented that cross-fostered pups have the same survival rate as wild-born pups in their first year of life (about 50%), and survival rates using this technique are generally higher than other wolf release methods.
Watch a video on cross-fostering from 2017
“Managing genetics is one of the biggest challenges facing Mexican wolf conservation, even as constant progress is being made on numeric recovery,” said Jim deVos, Assistant Director for Wildlife Management at the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Science has proven that cross-fostering young pups works in increasing genetic diversity.”
A total of seven different captive-born litters provided Mexican wolf pups for fostering into the wild population. The following facilities provided pups this year:
- Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, Missouri – three pups into Elkhorn pack in Arizona; three pups each into Dark Canyon pack and San Mateo pack in New Mexico.
- Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in Socorro, New Mexico – one pup into Prime Canyon pack in Arizona.
- Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas – four pups into Hoodoo pack in Arizona.
- California Wolf Center in Julian, California – four pups into Rocky Prairie pack in Arizona.
- Phoenix Zoo, Arizona – two pups into Iron Creek pack in New Mexico.
Aerial support of three cross-foster operations was provided by LightHawk Conservation Flying and a private jet donor associated with one transfer from the Endangered Wolf Center. Their donations made possible three early morning flights of pups from the Midwest to ensure IFT biologists had ample daylight to conduct operations.
“We are grateful to all those who contributed to the success of this year’s efforts, including the staff members at the captive facilities that provided pups and the organizations and individuals that provided flight support,” said Paul Greer, Mexican Wolf IFT Leader for Arizona Game and Fish.
“Despite the many challenges this year has presented, staff from the captive facilities, LightHawk, and our state partners came through and placed a record number of captive-born pups into the wild,” said Brady McGee, Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator for the USFWS in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service thanks these partners for their commitment to ensuring cross-fostering was a success in 2020.”
This is the first time the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has participated in the cross-fostering effort since rejoining the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program last year.
“The cooperation between the two state wildlife agencies was key given the challenges faced with the current pandemic,” said Stewart Liley, Chief of the Wildlife Division, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “Working together allowed a very successful cross-fostering season and keeping pace with improving genetics in the wild.”
Since the first cross-foster of two pups in 2014, the IFT has documented a minimum of 10 cross-fostered wolves surviving to the end of the year and being recruited into the wild population. The IFT does not capture and collar every wolf pup that survives, so there are likely other cross-fostered wolves that have survived and are currently alive in the population that have not yet been documented.
The IFT will continue to monitor the packs through GPS and radio telemetry signals from collars placed on the wolves to avoid further disturbance. Later, through remote camera observations and efforts to capture the young of the year, the IFT plans to document survival of the cross-fostered pups.
The end-of-year census for 2019 showed a minimum of 163 wild Mexican wolves in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (76 in Arizona and 87 in New Mexico), up from a minimum of 131 wolves counted at the end of 2018.
For more information on the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website.
###
Note to media: High-res photos and short video clips, including a clip of a biologist putting a pup in a den, are available by contacting AZGFD Public Information Officer Tom Cadden at (602) 377-1632 or tcadden@azgfd.gov.
Citizen Advisory Committees to meet virtually to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
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 6 2020:
Citizen Advisory Committees to meet virtually to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled statewide Habitat Stamp Program Citizens Advisory Committee virtual meetings for 2020. Citizen advisors will prioritize proposed Habitat Stamp projects for the next fiscal year. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the following regional Citizen Advisory Committee virtual meetings:
- Southwest: May 20 at 10 a.m.
- Central: May 20 at 1 p.m.
- Northwest: May 21 at 2 p.m.
- Northeast: May 27 at 10 a.m.
- Southeast: May 27 at 1 p.m.
Information about how to pre-register and attend these Zoom virtual meetings will be available on Friday, May 15 on the Habitat Stamp Program webpage, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/habitat-stamp/. Participants can utilize desktop computers or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to attend the meetings.
Since its inception, citizens have been an important part of the program. Appointed by the State Game Commission, citizens representing sporting, conservation and public-land permittee interests meet each spring to prioritize local habitat projects.
For more information about the Habitat Stamp Program, please contact Daniel Lusk (575) 649-1658, daniel.lusk@state.nm.us.
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Game Commission to meet virtually April 30
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 24, 2020:
Game Commission to meet virtually April 30
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet virtually Thursday, April 30, for subsequent discussion on the Migratory Bird Rule for 2020-2021 and final discussion on the Manner and Method Rule.
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Information on open rules can be found by clicking here.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will also be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. The webcast can be accessed by clicking here. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Current members are Chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, Vice-Chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Special Game Commission meeting to be held virtually April 20
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 18, 2020:
Special Game Commission meeting to be held virtually April 20
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet virtually Monday, April 20, for executive session and general public comment.
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
If you are interested in participating and providing comments, you are encouraged to pre-register, to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, is available on the Department’s website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will also be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. The webcast can be accessed by clicking here. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Current members are chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, vice chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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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 for both domestic rabbits and wild jackrabbits and cottontails were positive for RHDV- 2. Currently, mortalities in wild populations have only been reported in southern and eastern New Mexico. RHDV-2 is expected to spread and is transmitted among rabbits through direct contact, excrement, shared food sources and contaminated burrows.
Guidelines for Wild Jackrabbits and Cottontails:
- Report large numbers of dead wild rabbits to your local Conservation Officer or the Department Information Center at (888) 248-6866.
- Do not handle found rabbit or rodent carcasses. Carcasses may harbor pathogens and may be buried and moved with a shovel.
- Do not allow pets to feed on found carcasses. Though RHDV-2 is not a risk to pets, a number of other pathogens and parasites from carcasses can affect pets.
- Hunters should handle all harvested rabbits with caution. Wear gloves when field dressing and wash hands well afterward.
- Meat from healthy rabbits harvested by hunters is safe to consume when cooked thoroughly.
Guidelines for Domestic Rabbits:
- Keep domestic rabbits isolated from wild rabbits.
- Do not release domestic rabbits from pen facilities to live in colonies.
- Consult your veterinarian if you experience sudden death among your rabbits.
- Work with your veterinarian to decontaminate your rabbitry after a mortality event.
Helpful Links on RHDV-2:
- https://www.nmlbonline.com/news
- http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/rabbit_hemorrhagic_disease.pdf
- https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fs-rhdv2.pdf
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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 areas and have taken this action for the protection of all New Mexicans.”
The Department of Game and Fish encourages everyone to follow guidelines to stay home, only travel for essential purposes and practice social distancing, staying at least 6-feet from others.
Department offices, Monastery Lake, Seven Springs Brood Pond, hatcheries and the Tour Loop at Bernardo Wildlife Management Area are also closed.
The Department reminds anglers it is their responsibility to be aware of closures and contact land management agencies for properties of interest when restrictions are lifted.
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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 Department of Game and Fish encourages everyone to follow guidelines to stay home, only travel for essential purposes and practice social distancing, staying at least 6-feet from others.
Department offices, hatcheries and the Tour Loop at Bernardo Wildlife Management Area have been and continue to be closed.
The Department reminds anglers it is their responsibility to be aware of closures and contact land management agencies for properties of interest when restrictions are lifted.
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Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding
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 27, 2020:
Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program is now accepting proposals for projects that would start in 2021.
The Share with Wildlife program funds projects up to $50,000 in four categories: habitat enhancement, biological and ecological research studies, wildlife rehabilitation and wildlife education.
Topics of particular interest to the Department are projects that would start between Jan. 15, 2021 and May 31, 2021. Details about the proposal format are listed in the Call For Project Information for fiscal year 2021 available on the Share with Wildlife website, under the Applications-Reports tab.
Offerors should make sure to use the updated Share with Wildlife Proposal Cover Sheet posted on the Share with Wildlife webpage. Please note the new requirement for documentation of communication with federal agencies for research and habitat projects with proposed survey or implementation sites on federal lands. Additional clarification has also been provided regarding ground disturbance and purchased items with a life span past the timeline of the project.
Any questions about the application process and final project proposals should be submitted to Ginny Seamster, Share with Wildlife Coordinator, at virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
All proposals must be submitted electronically, preferably in a single .pdf file, by 5 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time, Friday, May 29, 2020.
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Hunt season closure social media posts are hoax
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 26, 2020:
Hunt season closure social media posts are hoax
Department working hard to process 2020-2021 big-game draw
SANTA FE – Despite false rumors floating around on social media, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reassures New Mexico hunters the results of the 2020-2021 big-game draw will be released by April 29, 2020, if not earlier.
Hunt season closure social media posts are hoax.
Over the past week, there have been prank posts on social media stating that the 2020-2021 hunting season in New Mexico has been canceled. This is false, and the Department recommends not clicking on the links provided in this or any other hoax.
Director Michael Sloane stated “the Department is working diligently to audit the draw and provide results as soon as possible for New Mexico’s hunters.”
If you are anxiously waiting for the draw results, here are a few recommendations to fill the time:
- Download a phone application, such as CarryMap and start learning more about your favorite hunting areas. CarryMap is a free application and can be found on
- Check your hunting equipment, clean your firearms and order replacement supplies online.
- Stay in shape while practicing social distancing. Now is a great time to start getting in shape, or to stay in shape, for your upcoming hunts.
- Learn more about a new species. Small game, upland game and migratory game hunting are often overlooked in New Mexico. Take this time to learn more about these species.
For factual information on hunting, fishing or wildlife in New Mexico, visit the Department’s website. If you are engaging in social media activities, please verify that you are following the Department’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to ensure you are receiving correct and up-to-date information.
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Migratory Game Bird rule changes topic of public meetings
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 25, 2020:
Migratory Game Bird rule changes topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird rule.
The Department is proposing small changes in migratory game bird hunting, including incorporating federal recommendations on migratory bird seasons and adjusting season dates for calendar shifts.
To gather public comments, one public meeting will be conducted via conference call.
- The conference call will occur March 31 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Call 800-747-5150, and then use access code 4499417.
Presentation slides will be posted to the Department’s website, prior to the meeting so attendees can follow along. If you do not have access to the website to view the presentation, please contact DGF-Waterfowl@state.nm.us or 505-470-8947 to make arrangements to acquire a copy of the presentation.
The proposals are available on the Department’s website.
Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Migratory Game Bird Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, DGF-Waterfowl@state.nm.us or via the phone at the meeting listed above.
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Courts Order Department To Release Customer Names, Email, Addresses Today
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 19, 2020:
Courts Order Department To Release Customer Names, Email, Addresses Today
SANTA FE – A First Judicial District Court judge has ordered the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to turn over the names and addresses of all successful big-game applicants for the years 2015 through April 23, 2019 to Los Alamos County resident James Whitehead.
Additionally, the New Mexico Court of Appeals ordered the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to turn over the email addresses of individuals who applied for state hunting licenses for the years 2015 through 2016 to former Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn.
Both decisions conclude that information collected from the public in connection with the administration of its public duties falls within the meaning of public records and are subject to disclosure.
In 2017, Dunn requested the names and email addresses of more than 300,000 applicants for New Mexico hunting licenses. Whitehead requested the detailed draw results, names and addresses of all successful applicants, units applied for and units drawn. The Department provided names to Dunn, but denied the additional requests by both parties. As a result, both parties filed lawsuits pursuant to the state Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA).
“The Department argued against the release, but ultimately lost,” said Director Michael Sloane. “We value the privacy of our customers’ personal information but recognize that is the courts’ interpretation of the current IPRA law.”
The Department will release the requested information today and wants to make their customers aware. Individuals who believe they are being harassed by solicitors or similar as a result of this release should call toll-free (844) 255-9210 or file a complaint online at www.nmag.gov/file-a-complaint.aspx.
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Services available for NM’s hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationalists
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 18:
Services available for NM’s hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationalists
SANTA 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 reports may also be reported by phone at 1-888-248-6866.
Reports to Operation Game Thief can be made immediately by calling 1-800-432-4263 or by filling out the Department’s online form at onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/public/ogt.
The Department’s Hunter Education Program can be reached by phone at (505) 222-4731 or by email at dgf-he@dgf.nm.gov. The minimum age for students to complete the online Hunter Education program has been reduced to 10. Online course options that meet certification requirements are available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education under the Online Options tab.
Information, applications and forms for the Department’s Elk Private Lands Use System (EPLUS) are available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/maps/elk-private-lands. Questions may be directed by email to Bob Osborn, Robert.Osborn@dgf.nm.gov, Rex Martensen, Rex.Martensen@dgf.nm.gov or Aaron Roberts, Aaron.Roberts@dgf.nm.gov.
Project proponents needing or wanting a review by Department staff can submit a project, and receive a timely response, through the Department’s Environmental Review Tool found on the Department’s Conservation Page at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation.
The Department’s Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program can be reached by phone at (505) 222-4728 or email at dgf-ohvmgr@dgf.nm.gov. Online course options that meet safety certification requirements are available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ohv/ohv-education/ under the Online Training tab.
Customers can also interact with Department staff, working our social media channels, by following us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nmdgf, Twitter at www.twitter.com/NMDGF, Instagram at www.instagram.com/nmgameandfish and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/NMGameandFish.
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Hunters urged to complete draw applications online or by phone to protect public health
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 17, 2020:
Hunters urged to complete draw applications online or by phone to protect public health
SANTA FE – Following the New Mexico Department of Health’s public health order regarding mass gatherings and in an effort to prevent transmission of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish requests draw applications be completed online or over the telephone whenever possible.
As the 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, deadline approaches, there are long lines forming at many of our office locations throughout the state to apply for the draw; an unnecessary health risk when there are several remote application options available.
Applications can be completed online at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/ or by calling either the Information Center (1-888-248-6866) or one of our Area Offices.
The Information Center will also be working extended hours to assist callers with draw applications. Information Center hours are as follows:
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 17
- 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 18
Department staff will also be answering draw-related questions submitted by email to ispa@state.nm.us or by private message to one of our social media accounts.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish strongly encourages the utilization of these remote application and assistance services provided for our customers during this time of heightened public health concern.
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Big Game deadline approaching and events across the state are postponed to protect public health
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 12, 2020:
Big Game deadline approaching and events across the state are postponed to protect public health
SANTA FE – Following the New Mexico Department of Health’s public health order regarding mass gatherings and in an effort to prevent transmission of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), several events in March and April have been postponed. However, the March 18, 2020 deadline to apply for big game hunts in New Mexico is still in place.
The Department would like to remind hunters of the upcoming 5 pm. March 18 deadline to apply for the big game draw. Apply now at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/. All nonessential Department employees are working from home; however, a limited number of essential employees will be answering draw related questions from:
- 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 12-13
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 16 and 17
- 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on March 18
The Department is expecting extended wait times for callers. If you have any questions, do not delay. Call 1-888-248-6866 for assistance with putting in for the draw. The Department encourages hunters to apply now and not wait for the deadline.
Department staff will be answering e-mails sent to ispa@state.nm.us and messages sent to our social media accounts.
Postponed events and activities include:
- Public meetings for the Migratory Bird Rule
- Public meetings for the Wildlife Corridors Action Plan
- Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Stocking in the Rio Grande Gorge
- Hunter Education (HE) classes, camps and instructor workshops
- Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) education classes
- 2020 Governor’s Special Hunt Auction and Banquet
The Department is working to develop alternate methods for delivery of events such as hunter education and State Game Commission Meetings. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is committed to rescheduling as many events as soon possible. Keep an eye on our website for updated information.
Our priority during this time is to protect public health by limiting the potential impacts of COVID-19 in New Mexico.
To learn more about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and others, please visit http://cv.nmhealth.org/.
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Game Commission to meet March 4 in Albuquerque
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 2, 2020:
Game Commission to meet March 4 in Albuquerque
SANTA FE –The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Wednesday, March 4, in Albuquerque.
The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Department’s Northwest Area office, located at 7816 Alamo Road NW.
Agenda items include:
- Commission action on the State Land Office Easement for the 2020-2021 license year
- Initiation of Migratory Bird Rule for 2020-2021 Hunting Seasons
- Initiation of Biennial Review of State Listed and Threatened or Endangered Species
- Discussion on Amendments to the Hunting and Fishing Manner and Method Rule
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. The webcast can be accessed by clicking here. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Comments will only be allowed at the Commission Chair’s discretion and commenting is only available in person. A recording will be available after the meeting at the above link.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Current members are chairwoman Sharon Salazar Hickey, vice chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
Bill Evans Lake WMA temporary road closure
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, FEB 5, 2020:
Bill Evans Lake WMA temporary road closure
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will be conducting a restoration project to improve fish habitat at Bill Evans Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Silver City.
To ensure public safety during construction the northwest access road will be closed starting Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 5:00 p.m. and will reopen Friday, Feb. 14 at noon.
The southern access road, including the boat ramp, will remain open throughout the project.
The project will improve habitat for several sport fish species such as largemouth bass, channel catfish, rainbow trout and bluegill. It will focus on increasing spawning areas for adult fish and hiding areas for juvenile fish, ultimately improving angling at Bill Evans Lake WMA.
Visit the Department’s website to learn more about State Game Commission Lands including Wildlife Management Areas.
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State Game Commission welcomes newest member
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, JAN. 14, 2020:
State Game Commission welcomes newest member
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission welcomes Mrs. Sharon Salazar Hickey as its newest appointed member.
Mrs. Hickey serves as a Program Manager for the Associate Laboratory Director for Environment, Safety, Health, Quality, Safeguards and Security whose goal is to protect and preserve people, the environment, resources and information at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Leading the Office of Institutional Policy, Mrs. Hickey has extensive experience in policies and procedures, government contracts, employment law and alternative dispute and conflict resolution.
Mrs. Hickey is a native New Mexican and was raised in Los Alamos. Receiving her Juris Doctorate degree from California Western School of Law, Mrs. Hickey is also a member of the New Mexico State Bar. She has previous experience serving on State Boards and Commissions, appointed to the New Mexico State Governor’s Fellows Program Board of Directors in 2007 and currently serving on the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Commission since 2012.
Mrs. Hickey currently lives in Santa Fe with her husband and enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, she loves spending time hiking, biking and snowshoeing.
The New Mexico State Game Commission and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are excited to welcome Mrs. Hickey to the Commission and look forward to working with her in the coming months.
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Game Commission to meet January 17 in Las Cruces
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, JAN. 6, 2020:
Game Commission to meet January 17 in Las Cruces
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Friday, Jan. 17, in Las Cruces.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road.
Agenda items include:
- Rule Making Hearing on the Final Fair Chase Rule
- Rule Making Hearing on the Final Trapping and Furbearers Rule
- Rule Making Hearing on the Final Licenses/Permits Rule
- Workshop on the Departments E-PLUS program
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. The webcast can be accessed by clicking here. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Comments will only be allowed at the Commission Chair’s discretion and commenting is only available in person. A recording will be available after the meeting at the above link.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Current members are Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Need a New Year’s Resolution? Take the Trout Challenge!
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, JAN 1, 2020:
Need a New Year’s Resolution? Take the Trout Challenge!
SANTA FE – Anglers in New Mexico are very fortunate to have such diverse fishing opportunities, especially when it comes to trout. With six different trout species, all within a few hours of each other, catching several, or all of them, can be quite the challenge.
Today, January 1, 2020, the Department of Game and Fish has launched the New Mexico Trout Challenge (NMTC). This challenge, which is the first of its kind for New Mexico, will encourage anglers in our state to catch five of New Mexico’s trout species. The five trout species that anglers will be challenged to catch are the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, Gila trout, brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout.
Anglers who choose to participate in the challenge will need to download the Powderhook application on their smart phone or tablet to track their progress. Information such as the lake or stream where the fish was caught, how much the fish weighs along with a picture of the fish are just a few examples of what will be required from anglers. For anglers who do not have a smart phone or tablet, there are alternative ways to enter this information including calling the Information Center at (888) 248-6866.
There is no time limit to complete the challenge and every angler that completes the challenge will receive a NMTC coin for bragging rights.
Who knows, maybe you will be the first person to complete the challenge and be on the list in the NMTC Hall of Fame. “This challenge will not only test the fishing abilities of trout anglers across the state, it will be a great way for fellow anglers to prove their skill and enjoy the variety of outdoor recreation opportunities New Mexico has to offer,” said Kirk Patten, chief of fisheries management for the Department.
Check out the NMTC webpage for all of the details, download the Powderhook application on iOS and Android and see if you can be the first of your friends and family to complete it.
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Monastery Lake closed to fishing due to unsafe ice conditions
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, DEC 31, 2019:
Monastery Lake closed to fishing due to unsafe ice conditions
SANTA FE – Monastery Lake, near Pecos, has been closed to fishing until further notice due to unsafe ice conditions.
Ice fishing is not allowed at the Benedictine Monastery lake leased through the Department’s Open Gate program. A thin layer of ice has formed on the lake prompting the closure.
The lake will reopen when there is sufficient open areas of water available to allow fishing from the bank.
Anglers can find good winter trout fishing in the Albuquerque area drains, at Tingley Beach and at other fishing waters throughout the state. Visit our website for more information on trout species, a list of convenient fishing locations and fish stocking reports.
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Eagle Nest Lake State Park Open to Ice Fishing
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
New Mexico State Parks Division
Public contact, Christina Cordova: (505) 476-3363
christing.cordova@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DEC 31, 2019:
Eagle Nest Lake State Park Open to Ice Fishing
EAGLE NEST, NM – Eagle Nest Lake State Park is now open to ice fishing. According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resource Department’s State Parks Division and the Department of Game and Fish, current measurements indicate that ice thickness exceeds the minimum standards. The State Parks Division and the Department of Game and Fish jointly manage the lake and surrounding area.
The surface of Eagle Nest Lake is now open to walk-in access or access by snowmobiles and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) for ice fishing and other recreational activities on the ice. Side-by-side and Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) are prohibited. The only access to the ice for ATVs is at the south boat ramp in the main area south of the Visitor Center.
The State Parks Division has the authority to close or restrict access to areas of parks, as well as to restrict, limit or prohibit activities such as ice fishing, as conditions require. Such actions are taken in the interest of public safety and resource protection.
State officials warn that all activities on the lake surface are at your own risk. Before going out onto the ice, consider the following safety precautions:
- Do not fish alone. Before you leave shore, inform someone of your destination and expected time of return.
Lifejackets save lives. Always wear a lifejacket (personal flotation device). - Be aware of and prepared for weather conditions. Dress in layers and wear thermal underwear, fleece or wool, and wind and waterproof outerwear, especially for feet, hands and head. Take extra clothes, food and water.
- Keep fishing holes small and few. When drilling fishing holes with an ice auger, keep the diameter under eight inches. Bigger holes are not necessary to land fish and can create a safety hazard for others.
- Watch your step. Avoid ice fishing near feeder streams or known springs, brush, logs, plants, docks, multiple ice cracks, ice that is popping or otherwise audible and dark colored ice that may be weak. Ice spikes are recommended for self-rescue.
- Spread out. Too many people congregated in one area may be more than the ice can safely support. Disperse weight and fishing holes.
All-Terrain Vehicles and snowmobiles, as defined by the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act, are only authorized at Eagle Nest Lake State Park for ice fishing. Operators should take the most direct route to the ice and back to the parking area. Please remember these vehicles are allowed only to enter and exit the ice; their use is prohibited elsewhere in the park.
For more information and current updates about the lake’s ice conditions, please contact Eagle Nest Lake State Park, (575) 377-1594; for questions about fishing in northeastern New Mexico, call the Department of Game and Fish, (575) 445-2311 or (888) 248-6866. Information is also available on the Department of Game and Fish or New Mexico State Parks Division respective websites, www.wildlife.state.nm.us and www.nmparks.com.
Game Commission to meet November 21 in Roswell
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, NOV. 7, 2019:
Game Commission to meet November 21 in Roswell
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Thursday, Nov. 21, in Roswell.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Roswell Game and Fish Office, located at 1615 West College Blvd.
Agenda items include:
- Rule Making Hearing on the Final Bear and Cougar Rule
- Rule Making Hearing on the Final Hunting and Fishing License Application Rule
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. The webcast can be accessed by clicking here. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Comments will only be allowed at the Commission Chair’s discretion and commenting is only available in person. A recording will be available after the meeting at the above link.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Current members are chairwoman Joanna Prukop, vice chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Game Commission to meet October 25 in Farmington
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, OCT. 15, 2019:
Game Commission to meet October 25 in Farmington
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Friday, October 25, in Farmington.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Civic Center Exhibition Hall, located at 200 West Arrington Street, in Farmington.
Agenda items include:
- Presentation on Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
- Fiscal Year 2019 Depredation and Nuisance Abatement Rule
- Update on the Mexican Gray Wolf program
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. The webcast can be accessed by clicking here. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Comments will only be allowed at the Commission Chair’s discretion and commenting is only available in person. A recording will be available after the meeting at the above link.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. Current members are chairwoman Joanna Prukop, vice chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Furbearer rule changes topic of public meetings
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, OCT. 1, 2019:
Furbearer rule changes topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the furbearer rule.
To gather public comments, four public meetings will be conducted:
- Raton: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 215 York Canyon Rd, Raton.
- Roswell: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 1615 West College Boulevard, Roswell.
- Las Cruces: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces.
- Albuquerque: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 7816 Alamo Rd NW, Albuquerque.
The proposals are available on the Department’s website. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Furbearer Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email to dgf-furbearer-rules@state.nm.us; or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
Share with Wildlife projects selected for 2020
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 27, 2019:
Share with Wildlife projects selected for 2020
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program has selected 16 wildlife projects for funding starting in 2020.
The Department’s Share with Wildlife program funds projects up to $50,000 in four categories: habitat enhancement, biological and ecological research studies, wildlife rehabilitation and wildlife education.
For 2020, the program is supporting one habitat project, eight research projects, five education projects and both education and rehabilitation activities of two wildlife rehabilitation centers.
The habitat project focuses on evaluating wether or not culverts and bridges are barriers to aquatic and riparian connectivity in the northern Jemez Mountains. The research projects are focusing on a variety of Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the Arizona black rattlesnake, Chihuahua chub, gray vireo, Peñasco least chipmunk and several species of terrestrial snails.
The education projects boost environmental education for K-12 students throughout New Mexico. The rehabilitation centers receiving funding in 2020 are New Mexico Wildlife Center in Española and Wildlife Rescue Inc. of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Any questions about the newly funded projects, or how to apply for 2021 funding, should be submitted to Share with Wildlife Coordinator, Ginny Seamster at virginia.seamster@dgf.nm.gov. The call for proposals for 2021 projects is planned for release in spring 2020.
The list of 2020 projects, as well as projects from previous years, can be viewed on the Share with Wildlife webpage.
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Fish for free in New Mexico on National Hunting and Fishing Day Saturday, Sept. 28
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, SEPT. 25, 2019:
Fish for free in New Mexico on National Hunting and Fishing Day Saturday, Sept. 28
SANTA FE – Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 28 by going fishing for free. On this special day, New Mexico residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a license at public waters statewide. All other fishing rules apply.
“We want to encourage New Mexicans to take their families outside to enjoy their wildlife resources and celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day. A day of free fishing is a great way to do that,” Director Mike Sloane said.
Are you new to fishing? Come to the Gallinas Riverfest in Las Vegas Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Department staff will join Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance, Trout Unlimited, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and community partners to help you learn how to cast, tie knots, identify the best fishing holes and how to care for a fly rod. Beginners are welcome and all equipment is provided for the workshop. View the Gallinas Riverfest Facebook page for more information.
For more information about places to fish Saturday, check out this week’s Fishing and Stocking Report, available on the department website.
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Native fish restoration activity planned for Whitewater Creek
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, SEPT. 13, 2019:
Native fish restoration activity planned for Whitewater Creek
SANTA FE – Native fish restoration efforts on Whitewater Creek are scheduled for Sept. 25 – Oct. 3, 2019.
As part of the Whitewater Creek Native Fish Restoration Project, the Department will remove non-native trout from Whitewater Creek to allow restoration of Gila trout and other native fish to their native range. This portion of the project starts at the intersection of the Gold Dust Trail (FS Trail #41) with Whitewater Creek and continues upstream to the headwaters. The closure does not affect the Catwalk National Recreation Area.
The Department will apply rotenone based products – CFT Legumine®, 5% rotenone and Prentox® Rotenone Fish Toxicant Powder™ – to the stream to remove non-native salmonids. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that rotenone is highly effective for removal of fish and that the resulting concentrations of ingredients do not pose unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. The pesticide will be neutralized with potassium permanganate and treated water will not leave the project area.
The Gila National Forest Supervisor Adam Mendonca will issue a temporary closure for Sept. 25 – Oct. 3, 2019. Signs will be posted at all trailheads that access closed areas. Visit the U.S. Forest Service website for more information on the Gila National Forest. Visit the Department website for more information on the native Gila trout.
When completed this project will contribute 23 miles of stream for Gila trout recovery and recreational angling purposes.
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Game Commission to meet September 18 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, SEPT. 10, 2019:
Game Commission to meet September 18 in Cloudcroft
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Wednesday, September 18, in Cloudcroft for initial and subsequent discussions on multiple rules.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Lodge, Pavilion Room, located at 601 Corona Place, in Cloudcroft.
Agenda items include:
- Subsequent Discussions on the Bear and Cougar Rule and the Trapping and Furbearing Rule
- Initial Discussions on the Hunting and Fishing License Application Rule and the Game and Fish
- License/Permits Rule
- Presentation of the E-Tagging Mobile Application
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. The webcast can be accessed by clicking here. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Comments will only be allowed at the Commission Chair’s discretion and commenting is only available in person. A recording will be available after the meeting at the above link.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are chairwoman Joanna Prukop, vice chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Department now accepting applications for 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, SEPT. 9, 2019:
Department now accepting applications for conservation officers
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking qualified men and women to apply 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 $18.34 an hour. Applications for this position will be accepted until Oct. 19, 2019. Physical assessments and interviews will take place Nov. 16, 2019 in Santa Fe. Candidates who advance past the interviews may be required to stay in Santa Fe until Nov. 22, 2019 for further testing.
Prior law enforcement experience is not required. Successful applicants must possess a qualifying bachelor’s degree before Oct. 19, 2019. Qualifying degrees are those in a field related to wildlife management, biology or criminal justice. Aside from a written exam, oral interview and fitness test, successful candidates must also pass a psychological exam, medical exam, background investigation and drug test.
Upon hiring, recruits will receive basic training at the law enforcement academy, department’s recruit school and one year of on-the-job training before working alone in the field. Those hired can look forward to extensive training in subjects such as wildlife law investigations, aerial wildlife survey techniques, wildlife restraint, wildlife management principles, vehicle operations, defensive tactics, arrest procedures, OHV training, boat training and firearms training. The training is rigorous and the work is often difficult, requiring sound judgement, a good work ethic and common sense.
“The department is seeking highly motivated personnel who are up to the challenge this career represents,” says recruiting officer Brady Griffith.
Conservation officers, along with enforcing New Mexico’s game and fish laws, educate the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conduct wildlife surveys, capture “problem animals,” investigate wildlife damage to crops and property, assist in wildlife relocations and help develop new hunting, fishing and trapping regulations. They work primarily alone in the most remote regions of the state and are often stationed in small towns.
Interested applicants can get more information about conservation officer duties, educational and physical requirements, training and employee benefits by visiting the department’s enforcement page or contacting Griffith at (505) 795-1700 or bradyd.griffith@state.nm.us.
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CAPTURED!
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, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019:
CAPTURED!
SANTA FE – The search for the African serval spotted near Hyde Memorial State Park in Santa Fe has ended with its safe capture.
Conservation Officer Manuel Overby caught the approximately 30-pound male Sub-Saharan African animal early Thursday morning in a cage trap and transported it to the Albuquerque BioPark for evaluation and safe keeping while a permanent home is determined. Officers will also attempt to identify the origin of its escape.
“Our residents did the right thing by immediately reporting the sighting to the Department,” said Overby. “Exotic pets like these are not only illegal, they do not make good pets. They have the potential to put the public in harms way and cause damage to the state’s wildlife resources.”
Park staff, visitors and residents reported seeing the cat several times this week near the state park. At this time the Department believes the serval was being kept as a pet and has no evidence to support it being from a captive breeding facility.
Serval are found in Africa south of the Sahara and have a coat marked with black spots and stripes similar to a cheetah. It is a nocturnal hunter with large ears that primarily preys on rabbits and rodents. Servals are common in southern Africa and are not endangered. They are illegal to import or possess in New Mexico.
If you see an animal that looks out of place in the wild, please contact the department at 888-248-6866, Operation Game Thief at 800-432-4263 or contact your local law enforcement agency.
The Department wishes to thank Albertson’s Market Street at North Guadalupe Street for providing the rotisserie chicken used to successfully bait the serval and the New Mexico State Parks staff for assisting in the operation.
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Hunter attacked by bear near Cliff
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, AUGUST 30, 2019:
Hunter attacked by bear near Cliff
Cliff – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers have completed the investigation of a black bear attack that occurred near Cliff in southwestern New Mexico on Thursday, Aug. 29.
The 63 year old licensed guide, was injured when approaching a bear that had been shot by a member of the hunting party. The individual returned to his truck unassisted and drove himself to Gila Regional Medical Center where he was treated for multiple bite wounds to both arms and legs, administered antibiotics and released.
“We are thankful the individual was not hurt worse,” said Department Director Mike Sloane. “We caution all hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to always be careful around bears, especially if you are in the vicinity of an injured animal.”
Here are some ways to protect yourself if you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
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Deadline to apply for sandhill crane and pheasant hunts is fast approaching
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, AUGUST 19, 2019:
Deadline to apply for sandhill crane and pheasant hunts is fast approaching
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is still accepting applications for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits. The application deadline is at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Applications can be made using the Department’s Online Licensing System or over the telephone with the Department’s information center, 1-888-248-6866.
Information about pheasant and sandhill crane draw hunts is available in the Department’s 2019-20 Small Game Hunting Rules and Information Booklet.
Successful applicants must have a game hunting license and applicable stamp(s) in addition to their draw permit. Successful sandhill crane applicants also must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
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Game Commission to meet August 22 in Santa Fe
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, AUGUST 9, 2019:
Game Commission to meet August 22 in Santa Fe
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Thursday, August 22, in Santa Fe to present the Department’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget and to continue discussions on the Bear and Cougar Rule.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the New Mexico State Capitol, Room 317, located at 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, in Santa Fe.
Other agenda items include:
- Initial Discussion of the Fair Chase Rule
- Initial Discussion of the Trapping Rule
- Presentation of the E-Tagging Mobile Application
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will be available to view via a live webcast on the Department’s website. The webcast can be accessed by clicking here. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Comments will only be allowed at the Commission Chair’s discretion and commenting is only available in person. A recording will be available after the meeting at the above link.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are chairwoman Joanna Prukop, vice chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUGUST 8, 2019:
Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
SANTA FE – Hunting seasons are underway and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will be conducting roadblocks throughout the state during fall hunting seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations.
Conservation officers may be assisted by other agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Everyone is encouraged to report any violations they may observe, such as shooting from a vehicle, spotlighting or driving off-road. For more information, please consult the Department’s hunting rules and information books, available on the Department’s website, at area offices and at license vendors.
To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact a Department area office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell or Las Cruces or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
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Public comment sought on draft Environmental Assessment for construction of a shooting range in Clovis
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 31, 2019:
Public comment sought on draft Environmental Assessment for construction of a shooting range in Clovis
CLOVIS – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction of the Clovis Wing-shooting Complex and Archery Range at Ned Houk Park in Clovis.
The EA analyzes potential effects on physical, biological and cultural resources and socioeconomic conditions that may result from the implementation of the project. The EA also incorporates other federal, state and local environmental policies and regulations and is prepared in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Environmental Policy Act Handbook.
The proposed range would include a four trap/skeet combination fields, a sporting clays course, a 90-yard archery sight-in range and multipurpose building that would house classrooms and an indoor archery/air gun range, storage and restroom on a 150-acre parcel owned by the city. The range project is a partnership between the Department and city and will be operated and maintained by the city if constructed. If approved, the USFWS Wildlife Restoration Grant Program will provide much of the funding for this project. The range will serve as a public shooting range and will also provide hunter education program opportunities.
The parcel is located in Curry County on the southeast corner of Ned Houk Park outside of Clovis and comprises Sections 02 and 03, Township 03 North, Range 36 East, New Mexico.
Other infrastructure planned for the proposed project area would include the construction of approximately 75 graveled parking stalls and a gated access road from County Road 17.
The draft EA can be found on the Department’s website. Comments can be sent to DGF-Shootingranges@state.nm.us and must be received by August 30.
For more information, please call (505) 476-8100. Printed copies of the draft EA can be obtained by writing the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504 to the attention of Jessica Fisher, Shooting Program information.
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Bear and cougar rule changes topic of public meetings
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
Bear and cougar rule changes topic of public meetings
SANTA FE –The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the bear and cougar rule.
To gather public comments, four public meetings will be conducted:
- Raton: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. August 7 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 215 York Canyon Road
- Albuquerque: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. August 13 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 7816 Alamo Road, NW
- Las Cruces: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. August 15 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive
- Roswell: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. August 16 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 1615 West College Boulevard
The proposals will be available on the Department’s website in late July, prior to the public meetings. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Bear and Cougar Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email to DGF-Bear-Cougar-Rules@state.nm.us or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
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Apply now for special sandhill crane and pheasant hunts
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, 2019:
Apply now for special sandhill crane and pheasant hunts
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is now accepting applications for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits.
Applications can be made online at the department’s website or over the telephone with the department’s information center, 1-888-248-6866. The application deadline for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits is 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Information about pheasant and sandhill crane draw hunts is available in the department’s 2019-20 Small Game Hunting Rules and Information Booklet.
Successful applicants must have a game hunting license and applicable stamp(s) in addition to their draw permit. Successful sandhill crane applicants also must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
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Game Commission to meet July 24 in Socorro
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 16, 2019:
Game Commission to meet July 24 in Socorro
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Wednesday, July 24, in Socorro to initiate the bear and cougar rule and discuss landowner certification of the non-navigable waters rule.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at New Mexico Tech Fidel Center located at 808 Olive Lane, in Socorro.
Other agenda items include:
- A workshop, no commission action will be taken and no public comment will be taken during this agenda item:
- Update on the Mexico Gray Wolf program
- The Department’s organization and budget
- The Department’s draw allocation process
- Request to dispose of assets
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting will be available to view via a live webcast on the department’s website. The webcast can be accessed by clicking here. Webcast participants can listen to the meeting using a desktop computer or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Comments will only be allowed at the Commission Chair’s discretion and is only available in person. A recording will be available after the meeting at the above link.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are chairwoman Joanna Prukop, vice chairwoman Roberta Salazar-Henry, Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Encouragement elk hunting licenses go on sale July 10
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 27, 2019:
Encouragement elk hunting licenses go on sale July 10
SANTA FE – New Mexico resident youth and senior hunters who applied and were unsuccessful in the 2019-2020 big game draw are eligible for nearly 1,900 antlerless elk licenses. The licenses will go on sale through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Online License System at 10 a.m. MDT July 10.
The sale is designed to encourage unsuccessful applicants and includes almost 1,500 licenses for any legal sporting arm and 390 licenses for muzzleloader, crossbow or bow.
Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log in to their Online License System account at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Eligibility requirements:
- For the first 14 days, the sale is open only to resident youth who have applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, Oryx or Ibex and were not successful for any hunt. Please note that the purchase of a leftover draw hunt counts as a successful application.
- Must have a valid Hunter Education certification.
- Must be 17 years of age or younger on the opening day of hunt.
- Beginning at 10 a.m. MDT, July 24, the sale will open to all resident seniors, ages 65 years of age or older, who applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, Oryx or Ibex and were not successful for any hunt.
Nonresidents and applicants who were successful for another species are not eligible for these hunts. - Hunters must have a current Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license with a Habitat Management and Access Validation prior to purchasing an elk license. Customers without a Game Hunting license and Habitat Management and Access Validation will be directed to purchase one before continuing to the encouragement sale.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility.
Hunters planning to purchase an encouragement license must have completed all mandatory 2018-2019 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on rejected purchases. After eligibility is verified – usually within a few days – the license will be available to print from any computer by logging in to your account and selecting “My Purchases” in the main menu.
Following successful purchase of an encouragement license, the license/tag will be mailed to the hunter. Complete information about the new tagging requirements is available on the department website and in the Hunting Rules and Information booklet.
For more information about the encouragement elk sale, hunting in New Mexico, or for help logging in, please call customer service at (888) 248-6866. Encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone. For the list of available hunts please see the 2019-2020 Hunting Rules and Information booklet available online.
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New conservation officers graduate from Law Enforcement Academy
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 20, 2019:
SANTA FE –Three New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers graduated from the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Farmington Friday, June 14.
The department’s graduates of the 20-week law enforcement training academy are:
- Kayla Brauer
- Travis Bessett
- Montana Tidwell
Notably, Brauer earned the title of class valedictorian and the exemplary performance award in a class of 30.
In addition to attending the law enforcement academy, conservation officers undergo four weeks of departmental training in wildlife laws and department policies and procedures. They also undergo a year of on-the-job training under the supervision of a field training officer before being assigned to a district.
For more information about a career as a conservation officer with the Department of Game and Fish please visit the department website.
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Leftover licenses go on sale June 26
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 6, 2019:
Leftover licenses go on sale June 26
SANTA FE – 763 deer, 85 youth-only pronghorn and 4 mobility-impaired-only elk hunting licenses that were not allocated during the annual 2019-2020 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 26, only on the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website.
New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses for the first 24 hours of the first-come, first-served sale. The sale will be opened to everyone, regardless of residency, at 10 a.m. June 27.
Important note for youth hunters: Because these are leftover draw licenses, purchasing a leftover deer or pronghorn license will render youth hunters ineligible to purchase an encouragement elk license during the upcoming sale in July.
To buy a leftover license, hunters must first purchase either an annual Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. In advance of the sale, hunters may buy one of the required licenses, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the OTC Licenses, Permits and Stamps link under License Sales 2019.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to review online customer accounts and to be signed on to their account before the sale begins. Popular licenses often sell out in minutes, sometimes seconds, after sales begin.
Leftover licenses will be sold online only. A license/tag will be mailed to the hunter for all approved purchases within 14 days of purchase. Hunters are also advised that they must provide a valid mailing address at the time of purchase, unless the e-tag option is selected for deer or elk.
Hunters planning to purchase a leftover license also must have completed all mandatory 2018-19 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on rejected purchases.
For more information about the leftover license sale please call the department’s toll-free information line, (888) 248-6866. Leftover licenses will not be sold over the phone.
Here is a list of available licenses:
Monastery Lake to be closed Thursday, June 6 through Sunday, June 9
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 6, 2019:
Monastery Lake to be closed Thursday, June 6 through Sunday, June 9
SANTA FE – Monastery Lake near Pecos will be closed to the public from dusk Thursday, June 6, through dawn Sunday, June 9.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish leases the lake for public fishing from the Benedictine Monastery in Pecos. The owners and the department have agreed to close the lake for a private fishing event. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of other nearby fishing opportunities on the Pecos River and at Cowles Ponds.
Conservation officers will monitor the lake during the closure and signs will be posted at the main gate. The angling public’s cooperation will be greatly appreciated. The lake will reopen to the public at dawn Sunday, June 9.
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Game Commission to meet June 14 in Albuquerque
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 4, 2019:
Game Commission to meet June 14 in Albuquerque
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Friday, June 14, in Albuquerque to elect chair and vice chair positions and initiate the 2019-2020 Migratory Bird Rule.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Northwest Regional Office located at 7816 Alamo Road NW, in Albuquerque.
Other agenda items include:
- Approve the Land Transfers of the Mesilla Valley Bosque Park and the Laguna del Campo
- Approve the 2021 Capital Outlay Request
- Review the Current Commission Meeting Schedule
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Jimmy Bates, Gail Cramer, Tirzio Lopez, Joanna Prukop, Roberta Salazar-Henry, David Soules and Jeremy Vesbach.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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AIMS@UNM hits the mark at national tournament
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Lance Cherry: (505) 476-8003
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 7, 2019:
AIMS@UNM hits the mark at national tournament
SANTA FE – Capturing bronze and silver, New Mexico’s National Archery in the Schools (NASP) high school division state champions, Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (AIMS@UNM) delivered the state’s best national tournament showing since the program began in 2008.
More than 1,250 top-ranked student archers from 156 schools competed in the NASP Western Nationals, April 27-28 at the Salt Palace Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The AIMS@UNM team scored 3292 out of a possible 3600 in the high school division and pinned an amazing 146 bullseyes to clinch the third place finish. The team’s standout archer, Sofia Apodaca, racked up 20 bullseyes and a score of 289 out of 300, to capture second overall in the individual female high school division.
“AIMS@UNM’s accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication the students, coaches and parents put into New Mexico’s NASP,” said Michael Sloane, Director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “I’m extremely proud to champion a program that allows our youth to compete and win on a national stage.”
Clovis Christian School finished fifth with a score of 2728 in the elementary division and James Monroe Middle School finished eighth with a score of 3223 in the middle school division.
Federal funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes NASP possible. The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 dedicates federal excise taxes collected from manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment to national wildlife restoration programs, which include hunter education, shooting and archery programs in addition to wildlife surveys, transplants, and the purchase and management of wildlife management areas.
For complete list of tournament results please visit www.nasptournaments.org. For more information about the National Archery in the Schools Program and how your school can get involved, contact John Martsh, R3 program manager for the Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4719 or d.martsh@state.nm.us.
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Big-game draw results now available
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 17, 2019:
Big-game draw results now available
SANTA FE – Hunters who applied for New Mexico big-game licenses will know their draw results early again this spring through the Department of Game and Fish online license system.
Hunters can check their draw results by logging onto their customer account on the department website, onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us.
At 6 a.m. today, the department released draw results to customer accounts on the department website, seven days earlier than expected.
At 8 a.m. results and assistance also will be available by phone at (888) 248-6866.
In addition, later in the day, the department will send emails to successful applicants who provided a valid email.
Draw licenses and tags will be mailed to the address provided, unless you chose the e-tag option for deer or elk. Do not hunt without a valid license and tag. Successful applicants who did not purchase the Habitat Stamp with their draw application, must purchase the stamp before May 15, 2019 for it to be printed on your draw hunting license(s). May 15 is also the deadline to change your address before tags are mailed.
Unsuccessful applicants should receive refunds on credit cards beginning Monday, April 22, 2019 and all others will receive a check refund in the next two to three weeks.
More than 209,000 applicants tried for about 61,000 deer, elk, antelope, oryx, ibex, Barbary sheep and javelina licenses — an all-time application record.
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Migratory Game Bird rule changes topic of public meetings
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 2, 2019:
Migratory Game Bird rule changes topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird rule.
The department is proposing small changes in migratory game bird hunting, including incorporating Federal recommendations on migratory bird seasons and adjusting season dates for calendar dates.
To gather public comments, three public meetings will be conducted:
- Albuquerque: 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 10 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 7816 Alamo Rd, NW
- Farmington: 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 11 at the Farmington Civic Center, 200 W Arrington St.
- Las Cruces: 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 12 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive
The proposals will be available on the department’s website, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/commission/proposals-under-consideration/, in early April prior to the public meetings. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Waterfowl Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, DGF-Waterfowl@state.nm.us or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
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Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding
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 2, 2019:
Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding
SANTA FE – On April 1, 2019, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program will begin accepting proposals for projects starting in 2020.
The department’s Share with Wildlife program funds projects up to $50,000 in four categories: habitat enhancement, biological and ecological research studies, wildlife rehabilitation and wildlife education.
Topics of particular interest to the department for projects that start between Jan. 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020, and details about the proposal format, are listed in the Call for Project Information (CFPI) for fiscal year 2020 available on the Share with Wildlife webpage, under the Applications-Reports tab.
Any questions about the application process and final project proposals should be submitted to Share with Wildlife Coordinator, Ginny Seamster, virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
All proposals must be submitted electronically, preferably in a single pdf file, by 5 p.m. MDT, Friday, May 31, 2019.
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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, MAR. 29, 2019:
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 2019-2020 hunting and fishing season begins April 1. All hunters and anglers are required to purchase a new license before hunting and fishing. Anglers can expect roadblocks throughout the summer. Guides and outfitters are also reminded that new registration is required.
Youth turkey season begins April 12 and the general season begins April 15. For more information, please consult the department’s Hunting Rules and Information booklet, available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or at area offices and license vendors.
At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
Everyone is encouraged to report any wildlife crime or suspected crime they see while enjoying New Mexico’s great outdoors.
To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
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2019-2020 fishing and hunting fishing licenses on sale now
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 26, 2019:
2019-2020 fishing and hunting fishing licenses on sale now
SANTA FE – Sales of “over-the-counter” fishing and game hunting licenses for the 2019-2020 license year is now open, giving anglers and hunters an opportunity to have licenses in-hand when the new license year begins April 1.
Anglers will need a 2019-2020 fishing license beginning April 1. The first hunting seasons of 2019 will be for spring turkeys. Those seasons are April 12-14 for youth-only hunts and April 15 for everyone.
If you purchased a game hunting or game hunting and fishing license through the 2019-2020 draw application, it is now available in your account under my purchases.
More information about license fees, required stamps, season dates and other rules is available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or toll-free, (888) 248-6866.
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Donate part of your state tax refund to help wildlife
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, MAR. 18, 2019:
Donate part of your state tax refund to help wildlife
SANTA FE – Want to help wildlife in need of conservation? It’s as easy as filling out a line on your state tax return to donate some of your tax refund to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Share with Wildlife program.
Since its inception in 1981, the Share with Wildlife program has funded many projects and organizations. A long-term recipient of funds is the New Mexico Wildlife Center, a nonprofit in Española where sick and injured animals receive veterinary care, treatment and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.
The program also funds research, especially on species lacking information needed in order for species conservation and management efforts to proceed. Focal species for 2019 include the Bendire’s thrasher, an elusive bird found in the southwestern corner of the state, and the Peñasco least chipmunk, which is found only in mountain ranges in southeastern New Mexico.
“People who contribute to the Share with Wildlife program make all these wildlife projects possible,” said Ginny Seamster, the department’s Share with Wildlife program coordinator.
Donations to the program are matched by federal dollars to maximize the support for wildlife. More than $1.7 million has gone to research, habitat enhancement, education and rehabilitation projects in the past 10 years. All donations fund projects, not program administration.
The program is reliant upon donations, especially through tax refund contributions. To donate part of your state tax refund just fill out line 2 of PIT-D, the voluntary contributions schedule. Visit the state Taxation and Revenue Department at www.tax.newmexico.gov for tax forms and instructions.
Donations also can be made directly to the program or by purchasing a Share with Wildlife license plate from the Motor Vehicle Division. Please visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/share for more information or contact Seamster at (505) 476-8111 or virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
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Deadline is Wednesday to apply for big-game hunting licenses
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, MAR. 15, 2019:
Deadline is Wednesday to apply for big-game hunting licenses
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is reminding hunters that Wednesday, March 20, is the deadline to apply for deer, elk, pronghorn, oryx, ibex, bighorn sheep, javelina and Barbary sheep licenses. The department expects more than 200,000 applicants for about 60,000 licenses.
Hunters must complete their applications before 5 p.m. MDT March 20. All applicants must create an online account prior to applying.
Here’s how to apply:
- Online: Applicants can access or create accounts via the “Customer Login” link on the department website. From their account, applicants will select “Draw Hunt Applications” in the main menu and then will be prompted through license and application choices.
- By phone: Hunters without computer access or who need help applying can call toll-free, (888) 248-6866 and a department representative will submit an application for them. The information center will be open until 6 p.m. March 15 and until 8 p.m., March 18 and 19. The center will close at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. Phone lines will be extremely busy as the deadline approaches, so applicants are encouraged to apply early and must have their hunt choices ready.
Applicants will be able to print 2019 nonrefundable game-hunting and game-hunting and fishing licenses from their account March 25. Draw licenses can be printed after the draw results are released April 24, but a combined license/tag will also be mailed to successful applicants in May.
To be eligible for the draw, applicants who held deer, elk, pronghorn or turkey licenses for the 2018-19 seasons must have submitted a harvest report either online or through the information center and paid any applicable late fees by March 20. Applicants who held 2018-19 licenses for Oryx, Ibex, Barbary sheep, javelina and trapping must submit harvest reports by April 7. Failure to report before the deadlines will result in rejection of all draw applications.
Information about rules, seasons, fees and more is available in the 2019-20 Hunting Rules & Information booklet and available in print at license vendors and department offices. Hunters are encouraged to review season dates, application deadlines and other information before applying for licenses or going afield. The department website also includes valuable information about how the draw works, application procedures, game-management unit maps, drawing odds and a “How to Apply” video.
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Citizen Advisory Committees to meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
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, MAR. 15, 2019:
Citizen Advisory Committees to meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled statewide Habitat Stamp Program Citizens Advisory Committee meetings for 2019. Citizen advisors will prioritize Habitat Stamp-funded projects for 2020 and 2021. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the following regional Citizen Advisory Committee meetings:
- Northwest: 12:30 p.m. April 15, Bureau of Land Management, Farmington Field Office, 6251 College Blvd., Suite A., Farmington.
- Central: 9:30 a.m. April 17, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Northwest Area Office, 7816 Alamo Road NW, Albuquerque.
- Northeast: 9:30 a.m. April 19, Santa Fe National Forest, Supervisor’s Office, 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe.
- Southwest: 9:30 a.m. April 22, Gila National Forest, Supervisor’s Office, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City.
- Southeast: 9:30 a.m. May 2, Bureau of Land Management, Roswell Field Office, 2909 West Second Street, Roswell.
Since its inception, citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program, advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Appointed by the State Game Commission, citizens representing sporting, conservation and public-land permittee interests meet each spring to prioritize local habitat projects.
For more information about the Habitat Stamp Program, please contact Jacob Davidson, (505) 476-8112, jacob.davidson@state.nm.us or visit the Habitat Stamp Program website, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/habitat-stamp/.
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Second Case of Rabies Confirmed in a Fox in San Miguel County
New Mexico Department of Health
Media Contact, Paul Rhien: (505) 470-2290
paul.rhien@state.nm.us
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 6, 2019
Second Case of Rabies Confirmed in a Fox in San Miguel County
SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (DGF) announced today that a case of rabies was laboratory confirmed on March 1 in a fox that was seen to be acting abnormally in San Miguel County. It had been previously announced that another rabid fox was identified in that county on January 28. Pet and livestock owners should ensure that their dogs, cats, horses and other livestock get vaccinated against rabies. No pet food or garbage should be left outside. Pets should be leashed while being walked outside.
Residents and visitors are reminded to be aware of strangely behaving wild animals. People should avoid any contact with foxes or other wild animals.
Personnel with the NMDOH and DGF are concerned that a second rabid fox in the same general area has been found one month after the first rabid fox was identified, and will partner with local authorities to look for any other potential rabid animals and to protect the public.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be prevented but not cured. Any contact with wild animals should be immediately reported to the Department of Health and the Department of Game and Fish.
- The public should call their local Department of Game and Fish office or call radio dispatch at (505) 827-9376 for assistance with wildlife acting oddly, especially foxes, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, and bats.
- The public should immediately call the New Mexico Department of Health at (505) 827-0006 if they or their pets are bitten or otherwise exposed to the saliva of wild animals.
The following guidelines can help protect you and your family from rabies:
- Keep pets on a leash at all times when outdoors. Pets should be up-to-date on rabies vaccinations and wearing current license tags on their collar. If your cat or dog has been bitten or scratched, call your pet’s veterinarian, even if the wound is superficial.
- Horses and other livestock should be considered for rabies vaccination to protect them from rabid animals that may attack them.
- Stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals. This includes animals who are acting sick, fearless, aggressive or friendly. Do not attempt to feed, approach, or touch wild animals (alive or dead). Teach this important message to your children.
- If you or a loved-one are bitten by an animal, or come into contact with an animal’s saliva, wash the exposed site immediately with soap and water. Be sure to report the bite immediately to local animal control, seek medical care, and call the New Mexico Department of Health (24/7) at (505) 827-0006 for about receiving rabies exposure protective vaccination.
- If you see a sick or dead wild animal, or a wild animal acting abnormally in this area, report it to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (505) 476-8000.
For more information about rabies call visit the NMDOH rabies website at https://nmhealth.org/about/erd/ideb/zdp/rab/.
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Gallup conservation officer named Officer of the Year by Shikar-Safari Club
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, MAR. 5, 2019:
Gallup conservation officer named Officer of the Year by Shikar-Safari Club
SANTA FE – Shikar-Safari Club International has named New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Corporal Storm Usrey the 2018 Wildlife Officer of the Year.
This highly prestigious award is given annually to a state officer whose efforts show outstanding performance and achievement among sworn conservation law enforcement personnel.
“In a field as demanding as wildlife law enforcement, I can say with certainty, Officer Storm Usery lives and breathes the conservation officer concept,” said his supervisor, Sergeant Jeremy Smith. “He is second to none in customer service and the most professional officer I have worked with. Storm embodies professionalism and kindness beyond the duties of the job. His resume of good deeds is too long to list.”
Educating youth is a passion for Storm, he volunteers for every opportunity that allows him to pass along his knowledge. In 2018, he took it upon himself to contact every school in his hometown of Gallup, New Mexico, where he presented on New Mexico’s wildlife and visited with students about outdoor recreation opportunities. Storm did so, knowing that it wasn’t expected of him, because of his desire to help youth get involved in the outdoors and interested in the world around them.
As a conservation officer, he is not known for being aggressive or concerned with numbers of citations on a spreadsheet, but his dedication to the resource drives Storm to put forth every effort to solve each case. On more than one occasion, Storm worked through the night to locate a muzzleloader slug or bullet fragment, gathering DNA or other evidence in order to make a case against poachers. Officer Usrey has also established excellent relationships with Navajo Nation Game and Fish Officers and Pueblo of Zuni Law Enforcement over the years for the benefit of all wildlife.
The recognition was presented by Department of Game and Fish Col. Robert Griego, a 2006 recipient of the award.
“It was an honor to hire Storm as a conservation officer 13 years ago. His well-rounded abilities, work ethic and his initiative to go the extra mile make him an exemplary officer,” said Griego. “Storm is the type of officer that can write someone a citation and have them shaking his hand at the end of the contact.”
Shikar Safari Club International is a conservation-based international organization that presents awards annually to wildlife law enforcement officers in all states, provinces and territories in the United States and Canada. Corporal Storm Usrey is one of only 12 officers currently serving New Mexico to receive this honor and is the 50th officer to receive this prestigious award. The Shikar-Safari award was first presented in 1968.
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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, MARCH 1, 2019:
Department seeking next generation of conservation officers
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking qualified men and women to join the next generation of 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 $17.03 an hour. Applications for this position will be accepted until April 16, 2019. Physical assessments and interviews will take place May 11, 2019 in Santa Fe. Candidates who advance past the interviews may be required to stay in Santa Fe until May 17, 2019 for further testing.
Prior law enforcement experience is not required. Successful applicants must either possess a qualifying bachelor’s degree or obtain a qualifying degree and provide documentation of the degree prior to the start date of June 3, 2019. Qualifying degrees are those in a field related to wildlife management, biology or criminal justice. Aside from a written exam, oral interview and fitness test, successful candidates must also pass a psychological exam, medical exam, background investigation and drug test.
Upon hiring, recruits will receive basic training at the law enforcement academy, department’s recruit school and one year of on-the-job training before working alone in the field. Those hired can look forward to extensive training in subjects such as wildlife law investigations, aerial wildlife survey techniques, wildlife restraint, wildlife management principles, vehicle operations, defensive tactics, arrest procedures, OHV training, boat training and firearms training. The training is rigorous and the work is often difficult, requiring sound judgement, a good work ethic and common sense.
“The department is seeking highly motivated personnel who are up to the challenge this career represents,” says recruiting officer Brady Griffith.
Conservation officers, along with enforcing New Mexico’s game and fish laws, educate the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conduct wildlife surveys, capture “problem animals,” investigate wildlife damage to crops and property, assist in wildlife relocations and help develop new hunting, fishing and trapping regulations. They work primarily alone in the most remote regions of the state and are often stationed in small towns.
Interested applicants can get more information about conservation officer duties, educational and physical requirements, training and employee benefits by visiting the department’s enforcement page or contacting Griffith at (505) 795-1700 or bradyd.griffith@state.nm.us.
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Off-Highway Vehicle grant applications now available
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, FEB. 14, 2019:
Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Applications Now Available
SANTA FE – Federal, state and local government agencies as well as not-for-profit organizations can apply for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grants to enhance recreational use of side-by-sides, ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles on public lands. Law enforcement agencies can apply for grants to conduct OHV patrols and enforce the provisions of the OHV Act (66-3-1001 NMSA). Projects promoting OHV safety or mitigating impacts from OHV use may also qualify for grants.
Funds for these grants are user-generated revenues from OHV registrations, collected in the state’s Trail Safety Fund and administered by the department.
Grant application forms and information can be downloaded from the OHV program website. Applications must be mailed and postmarked no later than Sunday, March 31 or hand-delivered to the department’s Albuquerque office, located at 7816 Alamo Road NW, no later than Friday, March 29, before 5 p.m. Applications received by fax or email will not be considered.
For further information, please contact the OHV program manager, Matt Seidel, by phone at (505) 222-4728 or via email at DGF-OHVMGR@state.nm.us.
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Charges issued in illegal trapping case
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, FEB. 13, 2019:
Charges issued in illegal trapping case
SANTA FE – In one of New Mexico’s most recent high-profile trapping cases, a Chimayo man is facing multiple charges associated with running illegal trap lines that resulted in the unlawful harvest of multiple wildlife animals and the death of Roxy, a family dog.
On Tuesday, Feb. 12, Marty Cordova, 42, was charged with 34 counts of illegal trapping activities. Charges include:
Charges include:
- 5 counts of trapping within 25 yards of a road
- 10 counts of failure to properly mark traps
- 5 counts of failure to check traps every calendar day
- 14 counts of unlawful possession of a protected species
Conservation officers served a search warrant on Cordova’s residence in January resulting in officers seizing snares and foot hold traps that were not properly marked. Officers seized 10 bobcat pelts and skulls, six fox pelts, badger and ringtail pelts, cell phones, a camera and a firearm.
The case was first brought to the department’s attention by Roxy’s owner Dave Clark of Espanola and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) officer Justin Dean, said Department of Game and Fish conservation officer Christian Marrujo.
In addition to the charges issued by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the BLM also issued charges for the illegal activity on BLM land.
“We thank our partners at the Bureau of Land Management for their assistance with this case,” said Marrujo. “The department strives to protect our state’s wildlife and encourages the public to report any illegal activities.”
New Mexico conservation officers enforce the laws and regulations to conserve New Mexico’s wildlife and hold people accountable when they do not follow these rules. If you see or suspect a wildlife crime, please call the 24-hour Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-432-GAME. You can remain anonymous and can earn a monetary reward. Remember: poachers steal your wildlife.
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Hunters: Don’t forget to file your mandatory harvest report
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, FEB. 13, 2019:
Hunters: Don’t forget to file your mandatory harvest report
SANTA FE – Mandatory harvest deadlines are fast approaching for hunters and trappers who held licenses for New Mexico’s 2018-19 seasons.
The deadline to file a free report for hunters who held 2018-19 deer, elk, pronghorn or turkey licenses is midnight Feb. 15, 2019, After that date, an $8 late fee will apply. Hunters must report on or before the March 20 application deadline or their applications will be rejected from the big-game draws.
The deadline to report for those who held 2018-19 Barbary sheep, javelina, oryx, ibex or trapping licenses is midnight April 7, 2019. The later harvest-reporting deadline allows license holders for those species to submit results after the seasons have closed.
Hunters and trappers can file their mandatory harvest report on the department website, by logging in to their account and clicking “Harvest Reporting” in the main menu. Reports also can be submitted by phone toll-free at (888) 248-6866 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The department encourages hunters and trappers to keep their confirmation number for their records and to update their account information and provide a valid email address so they can receive important information, confirmation emails and receipts from the department.
License holders must file a report, even if they did not hunt or trap. Failure to file a mandatory harvest report on time will result in rejection of all big-game applications.
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Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show this weekend in Albuquerque
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, FEB. 12, 2019:
Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show this weekend in Albuquerque
SANTA FE – The annual New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show opens at noon Friday, Feb.15 and continues through Sunday, Feb. 17, in the Manuel Lujan Building at the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque.
The event is bigger and better than ever with new exhibits and hands-on activities hosted by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
New this year will be a free ‘catch and release’ pond located in the red barn. Try your luck catching a tagged fish to win a prize sponsored by a vendor. At the start of each day’s show, the first 15 people to catch a tagged fish will win a prize from one of the shows vendors. There will also be prizes Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
Visitors can receive instruction on off-highway vehicles (OHV), fishing, archery and shooting. The event features hands-on demonstrations of the latest equipment for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. Boats, kayaks, OHVs, and RVs will be on display and conservation organizations, outfitters and guides will be on hand to answer questions.
The show opens to the public from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free to all licensed anglers, hunters and trappers. Youth younger than 18 get in free and everyone else pays just $3.
For more information, please visit the department website, https://wildlife-wordpress-redesign.gmfsh.state.nm.us.
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Students, schools claim titles at National Archery in the Schools State Tournament
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, FEB. 11, 2019:
Students, schools claim titles at National Archery in the Schools State Tournament
ALBUQUERQUE – More than 800 archers competed at the eighth annual National Archery in the Schools (NASP) State Tournament Feb. 9 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
“We had 830 of New Mexico’s top archers compete toe-to-toe today,” said John Martsh, recruitment, retention, reactivation (R3) program manager for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “We really can’t say enough about the dedication and hard work the students, coaches and families invested in making this one of the best tournaments in the nation.”
Caillie Waters of the Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science at the University of New Mexico (AIMS@UNM) scored 266 out of a possible 300 points to take first place among female high school competitors. Josiah Romero-Millowa, also of AIMS@UNM, was the top male high school archer with a score of 276.
In the middle school division, Korvia Zuni, of Tony Hillerman Middle School, scored 279 out of 300 to lead the girls while Brandon Miller, of Camino Real Middle School, scored 277 as the boys’ front-runner.
In the elementary school division, Samar Mouri, of John Baker Elementary School, was the top girls’ top scorer at 249, edging out Amilia Lopez of Coronado Elementary School, also scoring 249, by shooting 10 bulls eyes during the competition. Benjamin Potters, of Clovis Christian School was the top boys’ top scorer at 266.
In team standings AIMS@UNM scored highest in the high school division with a score of 3121 out of a possible 3600 points while James Monroe Middle School won their division with a score of 3110. Clovis Christian school took first place in the elementary division with a top score of 2669.
The top 10 boy and girl scorers in each individual division qualify to participate in the NASP Western Nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah in April. For complete list of tournament results please visit www.napstournaments.org.
More than 100 public schools across New Mexico participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program and more join every year. Schools receive free training for instructors and the Department of Game and Fish provides 50 percent of the funding for each school to purchase archery equipment. It costs about $3,000 to outfit a school or organization with bows, targets, backstops and other equipment to get a program started. Many schools incorporate the program into existing physical education or after-school activities.
Federal funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes National Archery in the Schools Program possible. The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 dedicates federal excise taxes collected from manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment to national wildlife restoration programs, which include hunter education, shooting and archery programs in addition to wildlife surveys, transplants, and the purchase and management of wildlife management areas.
For more information about the National Archery in the Schools Program and how your school can get involved, contact John Martsh, R3 program manager for the Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4719 or d.martsh@state.nm.us.
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Deadline to apply for bear and turkey permits is Wednesday
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, FEB 11, 2019:
Deadline to apply for bear and turkey permits is Wednesday
SANTA FE – The deadline to apply for 2019-2020 bear and turkey permits is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13. Draw results will be available Feb. 27. 2019-2020 rules and information booklets can be found on the Department of Game and Fish website.
Hunters can apply online, by telephone or in person at department offices. For more information or help in applying for the draw, please call the information center at (888) 248-6866.
Successful applicants must purchase a 2019 bear or turkey license with applicable stamp(s) after March 25.
Draw permits may not be printed before the bear or turkey license is purchased.
The draw deadline for big game, including elk, deer, pronghorn antelope, Barbary and bighorn sheep, oryx, ibex and javelina is 5 p.m. March 20.
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Fox bites homeowner, tests positive for rabies
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
New Mexico Department of Health
Media Contact, Paul Rhien: (505) 470-2290
paul.rhien@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JAN. 29,2019:
Fox bites homeowner, tests positive for rabies
LAS VEGAS – On Saturday, Conservation Officer Justin Hepler responded to a call from a Las Vegas homeowner who was bitten by a fox she believed was starving when she attempted to feed it.
After meeting with the bite victim at a local hospital, the officer learned the fox had jumped into a parked vehicle and began eating insulation on the door and chewing on a hammer handle. The homeowner admitted to offering the fox a bowl of dog food when it bit her on the wrist and hand, leaving several puncture wounds on both arms.
Once on the scene, the officer was able to locate the fox, discovering it exhibiting abnormal behaviors consistent with rabies. The officer first attempted to capture it, but when it became aggressive and attacked he euthanized it. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish submitted the fox for testing to the state’s Scientific Laboratory Division. Results came back positive for rabies late Monday.
“It’s important to stay away from any animals acting sick, fearless, aggressive or friendly,” said Dr. Kerry Mower, wildlife disease specialist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “It’s also important people never attempt to feed wildlife.”
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be spread among mammals, most commonly through aggressive behavior, such as biting, that causes exposure to saliva. It is most commonly found in foxes, bats, skunks, coyotes and racoons, but can be transmitted to humans and pets.
The public should contact their local Department of Game and Fish office or call the department’s Operation Game Thief Hotline at (800) 432-4263 for assistance with wildlife acting oddly, especially coyotes, skunks, raccoons, foxes and bats. The public should immediately contact the New Mexico Department of Health at (505) 827-0006 if they or their pets are bitten or otherwise exposed to the saliva of wild animals.
Here are some guidelines to help protect yourself and your family from rabies:
- Stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals. Do not attempt to feed, approach or touch wild animals (alive or dead). Teach this important message to your children. Rabid animals may show no fear of people and may seem friendly or become aggressive.
- Pets should be up to date on rabies vaccinations and wearing current license and rabies tags on their collar.
- Horses and other livestock should be considered for rabies vaccination to protect them from rabid animals that may attack them.
- If you or a loved one are bitten by an animal, or come into contact with an animal’s saliva, wash the exposed site immediately with soap and water and seek medical care as soon as possible. Be sure to report the bite to local conservation officers, animal control officers, and/or health officials as soon as possible for recommendations about receiving rabies exposure protective vaccination.
- Keep pets on a leash at all times.
- If your cat or dog has been bitten or scratched, call your pet’s veterinarian, even if the wound appears to be superficial.
- If you see a sick or dead wild animal, or a wild animal acting abnormally, stay away and report it to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. For more info about rabies see the New Mexico Department of Health website at: https://nmhealth.org/about/erd/ideb/zdp/rab/
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2019-2020 draw hunt application opens today
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, JANUARY 16, 2019:
2019-2020 draw hunt application opens today
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish began accepting applications for 2019-2020 big-game and turkey licenses and permits at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan.16, online and over the telephone.
Information about rules, seasons, fees and more is available in the 2019-2020 Hunting Rules & Information booklet online now at www.wildlife.state.nm.us and available in print soon at license vendors and department offices. Hunters are encouraged to review season dates, application deadlines and other information before applying for licenses or going afield.
The application deadline for bear and turkey permits is 5 p.m. Feb. 13. The application deadline for big-game licenses is 5 p.m. March 20. Hunters need to file all mandatory harvest reports from last season’s hunts to be eligible for this year’s draw. See the Hunting Rules and Information booklet for reporting deadlines.
Application assistance also is available at the department Information Center, toll-free (888) 248-6866. The center is open year-round, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (except holidays) to answer your questions and assist with license issues and harvest reporting. Extended hours are March 11–March 15, Monday–Friday from 8 a.m.– 6 p.m. and March 18 – March 19 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. The Information Center will close at 4:30 p.m. March 20.
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Game Commission to meet Jan. 10 Santa Fe
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, January 7, 2019:
Game Commission to meet Jan. 10 in Santa Fe
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Thursday, January 10, 2019, in Santa Fe to elect 2019 chair and vice chair positions and to hear a presentation on the department’s 2018 accomplishments.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Santa Fe Community College Board Room, located at 6401 Richards Avenue.
Other agenda items include:
- Results from the Fiscal Year 2018 audit from Moss Adams
- Presentation on the department’s education efforts
- Update on the development of shooting ranges
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are chairman Paul Kienzle, vice chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs, Craig Peterson and Chance Chase.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Tristanna Bickford, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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New Mexico Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board Meeting
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, DEC. 3, 2018
New Mexico Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Advisory Board Meeting
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting of the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Advisory Board for Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Information regarding the OHV program’s budget, education and law enforcement efforts will be presented. The Advisory Board will also establish meeting dates for next year.
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Northwest Regional Office located at 7816 Alamo Road NW, in Albuquerque.
Information on the advisory board can be found on the department’s website.
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Director to hear public comments on trapping rule
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, NOV. 16, 2018:
Director to hear public comments on trapping rule
ALBUQUERQUE – The Director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will hold a listening session to hear public comments on proposed changes to the furbearer rule. Proposed changes include mandatory trapper education, increasing set-back requirements, allowance for closure of areas to trapping, signage and further clarifying the definition of a trail.
The listening session will be conducted 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at the department’s Northwest Regional Office, 7816 Alamo Road NW in Albuquerque.
Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Furbearer Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, ispa@state.nm.us, or in person at the meeting.
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Game Commission to meet Nov. 30 in Roswell
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, Nov. 15, 2018:
Game Commission to meet Nov. 30 in Roswell
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Friday, Nov. 30, in Roswell to take final action on amendments to the private land elk license allocation system, hunting and fishing manner and method, deer, elk and the hunting and fishing license and application rules.
The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Roswell Convention and Civic Center Exhibit Hall, located at 912 N. Main Street.
Other agenda items include:
- Special hunt draw deadlines for 2019 – 2020
- Presentation on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2019 Mexican Gray Wolf Translocation Plan
- Subsequent discussions on the trapping and furbearer rule
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details for the proposed rules and opportunities to comment are also available on the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are chairman Paul Kienzle, vice chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs, Craig Peterson and Chance Chase.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Chris Chadwick, (505) 476-8011. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Game Commission to meet Nov. 8 in Albuquerque
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, OCT. 24, 2018:
Game Commission to meet Nov. 8 in Albuquerque
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission has scheduled a special meeting Thursday, Nov. 8, in Albuquerque to take final action on applications for landowner certification of non-navigable waters
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s new Northwest Regional Office located at 7816 Alamo Road NW, in Albuquerque.
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Copies of the applications and the Director’s recommendations can be found on the website.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are chairman Paul Kienzle, vice chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs, Craig Peterson and Chance Chase.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Chris Chadwick, (505) 476-8011. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen on the Governor’s website.
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Late-season archery elk licenses available Oct. 31
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, OCT. 18:
Late-season archery elk licenses available Oct. 31
SANTA FE – 275 first-come, first-served late season bull elk archery hunting licenses will go on sale at 10 a.m. Oct. 31. The licenses will be available on the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website.
Available licenses include: Game Management Unit 12, Nov. 17-21, 25 licenses; Unit 34, Dec. 15-19, 200 licenses; and Unit 37, Dec. 1-5, 50 licenses. Special restrictions for elk harvested in Unit 34 can be found on page 85 of the current New Mexico Hunting Rules and Information booklet.
The first 24 hours of the sale will only be available to residents, after which any remaining licenses will be available to everyone. Only hunters who did not hold a 2018-2019 elk licenses are eligible. The bag limit for the late-season hunts is one bull elk with antlers having at least six points on one side.
Hunters are advised to obtain an online customer account or review their existing account, including username and password, before the sale begins. The sale is online-only and hunts normally sell out seconds after becoming available. Please review the New Mexico Hunting Rules and Information booklet for additional rules and regulations.
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Game and Fish investigates fish die off in Pecos River
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, SEPT. 25, 2018:
Game and Fish investigates fish die off in Pecos River
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is investigating a fish die off in the upper Pecos River from the village of Pecos to Cowles. The die off is affecting brown and rainbow trout and is being attributed to stress induced by low water conditions and poor water quality throughout late summer and early fall. Most of the fish observed were adult brown trout and a few rainbow trout. The department expects more fish to die through the fall as brown trout undergo spawning stress and flows continue to be very low.
Fish that are caught using legal fishing equipment are safe to consume; however, it is not recommended to collect and consume fish that are dead or dying.
If you see fish die offs, please contact the department immediately at (888) 248-6866.
The department will continue to evaluate waters statewide and will stock fish in waters that remain healthy for the fish. Waters that have been affected by die offs will be restocked when water conditions are suitable.
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Native fish restoration activity planned for Whitewater Creek
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, SEPT. 24, 2018:
Native fish restoration activity planned for Whitewater Creek
SANTA FE – Native fish restoration efforts on Whitewater Creek is scheduled for Oct. 10-21, 2018.
As part of the Whitewater Creek Native Fish Restoration Project, the department will remove non-native trout from Whitewater Creek to allow restoration of Gila trout and other native fish to their historic range. This portion of the project starts at the Gila National Forest boundary below the Catwalk National Recreation Trail parking area and continues upstream to the headwaters.
The department will apply rotenone based products – CFT Legumine® and Prentox® Rotenone Fish Toxicant Powder™ – to the stream to remove non-native salmonids. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that rotenone is highly effective for removal of fish and that the resulting concentrations of ingredients poses little, if any, hazards to public health. The pesticide will be neutralized with potassium permanganate and treated water will not leave the project area.
A temporary closure for October 10-21 will be issued by the Gila National Forest Supervisor Adam Mendonca. Signs will be posted at all trailheads that access closed areas. For more information on the Gila National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila/. For information on the native Gila trout, visit http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/fishing/native-new-mexico-fish/gila-trout-recovery-angling/.
When completed this project will contribute 23 miles of stream for Gila trout recovery and recreational angling purposes.
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Game Commission to meet Oct. 5 in Albuquerque
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, SEPT. 24, 2018:
Game Commission to meet Oct. 5 in Albuquerque
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Friday, Oct. 5, in Albuquerque to review final biennial review of state listed and endangered species and the fiscal year 2018 report on depredation and nuisance abatement.
The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s new Northwest Regional Office located at 7816 Alamo Road NW, in Albuquerque.
Other agenda items include:
- A ceremonial opening and tour of the new Northwest Regional Office.
- Subsequent discussions for potential rule changes on hunting and fishing manner and method rule.
- Subsequent discussions on potential rule changes on the revocation rule.
- Discussions for potential rule changes for trapping, mandatory trapper education, setback requirements, closures, nonresident bag limits and penalties.
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment are also available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, vice chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Craig Peterson. The seventh commission position is currently vacant.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Chris Chadwick, (505) 476-8011. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Stocking Gila trout in Gwynn Tank is only one of many firsts for this species in Western New Mexico
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, SEPT. 20, 2018:
Stocking Gila trout in Gwynn Tank is only one of many firsts for this species in Western New Mexico
SANTA FE – Gwynn Tank, located in the Gila National Forest in Western New Mexico, received its first batch of 203, 10-inch Gila trout.
Jill Wick, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Colorado Basin Native Fish Supervisor, said “stocking Gila Trout in Gwynn Tank is part of the department’s long-term plan to provide recreation opportunities for this rare native trout in conjunction with ongoing recovery efforts.”
Releasing this batch of Gila trout into Gwynn Tank was over a year in the making. In April 2017, a team of biologists set out on the first successful mission to collect wild Gila trout eggs. According to Wick, the team caught Gila trout in Willow Creek in the Gila National Forest, those eggs were taken to and raised at the Glenwood State Fish Hatchery.
The Gila trout released into Gwynn Tank provide a new recreational opportunity for anglers. Bag limits for trout in Gwynn Tank are five fish per day and no more than 10 in possession. All anglers ages 12 and older must have a fishing license and appropriate stamps and validations.
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Fish for free in New Mexico on National Hunting and Fishing Day Saturday, Sept. 22
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, SEPT 20, 2018:
Fish for free in New Mexico on National Hunting and Fishing Day Saturday, Sept. 22
SANTA FE – Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 22 by going fishing. It is a day to fish for free in New Mexico, a special day when all anglers – residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a license at public waters statewide. All other fishing rules apply.
“We want to encourage New Mexicans to take their families outside to enjoy their wildlife resources and celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day. A day of free fishing is a great way to do that,” Director Mike Sloane said.
Adults and teens interested in learning to fly-fish in New Mexico are invited to the Pecos National Historical Park. The Trout Unlimited – Truchas Chapter and department staff will help you learn to how to cast, tie knots, identify the best fishing holes and how to care for a fly rod. Beginners are welcome and all equipment is provided for the workshop. Call the park offices (505) 757-7241 to reserve a spot.
Also, as part of the celebration, families are invited to Cub Scout Adventure Day on Saturday, Sept. 22, in Albuquerque from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Great Southwest Council, Boy Scouts of America and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish staff are offering several free, fun outdoor recreation activities such as air rifle shooting range, archery, spin-casting and a chance to ride an off-highway vehicle simulator. The free adventures take place at 5841 Office Blvd. NE, Albuquerque. For more information contact mary.maza-andersen@scouting.org, (505) 345-8603.
For more information about places to fish Saturday, check out this week’s Fishing and Stocking Report, available on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Special hunter education camp offered at Washington Ranch near Carlsbad
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Jennifer Morgan: (505) 222-4722
jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT 14, 2018:
Special hunter education camp offered at Washington Ranch near Carlsbad
CARLSBAD – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youth can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification for free.
To hunt legally in New Mexico, youth under 18 years of age must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
The camp is open to youth ages 10 to 17 who are accompanied by a responsible adult, who has also registered for the camp. The camp will be conducted the weekend of Oct. 12-14, at the historic Washington Ranch south of Carlsbad. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Registration for this camp opportunity opens Sept. 17. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by noon, Sept. 21, to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants will have a chance to test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles and archery on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff. Fishing for warm-water fish will also be included.
To qualify for the camp, participants must have an online account with the department and provide their Customer Identification Number, register with an adult and complete the required homework before attending.
For more information please contact the Hunter Education Office at (505) 222-4731 or visit online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting 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, SEPT 10, 2018:
Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
SANTA FE – Hunting seasons are underway and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will be conducting roadblocks throughout the state during fall hunting seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations.
Conservation officers may be assisted by other agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Everyone is encouraged to report any violations they may observe, such as shooting from a vehicle, spotlighting or driving off-road. For more information, please consult the department’s hunting rules and information books, available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or at area offices and license vendors.
To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact a department area office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell or Las Cruces or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
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Hunts open for many small game species
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, SEPT. 5, 2018:
Hunts open for many small game species
SANTA FE – White-winged dove, mourning dove, dusky (blue) grouse and squirrel seasons are open statewide. These hunts offer great opportunities to get a new hunter out in the field. The weather tends to be warmer and good opportunities exist with minimal hiking.
Here are a few tips for hunting these species:
- White-winged and mourning doves can typically be found throughout the state in warmer, open habitats, around water and near farm or agriculture fields. New Mexico has two hunting zones, North and South. The dividing line starts at the Arizona/New Mexico border and runs along I-40 to US Highway 54, in Tucumcari, and then north along US Highway 54 to the New Mexico/Texas border. The seasons in both zones start on Sept. 1 and run through Nov. 29 in the North Zone and through Oct. 28 in the South Zone. The South Zone will reopen Dec. 1 through Jan. 1, 2019. The bag limit is 15 singly or in aggregate per day, with no more than 45 in possession. A Harvest Information Program (HIP) number is not required for Eurasian collared-dove, there is no bag limit and the season is year-round statewide.
- Dusky (blue) grouse can typically be found in high elevations (above 7000 ft.) Prime areas can be found where forests meet open spaces and in stands containing fir trees. Statewide hunting season for dusky (blue) grouse opens Sept.1 through Nov. 30. The bag limit is three per day, with no more than 6 in possession.
- Abert’s, red, gray and fox squirrels are typically located in forested areas. Mountainous areas with ponderosa pine, oaks, and fruiting shrubs are good areas to search. The season is open Sept. 1 through Nov. 30 and has a daily bag limit of eight singly or in aggregate per day, with no more than 16 in possession.
To hunt any of these species you must have a game hunting license, habitat management and access validation, a habitat stamp if hunting on BLM or USFS lands, and a hunter education or mentor youth certification if under 18. In addition, white-winged or mourning dove hunters must also obtain a HIP number.
For more information about small game hunting opportunities in New Mexico, please call customer service at (888) 248-6866. The 2018-19 Hunting Rules and Information books are available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Translocation of desert bighorn sheep into Sacramento Mountains topic for public meeting
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, SEPT. 4, 2018:
Translocation of desert bighorn sheep into Sacramento Mountains topic for public meeting
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on a proposed translocation of desert bighorn sheep to the Sacramento Mountains.
The department is proposing to re-establish desert bighorn sheep in the Sacramento Mountains in the autumn of 2018. This species has been absent from these mountains for nearly a century.
To gather public comments, a meeting will be conducted in Alamogordo starting at 6 p.m. Sept. 19. The meeting will be held at the Otero County Administration Building in Room 221, located at 1101 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, NM 88310.
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Manner and method and revocation rule changes topic for public meetings
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, AUG 24, 2018:
Manner and method and revocation rule changes topic for public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments on proposed revisions to the Manner and Method rule and the Hunting and Fishing License Revocation rule.
Proposed changes to the Manner and Method rule include possession or sale of protected species, importation or possession of un-permitted wildlife, shooting from the road, use of aircraft, driving off established road, mobility impaired cards, proof of sex or bag limit, tagging, use of bait, use of dogs for tracking wounded game, weapon types for hunting and use of cellular, cell or satellite cameras.
Proposed amendments to the Hunting and Fishing License Revocation rule include increasing point values for hunting on private land without written permission and making certain timelines consistent for the revocation processes.
To gather public comments, four public meetings will be conducted:
- Las Cruces: 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive.
- Albuquerque: 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place, NE.
- Roswell: 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 1912 W. Second Street.
- Raton: 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 215 York Canyon Road.
The proposals can be viewed on the department website. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Field Operations Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, DGF-fieldopscomments@state.nm.us before Oct. 18, or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
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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, AUG. 17, 2018:
Department seeking next generation of conservation officers
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking qualified men and women to join the next generation of 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 $17.03 an hour. Applications for this position will be accepted until Oct. 8, 2018. Physical assessments and interviews will take place Nov. 3-4, 2018 in Santa Fe. Candidates who advance past the interviews may be required to stay in Santa Fe until Nov. 8 for further testing.
Prior law enforcement experience is not required. Successful applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in a field related to wildlife management, biology or criminal justice; pass a psychological exam, medical exam, background investigation, fitness test and drug test. Applicants must also pass a written exam and an oral interview before being eligible to be considered for a position.
Upon hiring, recruits will receive basic training at the law enforcement academy, department’s recruit school and one year of on-the-job training before working alone in the field. Those hired can look forward to extensive training in subjects such as wildlife law investigations, aerial wildlife survey techniques, wildlife restraint, wildlife management principles, vehicle operations, defensive tactics, arrest procedures, OHV training, boat training and firearms training. The training is rigorous and the work is often difficult, requiring sound judgement, a good work ethic and common sense.
“The department is seeking highly motivated personnel who are up to the challenge this career represents,” says recruiting officer Brady Griffith.
Conservation officers, along with enforcing New Mexico’s game and fish laws, educate the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conduct wildlife surveys, capture “problem animals,” investigate wildlife damage to crops and property, assist in wildlife relocations and help develop new hunting, fishing and trapping regulations. They work primarily alone in the most remote regions of the state and are often stationed in small towns.
Interested applicants can get more information about conservation officer duties, educational and physical requirements, training and employee benefits by visiting the department’s enforcement page or contacting Griffith at (505) 795-1700 or bradyd.griffith@state.nm.us.
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Fox in Fort Sumner tests positive for rabies
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
New Mexico Department of Health
Media Contact, Paul Rhien: (505) 470-2290
paul.rhien@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 10, 2018:
Fox in Fort Sumner tests positive for rabies
DE BACA COUNTY – On Tuesday, July 17, a landowner near Fort Sumner, who killed a fox exhibiting behaviors common with rabies, contacted Conservation Officer Jacob Laobato. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish submitted the fox for testing at the State Laboratory Division. Results came back positive for rabies.
“The public should be vigilant and stay away from any animals behaving strangely,” said Dr. Kerry Mower, wildlife disease specialist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “People should ensure their pets’ vaccinations are current.”
According to the New Mexico Department of Health, in addition to the fox, one skunk has tested positive for rabies this year in De Baca County.
“Wildlife acting sick, fearless, aggressive or friendly should be considered a threat and avoided,” Mower said.
Rabies is a viral disease that can be transferred between mammals, most commonly through aggressive behavior such as biting. It is a disease that is found in warm blooded mammals such as bats, skunks, coyotes, foxes and racoons, but can be transferred to humans and pets.
The public should contact their local Department of Game and Fish office or call radio dispatch at (505) 827-9376 for assistance with suspicious wildlife such as skunks, raccoons, foxes and bats. The public should contact the New Mexico Department of Health at (505) 827-0006 if they or their pet are bitten or otherwise potentially exposed to the saliva of wild animals.
Here are some guidelines to help protect yourself and your family from rabies:
- Stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals. Do not attempt to feed, approach or touch wild animals (alive or dead). Teach this important message to your children. Rabid animals may show no fear of people and may seem friendly or become aggressive.
- Pets should be up to date on rabies vaccinations and wearing current license tags on their collar.
- Horses and other valuable livestock should be considered for rabies vaccination to protect them from wild rabid animals that may attack them.
- If you or a loved one are bitten by an animal, or come into contact with an animal’s saliva, wash the exposed site immediately with soap and water. Be sure to report the bite to local animal control and/or health officials as soon as possible for recommendations about receiving rabies exposure preventive vaccine and seek medical care as soon as possible.
- Keep pets on a leash at all times.
- If your cat or dog has been bitten or scratched, call your pet’s veterinarian, even if the wound appears to be superficial.
- If you see a sick or dead wild animal, or a wild animal acting abnormally, stay away and report it to authorities. For more info about rabies see the New Mexico Department of Health website at: https://nmhealth.org/about/erd/ideb/zdp/rab/
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Game Commission to meet Aug. 23 in Gallup
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, AUG.13, 2018:
Game Commission to meet Aug. 23 in Gallup
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet Thursday, Aug. 23, in Gallup to review final rule changes on Barbary sheep, oryx and Persian ibex.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the El Morro Events Center located at 210 South Second Street, in Gallup.
Other agenda items include:
- Construction updates on the Albuquerque and Roswell office complexes.
- Subsequent discussions on potential rule changes for deer, elk, E-Plus, hunting and fishing license application rule and hunting and fishing manner and method.
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment are also available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, vice chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Craig Peterson. The seventh commission position is currently vacant.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Chris Chadwick, (505) 476-8011. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Game and Fish investigates fish die off at Quemado Lake
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, AUG. 10, 2018:
Game and Fish investigates fish die off at Quemado Lake
QUEMADO – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is investigating a fish die off at Quemado Lake, following reports earlier this week that fish in the lake were dying. The die off affected multiple species including tiger muskies, goldfish, grass carp, crayfish and fathead minnows and is being attributed to low oxygen levels.
“Due to recent weather patterns across the state, including drought and high temperatures, die offs have also been noted in the Pecos River, Coyote Creek, Rancho Grande Ponds and areas around Elephant Butte” said Eric Frey, sportfish program manager.
Fish that are caught using legal fishing equipment are safe to consume, however, it is not recommended to collect and consume fish that are dead or dying.
If you see fish die offs, please contact the department immediately at (888) 248-6866.
The department will continue to evaluate waters statewide and will stock fish in waters that remain healthy for the fish. Waters that have been affected by die offs will be restocked when water conditions are suitable.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Jennifer Morgan: (505) 222-4722
jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 10, 2018:
Special hunter education camp offered at Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron
CIMARRON – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youth can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification for free.
To hunt legally in New Mexico, youths under 18 years of age must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
The camp is open to youth ages 10 to 17 who are accompanied by a responsible adult, also registerd for the camp. It will be conducted the weekend of Sept. 7-8, at the renowed Philmont Boy Scout Ranch near Cimarron. Meals and lodging in canvas tents are free. Registration for this camp opportunity opens Aug. 13. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by noon, Aug. 19, to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with the Safari Club International Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants will have a chance to test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles, shotguns and archery on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff.
To qualify for the camp, participants must have an online account with the department and provide their Customer Identification Number, register with an adult and complete the required homework before attending.
For more information please contact the Hunter Education Office at (505) 222-4731 or visit online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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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 Lea County.
After an investigation, two suspects admitted to killing more than one mule deer each — two does and a forked antler buck. Officer Jolliff seized the antlers, the meat the men had processed from the deer, both of the men’s rifles and arrested one.
“It was thanks to a tip to Operation Game Thief that this conviction was able to occur,” said Capt. Andy Gray. “We encourage members of the public to report poachers to the department. The key to helping conservation officers track down poachers and protect our wildlife is to report the information as quickly as possible.”
Both men admitted they did not think there would be a game warden working on Christmas and did not believe they would be caught.
If you see or suspect a wildlife crime, please call the 24-hour Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-432-GAME. You can remain anonymous and can earn a monetary reward. Remember: poachers steal your wildlife.
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Annual Fishing Derby sets record, teaches youth valuable fishing and shooting skills
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 6, 2018:
Annual Fishing Derby sets record, teaches youth valuable fishing and shooting skills
HOBBS – Everyday is a great day to go fishing, but clear skies and great prizes set the bait for success at the sixth annual Hooked on Fishing Derby at Harry McAdams Park in Hobbs, New Mexico.
The City of Hobbs and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish held the July 28 event for youth 11 and under. Over 225 youth registered for the record setting derby; topping the 2017 high of 175 registered youth.
“It was a great day for the event – not too hot,” said conservation officer Andrew Jolliff. “Along with fishing, participants enjoyed archery and pellet gun activities with department staff instruction.”
This year, more than two-dozen event sponsors raised more than $4,000 to purchase giveaways and prizes that included; fishing gear, camping equipment and bicycles. The first 200 participants were given a free T-shirt and participants’ names were placed in a drawing for giveaways. Prizes were awarded to those who caught the first fish, largest fish and smallest fish.
Jolliff credits this year’s success to the dedication, passion and hard work of sponsors, volunteers, the city and department staff who want to introduce youth to the joys of fishing and the outdoors.
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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 department recommends keeping your dogs leashed while outdoors.
Here are some ways to protect yourself if you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
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Game Commission names Michael Sloane Department of Game and Fish Director
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 24, 2018:
Game Commission names Michael Sloane Department of Game and Fish Director
SANTA FE – Michael Sloane, a 24-year employee of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, was named the department’s new director by the State Game Commission Tuesday.
Sloane began his career with the department in 1994 as a wildlife culturist at Lisboa Springs Hatchery in Pecos, New Mexico. He went on to become a wildlife specialist supervisor, assistant chief of fisheries and chief of fisheries. He has a masters of science in fisheries and allied aquacultures from Auburn University.
As director, Sloane will be responsible for leading the state wildlife agency whose mission is to conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico. He will manage more than 300 dedicated wildlife employees and an annual budget in excess of $39 million.
Sloane was selected among five candidates considered after a nationwide search that began April 1 and ended June 1.
The other candidates were Christopher Chadwick, assistant director for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; Michael Perry, assistant commissioner of field operations for the New Mexico State Land Office; Daryl Ratajczak, Santa Fe National Forest Planning Team wildlife biologist for the U.S. Forest Service; and Matthias Sayer, deputy cabinet secretary for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
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Feeding bears can create unsafe conditions for people and the 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 23, 2018:
Feeding bears can create unsafe conditions for people and the bear
SANTA FE – Human nature can lead us to believe that when we feed wild animals we are helping them. In reality we are causing them more harm than good. In the natural world, bears are very good at finding food sources on their own that help them maintain a balanced diet, without becoming habituated to people and residential environments.
In light of recent activities, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reminds people that it is never acceptable to feed bears or other wildlife. Bears that are intentionally or inadvertently fed items that are not natural to their diet, such as cracked corn or pet food, can quickly become habituated to receiving food and may become too comfortable with people and residential areas. This can cause bears to display nontypical behavior.
“Bears that become acclimated to receiving food from humans can become dangerous and aggressive toward people,” reminds department director Alexandra Sandoval. “These situations cause the department to make tough decisions to keep people safe. Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear.”
Bears who are accustomed to receiving food regularly from humans and do not get that food as expected, may go looking for different sources. Everyone is reminded to secure all pet food, bird feeders, livestock feed, fruit and garbage so bears do not become attracted to, and dependent on, human provided food sources.
If you have information about someone who is feeding bears, or other wildlife, call Operation Game Thief, (800) 432-4263. Callers can remain anonymous.
People are encouraged to call the department and report a bear that exhibits aggressive or unusual behavior. Bears that appear to be moving through the country should be left alone and there is no need to report them.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
Here are some ways to protect yourself if you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
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Apply now for special Sandhill crane and pheasant hunts
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 23, 2018:
Apply now for special Sandhill crane and pheasant hunts
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish began accepting applications for special Sandhill crane and pheasant permits 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18.
Applications can be made online at the department’s website or over the telephone with the department’s information center, 1-888-248-6866. The application deadline for special crane and pheasant permits is 5 p.m. Aug. 22.
Information about Sandhill crane draw hunts is available in the department’s 2018-19 Migratory Bird Hunting Information booklet, and information about pheasant hunts are available on the department Hunting Rules and Information booklet. Both can be viewed on the department’s website.
Successful applicants must have a game hunting license and applicable stamp(s) in addition to their draw permit. Successful Sandhill crane applicants also must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
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Deer, elk and elk private lands use system changes topic of public meetings
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 23, 2018:
Deer, elk and elk private lands use system changes topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments on proposed revisions to the deer, elk, and elk private lands use system rules.
The department is proposing changes in deer, elk and the elk private lands use system (E-PLUS) across the state, including; splitting the deer archery season into 2 distinct seasons (September and January), adjusting licenses, adding new hunts, increasing elk harvest in some areas and establishing criteria to better administer the E-PLUS program.
To gather public comments, four public meetings will be conducted:
- Roswell: 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 25 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 1912 W. Second Street.
- Las Cruces: 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 26 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive.
- Santa Fe: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Santa Fe Community College (Jemez Room 1), 6401 Richards Ave.
- Albuquerque: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place, NE.
The proposals can be viewed on the department website, www.wildlife.nm.us. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Big Game Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, DGF-Deer-Rules@state.nm.us; DGF-Elk-Rules@state.nm.us; DGF-EPLUS-Rules@state.nm.us or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
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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 was treated for these injuries. According to responding officers the bite occurred early this morning when he stepped out of his house.
“We are thankful the victim was not hurt worse and are hopeful he will recover quickly,” said Department Director Alexandra Sandoval. “However, feeding wildlife is never an acceptable practice and we can’t emphasis enough the importance of keeping properties clear of items that can attract bears. We will now have to euthanize the bears because they are habituated to humans and pose a serious public safety risk. My decision to euthanize these bears could have been completely avoided had the bears not been fed.”
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
Here are some ways to protect yourself If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
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Game and Fish reopens properties and begins stocking fish again in the Santa Fe National Forest
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 9, 2018:
Game and Fish reopens properties and begins stocking fish again in the Santa Fe National Forest
SANTA FE – The State Game Commission has reopened properties within the Santa Fe National Forest to coincide with the U.S. Forest Service’s announcement to reopen the forest starting Monday, July 9. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has also scheduled fish to be stocked in waters within the forest boundaries, including Monastery Lake, Pecos River and Fenton Lake.
State Game Commission properties adjacent to the Santa Fe National Forest, including campgrounds and fishing areas in Pecos Canyon, the Bluebird Wildlife Management Area and Fenton Lake Wildlife Management Area have been reopened.
Statewide, anglers, campers and hikers who use state wildlife areas are urged to continue checking restrictions before they travel. Wildlife areas observe the same fire restrictions put in place by the New Mexico Forestry Division or on adjoining National Forests, Bureau of Land Management and State Trust lands.
For more information about fire restrictions statewide, please visit the New Mexico Fire Information website: https://nmfireinfo.com/.
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Department of Game and Fish reminds public to leave young wildlife alone
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 6, 2017:
Department of Game and Fish reminds public to leave young wildlife alone
SANTA FE – As we head into summer, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish again reminds the public to leave alone any deer or antelope fawns, elk calves, bear cubs or other wild animals they may find.
Please remember – young wildlife that people discover are simply hiding while awaiting their parents’ return from foraging nearby.
Removing these young animals can cost them their lives, Orrin Duvuvuei, department deer and pronghorn biologist, warned.
“You might think it has been abandoned, but in reality, the mother is typically a few hundred yards away,” Duvuvuei said. “In most cases, the best thing to do is just leave it alone and quietly leave the area.”
Returning a young wild animal to its natural environment after it’s been carried off by a human can be very difficult and may not work in many cases, Duvuvuei said.
If you see young wildlife, please follow these guidelines:
- Do not approach. Its mother is likely close by and aware that you are in the area.
- Leave the area quickly and quietly.
- Observe the animal from several yards away. Typically wildlife babies that appear to be dry have bonded with their mothers, and you can safely take their pictures from a safe distance, but don’t linger in the area or touch the animal.
- If you think the animal has been abandoned, if possible mark the location using a GPS and contact the department by calling (888) 248-6866.
For more information about living with wildlife in New Mexico, please visit the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Wehinahpay near Sacramento
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Jennifer Morgan: (505) 222-4722
jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 6, 2018:
Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Wehinahpay near Sacramento
SACRAMENTO – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification for free.
The camp is open to youths ages 10 to 17 who are accompanied by a registered adult. It will be conducted the weekend of Aug. 3-5, at the beautiful Camp Wehinahpay Boy Scout Camp in the Sacramento Mountains east of Alamogordo. Participants are responsible for their own camping gear, but meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch will be provided. Registration for this camp opportunity opens July 9. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by noon, July 16, to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with the Safari Club International Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. They will get a chance to test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles and archery equipment on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff. Participants also will learn and practice fishing skills, no license required.
To qualify for the camp, participants must have an online account with the department, and provide their Customer Identification Number account, register with an adult and complete the required homework before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youths under 18 years of age must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information please contact the Hunter Education Office at (505) 222-4731 or go online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Native fish restoration activity planned for Whitewater Creek
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 3, 2018:
Native fish restoration activity planned for Whitewater Creek
SANTA FE – Native Gila trout restoration efforts on Whitewater Creek are rescheduled for July 10-11, 2018. Due to water conditions the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish was unable to implement the project as previously scheduled.
As part of the Whitewater Creek Native Fish Restoration Project, the department will remove non-native trout from Whitewater Creek to allow restoration of Gila trout to its native range. This portion of the project starts at the Gila National Forest boundary below the Catwalk National Recreation Trail parking area and continues upstream approximately 2 miles to the intersection with Gold Dust Trail (Forest Trail #41).
The department will apply CFT Legumin®, 5 percent rotenone and Prentox® Prenfish Toxicant Powder™ to the stream to remove non-native salmonids. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that rotenone is highly effective for removal of invasive fishes and that the resulting concentrations of ingredients poses little, if any, hazards to public health. Treated water will not leave the project area.
A temporary closure for July 10-11 will be issued by the Gila National Forest Supervisor Adam Mendonca. Signs will be posted at all trailheads that access closed areas. For more information on the Gila National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila/. For information on the native Gila trout, visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us/fishing/native-new-mexico-fish/gila-trout-recovery-angling/.
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New Mexico Department of Game and Fish continues stocking waters with catchable fish
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 28, 2018:
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish continues stocking waters with catchable fish
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will continue to stock catchable fish in open waters, despite the long hot days and forest closures.
As forest closures across northern New Mexico continue, fish that were originally planned to be stocked in waters within the boundaries of closed forests will be rerouted to nearby waters.
“Regardless of the closures, the fish we are producing need to be stocked,” Assistant Chief of Fisheries Kirk Patten said. “Locations such as Eagle Nest Lake, Heron Lake, San Juan River, Rio Grande near Pilar and Rio Chama below El Vado will receive higher than normal numbers making fishing in these waters even better.”
Each week, the department posts a list of waters that were stocked throughout the week. The weekly fishing and stocking report highlights waters where fish are biting and what other anglers are using to catch the fish.
Anglers ages 12 and older need a fishing license, available by calling the department’s customer service line, (888) 248-6866. A license also can be purchased online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or from vendors such as bait and tackle shops and sporting goods stores.
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Youth encouragement elk hunting licenses go on sale July 11
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:
Youth encouragement elk hunting licenses go on sale July 11
SANTA FE – More than 1,800 youth, antlerless elk licenses will go on sale through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Online License System at 10 a.m. MDT July 11.
The sale is designed to encourage youth hunting and includes almost 1,500 licenses for hunters using any legal weapon and 390 licenses for hunters using a muzzleloader or bow.
Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log in to their Online License System account at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Eligibility requirements:
- For the first 14 days, the sale is open only to N.M. resident youths who have applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, oryx or ibex and were not successful for any hunt. Please note that the purchase of a leftover draw hunt for deer counts as a successful deer application.
- Must have a valid Hunter Education certification.
- Must be under 18 years old on the opening day of hunt.
Beginning at 10 a.m. MDT, July 25, the sale will open to all eligible youths, regardless of residency, who did not draw a 2018-19 elk license, whether they applied or not.
Hunters must have a current Junior Game Hunting or a Junior Game Hunting and Fishing license prior to purchasing an elk license. Customers without a Game Hunting license will be directed to purchase one before continuing to the youth encouragement sale.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility.
Hunters planning to purchase a youth encouragement license must have completed all mandatory 2017-2018 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee will be refunded on rejected purchases. After eligibility is verified, licenses will be awarded to hunters and will be available to print and view within a few days of purchase. Licenses can be printed from any computer by logging in to an account and selecting “My Purchases” in the main menu.
Following successful purchase of the youth encouragement license, carcass tags will be mailed to the hunter. Complete information about the new tagging requirements is available on the department website and in the Hunting Rules & Information booklet. Read more about tagging here.
For more information about the youth encouragement elk license sale, hunting in New Mexico, or for help logging in, please call customer service at (888) 248-6866. Youth encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone. For the list of available hunts please see the 2018-2019 Hunting Rules and Information booklet available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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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 Fish officers will increase patrols on commission-owned properties throughout the Carson National Forest.
Statewide, anglers, campers and hikers who use state wildlife areas are urged to check restrictions before they travel. Wildlife areas observe the same fire restrictions put in place by the New Mexico Forestry Division or on adjoining National Forests, Bureau of Land Management and State Trust lands.
For more information about fire restrictions statewide, please visit the New Mexico Fire Information website: https://nmfireinfo.com.
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Mesilla Valley Bosque Property Free to Public Starting June 25, 2018
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003, lance.cherry@state.nm.us
New Mexico State parks Division, Christina Cordova, (505) 476-3363, christina.cordova@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 25, 2018:
Mesilla Valley Bosque Property Free to Public Starting June 25, 2018
MESILLA – Management and ownership of the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park property is transitioning from the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, State Parks Division, to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. As part of the transition, beginning June 25, 2018, general entrance to the property will be free!
The transfer also allows the Department of Game & Fish to establish an educational and administrative hub in southern New Mexico. Other benefits include:
- Expanded education, outreach and wildlife viewing opportunities
- Increased outdoor classroom programs
- Increased partnerships with Friends and volunteers
- Increased educational facilities and meeting space
- Upgrades to trails
An open house will be held Thursday, June 28, 2018, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at 5000 Calle del Norte, Mesilla, NM, to discuss the transition and present the Department’s vision for the management of the property.
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State Game Commission names candidates for next Game and Fish director
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 22, 2018:
State Game Commission names candidates for next Game and Fish director
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission announced Thursday, the list of the five candidates for the director position of the Department of Game and Fish.
The candidates are:
- Christopher Chadwick, employed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. He holds a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife biology.
- Michael Perry, employed by the New Mexico State Land Office. He holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management.
- Daryl Ratajczak, employed by the U.S. Forest Service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental and forest biology.
- Matthias Sayer, employed by the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. He holds juris doctor and a bachelor’s degree in finance.
- Michael Sloane, employed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. He holds a master’s degree in fisheries and allied aquacultures and a bachelor’s degree in biology.
The commission initiated a nationwide search April 1. By the application deadline of June 1, the commission received 5 applications.
The commission will interview all five candidates based on meeting the requirements including a bachelor’s or higher degree, at least six years of experience in fish and wildlife, leadership responsibility, policy development and budget management.
The national search included advertisements in major newspapers, universities across the country and social media, as well as notifying state wildlife agencies, the Wildlife Management Institute and conservation organizations such as National Audubon Society, Wild Turkey Federation, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, and Trout Unlimited. The department also posted the position announcement on its website, and a link to the announcement was sent to email contacts nationwide.
The commission will conduct interviews June 29 at the department’s Albuquerque office. The commission will name the department’s new director at the July 24 special commission meeting at a site to be determined.
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Public comment sought for Clayton shooting range Environmental Assessment
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, DATE: JUNE 21, 2018
Public comment sought on draft Environmental Assessment for construction of a shooting range in Clayton
CLAYTON – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction of the Stephen M. Bush Memorial Shooting Range in Clayton.
The EA analyzes potential effects on physical, biological, and cultural resources and socioeconomic conditions that may result from the implementation of the project. The EA also incorporates other federal, state, and local environmental policies and regulations and is prepared in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Environmental Policy Act Handbook.
The proposed range would include; a 50-yard pistol range, 50-yard small bore rifle range, 200-yard rifle range, a 90-yard archery range and a multipurpose shotgun field on a 161.5-acre parcel owned by the department. If approved, the USFWS Wildlife Restoration Grant Program will provide much of the funding for this project. The range will serve as a public shooting range and will also provide hunter education program opportunities.
The parcel is located in Union County near the intersection of NM 370 and US 87 outside of Clayton and comprises the north half of the northeast quarter of Section 27 and the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 26 Township 26 North, Range 35 East, Sections 26 and 27, New Mexico.
Other planned infrastructure would include the construction of a 0.85-mile graded and graveled access road with a gate, 75 gravel parking stalls, shade structures for firing lanes, earthen impact berms and sidewalls for the pistol and rifle ranges and wooden or brick noise shields behind the firing lanes.
The draft EA can be found on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us/public-comment. Comments can be sent to DGF-Shootingranges@state.nm.us and must be received by July 20.
Printed copies of the draft EA can be obtained by writing the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, One Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507 to the attention of Jessica Fisher, Shooting Program Coordinator. For more information, please call (505) 476-8100.
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Native fish restoration activity planned for Whitewater Creek
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 12, 2018:
Native fish restoration activity planned for Whitewater Creek
Santa Fe – Native Gila trout restoration efforts will continue in Whitewater Creek June 20-21, 2018.
As part of the Whitewater Creek Native Fish Restoration Project, the department will remove non-native trout from Whitewater Creek to allow restoration of Gila trout to its native range. This portion of the project starts at the Gila National Forest boundary below the Catwalk National Recreation Trail parking area and continues upstream approximately two miles to the intersection with Gold Dust Trail (Forest Trail #41).
The department will apply CFT Legumin®, 5 percent rotenone and Prentox® Prenfish Toxicant Powder™ to the stream to remove non-native salmonids. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that rotenone is highly effective for removal of invasive fishes and that the resulting concentrations of ingredients poses little, if any, hazards to public health. Treated water will not leave the project area.
A temporary closure for June 20-21 will be issued by the Gila National Forest Supervisor Adam Mendonca. Signs will be posted at all trailheads that access closed areas. For more information on the Gila National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila/. For information on the native Gila trout, visit http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/fishing/native-new-mexico-fish/gila-trout-recovery-angling/.
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Leftover deer and javelina licenses go on sale June 27
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 11, 2018:
Leftover deer and javelina licenses go on sale June 27
SANTA FE – 203 deer and 10 javelina hunting licenses that were not allocated during the annual 2018-19 big-game drawing will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT on June 27, only on the Department of Game and Fish website.
New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses during the first-come, first-served sale. License sales will be open only to residents for the first 24 hours. The sale will be opened to everyone, regardless of residency, at 10 a.m. on June 28.
Important note for youth hunters: Because these are leftover draw licenses, purchasing a leftover deer license will render youth hunters ineligible to purchase a youth encouragement elk license during the first 14 days of the upcoming sale.
To be eligible to buy a leftover license, hunters are reminded that they previously must have purchased either a Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Those licenses, along with Habitat Improvement Stamps and Habitat Management Access Validations, also can be obtained through online accounts.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to obtain or review online customer accounts, including their Customer Identification Number, user name and password, and to be signed on to their account before the sale begins. Popular licenses often sell out in minutes, sometimes seconds, after sales begin.
Leftover licenses will be sold online only. Licenses and stamps can be printed from any computer by signing in to your account and selecting “My purchases.”
Following successful purchase of a leftover license, carcass tags will be mailed to the hunter. Complete information about the new tagging requirements is available on the department website and in the Hunting Rules & Information booklet. Read more about tagging here.
Hunters planning to purchase a leftover license also must have completed all mandatory 2017-18 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on rejected purchases.
For more information about the leftover license sale or other Department of Game and Fish matters, please call the department’s toll-free information line, (888) 248-6866. Leftover licenses will not be sold over the phone, however.
Here is a list of available licenses:
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Game Commission to meet June 21 in Raton
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 11, 2018:
Game Commission to meet June 21 in Raton
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Thursday, June 21, in Raton to discuss potential hunting rule changes for turkey and migratory bird.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Raton Convention Center located at 901 South Third Street, in Raton.
Other agenda items include:
- An update on the construction of the Albuquerque and Roswell Office Complexes.
- An update on habitat projects throughout New Mexico in the past four years.
Initial discussions for potential rule changes for deer, elk, private land elk license application, licenses/permits specific to vendor opportunities, hunting and fishing applications, and potential amendments for the manner and method rule.
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs, Elizabeth Ryan, and Craig Peterson.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Chris Chadwick, (505) 476-8011. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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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 information about active fires, restrictions and closures can be found at nmfireinfo.com.
The Department of Game and Fish will continue to follow guidelines initiated by the State Forestry Division for Game Commission-owned properties across the state. Fire restrictions on state-owned properties are available at http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/FireMgt/FireAnnouncements.html.
Conservation officers will be looking for other common violations, including off-highway vehicle registration and safe use as well checking for fishing licenses and related violations.
Individuals who are 18 and older must have a valid hunting, fishing or trapping license or a Habitat Management and Access Validation when camping, hunting or fishing on the Game Commission-owned properties.
“Visitors can expect to see our conservation officers patrolling commission-owned properties,” said New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Colonel Robert Griego. “We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, but we also expect them to follow the rules by avoiding closed areas and observing fire-related restrictions.”
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Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 2
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 31, 2018:
Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 2
SANTA FE – Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Saturday, June 2, as the state celebrates National Boating and Fishing Week.
Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state Saturday, June 2, but everyone must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
“This is a great time to take your family fishing and teach them a skill that will provide a lifetime of enjoyment,” said Kevin Holladay, conservation education coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Holladay notes several opportunities across the state:
- Monastery Lake in Pecos Canyon – The 2nd Annual Fishing Expo at Monastery Lake in will be taking place on June 2 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This family friendly, alcohol-free, fishing derby will have lots of booths, exhibits and over $1,000 in prizes for kids who catch tagged fish. This Expo will have a food truck, free fly-casting lessons from Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited, aquatic bugs under microscopes to view, DJ services by Sider Esquibel, wildlife hides and skull table, spin-casting games for the kids and live birds of prey in the afternoon presented by the Santa Fe Raptor Center.
- Grindstone Reservoir in Ruidoso – Hosted by the Forest Service, kids and adults can learn to fish, ride in a kayak and visit with area department conservation officers.
- Lake Roberts in the Gila National Forest – The National Forest will host the seventh annual Aldo Leopold Kid’s Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 2. The lake will be stocked with native Gila trout including some record breaking ones. Volunteers will provide fishing lessons and loan equipment to children. Prizes will be awarded for top catches. The event is free to the public.
Before heading out, anglers are encouraged to check current fire restrictions online at nmfireinfo.com. For information about where to fish and what to use, consult the department’s weekly fishing and stocking report. Maps of public fishing waters, lists of where to find family-friendly fishing and tips on how to fish also can be found on the department website.
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Game Commission properties that adjoin Santa Fe National Forest, including Pecos Canyon, 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, MAY 31, 2018:
Game Commission properties that adjoin the Santa Fe National Forest, including Pecos Canyon, closed to access
SANTA FE – Due to drought and extreme fire danger, State Game Commission properties adjacent to the Santa Fe National Forest, including campgrounds and fishing areas in Pecos Canyon, the Bluebird Wildlife Management Area, and portions of Fenton Lake Wildlife Management Area will be closed to all public access beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, June 1. The closure will coincide with a full public-access closure on the Santa Fe 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 Fish officers will increase patrols on commission-owned properties throughout the Santa Fe National Forest.
Statewide, anglers, campers and hikers who use state wildlife areas are urged to check restrictions before they travel. Wildlife areas observe the same fire restrictions put in place by the New Mexico Forestry Division or on adjoining National Forests, Bureau of Land Management and State Trust lands.
For more information about fire restrictions statewide, please visit the New Mexico Fire Information website: https://nmfireinfo.com/.
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Special oryx hunts available for injured servicemen
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 31, 2018:
Special oryx hunts available for injured servicemen
SANTA FE — Injured military service members can apply online starting June 13 for an upcoming special drawing by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to award three special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range.
To be eligible, one must be active-duty military or a veteran of the U.S. military who has a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran’s Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Applicants (except NMDGF Disabled Veteran card holders) are required to provide proof of eligibility prior to the July 18 application deadline.
Significantly injured, active-duty military members who don’t have a VA disability rating also may apply and will need to submit supporting documentation to the department prior to the July 18 application deadline.
Proof of eligibility may be emailed to specialhunts@state.nm.us or by postal mail with a postmark on or before July 18 to:
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Attn: Special Hunts
PO Box 25112
Santa Fe, NM 87504
The drawing is open to resident and nonresident eligible applicants who do not hold a current-year oryx license. Applications will be accepted only through the department’s online license system by clicking Injured Military Oryx Hunts in the main menu. Successful applicants will be notified by the department and must buy the appropriate license(s) and pay White Sands Missile Range’s access fee.
The hunts will be three days between Sept. 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019, with dates and areas to be determined by the successful applicants in coordination with White Sands Missile Range. These hunts will not be considered once-in-a-lifetime.
For more information visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us or contact the department’s Information Center at (888) 248-6866.
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Department cautions campers be aware increased bear activity Jemez Mountains
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 25, 2018:
Department cautions campers to be aware of increased bear activity in the Jemez Mountains
JEMEZ – Due to multiple sightings of bear cubs by campers in the area of Forest Road 376 in the Jemez Mountains, recreationists are reminded to keep a clean camp and be bear aware during the long weekend.
According to Tristanna Bickford, communications director, “some may view this as a unique opportunity to view young wildlife; however, it is very important for people to not attempt to approach these bears for any reason and to maintain a safe distance.”
The department strongly urges you to avoid getting between the mother and her cubs. Bickford continues, “Always be aware that the mother is likely in the area. Approaching wildlife is dangerous and getting into the personal space of any wild animal is a bad idea.” The department will have extra staff in the area to ensure safety of the public and wellbeing of the bears.
The state has experienced less than average precipitation for this time of the year, which means that bears may be in search of other food sources, said Rick Winslow, cougar and bear biologist with the department.
“Droughts historically have led to a lot of bear conflicts, not only at camping and picnic sites, but also in more populated areas,” said Winslow.
Due to the recent increased bear activity, people should be even more diligent about keeping campsites clean and paying attention to their surroundings when visiting bear country.
The department offers the following suggestions if you plan on spending the long weekend camping in this area and other areas where bears may be present:
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 6 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site, 100 yards is recommended.
- Never feed bears.
If you encounter a bear:
- Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands.
- Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you are experiencing a persistent problem with bears, please contact your regional Game & Fish office or contact your local law enforcement for immediate assistance. Visit the department’s website to find contact information: https://wildlife-wordpress-redesign.gmfsh.state.nm.us. For more information about living with bears in New Mexico please consult Keeping Bears Alive and Yourself Safe.
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Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone
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 21, 2018:
Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone
SANTA FE – Spring in New Mexico is an exciting time for wildlife. This is the time of year when most babies are born. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reminds the public to leave alone any deer or antelope fawns, elk calves, bear cubs or other wild animals they may find.
Most young-of-the-year wildlife that people discover are simply hiding while awaiting their parents’ return from foraging nearby.
Removing these young animals can cost them their lives, Orrin Duvuvuei, department deer and pronghorn biologist, warned.
“For about a week after birth, young wildlife exhibit hiding behaviors to avoid detection and increase their chance for survival. You might think it has been abandoned, but in reality, the mother is typically a few hundred yards away,” Duvuvuei said. “In most cases, the best thing to do is just leave it alone and quietly leave the area.”
If you see young wildlife, please follow these guidelines:
- Do not approach. Its mother is likely close by and aware that you are in the area.
- Leave the area quickly and quietly.
- Observe the animal from a safe distance. Typically wildlife babies that appear to be dry have bonded with their mothers, and you can safely take their pictures from this distance, but don’t linger in the area or touch the animal.
- If you think the animal has been abandoned, if possible mark the location using a GPS and contact the department by calling (888) 248-6866.
For more information about living with wildlife in New Mexico, please visit the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Tres Ritos near Mora
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Jennifer Morgan: (505) 222-4722
jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 18, 2018:
Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Tres Ritos near Mora
MORA – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youth can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification.
The camp is open to youth ages 10 to 17 who are accompanied by a registered adult. It will be conducted the weekend of June 22-24, at the Boy Scout’s Camp Tres Ritos near Mora. Meals are free and participants will tent-camp on the property. Registration for this opportunity opens May 23. Those interested in attending must complete and return the registration form available at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/education/hunter-education/ by 12 p.m. on June 4, to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America Camp Tres Ritos and the Safari Club International Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants will learn from department conservation officers about their jobs including wildlife investigations, decoy operations, working with wildlife and test their marksmanship skills with bow and arrows. All equipment will be provided.
To qualify for the camp, participants must have a Customer Identification Number account with the department and complete the required homework before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youth under 18 years of age must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information please contact the Department’s Hunter Education Office at 505-222-4731 or go online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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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 exam, medical exam, background investigation and fitness and drug test.
Applicants must also pass a written exam and an oral interview board before being offered a position. If hired, recruits will receive basic training at the law enforcement academy, the department recruit school and one year of on-the-job training before working alone in the field.
According to Lieutenant Brady Griffith, individuals who are hired will receive extensive training in subjects such as emergency vehicle operations, criminal investigations, defensive tactics, arrest procedures, aerial wildlife survey techniques, wildlife restraint, OHV use, boat operations and firearms training.
Griffith said, “The training is rigorous and the work is often difficult, requiring sound judgement, a good work ethic and common sense.” The department is seeking highly motivated personnel who are up to the challenge this career represents.
Conservation officers enforce New Mexico’s game and fish laws, investigate criminal cases and pursue civil cases against offenders. They work primarily alone in the most remote regions of the state and are often stationed in small towns. Officers also educate the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conduct wildlife surveys, capture nuisance wildlife, investigate wildlife damage to crops and property, assist in wildlife relocations and help develop new hunting, fishing and trapping regulations.
Interested applicants can get more information about conservation officer duties, educational and physical requirements, training, and employee benefits by visiting the enforcement page on the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/enforcement/career-advancement or they can contact Lt. Brady Griffith, the department’s recruiting officer at (505) 795-1700 or by email at bradyd.griffith@state.nm.us.
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Citizen Advisory Committees to meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
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, MAY 14, 2018:
Citizen Advisory Committees to meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled statewide Habitat Stamp Program Citizens Advisory Committee meetings for 2018. Citizen advisors will prioritize Habitat Stamp-funded projects for 2019 and 2020. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the following regional Citizen Advisory Committee meetings:
- Southeast: 10 a.m. May 22, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Southeast Area office, 1912 W. Second St., Roswell.
- Southwest: 10 a.m. May 24, Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces District office, 1800 Marquess St., Las Cruces.
- Northwest: 10 a.m. May 29, Bureau of Land Management, Farmington Field office, 6251 College Blvd. Suite A., Farmington.
- Northeast: 10 a.m. June 1, Bureau of Land Management, Taos Resource Area office, 226 Cruz Alta Road, Taos.
- Central: 9 a.m. June 7, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Northwest Area office, 3841 Midway Place NE, Albuquerque.
The Habitat Stamp Program has an annual project budget of $750,000 with the support of hunters, anglers and trappers who purchase a $5 stamp each year to participate in their sports on Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service managed lands.
Over the life of the program more than $26 million has been raised through the sale of Habitat Stamps, and funds have been used to implement nearly 2,400 projects that have enhanced terrestrial and riparian habitats; constructed wildlife water developments; completed wildlife population surveys, habitat surveys, and wildlife translocations; improved aquatic habitat and fishing areas; maintained Habitat Stamp infrastructure; installed structures for watershed improvement; provided shelter for wildlife; reduced human impacts on wildlife; and enhanced overall public enjoyment of wildlife.
Since its inception, citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program, advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Appointed by the State Game Commission, citizens representing sporting, conservation, and public-land permittee interests meet each spring to prioritize local habitat projects.
For more information about the Habitat Stamp Program, please contact Reuben Teran, (505) 476-8130, reubens.teran@state.nm.us or visit the Habitat Stamp Program website.
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Game Commission to meet May 22 in Los Alamos
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 11, 2018:
Game Commission to meet May 22 in Los Alamos
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Tuesday, May 22, in Los Alamos to discuss potential hunting rule changes for Barbary sheep, oryx and Persian Ibex and final rule changes for bighorn sheep, javelina and pronghorn antelope.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Los Alamos Holiday Inn Express Meeting Room at 60 Entrada Drive, in Los Alamos.
Other agenda items include:
- An update on the construction of the Albuquerque Office Complex.
- An update on the status of bighorn sheep in Cochiti Canyon.
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs, Elizabeth Ryan and Craig Peterson.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Chris Chadwick, (505) 476-8011. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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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 for this time of the year, which means that bears may be in search of other food sources, said Rick Winslow, cougar and bear biologist with the department. “Droughts historically have led to a lot of bear conflict, not only at camping and picnic sites, but also in more populated areas.”
For bears, almost all of their food resources, such as green grasses and forbs — flowering, grass-like plants — are sustained by moisture, Winslow said. When these food sources run out, bears start moving closer to human populations.
More than three years of good precipitation have resulted in a larger number of younger — and more likely to get in trouble — bears on the move.
That means people should be even more diligent about keeping trash properly contained until the day of pickup, especially if you reside in or close to wooded areas.
The department offers the following suggestions if you visit or live in bear country:
- Never leave fruit from trees and bushes to rot on the ground as it is a powerful attractant to bears and other wildlife.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as high calorie treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 6 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site, 100 yards is recommended.
Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
If you encounter a bear:
- Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you are experiencing a persistent problem with bears, please contact your regional Game & Fish office or contact your local law enforcement for immediate assistance. Visit the department’s website to find contact information: http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/home/contact/location-map/ For more information about living with bears in New Mexico please consult Keeping Bears Alive and Yourself Safe.
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Barbary sheep, oryx, Persian ibex rule changes topic of public meetings
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 25, 2018:
Barbary sheep, oryx, Persian ibex rule changes topic of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments on proposed revisions to the Barbary sheep, oryx, and Persian ibex rule.
The department is proposing changes in Barbary sheep, oryx, and Persian ibex hunting across the state, including increasing Barbary sheep draw licenses, adding new oryx hunts on White Sands Missile Range, and increasing female/immature ibex draw licenses.
To gather public comments, three public meetings will be conducted:
- Las Cruces: 6 to 7 p.m. May 7 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive.
- Roswell: 6 to 7 p.m. May 8 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 1912 W. Second Street.
- Albuquerque: 6 to 7 p.m. May 9 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place, NE.
The proposals can be viewed on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/proposals-under-consideration/. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Big Game Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, DGF-Exotics-Rules@state.nm.us, or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
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Big-game draw results available today
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 18, 2018:
Big-game draw results available today
SANTA FE – Hunters who applied for New Mexico big-game licenses will know their draw results early again this spring through the Department of Game and Fish online license system.
At 10 a.m. today, the department released draw results to customer accounts on the department website and began sending emails to successful applicants, seven days earlier than expected.
Draw licenses may be printed from the customer’s account and tags will be mailed to the address provided. Do not hunt without a valid license and tag.
Unsuccessful applicants should receive refunds on credit cards beginning today and through their checking accounts within the next two weeks.
More than 203,000 applicants tried for about 58,000 deer, 58,000 deer, elk, antelope, oryx, ibex, Barbary sheep and javelina licenses — an all-time application record and 7 percent increase over 2017.
Hunters can check their draw results by logging onto their customer account on the department website, onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us beginning at 10 a.m. today. Results and assistance also will be available by phone at (888) 248-6866.
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Game Commission properties in Pecos Canyon under fire restrictions; department officers step up area patrols
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 17, 2018:
Game Commission properties in Pecos Canyon under fire restrictions; department officers step up area patrols
SANTA FE – State Game Commission properties in the Santa Fe National Forest, including campgrounds and fishing areas in Pecos Canyon are under Stage 1 fire restrictions because of extreme fire danger. Adjoining areas in the forest are also under Stage 1 restrictions.
Stage 1 restrictions limit campfires and charcoal grills to designated camp and picnic grounds. Fires must be safely contained within a department provided fire ring within developed recreation sites. Smoking is permitted only in vehicles, buildings or in developed recreation sites. Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device is prohibited.
Gas and propane stoves, lanterns or heating devices are permitted provided such devices meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety and have on/off switches.
Game Commission properties in Pecos Canyon remain open for fishing, camping and picnics. They include the Dalton, Bert Clancy, Terrero, Mora and Jamie Koch areas. Fire restrictions also apply to Monastery Lake, Links Tract, fish hatcheries and other commission-owned or leased properties.
Department of Game and Fish officers will increase patrols in the canyon. Officers will be checking for several common violations. Those include:
Anglers 12 and older must have fishing licenses.
- Off-highway vehicles must be registered and cannot drive on paved streets.
- Off-highway vehicle riders under the age of 18 must have a safety permit, helmet and eye protection.
- Individuals 18 and older camping, hunting or fishing on the Game Commission-owned properties must have a valid hunting license, fishing license, trapping license, or a valid Habitat Management and Access Validation.
“Visitors can expect to see our conservation officers patrolling commission-owned properties,” said Colonel Robert Griego, lead conservation officer for the Department of Game and Fish. “We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, but we also expect them to follow the rules and use extreme caution with fires.”
Anglers, campers and hikers who use state wildlife areas are urged to check restrictions before they travel. Wildlife areas observe the same fire restrictions in place by the New Mexico Forestry Division, or in adjoining national forests, Bureau of Land Management and State Trust lands. Fireworks are banned on all 105 wildlife areas that the department either owns or leases around the state.
For more information about fire restrictions statewide, please visit the New Mexico Fire Information website: https://nmfireinfo.com/.
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National Archery in the Schools tournament draws more than 900 competitors
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 16, 2018:
National Archery in the Schools tournament draws more than 900 competitors
ALBUQUERQUE – A record number of young archers from across New Mexico competed in the 2018 National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament April 7 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
This year’s tournament drew 906 archers, surpassing last year’s record attendance number of 840.
“Archery is gaining popularity as a competitive sport among New Mexico’s students,” said Brian Guzman, archery coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “Our department is proud to support young archers and encourage their interest in this challenging extracurricular activity. We are pleased so many kids were eager to demonstrate their skills and sportsmanship.”
In the middle school girls division, Abigail Carlsen of James Monroe Middle School scored 281.
In the high school competition, Caillie Waters of AIMS scored 290 out of a possible 300 points, taking first place among female high school competitors. Tyler Lingnou of Clovis Christian School was the top male high school archer with a score of 283.
The elementary school competition saw Jaxon Odom of Clovis Christian School take the top male prize, scoring 273. In the girls’ completion, Mackenzie Ronzone of Seven Bar Elementary won with a score of 271.
In team standings, AIMS scored the highest in the high school division with a score of 3,294 out of a possible 3,600 points. James Monroe won the middle school division with a score of 3,279 while Seven Bar Elementary won the elementary division with 3,028 points.
For complete list of tournament results please visit www.nasptournaments.org.
More than 100 public schools across New Mexico participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program and more join every year. Schools receive free training for instructors and the Department of Game and Fish provides 50 percent of the funding for each school to purchase archery equipment. It costs about $3,000 to outfit a school or organization with bows, targets, backstops and other equipment to get a program started. Many schools incorporate the program into existing physical education or after-school activities.
Federal funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes National Archery in the Schools Program possible. The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 dedicates federal excise taxes collected from manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment to national wildlife restoration programs, which include hunter education, shooting and archery programs in addition to wildlife surveys, transplants, and the purchase and management of wildlife management areas.
For more information about the National Archery in the Schools Program and how your school can get involved, contact Brian Guzman, archery coordinator for the Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4726 or brian.guzman@state.nm.us.
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Roswell game warden named Officer of the Year by Shikar Safari Club
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 13, 2018:
Roswell game warden named Officer of the Year by Shikar Safari Club
ROSWELL – Shikar Safari Club International has named New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Cpl. Tyson Sanders the 2018 Wildlife Officer of the Year.
This highly prestigious award is given annually to a state officer whose efforts show outstanding performance and achievement among sworn conservation law enforcement personnel.
Sanders began his career with the department in 2009, spending his first year in the Mora district before relocating to the Roswell district. His eight-year career has seen numerous successes in investigating and prosecuting numerous high-profile big-game cases.
Education and community outreach also have been a significant part of Sander’s focus. He has led over 20 public outreach events in the Roswell area in the past few years, including bringing back the Roswell Outdoor Adventure Day at the Spring River Park and Zoo.
Through the department’s Open Gate program, Sanders has assisted local landowners with obtaining access for hunters, ensuring sportsmen and women can take advantage of wildlife habitat that would otherwise be closed to them.
The recognition was presented by Department of Game and Fish Col. Robert Griego, a 2006 recipient of the award.
“It has been fantastic to see Corporal Tyson Sanders develop into one of the best officers in the state,” said Griego. “I have watched his career since I taught him about the law in his recruit school. He is definitely passionate about being a game warden and it has shown since day one.”
Shikar Safari Club International is a conservation-based international organization that presents awards annually to wildlife law enforcement officers in all states, provinces and territories in the United States and Canada.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Thunderbird near Mimbres
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Jennifer Morgan, (505) 222-4722
jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 11, 2018:
Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Thunderbird near Mimbres
MIMBRES – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 and over who are accompanied by an adult. It will be conducted the weekend of May 18-20, at the beautiful Camp Thunderbird in the Gila National Forest. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Registration for this camp opportunity opens April 16. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 12 p.m., April 30, to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants will test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles and archery on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff.
To qualify for the camp, participants must have a Customer Identification Number account with the department and complete the required homework before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youths under 18 years of age must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information please contact the Hunter Education Office at 505-222-4731 or go online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting and fishing seasons
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Ross Morgan, (505) 222-4707
Public contact: (888)-248-6866
ross.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 9, 2018:
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 2018-2019 hunting and fishing season began April 1. All hunters and anglers are required to purchase a new license before hunting and fishing. Anglers can expect roadblocks throughout the summer. Guides and outfitters are also reminded that new registration is required.
Youth turkey season begins April 6 and the general season begins April 15. Trapping and hunting season continues for raccoons April 1 to May 15 and April 1-30 for beaver, muskrat and nutria. Year-round cougar, Barbary sheep, off-range oryx and off-mountain ibex seasons run from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.
For more information, please consult the department’s Hunting Rules & Information booklet, available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or at area offices and license vendors.
At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
Everyone is encouraged to report any wildlife crime or suspected crime they see while enjoying New Mexico’s great outdoors.
To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
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Donate part of your state tax refund to help wildlife
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 4, 2018:
Donate part of your state tax refund to help wildlife
SANTA FE – Want to help wildlife in need of conservation? It’s as easy as filing out a line on your state tax return to donate some of your tax refund to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Share with Wildlife program.
The Share with Wildlife program funds many projects and organizations, including the non-profit New Mexico Wildlife Center in Española, where sick and injured animals receive veterinary care, treatment and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.
The program also funds research, including a study of the success of the North American river otter reintroduction effort that was conducted 2008-2010, and evaluation of the current size and health of the river otter population in New Mexico.
Another 2018 project involves assessing the reproductive success and survival rates of a turtle species currently under review for potential listing as a threatened or endangered species. Also funded this year is a project to study habitat associations and distribution of a species of chipmunk found only in mountain ranges in southeastern New Mexico.
“People who contribute to the Share with Wildlife program make all these wildlife projects possible,” said Ginny Seamster, the department’s Share with Wildlife program coordinator. Donations to the program are matched by federal dollars to maximize the effort. More than $1.5 million has gone to research, habitat enhancement, education and rehabilitation projects in the past 10 years. Many of those projects benefit nongame species in need of conservation. All donations fund projects, not program administration.
The program is reliant upon donations, especially through tax refund contributions. To donate part of your state tax refund, just fill out line t2 of PIT-D, the voluntary contributions schedule. Visit the state Taxation and Revenue Department at www.tax.newmexico.gov for tax forms and instructions.
Donations also can be made directly to the program or by purchasing a Share with Wildlife license plate. Please visit the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us/share for more information, or contact Seamster at (505) 476-8111 or virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
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Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding
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 2, 2018:
Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding
SANTA FE – As of April 2, 2018, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program is accepting proposals for projects that would start in 2019.
The department’s Share with Wildlife program funds projects up to $50,000 in four categories: habitat enhancement, biological and ecological research studies, wildlife rehabilitation and wildlife education.
Topics of particular interest to the department for projects that would start between Jan. 1, 2019, and May 31, 2019, and details about the proposal format are listed in the Call For Project Information (CFPI) for fiscal year 2019 available at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/share-with-wildlife/ under the Applications-Reports tab.
Any questions about the application process and final project proposals should be submitted to Share with Wildlife Coordinator, Ginny Seamster, virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
All proposals must be submitted electronically in a single .pdf or Microsoft Word file by 5 p.m. MDT, Friday, June 1, 2018.
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National search begins April 1 for new department director
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (888)-248-6866
Dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Friday March 30, 2018:
National search begins April 1 for new department director
SANTA FE — The New Mexico State Game Commission will begin a nationwide search for the position of director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and will start accepting applications April 1, 2018.
Interested applicants have until 5 p.m. MST on June 1, 2018, to submit resumes and other materials to the department.
The director manages a department of approximately 300 employees and an annual budget in excess of $39 million whose mission is to conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico. The department director is an “exempt” position that serves at the pleasure of the commission. The annual salary will be between $99,999 and $120,000 based on experience and budgeting approval.
A formal job announcement with specific details about the job description, core duties, education and experience requirements, application instructions and other information will be available on the department website at: www.wildlife.state.nm.us on April 1, 2018.
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Fishing season begins April 1 – Don’t forget your new license
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, MARCH 30, 2018:
Fishing season begins April 1
Don’t forget your new license
SANTA FE – A new fishing season is approaching fast, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish would like to remind anglers to purchase a 2018-19 fishing license. The fishing license year runs April 1 to March 31.
Licenses can be purchased 24 hours a day on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, during business hours at department offices and license vendors statewide, or by calling the department Information Center, (888) 248-6866. For angler’s convenience, Information Center phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1, giving everyone a chance to purchase a license on or before opening day.
Licenses purchased online or through the Information Center can be emailed, downloaded and printed. Because fishing licenses don’t have a tagging requirement, anglers can download and display them on a smart phone or mobile device. Information Center staff also can sell other licenses and answer general questions.
Fishing licenses cost $25 for state residents. Most anglers are required to purchase a $4 state habitat management and access validation stamp. Anglers intending to fish on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or U.S. Forest Service lands will need a $5 federal habitat stamp.
Resident military veterans or active duty members receive a 50 percent discount off their fishing license and stamps.
Children under the age of 12 do not need a license to fish, and anglers age 70 and older qualify for a free license. Resident active and military veterans qualify for free or discounted licenses. Please consult the Fishing Rules and Information Booklet at www.wildlife.state.nm.us for more information. Printed versions are available at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish area offices and soon will be at license vendors statewide. For weekly angling and stocking reports please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Gorham Scout Ranch near Chimayo
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Jennifer Morgan: (505) 222-4722
jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 29, 2018:
Special hunter education camp offered at Gorham Scout Ranch near Chimayo
CHIMAYO – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 to 17 who are accompanied by a responsible adult. It will be conducted the weekend of May 4-6, 2018 at the Gorham Scout Ranch near Chimayo. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Registration for this camp opportunity opens April 2. Those interested in attending must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 12p.m. April 16, to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with the Gorham Scout Ranch and the Safari Club International Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants will test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles and archery on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff.
To qualify for the camp, participants must have a Customer Identification Number account with the department and complete the required homework before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youth under 18 years of age must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information please contact the Department’s Hunter Education Office at 505-222-4731 or go online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Game Commission to meet April 5 in Clovis
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, MARCH 27, 2018:
Game Commission to meet April 5 in Clovis
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Thursday, April 5, in Clovis to discuss potential hunting rule changes for Barbary sheep, Persian ibex, oryx, turkeys and migratory game birds.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clovis Civic Center Enchantment Ballroom, 801 Schepps Blvd.
Other agenda items include:
- An update on construction of a department office complex in Roswell.
- An update on the department’s Hunter Education Program and other educational opportunities.
- An update on a habitat restoration project on the Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area.
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs, Elizabeth Ryan and Craig Peterson.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Chris Chadwick, (505) 476-8011. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Public meeting scheduled to discuss plans for construction of the department’s new regional office complex
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Cody Johnston: (575) 624-6135
gary.johnston@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 23, 2018:
Public meeting scheduled to discuss plans for construction of the department’s new regional office complex
LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled an open house to discuss future plans for the construction of a new southeast regional office.
The open house is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 31, at the department’s current southeast regional office, 1912 W 2nd St, Roswell. The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.
The department’s plans for the new office focuses on creating a destination that will provide the public a place to interact with staff and provide more educational and recreational opportunities for the public.
For more information about the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish please visit, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Anglers, hunters can purchase 2018-19 licenses early this year
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 22, 2018:
Anglers, hunters can purchase 2018-19 licenses early this year
SANTA FE – Sales of “over-the-counter” fishing and hunting licenses for the 2018-19 license year opened today, giving anglers and hunters an opportunity to have licenses in-hand when the new license year begins April 1.
The Department of Game and Fish previously began issuing “over-the-counter” licenses March 31. Licenses are available for purchase by telephone, (888) 248-6866, and at department offices and license vendors.
Anglers will need a 2018-19 fishing license beginning April 1. The first hunting seasons of 2018 will be for spring turkeys. Those seasons are April 6-8 for youth-only hunts, and April 15-May 10 for everyone.
More information about license fees, required stamps, season dates and other rules is available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or toll-free, (888) 248-6866.
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Deadline is Wednesday to apply for big-game hunting licenses
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 19, 2018:
Deadline is Wednesday to apply for big-game hunting licenses
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is reminding hunters that Wednesday, March 21, is the deadline to apply for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, oryx, ibex, bighorn sheep, javelina and Barbary sheep licenses. The department expects more than 160,000 applicants for about 60,000 licenses.
Hunters must complete their applications before 5 p.m. MDT March 21. All applicants must create an online account at onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us prior to applying.
Here’s how to apply:
- Online: Applicants can access or create accounts via the “Customer Login” link on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. From their account, applicants will select “Draw Hunt Applications” in the main menu and then will be prompted through license and application choices.
- By phone: Hunters without computer access or who need help applying can call toll-free, (888) 248-6866 and a department representative will submit an application for them. The information center will be open until 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. The center will close at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 21. Phone lines will be extremely busy as the deadline approaches, so applicants are encouraged to apply early and have their hunt choices ready.
Applicants will be able to print 2018 nonrefundable game-hunting and game-hunting and fishing licenses from their account March 22. Draw licenses can be printed after the draw results are released April 25. Licenses are no longer mailed except by request.
To be eligible for the draw, applicants who held deer, elk or turkey licenses for the 2017-18 seasons must have submitted a harvest report either online or through the information center and paid any applicable late fees by March 21. Applicants who held 2017-18 licenses for oryx, ibex, Barbary sheep, javelina and trapping must submit harvest reports by April 7. Failure to report before the deadlines will result in rejection of all draw applications.
Information about rules, seasons, fees and more is available in the 2018-19 Hunting Rules & Information booklet online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us and available in print at license vendors and department offices. Hunters are encouraged to review season dates, application deadlines and other information before applying for licenses or going afield. The department website also includes valuable information about how the draw works, application procedures, game-management unit maps, drawing odds and a “How to Apply” video.
Hunters this year are especially encouraged to review new rules regarding tagging their harvested game. A separate tag will be required in addition to the printed license, and all big game and turkeys must be tagged at the time of harvest. Tags will be mailed to all successful draw hunt applicants and will be available at all license vendors and department offices for over-the-counter licenses. Some restrictions may apply for online big game license purchases to accommodate mailing of tags.
Complete information about the new tagging requirements is available on the department website and in the Hunting Rules & Information booklet. Read more about tagging here.
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Signed agreement, cooperation marks path for Mexican wolf recovery
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Lance Cherry: (505) 476-8003
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 15, 2018:
Signed agreement, cooperation marks path for Mexican wolf recovery
SANTA FE – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the Arizona Department of Game and Fish signed a memorandum of agreement Wednesday to further collaboration between the agencies and to work on the recovery of Mexican gray wolves.
The memorandum increases cooperation to achieve the downlisting and eventual delisting the Mexican wolf in accordance with the revised 2017 Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan. As part of this effort, a field team composed of members from each agency will provide input to determine the timing, location and the circumstances for release of Mexican wolves into the wild in Arizona and New Mexico. With the signing of this agreement, the service acknowledged the importance of working cooperatively with their partner state wildlife agencies and agreed to comply with New Mexico’s permit requirements prior to any future releases.
“In this act of good faith, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with the service,” said New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Director Alexandra Sandoval.
The service released the final Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, First Revision on Nov. 30, 2017. To learn more about the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program and to view the plan visit online at www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf. For more information about the department visit online, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Migratory game bird, turkey hunting rules topics of public meetings
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, MARCH 12, 2018:
Migratory game bird, turkey hunting rules topics of public meetings
Correcting Link:
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the migratory game bird and turkey hunting rules.
The department is proposing small changes in turkey hunting across the state, including: adjusting seasons for calendar dates; modifying fall open units; and adding the Bluebird Wildlife Management Area to the open wildlife management areas. For migratory game birds, the department is proposing incorporating the federal recommendations on migratory bird seasons, and adjusting season dates for calendar dates.
To gather public comments, three public meetings will be conducted:
- Farmington: 6 to 9 p.m. March 12 at the Farmington Civic Center, 200 W Arrington St.
- Las Cruces: 6 to 9 p.m. March 13 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive.
- Albuquerque: 6 to 9 p.m. March 15 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place, NE.
The proposal can be viewed on the department’s website www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/proposals-under-consideration. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Waterfowl and Turkey Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, DGF-Waterfowl@state.nm.us, DGF-Gamebird@state.nm.us, or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
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Information center open extra hours beginning Saturday to help hunters apply for 2018-19 big-game licenses
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 6, 2018:
Information center open extra hours beginning Saturday to help hunters apply for 2018-19 big-game licenses
SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish employees will be working extended hours and Saturdays this month to help hunters apply for big-game hunting licenses.
Information center hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays from March 10 through March 20. The Santa Fe office will assist walk-ins from noon to 5 p.m March 10 and March 17. The information center will close at 4:30 p.m. March 21. Online applications must be completed by 5 p.m. that day.
Rules and information about applying for 2018-2019 hunting licenses is available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Printed editions of Hunting Rules & Information booklets are available at department area offices and license vendors. For more information or help applying for licenses, please call the information center at (888) 248-6866. Please have hunt choices and other information ready before calling.
The application deadline for big game, including elk, deer, pronghorn antelope, Barbary and bighorn sheep, oryx, ibex and javelina is 5 p.m. March 21. Last season’s harvest reports for deer, elk, antelope and turkey must be submitted by that date and an $8 late fee will apply. Javelina, Barbary sheep, oryx, ibex and trapping license holders must report by April 7. Failure to report by these deadlines will result in rejection of all applications for this hunt season.
For more information about how to apply for licenses, please visit the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or see the instructional video on the department’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/NMGameandFish.
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Game Commission to meet March 1 in Las Cruces
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, FEB. 20, 2018:
Game Commission to meet March 1 in Las Cruces
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Thursday, March 1, in Las Cruces to discuss potential hunting rule changes for turkeys, migratory game birds, bighorn sheep, javelinas and pronghorn antelope.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the San Rafael Ballroom at Hotel Encanto, 705 Telshor Blvd., in Las Cruces.
Other agenda items include:
- An update on the development of shooting ranges in New Mexico.
- An update on actions by the New Mexico Legislature affecting the department.
- An update on the funds raised at this year’s Governor’s special Auction Banquet.
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs, Elizabeth Ryan and Craig Peterson.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Chris Chadwick, (505) 476-8011. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Special-season bear and turkey draw results available Wednesday, 1 week early
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 13, 2018:
Special-season bear and turkey draw results available Wednesday, 1 week early
SANTA FE – Hunters who applied for New Mexico special-season bear and turkey permits can check their draw results beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or by calling toll-free, (888) 248-6866.
Efforts to develop a more efficient draw process have enabled the department to release the results one week early this year. The department will send emails to successful applicants and permits will be available for printing in customer accounts by Wednesday afternoon.
Successful applicants must purchase a 2018 bear or turkey license with tag(s) separately. Licenses will be available online, by phone and at license vendors and NMDGF offices beginning March 22.
Hunters can check their draw results by logging onto their customer account on the department website.
For more information about the drawing, please visit the website or call toll-free, (888) 248-6866.
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Department reviewing threatened status of White Sands pupfish
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, FEB. 13, 2018:
Department reviewing threatened status of White Sands pupfish
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish has initiated an investigation into the White Sands pupfish to determine the appropriate status under the Wildlife Conservation Act.
Found nowhere else in the world, the White Sands pupfish (Cyprinodon tularosa) is endemic to the Tularosa River Basin in southern New Mexico. It was listed as a threatened species by the New Mexico State Game Commission in 1975. Currently occupied habitat is entirely within lands owned by the Department of Defense. The 1 3/4- to 2 1/2-inch silver-scaled pupfish is the only fish native to New Mexico’s Tularosa Basin. Although relatively plentiful where they occur, the pupfish are considered at risk because of their extremely limited distribution.
For more information about the investigation, please contact the department’s Fisheries Management Division, (505) 476-8055. Comments, data, views or information about the biological or ecological status of the species can be sent to DGF-WCPF-WCA-Investigation-Comments@state.nm.us. If received by May 15, 2018, the information will be placed in a public repository for consideration by the department director.
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Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show this weekend in Albuquerque
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Martin Perea: (505) 476-8019
martin.perea@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 13, 2018:
Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show this weekend in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE – The annual New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show will be Friday-Sunday, Feb.16-18 at the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque.
The event is bigger and better than ever with new exhibits and hands-on activities hosted by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
This year, the show will feature an Outdoor Skills Room where visitors can receive instruction in fishing, game calling, outdoor survival techniques, archery, pellet gun shooting and an off-highway vehicle simulator. The latest equipment for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation will be on display. New models of recreational vehicles, boats and off-highway vehicles will be available for viewing. Outfitters, guides, taxidermists and local vendors will offer their products and services, and conservation organizations will be on hand to answer questions.
Admission is free to all licensed anglers, hunters and trappers. Youths younger than18 get in free and everyone else pays just $3.
The event will be Feb.16-18 in the Manuel Lujan Building at Expo New Mexico on the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque. The show opens to the public from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, please visit the department website, https://wildlife-wordpress-redesign.gmfsh.state.nm.us.
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Hunters: Don’t forget to file your mandatory harvest report
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, FEB. 13, 2018:
Hunters: Don’t forget to file your mandatory harvest report
SANTA FE – Mandatory harvest deadlines are fast approaching for hunters and trappers who held licenses for New Mexico’s 2017-18 seasons.
The deadline to file a free report for hunters who held 2017-18 deer, elk, antelope or turkey licenses is midnight Feb. 15, 2018. After that date, an $8 late fee will apply. Hunters must report on or before the March 21 application deadline or their applications will be rejected from the big-game draws.
The deadline to report for those who held 2017-18 Barbary sheep, javelina, oryx, ibex, or trapping licenses is midnight April 7, 2018. The later harvest-reporting deadline allows license holders for those species to submit results after the seasons have closed.
Hunters and trappers can file their mandatory harvest report online at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us by logging in to their account and clicking “Harvest Reporting” in the main menu. Reports also can be submitted by phone toll-free at (888) 248-6866 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or after hours using the department’s interactive phone system by calling (888) 248-6866.
The department encourages hunters and trappers to keep their confirmation number for their records and to update their account information and provide a valid email address so they can receive important information, confirmation emails and receipts from the department.
License holders must file a report, even if they did not hunt or trap. Failure to file a mandatory harvest report on time will result in rejection of all big-game applications.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Washington Ranch near Carlsbad
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Jennifer Morgan, (505) 222-4722
jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Feb. 6, 2018:
Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Washington Ranch near Carlsbad
CARLSBAD – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 to 17 who are accompanied by a responsible adult. It will be conducted the weekend of March 23-25 at historic Camp Washington Ranch near Carlsbad. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Registration for the camp opens Feb. 21. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 5 p.m. March 7 to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants will test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles and archery on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff. A fishing skills clinic will also be included with no license required.
To qualify for the camp, youths must have a Customer Identification Number account with the department and complete the required homework before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youths under 18 years of age must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information please contact the Hunter Education Program, (505) 222-4731 or www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show coming soon to Albuquerque
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Martin Perea: (505) 476-8019
martin.perea@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 2, 2018:
Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show coming soon to Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE – The annual New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show will be at the state fairgrounds Feb. 16-18 in Albuquerque.
The event is bigger and better than ever, with new exhibits and hands-on activities hosted by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
This year, the show will feature an Outdoor Skills Room where visitors can receive instruction in fishing, game-calling, outdoor survival techniques, archery, pellet gun shooting and an off-highway vehicle simulator. The latest equipment for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation will be on display. New models of recreational vehicles, boats and off-highway vehicles will be available for viewing. Outfitters, guides, taxidermists and local vendors will offer their products and services, and conservation organizations will be on hand to answer questions.
Admission is free to all licensed anglers, hunters and trappers. Youths younger than 18 get in free and everyone else pays just $3.
The event will be Feb. 16-18 in the Manuel Lujan Building at Expo New Mexico on the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque. The show opens to the public from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, please visit the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Bighorn, javelina hunting rule changes topics of public meetings
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, JAN. 22, 2018:
Bighorn, javelina hunting rule changes topics of public meetings
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments on proposed revisions to the bighorn sheep and javelina rules.
The department is proposing small changes in bighorn sheep hunting across the state, including: adjusting seasons for calendar dates; increasing ram hunting licenses; modifying hunt dates to accommodate more hunters; and adding Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep ewe hunts in certain herds as a population management tool.
For javelina, the department is proposing adjusting season dates for a new calendar year.
To gather public comments, two public meetings will be conducted:
- Las Cruces: 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive.
- Albuquerque: 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place, NE.
The proposals can be viewed on the department website, www.wildlife.nm.us. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Big Game Rule Development, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, DGF-Bighorn-Rules@state.nm.us, DGF-Javelina-Rules@state.nm.us, or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
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Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
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, JAN. 22, 2018:
Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during fall hunting seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations.
Hunting seasons are underway or soon will begin in some parts of New Mexico. For more information, please consult the department’s Hunting Rules & Information booklet, available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or at area offices and license vendors.
At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
Hunters are encouraged to report any violations they may observe, such as shooting from a vehicle or driving off-road.
To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact a Department of Game and Fish area office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell or Las Cruces, or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
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Public meeting will discuss plan for controlled pile burn near Eagle Nest
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, JAN. 18, 2018:
Public meeting will discuss plan for controlled pile burn near Eagle Nest
EAGLE NEST – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct a public meeting Monday, Jan. 22 in Eagle Nest to discuss a controlled pile burn in the Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area west of Eagle Nest Lake.
The meeting will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Eagle Nest Community Center, 151 Willow Creek Drive, in Eagle Nest. Participants will learn what to expect from the pile burn.
The pile burn is the second phase of a project to prevent catastrophic wildfire and improve wildlife habitat.
The burn window opens Jan. 29 and will be conducted only if certain weather conditions are met, such as two to six inches of snow on the ground and wind speed below 15 mph.
For more information, please contact Jacob Davidson, the department’s habitat manager, at (505) 476-8112.
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2018-19 draw hunt application opens Wednesday
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, JAN. 10, 2018:
2018-19 draw hunt application opens Wednesday
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will begin accepting applications for 2018-19 big-game and turkey licenses and permits at 10 a.m. Wednesday, online and over the telephone.
Information about rules, seasons, fees and more is available in the 2018-19 Hunting Rules & Information booklet online now at www.wildlife.state.nm.us and available in print soon at license vendors and department offices. Hunters are encouraged to review season dates, application deadlines and other information before applying for licenses or going afield.
Hunters this year are especially encouraged to review new rules regarding tagging their harvested game. A separate tag will be required in addition to the printed license, and all big game and turkeys must be tagged at the time of harvest. Tags will be mailed to all successful draw hunt applicants and will be available at all license vendors and department offices for over-the-counter licenses. Some restrictions may apply for online big game license purchases to accommodate mailing of tags.
Complete information about the new tagging requirements is available on the department website and in the Hunting Rules & Information booklet. Read more about tagging here.
The application deadline for bear and turkey permits is 5 p.m. Feb. 7. The application deadline for big-game licenses is 5 p.m. March 21. Hunters need to file all mandatory harvest reports from last season’s hunts to be eligible for the 2018-2019 draw. See the Hunting Rules and Information booklet for reporting deadlines.
Hunters can apply for licenses and permits by signing on or creating an online account at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/.
Application assistance also is available at the department Information Center, toll-free (888) 248-6866. The center is open year-round, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (except holidays) to answer your questions and assist with license issues and harvest reporting. Extended hours are March 10–March 20, Monday–Friday from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. and Saturdays from noon–5 p.m. Please have your hunt choices ready if applying for draw hunts by phone. The Information Center will close at 4:30 p.m. March 21.
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Nominations sought for New Mexico’s Excellence in Wildlife Conservation Awards
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Lance Cherry: (505) 476-8003
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JAN. 5, 2018:
Nominations sought for New Mexico’s Excellence in Wildlife Conservation Awards
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is soliciting nominations for its Excellence in Wildlife Conservation awards to be presented Feb. 17 at the Governor’s Special Hunt Auction & Banquet at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque.
The awards are in recognition of outstanding achievements and contributions to wildlife conservation in New Mexico. The public is invited to submit nominations in the following categories:
Governor’s Conservationist Lifetime Achievement Award
The Governor’s Conservationist Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a distinguished individual who has made a contribution of lasting significance to the benefit of New Mexico’s wildlife. Nominees should be individuals whose lifelong efforts have been dedicated to conserving New Mexico’s wildlife for future generations.
Commissioner’s Wildlife Conservation Partnership Award
The Commissioner’s Wildlife Conservation Partnership Award recognizes an organization that promotes wildlife conservation in New Mexico. Nominees should be organizations that have made significant contributions of their time and skills through volunteer services or financial resources to further the mission of the Department of Game and Fish — “To conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico using a flexible management system that ensures sustainable use for public food supply, recreation and safety; and to provide for off-highway motor vehicle recreation that recognizes cultural, historic, and resource values while ensuring public safety.”
Director’s Wildlife Conservation Professional of the Year Award
The Director’s Wildlife Conservation Professional of the Year Award recognizes a Department of Game and Fish employee who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to wildlife conservation in New Mexico. Nominees should be department professionals whose work inspires others and benefits the department’s wildlife conservation efforts. These contributions may include noteworthy research, innovative approaches to wildlife conservation, excellence in developing outstanding outreach programs, successful application of conservation principals or exemplifying the conservation officer concept.
How to Nominate
Nominations should include a submission of a letter of no more than 1,500 words explaining why the nominee is deserving of the award, along with the nominee’s curriculum vitae or biography.
Questions and nominations will be accepted by email only at: DGF-2016awards@state.nm.us.
The deadline to submit nominations is Feb. 2, 2018. Awards are to be presented during the 2018 Governor’s Special Hunt Auction & Banquet, 5 p.m. Feb. 17, 2018 at Expo New Mexico’s Creative Arts Building on the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque.
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Multiple deer and elk killed and left to waste in Otero County
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, JAN. 4, 2018:
Multiple deer and elk killed and left to waste in Otero County
OTERO COUNTY – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking information about two deer and several elk that were illegally killed and left to rot recently in Otero County. Anyone with information about these poachings is encouraged to call Operation Game Thief, (800) 432-4263.
- Dec. 26, the department received an Operation Game Thief tip regarding a possible wildlife law violation near Calico Peak. A conservation officer responded and discovered a mule deer buck that had been shot and killed. The head was removed and all meat was left to waste. There was not an open deer hunting season at the time. This unlawful killing and waste of game is a fourth-degree felony.
- The same Operation Game Thief report stated there was a bull elk carcass in the same area that looked suspicious. The bull elk carcass had an arrow in its neck and both antlers were broken off. All meat was left to waste. An officer performed a necropsy and discovered the bull died from injuries consistent with a firearm. No rifle season for bull elk was taking place during the time of unlawful killing and waste of game.
- Dec. 27, a department officer responded to Apple Valley Road near High Rolls regarding three elk killed and their carcasses left to rot on City of Alamogordo property. The officer suspects the elk carcasses were one to two weeks old.
- Dec. 28, a mule deer buck carcass was found in Upper Dry Canyon near Cloudcroft. The deer was shot and killed. The head was removed and all meat was left to waste. There was no ongoing deer hunting season during the time of the poaching.
The Department of Game and Fish is seeking information leading to charges being filed. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Officer Corey Smith at (505) 470-6991, file a report online at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/, or call Operation Game Thief (800) 432-4263. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for rewards if charges are filed.
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Game Commission to meet Jan. 11 Santa Fe
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, JAN. 3, 2018:
Game Commission to meet Jan. 11 in Santa Fe
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Thursday, Jan. 11, in Santa Fe to elect officers for 2018 and consider numerous matters, including potential rule changes for bighorn sheep and javelina hunting.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Board Room of Santa Fe Community College, 6401 Richards Ave.
Other agenda items include:
- Presentation of the department’s fiscal year 2017 audit.
- Procedures for donation of licenses or permits to qualified nonprofit organizations.
The full agenda and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs, Elizabeth Ryan and Craig Peterson.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Chris Chadwick, (505) 476-8011. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Cimarron River fish safe to eat, tests show
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, DEC. 11, 2017:
Cimarron River fish safe to eat, tests show
EAGLE NEST – Recent tests of trout in the Cimarron River show that the fish are now safe to eat because no traces of pollution were found from a 2016 fuel spill.
A 1.5-mile stretch of the river off N.M. 64 within the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area and Cimarron Canyon State Park was closed in December 2016 after a tanker truck overturned and spilled approximately 1,100 gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel into the river.
The area between mile marker 291 to the Perryville Fishing Access Area was reopened to angling in May 2017 after successful restoration efforts, but anglers were advised to eat no more than three meals of fish per month from the spill area. That recommendation has been lifted because recent tests of fish from the area showed no signs of contaminants in the fish tissue.
For more information about fishing New Mexico, including the Environment Department’s fish consumption advisories for certain waters, please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Information sought in unlawfully killed elk
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Clint Henson
clint.henson@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DEC. 8, 2017:
Information sought in unlawfully killed elk
LAS VEGAS – Game and Fish conservation officers are seeking information regarding two elk calves that were illegally killed near Guadalupita.
On Dec. 5, a conservation officer responded to County Road A-020 to a report of an injured elk. When the officer arrived, he found two elk calves that had been shot and left to waste. Evidence was collected and the investigation is ongoing.
If you have information on this crime or any other wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief at (800) 432-4263. Reports also can be submitted online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Callers can remain anonymous and receive a $500 reward for each elk if charges are filed against a suspect. Remember, poachers steal your wildlife.
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Revised: Game Commission to meet Dec. 20 in Albuquerque
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, DEC. 8, 2017:
Game Commission to meet Dec. 20 in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Wednesday, Dec. 20, in Albuquerque to consider a rule that would allow the commission and the Department of Game and Fish director to establish rules, requirements, definitions and regulations implementing the process for a landowner to be issued a certificate and signage by the director and the commission that recognizes that within the landowner’s private property is a segment of a non-navigable public water, whose riverbed or streambed or lakebed is closed to access without written permission from the landowner.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North, 5151 San Francisco Road NE, in Albuquerque.
The commission also will hear a presentation of the final recovery plan for Mexican Wolves and potential implementation actions to occur in 2018. Public comments will be limited to 30 minutes.
The full agenda, and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Craig Peterson, Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Upcoming enhancements of San Juan River at Navajo Lake State Park
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, NOV. 28, 2017:
Upcoming enhancements of San Juan River at Navajo Lake State Park
Expect temporary closures of day-use areas
FARMINGTON – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will begin a river enhancement project on Dec. 15 on the San Juan River at Navajo Lake State Park from Simon Point Day-Use Area downriver to the Crusher Hole Day-Use Area. Temporary closures of multiple day-use areas are expected until April 2018.
The project will include a new boat takeout at Crusher Hole Day-Use Area. The Crusher Hole area will be closed to the public from Dec. 15, 2017, through March 1, 2018. There will be no access to the boat takeout at Crusher Hole while the new takeout is constructed.
Bolack Day-Use Area will be closed from Dec. 15, 2017, through April 15, 2018. County Road 4280 that offers access to the area will also be closed to traffic. However, anglers may access the area at Cottonwood Campground.
A temporary boat takeout will be constructed at the Munoz Day-Use Area. The temporary takeout will provide public access to the upper portions of the river.
For the safety of all visitors to the park, use of the San Juan River past Simon Point, including portions in and out of the park boundaries, will be closed to boat traffic and wade fishing from Dec. 15, 2017, through March 1, 2018. Limited use of the river will be available from March 1, 2018, through April 15, 2018.
All listed areas will be posted closed and the gates will be locked. For more information, please visit nmparks.com or contact Navajo Lake State Park, (505) 632-2278.
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Public urged to catch fish in Estancia Park Pond as water level drops
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, Nov. 1, 2017:
Public urged to catch fish in Estancia Park Pond as water level drops
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish has issued an emergency salvage order allowing the public to harvest an unlimited amount of fish by any means through Nov. 10 from Estancia Park Pond.
The salvage order was requested by the Town of Estancia as one of the town’s wells that supplies the pond is currently out of service and fish soon may begin dying as the water level drops.
Tackle regulations will be suspended during the salvage period that runs through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 10. The salvage order will allow anglers to use nets or other means to remove fish from the pond.
Anglers ages 12 and older are required to have a state fishing license.
For more information about the state’s fishing regulations, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Cutthroat trout featured on new license plate
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, OCT. 25, 2017:
Cutthroat trout featured on new license plate
“Anglers and everyone who enjoys our state’s fish and aquatic habitats will love this new license plate,” said Ginny Seamster, program coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “And it’s all for a good cause, conserving wildlife.”
Since 1981 the Share with Wildlife program has funded wildlife research, habitat enhancement, education and rehabilitation projects around the state. Many of these projects benefit nongame species in need of conservation.
The program relies upon donations, including the purchase of special license plates from the state Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). Initial cost for the plate is $27, with $15 going to the Share with Wildlife Program. The program also receives $10 of the annual $12 plate renewal fee. To order the new plate, please visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/share to download the order form used to purchase the plate from MVD. The plate only can be purchased through regular mail.
Additional donations can be made to the program by earmarking a portion of your state income tax refund. Just check off the box on your income tax form. Donors also can contribute through the department’s online licensing system at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/. All donations fund projects, not program administration.
For more information about the program, contact Ginny Seamster at (505) 476-8111 or virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
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Late-season archery elk licenses available Oct. 25
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, OCT. 19, 2017:
Late-season archery elk licenses available Oct. 25
SANTA FE – There will be 275 first-come, first-served late-season bull elk archery hunting licenses on sale beginning Oct. 25 on the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website.
The sale will begin at 10 a.m. and will be open only to New Mexico residents for the first 24 hours, after which any remaining licenses will be available to everyone. Only hunters who did not hold a 2017-2018 elk license are eligible. The bag limit for the late-season hunts is one bull elk with antlers having at least six points on one side.
Hunters are advised to obtain an online customer account or review their existing account, including user name and password, before the sale begins. The sale is online-only and hunts normally sell out seconds after becoming available.
Available licenses include: Game Management Unit 12, Nov. 18-22, 25 licenses; Unit 34, Dec. 16-20, 200 licenses; and Unit 37, Dec. 2-6, 50 licenses.
Special restrictions for elk harvested in Unit 34 can be found on page 83 of the current New Mexico Hunting Rules and Information booklet. To review the regulations or purchase a hunt, visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
To be eligible to buy a license, hunters must previously have purchased either a Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Those licenses, along with Habitat Improvement Stamps and Habitat Management Access Validations, also can be obtained through online accounts.
Hunters planning to purchase a license must have completed all mandatory 2016-2017 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee will be refunded on rejected purchases.
The department makes late-season elk licenses available as biologists assess annual population and harvest information, regional herd management objectives and additional harvest needs.
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Public meetings will address trespassing on private land
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, OCT. 11, 2017:
Public meetings will address trespassing on private land
ALAMOGORDO – Representatives of the Department of Game and Fish and the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office serving Otero and Lincoln counties will conduct public meetings Oct. 16-17 to address trespassing on private lands and the obligations of landowners, hunters and anglers.
District Attorney John Sugg and department conservation officers will discuss various issues regarding trespass laws, including sign posting requirements, written permission to use private lands for hunting and fishing, and possible penalties for violations.
Meeting times and sites:
Oct. 16
- Corona: 9 to 11 a.m., Corona Senior Center, 451 Main St.
- Capitan: 1 to 3 p.m., Capitan Senior Center, 115 Tiger Drive.
- Hondo: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Hondo High School, 111 Don Pablo Lane.
Oct. 17
- Alamogordo: 9 to 11 a.m., Otero County Sheriff’s Office, 3208 N. White Sands Blvd.
- Mayhill: 1 to 3 p.m., Mayhill Fire Department, 11 Civic Center Drive.
- Pinon: 4:30 to 6 p.m., Pinon Community Club, 2337 N.M. 24.
For more information about the meetings, please contact Sgt. Jason Kline, (575) 973-0233.
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Public meetings will address proposed changes in pronghorn rule
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, OCT. 5, 2017:
Public meetings will address proposed changes in pronghorn rule
SANTA FE –The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the pronghorn rule.
The Department is proposing changes to how pronghorn are hunted in New Mexico, structuring pronghorn hunts similarly to how deer are hunted in the state. This will provide increased opportunity for public and private-land hunters.
Improved pronghorn survey methods have resulted in better biological data from which to base harvest recommendations. Additionally, the department has heard various concerns regarding the current Antelope Private Land Use System (A-PLUS). The department is developing recommendations to be implemented for the start of the 2019-2020 hunting season.
To gather public comments, four public meetings will be conducted:
- Albuquerque: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place, NE.
- Las Vegas: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the New Mexico State Police Office, 520 South Commerce.
- Roswell: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 1912 W. Second St.
- Las Cruces: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive.
The proposal can be viewed on the Department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Nicole Quintana, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; by email, nicole.quintana@state.nm.us; or in person at one of the meetings listed above.
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Game Commission to meet Sept. 28 in Red River
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, SEPT. 20, 2017:
Game Commission to meet Sept. 28 in Red River
RED RIVER – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Thursday, Sept. 28, in Red River to consider numerous matters, including a proposed rule to allow magnification devices on archery equipment used to hunt protected game species.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the Red River Community House, 116 E. Main St., in Red River.
Other agenda items include:
- Discussion of potential rule changes to prohibit the use of aircraft for locating wildlife for hunting purposes.
- A proposed rule amendment that would allow qualifying New Mexico resident veterans and first responders to receive donated licenses.
- Discussion of proposed changes to the state’s fishing rules.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Governor declares Saturday, Sept. 23, National Hunting and Fishing Day in New Mexico
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, SEPT. 20, 2017:
Governor declares Saturday, Sept. 23,
National Hunting and Fishing Day in New Mexico
SANTA FE – Each year hunters and anglers contribute more than $579 million dollars to the state’s economy, providing the funding necessary to manage New Mexico’s wildlife for the benefit of our citizens and future generations.
In honor of the sportsmen and women’s contributions to wildlife conservation, Governor Susana Martinez issued a proclamation, declaring Saturday, Sept. 23 National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) in New Mexico.
Saturday, the department will celebrate NHFD with a day of free fishing in New Mexico. All anglers, residents and nonresidents, may fish free on public waters statewide. No one needs a license or stamp, although bag limits and all other fishing rules apply.
Whether you feel like testing the waters for the first time or you are an old hand at fishing, it’s the perfect time to get out and make a cast or two at lakes and streams across New Mexico.
If you’re looking for a fun family event, the Village of Pecos is having its first annual Fishing Expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Monastery Lake, just up the canyon from the village. The free event will feature food, prizes for kids and several exhibitors, including the Department of Game and Fish.
For more information about places to fish on Saturday, check out this week’s Fishing and Stocking Report, available on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Gorham Scout Ranch near Chimayo
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, SEPT. 7, 2017:
Special hunter education camp offered at Gorham Scout Ranch near Chimayo
CHIMAYO – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification free of charge.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 to 17 who are accompanied by a responsible adult. It will be conducted the weekend of Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 at the Gorham Scout Ranch near Chimayo. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Those interested in attending must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by noon Sept. 14 to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with the Gorham Scout Ranch and the Safari Club International Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants will test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles and archery on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff.
To qualify for the camp, participants must have a Customer Identification Number account with the department and complete the required homework before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youths ages 17 and younger must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information please contact the Hunter Education Office at (505) 222-4731 or go online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Department seeking next generation of conservation officers
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: Brady Griffith (505) 795-1700
bradyd.griffith@state.nm.us
Media contact: Dan Williams: (505) 476-8004
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 31, 2017:
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 and natural resources.
The department is accepting applications for game warden trainees with a starting pay of $17.03 an hour. Applications for this position will be accepted until Oct. 20. Please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us to learn more about the position and how to apply.
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. Please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us for a complete list of qualifying degrees. Candidates also must pass psychological and medical exams, a background investigation and fitness and drug tests.
Applicants also must pass a written exam and an oral interview board before being offered a position. If hired, recruits will receive basic training at the state Law Enforcement Academy and the department’s recruit school before training with a field training officer.
Those hired can look forward to extensive training in subjects such as emergency vehicle operations, criminal investigations, defensive tactics, firearms training and arrest procedures. Training also includes aerial wildlife survey techniques, wildlife restraint, off-highway vehicle and boat training. Training is rigorous and the work is often difficult, requiring sound judgement, a good work ethic and common sense. The department is seeking highly motivated personnel who are up to the challenge this career offers.
Conservation officers primarily work alone in remote, rural regions of the state while enforcing New Mexico’s game and fish laws, investigating criminal cases and pursuing civil cases against offenders. Officers also educate the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conduct wildlife surveys, capture nuisance animals, investigate wildlife damage to crops and property, assist in wildlife relocations, and help develop new hunting, fishing and trapping regulations.
For more information about conservation officer duties, educational and physical requirements, training and employee benefits, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us/enforcement/career-advancement or contact Lt. Brady Griffith, the department’s recruiting officer at (505) 795-1700 or bradyd.griffith@state.nm.us.
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Electronic duck stamps available beginning September 1
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, AUG. 29, 2017:
Electronic duck stamps available beginning Sept. 1
SANTA FE – New Mexico duck and goose hunters will have a more convenient way to purchase federal duck stamps beginning Sept. 1, when the Department of Game and Fish will start selling the stamps under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s E-Stamp program.
Federal duck stamps, also known as Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, are required for all duck and goose hunters ages 16 and older. Hunters can purchase the stamp online, at license vendors, and by phone at (888) 248-6866, and will receive the physical stamp within 45 days by regular mail. A receipt, or validation on the hunter’s license will meet the federal requirement until the physical stamp is received. Duck stamps are valid in any state and expire June 30, 2018.
The stamp costs $26.50, including the processing fee for mailing. An additional $1 vendor fee will apply.
According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, by buying duck stamps, waterfowl hunters have supported the conservation of more than 5.7 million acres of strategic wetland habitat. Ninety-eight percent of the purchase price of the stamp goes directly to buy and lease wetland habitat on national wildlife refuges.
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Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
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, AUG. 25, 2017:
Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during fall hunting seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations.
Hunting seasons are underway or soon will begin in some parts of New Mexico. For more information, please consult the department’s Hunting Rules & Information booklet, available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or at area offices and license vendors.
At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
Hunters are encouraged to report any violations they may observe, such as shooting from a vehicle or driving off-road.
To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact a Department of Game and Fish area office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell or Las Cruces, or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
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Public meetings will address proposed changes to fishing rules
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, AUG. 22, 2017:
Public meetings will address proposed changes to fishing rules
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct eight public meetings around the state in the next two weeks to discuss and hear comments about proposed changes to the state’s fishing rules.
The department is considering various changes to rules that are reviewed every four years. They include:
- Modifications to the Special Trout Water program.
- New Trophy Bass Waters with a reduced daily limit of 2 largemouth bass at Lake Roberts, Bill Evans Lake and Clayton Lake, with bow and spear-fishing restrictions.
- Lifting catch-and-release designation at Brantley Lake.
- Adding Alumni Pond, Corona Pond, Estancia Pond, Perch Lake, Rancho Grande Ponds, Roswell Kids Ponds, and the Rio Grande below Elephant Butte as winter trout waters.
- Adding Rancho Grande Ponds, the Pecos River within Villanueva State Park, and Timberon Ponds as summer catfish waters.
More information about the proposed changes can be found at the department website, where the department also is accepting public comments.
Meetings will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
- Aug. 29: Navajo State Park Visitor Center, 36 Road 4110, Navajo Dam.
- Aug. 30: Farmington Civic Center, 200 West Arrington, Farmington.
- Sept. 5: Department of Game and Fish office, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe.
- Sept. 6: Department of Game and Fish office, 1912 W. Second St. Roswell.
- Sept. 6: Grant County Commission Chambers, County Administration Building, 1400 Highway 180 East, Silver City.
- Sept. 6: Taos Youth and Family Center, 407 Paseo Del Canon E, Taos.
- Sept. 7: Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces.
- Sept. 7: Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place NE, Albuquerque.
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Roswell man arrested for harassing pronghorns
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, AUGUST 17, 2017:
Roswell man arrested for harassing pronghorns
SANTA FE – Tips from the public resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old Roswell man for allegedly harassing wildlife after he was reportedly seen chasing a herd of pronghorns with his four-wheel off-highway vehicle.
Enrico Amaya, 28, of the 600 block of Pine St., Roswell, was arrested Aug. 11 by Cpl. Tyson Sanders, a New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officer stationed in Roswell.
Sanders had received tips from the public reporting someone riding an off-highway vehicle and chasing a herd of pronghorns in a pasture near town on several recent occasions. Sanders identified, questioned and arrested Amaya. A video camera and digital media card also was confiscated from Amaya.
Sanders wrote in his affidavit for an arrest warrant that continued chasing of pronghorns during the summer heat could have led to exhaustion and death of the popular game animals.
Amaya pleaded no contest to the charge before Magistrate K. C. Rogers Aug. 15 and was given a suspended 182 day jail sentence under supervised probation with enrollment in the county jail’s alternative educational program, according to court records.
For more information about New Mexico wildlife and game and fish laws, please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Thunderbird near Mimbres
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, Aug. 16, 2017:
Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Thunderbird near Mimbres
MIMBRES – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification free of charge.
The camp is open to youths ages 10 to 18 who are accompanied by a responsible adult. It will be conducted the weekend of Sept. 15-17 at Camp Thunderbird in the Gila National Forest. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Registration for this camp is now open. Those interested in attending must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by noon Sept. 1 to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with the New Mexico Youth Conservation Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. They will get a chance to test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles and archery on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff.
To qualify for the camp, youths must have an online account with the department, register with an adult and complete the required homework before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youths younger than age 18 must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information, please contact the Hunter Education Office at (505) 222-4731 or go online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Learn to shoot, fish and have outdoor fun at the Expo
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, Aug. 15, 2017:
Learn to shoot, fish and have outdoor fun at the Expo
ALBUQUERQUE – Learn to shoot firearms, catch fish and other outdoor recreational skills at the Department of Game and Fish’s annual Outdoor Expo at the City of Albuquerque Shooting Range Park this weekend.
“This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn outdoor skills,” says Alexa Sandoval, director of the Department of Game and Fish. “Our training can lead to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment.”
All instruction and equipment used during the event is provided free. The event for all ages runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, at the park on the west mesa.
Participants can learn to shoot .22-caliber rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzleloader or archery on ranges staffed by certified instructors.
Visitors can learn fishing basics, including casting, knot and fly tying and the use of bait and lures. They also can experience the thrill of catching and releasing live fish from an artificial pond.
Other activities include duck hunting from a blind, rock climbing, kayaking, off-highway vehicle riding and throwing atlatls at 3-dimensional animal targets. A 5,000-gallon aquarium full of sport fish will provide spectators the opportunity to see how the fish react to lures trailed through the water.
Inside air-conditioned tents, department wildlife biologists will be available to answer questions about wildlife species, hunting and fishing opportunities and more.
Exhibit halls will feature a variety of display exhibits by sporting and conservation organizations and information booths staffed by several state and federal conservation agencies.
Guests should bring cash as there will be plenty of great food and beverages to buy from vendors. A map of the event can be downloaded at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
To get to the Albuquerque Shooting Range Park from Albuquerque, take Interstate 40 west to the top of Nine-mile Hill, exit and drive 4.2 miles north on Atrisco Vista, turn left at the park sign and drive 2.6 miles to the shooting range.
For more information about the event, please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Hooked on Fishing derby lots of fun
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, Aug. 11, 2017:
Hooked on Fishing derby lots of fun
All registered anglers received a prize for participating. Free hotdogs, chips and cold water were provided. Guests also practiced shooting on portable archery and pellet gun ranges and were given a chance to improve their skills with coaching from department game wardens.
Event organizers reported good public response to the annual event.
“One single mom told us she’s been coming for years and really enjoys the valuable time she gets to spend with her son,” said Andrew Jolliff, a department game warden stationed in Hobbs.
For more information about fishing in New Mexico please visit the department’s website, www.widlife.state.nm.us.
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Game Commission to meet Aug. 24 in Albuquerque
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, Aug. 15, 2017:
Game Commission to meet Aug. 24 in Albuquerque
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Aug. 24 in Albuquerque to consider numerous matters, including approval of the department’s proposed fiscal-year 2019 operating budget.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Marriott Pyramid North’s Taos Room, 5151 San Francisco Road NE, Albuquerque.
Other agenda items include:
- Report of wildlife complaints and resolutions from fiscal-year 2017.
- Approval to exchange New Mexico antelope for Gould’s turkeys from Mexico.
- Consideration of proposed legislative initiatives for the 2018 legislative session.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Department shines at Santa Ana Pueblo public safety event
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, AUGUST 11, 2017:
Department shines at Santa Ana Pueblo public safety event
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish won first place in the People’s Choice category Aug. 5 at the first Public Safety Day at Santa Ana Pueblo.
Over 20 law enforcement agencies participated in the event, showcasing their specialties. The department was praised for its interesting, informative and attractive representation of the agency.
“It was a great day to share with the people of New Mexico what the Department of Game and Fish law enforcement and the variety of resources we offer to the public,” said Capt. Tim Cimbal. “It was an honor for our agency to be chosen by the people for the People’s Choice award.”
The Department of Game and Fish Field Operations Division is responsible for patrolling by foot, boat, snowmobile, off-highway vehicle, horseback, pickup trucks and aircraft. The department also is responsible for off-highway vehicle training and providing the National Archery in the Schools programs, which were also showcased at the event.
For more information about Department of Game and Fish programs, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Apply now for special sandhill crane and pheasant hunts
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, JULY 25, 2017:
Apply now for special sandhill crane and pheasant hunts
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will begin accepting applications for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 26.
Applications can be made online at the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or over the telephone with the department’s information center, 1-888-248-6866. The application deadline for special crane and pheasant permits is 5 p.m. Aug. 23.
Information about sandhill crane draw hunts is available in the department’s 2017-18 Migratory Bird Hunting Information booklet, and information about pheasant hunts are available on the department Hunting Rules and Information booklet. Both can be viewed on the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Successful applicants must have a game hunting license and applicable stamp(s) in addition to their draw permit. Successful sandhill crane applicants also must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
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New rules to battle aquatic invasive species now in effect
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, July 18, 2017:
New rules to battle aquatic invasive species now in effect
SANTA FE – New rules to combat the spread of aquatic invasive species in New Mexico went into effect July 11.
Changes include:
- Watercraft owners are required to stop at an inspection station whenever one is set up and in operation.
- Mandatory inspection and, if necessary, decontamination is required of all out-of-state registered watercraft or watercraft re-entering the state of New Mexico.
- All boaters are required to “pull the plug” and completely drain watercraft when transporting on a New Mexico roadway.
“The boating public’s cooperation is essential in our fight to prevent destructive invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels from infecting our waterways,” said James Dominiguez, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “These changes will help our watercraft inspectors and law enforcement personnel as they conduct watercraft inspections at our waterbodies.”
New Mexico is one of only six western states that remain free of zebra or quagga mussel infestation, but is surrounded by states where the invasive species have been found. The mussels can attach to boats and grow quickly, leading to encrusted equipment and clogged water pipes. Their spread also poses a risk to our native aquatic wildlife, hydroelectric power systems and surface water delivery lines used for municipalities and agriculture.
Inspectors are stationed at various lakes and reservoirs throughout the state to ensure that watercraft are completely clean, drained and dry before launching. Boaters can help by adopting these measures on their own.
For more information about the battle against aquatic invasive species please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ais and www.facebook.com/aquaticaliens or contact the department’s Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, James Dominguez, (505) 476-8163, or james.dominguez@state.nm.us.
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Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone
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, JULY 13, 2017:
Public reminded to leave young wildlife alone
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reminds the public to leave alone any deer or antelope fawns, elk calves, bear cubs or other wild animals they may find.
Most young-of-the year wildlife people discover are simply hiding while awaiting their parents’ return from foraging nearby.
Removing these young animals can cost them their lives, Rick Winslow, a department biologist warned.
“You might think you’re rescuing it, but in reality you’re just kidnapping it,” Winslow said. “In most cases, the best thing to do is just leave it alone and quietly leave the area.”
People who pick up wild animals also risk exposing themselves to fleas and ticks that may carry diseases, he said.
“It’s best to just let nature take its course,” Winslow said. “If there’s still a doubt, call us and we’ll check it out.”
For more information about living with wildlife in New Mexico please visit the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Wehinahpay near Sacramento
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, JULY 12, 2017:
Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Wehinahpay near Sacramento
SACRAMENTO – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification free of charge.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 to 18 who are accompanied by a responsible adult. It will be conducted the weekend of Aug. 11-13 at Camp Wehinahpay Boy Scout Camp in the Sacramento Mountains east of Alamogordo. Participants are responsible for bringing their own camping gear. Meals will be provided Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. Registration for this camp is now being accepted. Those interested in attending must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 5 p.m. July 21 to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with the Safari Club International Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. They will get a chance to test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles and archery on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff. Participants also will learn and practice fishing skills, no license required.
To qualify for the camp, youths must have an online account with the department, register with an adult and complete the required homework before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youth under 18 years of age must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information, please contact the Hunter Education Program at (505) 222-4731 or go online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Hunting plans shot? Donate that license to a good cause
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, JULY 12, 2017:
Hunting plans shot?Donate that license to a good cause
SANTA FE – New Mexico hunters are reminded that in the event they can’t use their hunting license this season, it can be donated for a youth to use.
The State Game Commission has authorized two nonprofit organizations, the New Mexico Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife of Farmington and The Donald R. Kemp Youth Hunting Club in Las Cruces to receive donated hunting licenses and provide them to qualified youths to use.
Requests to donate hunting licenses must be made in writing to the department before the start of the hunt. The department recommends submitting the request well in advance to give the organizations time to find an eligible recipient.
When a recipient is located, the department will transfer the existing license to them. Hunters should be aware that for mandatory harvest reporting species, the license holder is responsible for filing a harvest report until the transfer is completed or if no recipient is found.
Last year, 23 youths age 17 and younger got to go hunting with donated licenses. Hunters should contact the department’s Information Center, (888) 248-6866 or ispa@state.nm.us to make arrangements to donate a hunting license or for more information about the program.
No refunds are offered for donated licenses. See the 2017-2018 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, for exceptions that qualify for a refund or transfer of a hunting license.
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Public meeting scheduled to discuss southwest area office transition
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, JULY 11, 2017:
Public meeting scheduled to discuss southwest area office transition
LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled an open house to discuss plans to transition its southwest regional office from the east side of Las Cruces to the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park.
The open house is scheduled to be conducted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 22, at Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, 5000 Calle del Norte, Las Cruces. The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.
The department in partnership with the New Mexico State Parks Division plans to house its southwest area office at the park where it can provide the public more educational and recreational opportunities.
Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park sits on the bank of the Rio Grande outside of Las Cruces near the historic town of Mesilla. The estimated 300 acre park features a visitor center with meeting rooms and offices, an amphitheater and group picnic shelter, hiking trails and wildlife viewing.
For more information about the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish please visit, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Public meeting scheduled to discuss future of Laguna del Campo
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, JULY 10, 2017:
Public meeting scheduled to discuss future of Laguna del Campo
LOS OJOS – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting to discuss the future of Laguna del Campo fishing pond at the Los Ojos Fish Hatchery.
The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, in the Commission Chambers at the Rio Arriba County Office, 149 N.M. 162, in Tierra Amarilla. Department staff will provide information and answer questions about the dam and alternatives to address safety concerns.
Pursuant to dam safety regulations, the department conducted an extensive analysis of the dam and its ability to withstand a worst-case flood event. Results indicate that the dam, in its current condition, could fail under extreme circumstances. Addressing these deficiencies will cost nearly $8 million to meet these safety standards. Two other alternatives that would satisfy modern safety requirements include reducing lake capacity at a cost of $2.7 million and removal of the dam altogether at a cost of $1.7 million.
The fishing pond currently serves children, seniors and disabled anglers and is open to fishing until its regular closure in October. Numerous other angling opportunities are available in the area, including Heron, El Vado, Hopewell and Trout lakes and the Chama River.
For more information about fishing in New Mexico please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Harvest reporting now just a phone call away
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 30, 2017:
Harvest reporting now just a phone call away
SANTA FE – New Mexico hunters have a new option to submit their 2017-18 hunting season harvest reports. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish today announced the new program which uses an interactive phone system that is accessed simply by calling the department’s information line, (888) 248-6866.
The system allows hunters to file reports over the phone using their license information and following voice prompts. Customers receive a harvest report confirmation number and email message once they have answered and completed a list of questions that are used by biologists to better manage the state’s wildlife resources.
“We’re always looking for ways to make our customer experience better and more convenient,” said Assistant Director Chris Chadwick. “The system will provide another option for our sportsmen and women to quickly file their harvest reports for most species on a platform they are already comfortable using.”
Hunters, who held deer, elk, antelope, turkey, oryx, ibex, Barbary sheep or javelina licenses may now utilize the automated phone system, report online or call the department’s information center to meet their mandatory harvest reporting requirements. Hunters may not utilize the automated phone or online systems to report bear, cougar and bighorn sheep harvests because they are required to present those species directly to the department for inspection. Trapping harvests must be reported online or by talking directly to a department customer service representative.
Reporting is mandatory and failure to report before the deadlines will result in rejection of all draw applications. Please refer to the 2017-18 Hunting Rules and Information guide for specific harvest reporting deadlines.
For more information visit online, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or call (888) 248-6866.
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Public urged to catch fish in the Santa Fe River before it goes dry
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 30, 2017:
Public urged to catch fish in the Santa Fe River before it goes dry
SANTA FE – An emergency salvage order allowing the public to harvest an unlimited amount of fish by any means from the Santa Fe River within the city limits from July 1 through July 3 has been issued.
The salvage order was requested by the city of Santa Fe as water flowing into the riverbed from upstream reservoirs will be insufficient to sustain fish. The salvage order will allow anglers to remove trout from the Santa Fe River before it runs dry.
The department had stocked hundreds of trout in the river for a June 17 children’s fishing derby. Anglers caught most of those fish, but some may remain in the river especially between Camino Cabra and Camino Alire.
Tackle regulations will be suspended during the salvage period that begins at 12:01 a.m. July 1 through 11:59 p.m. July 3.
Fish can be removed from the river using nets or by other means. Anglers ages 12 and older are required to have a state fishing license.
For more information visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Be bear aware during hot July 4 holidays
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 29, 2017:
Be bear aware during hot July 4 holidays
SANTA FE – Many people will be headed outdoors for a long holiday this weekend, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is reminding everyone to be aware of the greater chance of encountering bears and other native wildlife.
Bears have become more active recently as hot weather forces them to work harder and roam farther to find food and water, said Rick Winslow, the department’s bear and cougar biologist.
More young bears also are setting out on their own this summer following three years of good precipitation and high bear reproduction, Winslow said.
Residents of wildland-urban interface areas such as the foothills of Santa Fe and Albuquerque or rural portions of the state also may have a greater chance of encountering bears.
The department offers the following suggestions if you visit or live in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Never leave fruit from trees and bushes to rot on the ground as it is a powerful attractant to bears and other wildlife.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as high calorie treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 6 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site, 100 yards is recommended.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run.
- Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
For more information about living with bears in New Mexico please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us and consult the publication “Living with Large Predators.”
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Officers seize 17 illegal game animal heads during multiple search warrants in Farmington
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 to pick up dead heads, road kill or any skull with antlers attached.
The Department of Game and Fish encourages anyone with information about wildlife crimes to call Operation Game Thief toll-free at (800) 432-4263. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for rewards if information leads to charges being filed.
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Youth encouragement elk hunting licenses for sale
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 20, 2017:
Youth encouragement elk hunting licenses for sale
SANTA FE – Almost 1,900 youth, antlerless elk licenses will go on sale through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Online License System at 10 a.m. July 5.
The sale is designed to encourage youth hunting and includes almost 1,500 licenses for hunters using any legal weapon and 390 licenses for hunters using a muzzleloader or bow.
Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log in to their Online License System account at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Eligibility requirements:
- For the first 14 days, the sale is open only to N.M. resident youths who have applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, oryx or ibex and were not successful for any hunt. Please note that the purchase of a leftover draw hunt for deer counts as a successful deer application.
- Must have a valid Hunter Education certification.
- Must be under 18 years old on the opening day of hunt.
Beginning at 10 a.m., July 19, the sale will open to all eligible youths, regardless of residency, who did not draw a 2017-18 elk license, whether they applied or not.
Hunters must have a current Junior Game Hunting or a Junior Game Hunting and Fishing license prior to purchasing an elk license. Customers without a Game Hunting license will be directed to purchase one before continuing to the youth encouragement sale.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility.
Hunters planning to purchase a youth encouragement license must have completed all mandatory 2016-2017 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee will be refunded on rejected purchases. After eligibility is verified, licenses will be awarded to hunters and will be available to print and view within a few days of purchase. Licenses can be printed from any computer by logging in to an account and selecting “My Purchases” in the main menu.
For more information about the youth encouragement elk license sale, hunting in New Mexico, or for help logging in, please call customer service at (888) 248-6866. Youth encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone. For the list of available hunts please see the 2017-2018 Hunting Rules and Information booklet available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Buy Dad a license and take him fishing for Fathers Day
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 15, 2017:
Buy Dad a license and take him fishing for Fathers Day
SANTA FE – Instead of breakfast in bed this Fathers Day why not buy dad a license and take him fishing.
“I can’t think of a better gift for Father’s Day,” says Alexandra Sandoval, director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “Who wouldn’t want to spend a day outdoors fishing New Mexico’s waters?”
The fishing season began April 1 and angling conditions statewide couldn’t be better so why not visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, call the department’s Information Center, (888) 248-6866 or stop by a license vendor today and buy dad a license.
To find a good place to fish visit the fishing section of the department’s website and consult the weekly fishing and stocking report and family fishing locator.
Licenses purchased online or through the Information Center can be emailed, downloaded and printed. Information Center staff also can sell other licenses and answer general questions.
Fishing licenses cost $25 for state residents. Most anglers are required to purchase a $4 state habitat management and access validation stamp. Anglers intending to fish on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or U.S. Forest Service lands will need a $5 federal habitat stamp.
Resident military veterans or active duty service members receive a 50 percent discount off their fishing license and stamps.
Children under the age of 12 do not need a license to fish, and anglers age 70 and older qualify for a free license. Please consult the Fishing Rules and Information Booklet at www.wildlife.state.nm.us for more information. Printed versions are available at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish area offices and soon will be at license vendors statewide. For weekly angling and stocking reports please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Game Commission to meet June 22 in Ruidoso
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 13, 2017:
Game Commission to meet June 22 in Ruidoso
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet June 22 in Mescalero to consider numerous matters, including approval of the department’s fiscal-year 2019 capital outlay request.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 22, 2017, at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Mescalero Room, 287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero.
Other agenda items include:
- Adoption of a new Upland Game Rule.
- Proposed changes to the Fisheries Rule.
- Adoption of a rule amendment to the Aquatic Invasive Species Rule.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Special hunting skills camp offered at Wedding Cake Ranch near Clayton
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 8, 2017:
Special hunting skills camp offered at Wedding Cake Ranch near Clayton
CLAYTON – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is partnering with First in the Field to offer a free hunting, fishing and outdoors skills camp where youths will receive hands-on training.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 and older. The camp will be conducted June 22-25 at the Wedding Cake Ranch near Clayton. Meals and equipment are provided and participants will camp in tents at the ranch. Registration is underway. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 5 p.m. June 17 to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants will learn how to safely handle and fire shotguns, .22 rifles and pistols, practice archery with 3D targets, learn fishing skills with bait and flies, practice survival skills, orienteering, game trailing, wildlife observation and identification, trapping, camping, cooking and more under the supervision of department staff and volunteers.
To qualify for the camp, youths must have earned their hunter education certification online and register with an adult. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youths under 18 years of age first must successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information, please contact First in the Field, info@firstinthefield.org or the department’s Hunter Education Office, www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ or (505) 222-4731.
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Special oryx hunts available for injured servicemen and women
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 8, 2017:
Special oryx hunts available for injured servicemen and women
SANTA FE — Injured military service members can apply online beginning June 14 for an upcoming special drawing by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to award three special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range.
Applicants must be active-duty or veterans of the U.S. military who have a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran’s Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Significantly injured, active-duty military members also may apply and will need to submit supporting documentation to the department prior to the July 19 application deadline.
Applicants (except NMDGF Disabled Veteran card holders) are required to provide proof of eligibility prior to the July 19 application deadline.
Proof of eligibility may be emailed to specialhunts@state.nm.us or by postal mail with a postmark on or before July 19 to:
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Attn: Special Hunts
PO Box 25112
Santa Fe, NM 87504
The drawing is open to resident and nonresident eligible applicants who do not hold a current-year oryx license. Applications will be accepted only through the department’s online license system by clicking Injured Military Oryx Hunts in the main menu. Successful applicants will be notified by the department and must buy the appropriate license(s) and pay White Sands Missile Range’s access fee.
The hunts will be three days between Sept. 1, 2017, and March 31, 2018, with dates and areas to be determined by the successful applicants in coordination with White Sands Missile Range. These hunts will not be considered once-in-a-lifetime.
For more information visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us or contact the department’s Information Center at (888) 248-6866.
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Leftover deer and javelina licenses go on sale June 21
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 6, 2017:
Leftover deer and javelina licenses go on sale June 21
SANTA FE – Almost 350 deer hunting licenses and over 100 javelina licenses that were not allocated during the annual 2017-18 big-game drawing will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 21, only on the Department of Game and Fish website.
New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses during the first-come, first-served sale. License sales will be open only to residents for the first 24 hours. The sale will be opened to everyone, regardless of residency, at 10 a.m. June 22.
Important note for youth hunters: Because these are leftover draw licenses, purchasing a leftover deer license will render youth hunters ineligible to purchase a youth encouragement elk license during the first 14 days of the upcoming sale.
To be eligible to buy a leftover license, hunters are reminded that they previously must have purchased either a Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Those licenses, along with Habitat Improvement Stamps and Habitat Management Access Validations, also can be obtained through online accounts.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to obtain or review online customer accounts, including their Customer Identification Number, user name and password, and to be signed on to their account before the sale begins. Popular licenses often sell out in minutes, sometimes seconds, after sales begin.
Leftover licenses will be sold online only. Licenses and stamps can be printed from any computer by signing on to an account and selecting “My purchases.”
Hunters planning to purchase a leftover license also must have completed all mandatory 2016-2017 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on rejected purchases.
For more information about the leftover license sale or other Department of Game and Fish matters, please call the department’s toll-free information line, (888) 248-6866. Leftover licenses will not be sold over the phone, however.
Here is a list of available licenses:
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Free fishing derby on the Santa Fe River this Saturday
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:
Free fishing derby on the Santa Fe River this Saturday
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the City of Santa Fe are sponsoring a Kids’ Fishing Derby this Saturday on the Santa Fe River.
The event is for children 11-years old and younger from 7 a.m. to noon at Santa Fe River Park from Don Gaspar Avenue upstream to the Old Santa Fe Trail. No license required and there will be prizes for successful anglers.
The department will stock about 500 rainbow trout in the river for the event and staff will be available to provide information and instruction. Anyone who wishes to fish in that stretch of river can do so after noon, no license required as Saturday is free fishing day on all public waters in New Mexico. The daily bag limit is five trout with no more than 10 in possession. All other regular rules and regulations apply.
For more information please contact Carlos Sanchez at the Santa Fe Parks and Recreation Department, (505) 955-2146 or cmsanchez@ci.santa-fe.nm.us.
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Information sought on poached elk near Logan
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 are filed. Reports also can be submitted anonymously online at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/enforcement/operation-game-thief-overview/.
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Illegal possession of elk antlers leads to stiff fine
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 the animal’s skull and Aguirre was cited for illegal possession of game animal parts out of season. The 6X5 set of antlers also were seized.
“Shed antlers may be picked up year-round without a permit or license, but when we see antlers with the skull still attached in the back of a truck when there are no hunts for that species going on, we get suspicious,” said Conservation Officer Jordan Duncan of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Antlers that include any portion of the animal such as the skull plate or head must be accompanied by proof of legal possession, such as the original hunting permit or tag, Duncan said.
After the local district attorney’s office declined to prosecute the criminal case, Duncan filed it in magistrate civil court, where he won the judgement. Due to the trophy size of the elk head Officer Duncan was able to enhance the civil penalty to $4000.
Conservation officers may file a civil action in any court of jurisdiction for the trophy value of a game animal or bird provided that the evidence and information indicate that the game was killed or possessed out of season, taken with the aid of artificial light, taken without a proper license, exceeded the bag limit or resulted in waste of game.
“We’re glad the state will be reimbursed for the loss of this trophy elk,” Duncan said.
For more information about wildlife laws please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Annual Lake Roberts kid’s fishing derby features big Gila trout
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 30, 2017:
Annual Lake Roberts kid’s fishing derby features big Gila trout
LAKE ROBERTS – Head into the Gila National Forest Saturday, June 3 for the sixth annual Aldo Leopold Kid’s Fishing Derby at Lake Roberts.
Native Gila trout from the Mora National Fish Hatchery, including some record-breaking, retired brood stock will be put into the lake just before the derby, said Jill Wick, Gila trout biologist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Certified scales will be on site to officially weigh fish. The state record Gila trout, weighing 4 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 20-inches in length, was caught in the Gila River in 2007.
Lake Roberts is off N.M. 35 north of Silver City in southwestern New Mexico. The event will feature free fishing lessons and fishing rods and tackle for children to borrow. There also will be games and prizes for the kids. Although the fishing derby is for youths, the lake is open to fishing for anglers of all ages. June 3 is Free Fishing Day at public waters throughout New Mexico. No license is required, although bag limits and all other fishing regulations apply.
For more information, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Free fishing Saturday, June 3
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 30, 2017:
Free fishing Saturday, June 3
SANTA FE – Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Saturday, June 3, as the state celebrates National Boating and Fishing Week.
“This is a great time to take kids fishing and teach them a sport that will provide a lifetime of enjoyment,” said Eric Frey, sportfish program manager for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state Saturday, June 3, but everyone must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Kids can learn to fish at the annual, free fishing derby on the Santa Fe River at the intersection of East Alameda and Old Santa Fe Trail from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 3. Fishing rods, bait and instruction will be provided to those who need it. The river will be stocked with trout before the event. Prizes will be awarded to kids who catch fish.
In Grants, kids can learn to fish at the Riverwalk Pond downtown from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 3. The pond will be stocked with catfish and volunteers will provide equipment, instruction, lunch and prizes to participating children at no cost.
Lake Roberts in the Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico will be the scene of the sixth annual Aldo Leopold Kid’s Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 3. The lake will be stocked with native Gila trout including some record breaking ones. Volunteers will provide fishing lessons and loan equipment to children. Prizes will be awarded for top catches. The event is free to the public.
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Public comment sought on draft Environmental Assessment for construction of the Northwest Area Office
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 26, 2017:
Public comment sought on draft Environmental Assessment for construction of the Northwest Area Office
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Northwest Area Office project for construction of a new regional office in Albuquerque.
The EA analyzes potential effects on physical, biological, and cultural resources and socioeconomic conditions that may result from the implementation of the project. The EA also incorporates other federal, state, and local environmental policies and regulations and is prepared in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Environmental Policy Act Handbook.
The draft EA can be found on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us/public-comment. Comments can be sent to abqofficeproject@swca.com and must be received by June 26.
Printed copies of the draft EA can be obtained by writing the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, One Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507 to the attention of Isaac Cadiente, Environmental Compliance Specialist. For more information, please call (505) 476-8121.
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Cimarron River open for fishing
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 25, 2017:
Cimarron River open for fishing
SANTA FE – A closed section of the Cimarron River is open to angling again after restoration of the damaged area is complete.
A 1.5 mile stretch of the river off N.M. Highway 64 within the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area and Cimarron Canyon State Park was closed in December 2016 after a tanker truck overturned and spilled approximately 1,100 gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel into the river.
The area between mile marker 291 to the Perryville Fishing Access Area is open again to angling. “As a cautionary measure anglers should eat no more than three meals of fish per month from the spill area,” said Eric Frey, sportfish program manager for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
For more information about fishing New Mexico please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Big machinery moves in to save small, critical species
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
The Nature Conservancy
Tracey Stone, (602) 738-1586
tstone@TNC.ORG
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 25, 2017:
Big machinery moves in to save small, critical species
SILVER CITY – Huge machinery, backhoes, hard work and a lot of sweat will be part of a massive Mimbres River restoration project designed to save an imperiled fish found nowhere else in the United States and a frog that’s near extinction.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and The Nature Conservancy are joining forces in this effort to rebuild a robust population of the Chihuahua chub and enhance the status of Chiricahua leopard frogs. The work is happening on The Nature Conservancy’s Mimbres River Preserve in Grant County.
“We’re seeing great success from a similar project along the Mimbres and are excited to partner with The Nature Conservancy on this section of the Mimbres River,” says Mike Ruhl of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
For various reasons, the river channel has lost habitat complexity over the last 130 years. This change has increased water velocity during heavy rains, and reduced safe habitat for fish and frogs. Aquatic species took another hit on their home in 2013, when the Silver Fire burned the upper Mimbres River Watershed.
Directed by Game and Fish and Nature Conservancy specialists, heavy equipment will be used to clear pools of sediment and add places where fish can find more protected low-velocity flows. Workers also will use excavators and backhoes to move dirt and place large cottonwood logs and boulders to improve habitat for native fish and frogs.
“Imagine weighing two grams – less than a dime – in the face of racing floodwaters with nowhere to go,” says Martha Cooper, The Nature Conservancy’s Southwest New Mexico field representative. “This restoration project will offer Chiricahua leopard frogs much-needed safe refuge during high flows.”
Additionally, strategically placed rocks and root balls from dead trees will encourage the river to meander, enhancing Chihuahua chub habitat. As the river cuts into the banks, deep pools form. The fish need cool, slow-moving water to survive and reproduce. This work will help meet those needs.
Before the equipment moves in, Nature Conservancy and Game and Fish staff will spend several days relocating Chihuahua chub and Chiricahua leopard frogs to ensure their safety during construction. Both populations will be restored once the project is complete.
Work is scheduled to begin June 1 and the project will take three months to complete. The Mimbres River Preserve will be closed to public access the months of June, July and August while work is underway.
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Boat inspections prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: James Dominguez (505) 476-8163
james.dominguez@state.nm.us
Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 25, 2017:
Boat inspections prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species
SANTA FE –Boaters will encounter inspection stations at New Mexico lakes this summer as the battle to keep aquatic invasive species out of the state’s waters continues.
“The boating public’s cooperation has been essential in our fight to prevent destructive invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels from infecting our waterways,” said James Dominiguez, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Largely due to mandatory inspection stations, New Mexico remains free of zebra or quagga mussel infestation but is surrounded by states where the invasive species have taken root. The mussels can attach to boats and grow quickly, leading to encrusted equipment and clogged water pipes. Their spread also poses a risk to our native aquatic wildlife, hydroelectric power systems and surface water delivery lines used for municipalities and agriculture. Mandatory boat inspections are one way the state is working to educate the public and keep the invasive mussels out.
All boats are required to stop for inspection when check stations are in operation. All out-of-state boats or any boats re-entering the state must obtain an inspection prior to being launched or exposed to any water body in the state. The department, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and New Mexico State Parks, are manning inspection stations at most lakes this summer, including Navajo Lake, Elephant Butte, Ute, Bluewater and Conchas lakes.
Boaters are required to have their boats’ drain plugs pulled while trailered to allow water to drain. Keeping boats and related equipment clean, drained and dry is a primary means of combatting the spread of invasive mussels.
For more information on boat inspection locations and how you can help keep the state free of aquatic invasive species, please visit http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/ais.
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New game wardens graduate from Law Enforcement Academy
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 about a career as a conservation officer with the Department of Game and Fish please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Construction begins on new off-highway vehicle park near Farmington
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 5, 2017:
Construction begins on new off-highway vehicle park near Farmington
SANTA FE – Construction has begun on a new off-highway vehicle park in the Brown Springs area of the federal Bureau of Land Management’s Glade Run Recreation Area near Farmington.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish contributed $600,000 from the Trail Safety Fund for construction of the park, which will include a small riding track for youths, a skills training track, primitive camp sites, toilets and a pavilion. Off-highway motor vehicle registration and user fees support the Trail Safety Fund.
The Glade Run Recreation Area northeast of Farmington spans 19,000 acres and provides 42 miles of trails for use by motorized off-highway vehicles.
For more information, please contact the BLM office in Farmington at (505) 564-7600 or visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/new-mexico.
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Public comment sought on proposed changes to off-highway vehicle rules
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 4, 2017:
Public comment sought on proposed changes to off-highway vehicle rules
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed changes to off-highway vehicle rules. The proposed rule changes follow changes in state law governing off-highway vehicles made during the recent legislative session.
The current rule requires all operators and occupants riding an off-highway vehicle on permitted streets and highways to wear an approved safety helmet. The proposed rule change will require only those operators younger than age 18 to wear an approved safety helmet and to have a state issued license plate attached to any off-highway vehicle operating on approved streets and highways.
The proposed rule changes can be found on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Comments can be sent to matthew.seidel@state.nm.us and must be received by June 14.
Printed copies of the proposed rule changes can be obtained by writing to the Off-Highway Vehicle Program Manager, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, 3841 Midway Place N.E., Albuquerque, N.M. 87109. For more information, please call (505) 222-4728.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Tres Ritos near Mora
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Jennifer Morgan, (505) 222-4722
jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 4, 2017:
Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Tres Ritos near Mora
MORA – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 to 17 who are accompanied by a registered, responsible adult. It will be conducted the weekend of June 16-18 at the Boy Scouts Camp Tres Ritos near Mora. Meals are free and participants will camp out on the property. Registration opens May 10. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 5 p.m. May 19 to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification, game care and basic survival skills. Participants will learn from department conservation officers about their jobs including wildlife investigations, decoy operations and working with wildlife.
The Department is hosting the camp in partnership with the Safari Club International Foundation.
To qualify for the camp, youths must have an online account with the department, register with an adult and complete a homework requirement before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youths younger than age 18 must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the Department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information, please contact the Department’s Hunter Education Office at (505) 222-4731 or www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Public fishing on private ponds now available near Reserve
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 27, 2017:
Public fishing on private ponds now available near Reserve
RESERVE – Anglers now can fish at two spring-fed ponds on private property outside of Reserve under a new Open Gate lease negotiated by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
The ponds at Rancho Grande Estates off N.M. 180 about seven miles west of Reserve will be stocked by the department with trout and catfish and already have some bass and bluegill in them. A fishing license is required and normal tackle and bag limits apply.
“It’s really exciting for us and the community,” said Jennifer Swenson, who owns the property and the nearby Adobe Café and Bakery and Hidden Springs Inn. “The fishing is a real draw for some of our guests.”
The ponds traditionally had been open to the public for fishing but were closed many years ago because of liability issues, Swenson said.
Under the Open Gate program, private landowners receive limited liability protection, access payments and other benefits in exchange for providing free public access for hunting, fishing or trapping.
Open Gate leases are funded exclusively by hunters, anglers and trappers through the purchase of Habitat Management and Access Validation stamps.
Swenson said she is thrilled to provide the public access to the ponds once again and added that visitors can buy a fishing license at her nearby café.
For more information about the Open Gate program, please visit the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Game Commission to meet May 11 in Clayton
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 26, 2017:
Game Commission to meet May 11 in Clayton
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet May 11 in Clayton to consider numerous matters, including proposed hunting season dates and bag limits for upland game.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 11, at the Community Facility on Airpark Road at the Clayton Municipal Airport in Clayton.
Other agenda items include:
- Approval to provide two elk hunting licenses to nonprofit, wish-granting organizations for use by two individuals suffering from life threatening illnesses.
- Operational and capital outlay budget discussions for Fiscal Year 2018.
- Presentation of draft rule amendments to the Aquatic Invasive Species Rule.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Public comment sought on upland game rules
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 26, 2017:
Public comment sought on upland game rules
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on upland game hunting rules for the 2018 to 2022 seasons.
The department will present its initial proposals for the 2018-22 upland game seasons, including dates and bag limits, to the State Game Commission at its May 11 meeting at the Community Center on Air Park Road in at the Municipal Airport in Clayton.
Comments about upland game rules can be emailed to casey.cardinal@state.nm.us or sent by postal mail to Casey Cardinal, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, N.M. 87504.
The department’s proposal will be posted to the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, following the commission’s Clayton meeting.
A public meeting about the proposals will be conducted at: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Northwest Area Office, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 17, 3841 Midway Place, N.E., Albuquerque.
A final proposal, including consideration of public comments, will be presented to the State Game Commission at its June 22 meeting at the Inn of the Mountain Gods in Ruidoso.
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Citizen advisory committees to meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
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 26, 2017:
Citizen advisory committees to meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled statewide Habitat Stamp Program Citizens Advisory Committee meetings for 2017. Citizen advisors will prioritize Habitat Stamp-funded projects for 2018 and 2019. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the following regional Citizen Advisory Committee meetings:
- Southwest: 10 a.m. May 15, Gila National Forest office, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City.
- Southeast: 9 a.m. May 17, Central Valley Electric Cooperative, 1403 N. 13th Street, Artesia.
- Central: 9 a.m. May 18, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place N.E., Albuquerque.
- Northwest: 9 a.m. May 22, Carson National Forest office, 1110 Rio Vista Lane, Unit #2, Bloomfield.
- Northeast: 9 a.m. May 25, Santa Fe National Forest office, 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe.
The Habitat Stamp Program has an annual budget of $742,300 with the support of hunters, anglers and trappers who purchase a $5 stamp each year to participate in their sports on Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service managed lands.
In the 31-year life of the program more than $26 million has been raised through the sale of habitat stamps. The program has funded over 2,400 projects including terrestrial and riparian habitat improvements; water and shelter projects for wildlife; wildlife population and habitat surveys; wildlife translocations and aquatic habitat, fishing area and watershed improvements. The program also has funded projects to reduce human impacts on wildlife and improve overall public enjoyment of wildlife.
Since its inception, citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program including advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Appointed by the State Game Commission, citizens representing sporting, conservation and public-land permittee interests meet each spring to prioritize local habitat projects.
For more information about the Habitat Stamp Program, please contact Reuben Teran, (505) 476-8130, reubens.teran@state.nm.us or visit the Habitat Stamp Program website, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/habitat-information/habitat-stamp/.
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Monastery Lake to be closed Thursday, April 20
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 18, 2017:
Monastery Lake to be closed Thursday, April 20
SANTA FE – Monastery Lake near Pecos will be closed to the public from noon Thursday, April 20, through 6 a.m. Friday, April 21.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish leases the lake for public fishing from the Benedictine Monastery in Pecos. The owners requested that the lake be temporarily closed. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of other nearby fishing opportunities on the Pecos River and at Cowles Ponds where fishing habitat renovations have taken place as recently as last year.
Game wardens will monitor the lake during the closure and signs will be posted at the main gate. The angling public’s cooperation will be greatly appreciated. The lake will reopen to the public at 6 a.m. Friday, April 21.
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Be bear aware when out and about this spring
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 17, 2017:
Be bear aware when out and about this spring
SANTA FE – People and wildlife are getting outdoors more often now that spring has arrived, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is reminding everyone to be aware of the greater chance of encountering bears and other native wildlife.
Males and young, independent bears are emerging from hibernation this time of year and they will be out foraging and seeking territory of their own, said Rick Winslow, the department’s bear and cougar biologist. Sows with cubs will follow in May, while cubs born last winter that spent this winter with their mother soon will be setting out on their own as their mothers seek to breed again.
After three years of good precipitation following a long-running drought, bears will be very busy breeding and producing offspring, Winslow said.
Residents of wildland-urban interface areas such as the foothills of Santa Fe and Albuquerque or rural portions of the state may have a greater chance of encountering bears.
People are encouraged to call the department and report a bear that exhibits aggressive behavior. Bears that appear to be moving through the country should be left alone and there is no need to report them. Last year, several individuals were injured during encounters with bears.
The department offers the following suggestions if you visit or live in bear country:
- Never leave fruit from trees and bushes to rot on the ground as it is a powerful attractant to bears and other wildlife.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as high calorie treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 6 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site, 100 yards is recommended.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
If you encounter a bear:
- Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
For more information about living with bears in New Mexico please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us and consult the publication “Living with Large Predators.”
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Quickest draw ever! Big-game draw results available today
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 12, 2017:
Quickest draw ever!Big-game draw results available today
SANTA FE – Hunters who applied for New Mexico big-game licenses will know their draw results early this spring through to the Department of Game and Fish online license application system.
At 10 a.m. today, the department began sending emails to successful applicants and posting draw results to customer accounts on the department website, two weeks earlier than expected.
Unsuccessful applicants should receive refunds on credit cards beginning today and through their checking accounts within the next two weeks.
“The paperless online system is getting more efficient each year,” department Director Alexa Sandoval said. “We were able to process and audit all our applications sooner than anticipated, which means earlier draw results. For many hunters that’s like Christmas in April.”
The department received almost 190,000 applications for about 59,000 deer, elk, antelope, oryx, ibex, Barbary sheep and javelina licenses — an all-time application record and 8.3 percent increase over 2016.
Hunters can check their draw results by logging onto their customer account on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us beginning at 10 a.m. today. Results and assistance also will be available by phone at (888) 248-6866.
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Governor signs law defining rules for OHV use on paved roads
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 11, 2017:
Governor signs law defining rules for OHV use on paved roads
SANTA FE – Riders of off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) soon will have specific laws to follow when driving on paved New Mexico public roads, as stated in legislation signed by Governor Susana Martinez.
Senate Bill 51, sponsored by state Sen. Steven Neville, allows OHVs to be used on paved roads designated by city or state government officials, provided that the vehicle is equipped with legal headlights, taillights, mirrors and mufflers. OHVs that are driven on paved public roads also must have special license plates, issued by the Motor Vehicle Department for $7.
The new legislation takes effect July 1, 2017. It requires OHV operators who ride on paved roads to have valid New Mexico driver’s licenses or permits, vehicle insurance, and to observe speed limits and other requirements of motor vehicles under the state Motor Vehicle Code. While on paved roads, OHV operators must wear eye protection that complies with the Off-highway Motor Vehicle Act, and operators younger than age 18 must wear an approved safety helmet.
For more information about operating OHVs in New Mexico, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us and click on the OHV tab.
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Trophy poachers face stiffer fines, increased jail time
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 law.
“Over the last five years, I have worked closely with the department on this important legislation,” said Representative Alonzo Baldonado. “Our state’s conservation officers now have the added strength of this law to better protect New Mexico’s valuable wildlife resource for all citizens of New Mexico.”
The department also recognizes the invaluable support of Gov. Martinez, the State Game Commission and the many organizations and individuals that helped strengthen the state poaching law.
“We are pleased this bill was signed into law,” said commission chairman, Paul Kienzle. “Conserving New Mexico’s wildlife is our top priority and with these enhanced penalties our game wardens will have the tools needed to provide a greater level of protection.”
Game wardens with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish investigate up to 100 trophy poaching cases a year in which only the head or horns are removed and the rest the animal is left to rot. Hunters are required by law to utilize edible portions meat from harvested game animals.
For more information, please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. To report a poaching incident or other wildlife crime, please call the Department of Game and Fish toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline, 1-800-432-4263. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for rewards if charges are filed.
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USFWS approves N.M.’s State Wildlife Action Plan
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:
USFWS approves N.M.’s State Wildlife Action Plan
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish received notice the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially approved New Mexico’s State Wildlife Action Plan on Wednesday.
The plan was approved by the New Mexico State Game Commission last November and was submitted to federal administrators resulting in an initial release of $812,000 in State Wildlife Grant Program (SWG) funds and qualifies the department to continue receiving annual funds through 2025.
New Mexico’s State Wildlife Action Plan is a non-regulatory, science-based planning document that provides an inventory of species throughout the state in need of conservation, their habitats, potential threats and potential conservation actions. The department will use the plan to guide the preparation of SWG grant requests for projects beneficial to species in need of conservation.
For more information or to obtain a copy of the final State Wildlife Action Plan, please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Game wardens rescue snowbound motorists
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, MARCH 31, 2017:
Game wardens rescue snowbound motorists
SANTA FE – Game wardens rescued three men stranded in the mountains of northern New Mexico with no food or water after their truck got stuck in the snow on a remote forest road.
The men had gone for a drive in the nearby Santa Fe National Forest after attending a funeral March 27 in Abiquiu, said Conservation Officer Wyatt Harwell. The weather was warm and sunny when the men, one from California, another from Arizona and the third from Abiquiu, set out in a two-wheel-drive Dodge pickup truck. The group drove out of Abiquiu and into the forest on Polvadera Road, intending to emerge at the village of Cañones and return home on a paved highway.
The dirt forest roads were clear and dry until the men took a wrong turn and ended up on a seldom-traveled two-track road designated on maps as a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle route. The men descended a steep incline and tried to push through a snowbank at the bottom in hopes of reaching Cañones.
The truck got stuck and the men, two of whom were wearing shorts and light jackets, stayed inside the vehicle as night fell and it began to snow. The following day, two of the men walked out, leaving the California man behind as he was suffering from shortness of breath and dizziness. The men walked to an area where they found cell phone reception and called 911 for help, Harwell said.
Harwell and fellow game warden Logan Eshom were dispatched and discovered the two men walking along a snow-covered road. Harwell helped retrieve the pickup while Eshom drove the ill man out of the mountains to a waiting ambulance. The patient recovered quickly once he was out of the woods. He apparently had succumbed to the mountain altitude and stress, Harwell said.
Harwell suggested motorists always carry emergency supplies such as food, water, a sleeping bag, shovel and tire chains when venturing into New Mexico’s remote back country.
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Fishing season begins April 1; don’t forget your new license
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, MARCH 30, 2017:
Fishing season begins April 1; don’t forget your new license
SANTA FE – A new fishing season is approaching fast, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish would like to remind anglers to purchase a 2017-18 fishing license when they go on sale opening day, Saturday, April 1.
Licenses can be purchased 24 hours a day on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, during business hours at department offices and license vendors statewide, or by calling the department Information Center, (888) 248-6866. For anglers’ convenience, Information Center phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 1, giving everyone a chance to purchase a license on opening day.
The fishing license year runs April 1 to March 31. Anglers can buy a new license over the phone, online or from a vendor any time after 3:30 p.m., March 31. Hunters who purchased combination Game-hunting and Fishing licenses when applying for big-game licenses will be able to download and print their licenses after 3:30 p.m. March 31.
Licenses purchased online or through the Information Center can be emailed, downloaded and printed. Because fishing licenses don’t have a tagging requirement, anglers can download and display them on a smart phone or mobile device. Information Center staff also can sell other licenses and answer general questions.
Fishing licenses cost $25 for state residents. Most anglers are required to purchase a $4 state habitat management and access validation stamp. Anglers intending to fish on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or U.S. Forest Service lands will need a $5 federal habitat stamp.
Resident military veterans or active duty members receive a 50 percent discount off their fishing license and stamps.
Children under the age of 12 do not need a license to fish, and anglers age 70 and older qualify for a free license. Resident active and military veterans qualify for free or discounted licenses. Please consult the Fishing Rules and Information Booklet at www.wildlife.state.nm.us for more information. Printed versions are available at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish area offices and soon will be at license vendors statewide. For weekly angling and stocking reports please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding
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, MARCH 30, 2017:
Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program is accepting project proposals for the upcoming funding year.
The Share with Wildlife program funds projects up to $50,000 in four categories: habitat enhancement, biological and ecological studies, wildlife rehabilitation and wildlife education.
Topics of particular interest to the department for the funding year and details about the proposal format are listed in the Call For Project Information (CFPI) for FY (fiscal year) 2018 (July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) available at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/share-with-wildlife/ under the Applications-Reports tab.
Any questions about the application process and final project proposals should be submitted to Share with Wildlife Coordinator Ginny Seamster, virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
All proposals must be submitted electronically in a single .pdf or Microsoft Word file in either .doc or .docx format by 5 p.m. Mountain Time, Friday, June 2, 2017.
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Game Commission to meet April 5 in Artesia
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, MARCH 27, 2017:
Game Commission to meet April 5 in Artesia
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet April 5 in Artesia to consider numerous matters, including a legislative update and proposed hunting season dates and bag limits for migratory birds.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, at Central Valley Co-op, 1403 N. 13th Street, Artesia.
Other agenda items include:
- Consideration of a final recovery plan for Gould’s turkeys and Gila monsters.
- Update on development of public shooting ranges around the state.
- Presentation of proposed amendments to the Aquatic Invasive Species Rule.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Wednesday is deadline to apply for big-game hunting licenses
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 20, 2017:
Wednesday is deadline to apply for big-game hunting licenses
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is reminding hunters that Wednesday, March 22, is the deadline to apply for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, oryx, ibex, bighorn sheep, javelina and Barbary sheep licenses. The department expects more than 170,000 applicants for about 60,000 licenses.
Hunters must complete their applications before 5 p.m. MDT March 22. All applicants previously must have created an online account at onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Here’s how to apply:
- Online: Applicants can access or create accounts via the “Customer Login” link on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. From their account, applicants will select “Draw Hunt Applications” in the main menu and then will be prompted through license and application choices.
- By phone: Hunters without computer access or who need help applying can call toll-free, (888) 248-6866 and a department representative will submit an application for them. Applicants must have their hunt codes selected before calling. The information center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays until March 21. The center will close at 4:30 p.m. on deadline day, Wednesday, March 22, to allow representatives to help customers complete applications before the 5 p.m. deadline. Phone lines will be extremely busy as the deadline approaches, so applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Applicants who didn’t request a refund for their game-hunting license or decided to purchase a combination game-hunting and fishing license will be able to print them from their account when the license year begins April 1. Draw licenses can be printed after the draw results are released April 26. Licenses are no longer mailed except by request.
To be eligible for the draw, applicants who held deer, elk, antelope or turkey licenses for the 2016-17 seasons must have submitted a harvest report either online or through the information center and paid any applicable late fees by March 22. Applicants who held 2016-17 licenses for oryx, ibex, Barbary sheep, javelina and trapping must submit harvest reports by April 7. Failure to report before the deadlines will result in rejection of all draw applications.
Before applying, hunters are strongly encouraged to read the Rules and Information booklet, available online, from license vendors or at department offices in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell and Las Cruces, and to have their hunt codes selected if applying by phone. The department website also includes valuable information about how the draw works, application procedures, game-management unit maps, drawing odds and a “How to Apply” video.
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National Archery in the Schools tournament draws big crowd
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, March 13, 2017:
National Archery in the Schools tournament draws big crowd
ALBUQUERQUE – More than 800 archers competed at the sixth annual National Archery in the Schools (NASP) State Tournament March 11 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
“We had a great turnout and an awesome time,” said Brian Guzman, archery coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “Kids have really taken to this sport and our tournament is one of the best in the west.”
The tournament drew 840 archers and many friends and family that packed the convention center with close to 3,000 visitors, Guzman said.
Anne Rolsma of the Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (AIMS) scored 284 out of a possible 300 points to take first place among female high school competitors. Josiah Romero-Millowa, also of AIMS, was the top male high school archer with a score of 282.
In the middle school division, Aiden Krafft, of James Monroe Middle School, scored 287 out of 300 to lead the boys while Tanya Winters, of Los Lunas Middle School, scored 285 as the girls’ front runner.
In the elementary school division, Chloee Whitten, of Clovis Christian, was the top girls’ top scorer at 282 while Aden Berry, of Coronado Elementary School scored Score 269.
In team standings AIMS scored highest in the high school division with a total of 3278 out of a possible 3600 points while James Monroe Middle School won their division with a score of 3172. Clovis Christian school took first place in the elementary division with a top score of 2774.
The top ten boy and girl scorers in each individual division qualify to participate in the NASP Nationals in Kentucky in May. For complete list of tournament results please visit www.nasptournaments.org.
More than 100 public schools across New Mexico participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program and more join every year. Schools receive free training for instructors and the Department of Game and Fish provides 50 percent of the funding for each school to purchase archery equipment. It costs about $3,000 to outfit a school or organization with bows, targets, backstops and other equipment to get a program started. Many schools incorporate the program into existing physical education or after-school activities.
Federal funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes National Archery in the Schools Program possible. The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 dedicates federal excise taxes collected from manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment to national wildlife restoration programs, which include hunter education, shooting and archery programs in addition to wildlife surveys, transplants, and the purchase and management of wildlife management areas.
For more information about the National Archery in the Schools Program and how your school can get involved, contact Brian Guzman, archery coordinator for the Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4726 or brian.guzman@state.nm.us.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Philmont Scout Ranch
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, March 13, 2017 :
Special hunter education camp offered at Philmont Scout Ranch
CIMARRON – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 to 17 who are accompanied by a registered, responsible adult. It will be conducted the weekend of April 28-30, 2017 at the renowned Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Registration opens March 27. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 5pm, April 7, to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with the Philmont Scout Ranch and the Safari Club International Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants also can test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles, shotguns, and bows and arrows on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff.
To qualify for the camp, youths must have a Customer Identification Number account with the department, register with an adult and complete a homework requirement before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youth under 18 years of age must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information, please contact the department’s Hunter Education Office at 505-222-4731 or go online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
Public meetings scheduled on migratory bird rule proposals
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, March 13, 2017:
Public meetings scheduled on migratory bird rule proposals
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed migratory bird rules for next hunting season.
Proposals for the 2017-18 migratory bird hunting season including dates and bag limits can be seen on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. The department works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils to formulate proposals. Proposals are not considered final until they have been published in the Federal Register.
Public meetings about the proposals are:
- Roswell: 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 20, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Southeast Area Office, 1912 W. Second St., Roswell.
- La Joya: 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 22, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, Exit 169, Interstate 25, La Joya.
- Farmington: 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 27, Farmington Civic Center, 200 W Arrington St., Farmington.
- Las Vegas: 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 28, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge, N.M. 281, Las Vegas.
Proposals also can be requested by email, DGF-waterfowl@state.nm.us or by postal mail, Mason Cline, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, N.M. 87504.
Public comments must received by 5 p.m. March 30 to be included in the department’s recommendations to the State Game Commission at its April 5 meeting in Artesia. Comments can be emailed to DGF-waterfowl@state.nm.us. The department will continue to accept public comments until it makes it makes a final recommendation to the commission at its May 11 meeting in Clayton.
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Bighorn sheep captured and relocated to Cochiti Canyon
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, March 10, 2017 :
Bighorn sheep captured and relocated to Cochiti Canyon
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish captured 34 bighorn sheep this week at the Chevron Mine in Questa and transferred them to Cochiti Canyon to supplement the existing Jemez Mountains herd.
The bighorn sheep on mine property came from a herd at Wheeler Peak. Biologists wanted to move the sheep primarily to augment the Jemez Herd. They also wanted to reduce the number of sheep along N.M. 38 between Questa and Red River. Numerous sheep in recent years have been killed in traffic collisions on the rural highway. A motorcyclist also died in one of those crashes.
Most of the captured sheep where netted at a roadside site, said Nicole Quintana, the department’s big game program manager.
The captured sheep were released on U.S. Forest Service Land at Cochiti Canyon in the Jemez Mountains where an existing herd of about 45 animals was established in 2014 following the Las Conchas fire. The relocated sheep may move onto Cochiti Pueblo and Bandelier National Monument lands, Quintana said.
Cameron Gallegos holds on to a bighorn ram. Photo by Martin Perea NMDGF
To view a video of the bighorn sheep capture please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKHzZVnq5jo. For more information about the department please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Information center open extra hours to help hunters
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, MARCH 7, 2017:
Information center open extra hours to help hunters
SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish employees will be working extended hours and Saturdays this month to help hunters apply for big-game hunting licenses.
Information center hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays from March 11 through March 21. The Santa Fe office will assist walk-ins from noon to 5 p.m March 11 and March 18. The information center will close at 4:30 p.m. March 22. Online applications must be completed by 5 p.m. that day. All hours of operation are based on Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).
Rules and information about applying for 2017-2018 hunting licenses is available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Printed editions of Hunting Rules & Information booklets are available at department area offices and license vendors. For more information or help applying for licenses, please call the information center at (888) 248-6866. Please have hunt choices and other information ready before calling.
The application deadline for big game, including elk, deer, pronghorn antelope, Barbary and bighorn sheep, oryx, ibex and javelina is 5 p.m. March 22. Last season’s harvest reports for deer, elk, antelope and turkey must be submitted by that date and an $8 late fee will apply. Javelina, Barbary sheep, oryx, ibex and trapping license holders must report by April 7. Failure to report by these deadlines will result in rejection of all applications for this hunt season.
For more information about how to apply for licenses, please visit the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or see the instructional video on the department’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/NMGameandFish.
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Conservationists honored at Governor’s Special Hunt Auction and Awards Banquet
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, MARCH 6, 2017:
Conservationists honored at Governor’s Special Hunt Auction and Awards Banquet
ALBUQUERQUE – Some of New Mexico’s most accomplished and dedicated wildlife conservationists received special honors recently at the annual Governor’s Special Hunt Auction and Awards Banquet.
Sanford Schemnitz, a longtime professor at New Mexico State University, was presented the 2017 Governor’s Conservationist Lifetime Achievement Award. Schemnitz has dedicated his life to wildlife conservation, teaching and inspiring countless students toward conservation careers. His research and studies also contributed significantly to reintroductions of desert bighorn sheep and Gould’s turkeys to their historic ranges in New Mexico.
Stewart Liley, who in 10 years with the Department of Game and Fish rose from Elk Program manager to chief of the Wildlife Management Division, received the 2017 Director’s Wildlife Conservation Professional of the Year Award. Liley’s innovative approaches to wildlife management have led to more accurate estimates of the state elk population, improved methods to incorporate harvest data into game management plans, and a better understanding of elk calf mortality rates.
The New Mexico Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation was presented the 2017 Commissioners’ Wildlife Conservation Partnership Award, which recognizes the exemplary work by a Department of Game and Fish partner toward wildlife conservation in New Mexico. By providing the venue for the annual Bighorn Sheep Enhancement permit auction, the foundation has helped raise almost $5 million since 1990 for the department’s bighorn sheep programs. The foundation’s contributions were especially significant in the department’s successful efforts to restore desert bighorn sheep populations, removing the species from state threatened and endangered lists, and allowing more sports harvests every year.
The awardees received handmade bronze wildlife statues created by Santa Fe artists Colin and Kristine Poole.
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Fisheries biologist receives lifetime achievement award
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, MARCH 6, 2017:
Fisheries biologist receives lifetime achievement award
SANTA FE –New Mexico Department of Game and Fish fisheries biologist Marc Wethington has received a lifetime achievement award from the American Fisheries Society.
Wethington, a 21-year veteran of the department, received the society’s Fish Head of the Year Award at a recent meeting in Farmington. The award honors career achievement.
Wethington, 53, is a New Mexico Highlands University graduate and a Kirtland native. He has been stationed at the San Juan River below Navajo Dam his entire career. He has overseen numerous habitat improvement projects in the river designed to mitigate low water flows and maintain the high-quality trout fishery.
The world-renowned fishery boasts an estimated 70,000 trout averaging 16 to 18 inches in length occupying about four miles of river below the dam. It is widely regarded among anglers as one of the West’s top trout streams.
“It is an honor to have been recognized by my peers for the work that we’ve been able to accomplish here on the San Juan on behalf of all anglers,” Wethington said.
Wethington was lauded in award nomination letters for his depth of knowledge, strong work ethic and ability to forge positive working relationships.
“Anyone who fishes the San Juan knows what a great job he’s done keeping it special,” said Eric Frey, Sport Fish Program manager for the department. “He’s truly devoted his career to fulfilling that mission.”
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Donating a portion of tax refund supports wildlife conservation
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Zen Mocarski, (505) 476-8013
zenon.mocarski@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 3, 2017:
Donating a portion of tax refund supports wildlife conservation
SANTA FE – Supporting wildlife conservation in New Mexico is simple: Donate to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Share with Wildlife program.
It’s as simple as filling out line 2 on PIT-D, New Mexico Voluntary Contributions, on your state tax return, donating any portion of your refund.
In the past 10 years, Share with Wildlife has provided over $1.5 million for more than 100 projects intended to further the conservation and management of primarily non-game species that do not receive funding from other sources. The program has supported wildlife research, habitat enhancement, education and rehabilitation projects since 1981.
Share with Wildlife depends on donations from the public, which are matched with federal dollars to maximize the amount of money supporting New Mexico’s wildlife. All the money donated goes to funding program projects; none of it is used for program administration.
Those looking for other ways to support conservation can contribute through the department’s online licensing system, by purchasing a program vehicle license plate, or by printing off and mailing in a donation form available on the department Share with Wildlife website, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/share-with-wildlife/.
The Share with Wildlife license plates can be obtained by filling out an application for a wildlife artwork plate available on the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division’s website. It can also be purchased in person at an MVD office, but call ahead to make sure the plate is in stock.
For additional information, email Virginia Seamster at Virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
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300 cow elk licenses added to 2017-18 draw; residents only
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, MARCH 2, 2017:
300 cow elk licenses added to 2017-18 draw; residents only
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish has added 300 more hunting licenses for antlerless elk in Game Management Unit 34 in southeastern New Mexico to this year’s annual draw. Only New Mexico residents are eligible to apply for these licenses.
Applications currently are being accepted through the department online licensing system, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or by calling the Information Center, (888) 248-6866. Hunters who already have applied have the option of adding the new hunts to their applications by calling (888) 248-6866.
Licenses will be added to three hunts, all in the Sacramento Mountains east of Alamogordo in Game Management Unit 34:
- ELK-1-310 – Nov. 25-29, 400 licenses (up from 300). Any legal sporting arm.
- ELK-1-311 – Dec. 2-6, 400 licenses (up from 300). Any legal sporting arm.
- ELK-1-312 – Dec. 9-13, 400 licenses (up from 300). Any legal sporting arm.
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. March 22. The deadline to change applications by phone is 4:30 p.m. March 22.
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N.M. game warden recognized as Officer of the Year
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, FEB. 24, 2017:
N.M. game warden recognized as Officer of the Year
Cimbal received the award at the department’s third annual Governor’s Special Hunt Auction and Awards Banquet on Feb. 18 in Albuquerque. Cimbal, 36, currently is stationed in Albuquerque. He is a 12-year veteran of the department and holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science Policy and Management from State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Shikar Safari Club International annually presents awards to wildlife law enforcement officers in all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces and territories. The club is dedicated to the protection, enhancement and preservation of wildlife, with particular emphasis on endangered and threatened species through the promotion of enforcement of conservation laws and regulations.
Outdoor Adventures hunting and fishing show in Albuquerque this weekend
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, Feb 16, 2017:
Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show in Albuquerque this Weekend
ALBUQUERQUE – The annual New Mexico Outdoors Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show is back at the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque this weekend.
There’ll be plenty to see and do at this year’s event, hosted by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Visitors will see the latest equipment for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. New models of off-highway vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats and kayaks will be on display. And as always, outfitters, guides and conservation organizations will be on hand to offer their services and advice.
Admission is free to all licensed anglers, hunters and trappers. Youths younger than 18 get in free and it’s just $3 for everyone else.
The event will be Feb. 17-19 in the Manuel Lujan Building at Expo New Mexico on the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque. The show opens to the public from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, please visit the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Washington Ranch near Carlsbad
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, Feb. 13, 2017:
Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Washington Ranch near Carlsbad
CARLSBAD – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 to 18 who are accompanied by a responsible adult. It will be conducted the weekend of March 31 – April 2 at historic Camp Washington Ranch near Carlsbad. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Registration for the camp opens Feb. 27. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 5 p.m., March 8, to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with New Mexico Youth Conservation Foundation and Safari Club International Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants will test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles and archery on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff. A fishing skills clinic will also be included with no license required.
To qualify for the camp, youths must have a Customer Identification Number account with the department and complete the required homework before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youth under 18 years of age must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information please contact the Hunter Education Program, 505-222-4731 or www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Hunters: Don’t forget to file your mandatory harvest reports
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, FEB. 9, 2017:
Hunters: Don’t forget to file your mandatory harvest reports
SANTA FE – Mandatory harvest deadlines are fast approaching for hunters and trappers who held licenses for New Mexico’s 2016-17 seasons.
The deadline to file a free report for hunters who held 2016-17 deer, elk, antelope or turkey licenses is Feb. 15, 2017. After that date, an $8 late fee will apply. Hunters must report on or before the March 22 application deadline or their applications will be rejected from the big-game draws.
The deadline to report for those who held 2016-17 Barbary sheep, javelina, oryx, ibex, or trapping licenses is April 7, 2017. The later harvest-reporting deadline allows license holders for those species to submit results after the seasons have closed.
Hunters and trappers can file their mandatory harvest report online at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us by logging in to their account and clicking “Harvest Reporting” in the main menu. Reports also can be submitted by phone toll-free at (888) 248-6866 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The department encourages hunters and trappers to keep their confirmation number for their records and to update their account information and provide a valid email address so they can receive important information, confirmation emails and receipts from the department.
License holders must file a report, even if they did not hunt or trap. Failure to file a mandatory harvest report on time will result in rejection of all big-game applications.
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Pronghorns captured and relocated to Santa Ana Pueblo and southeastern New Mexico
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, FEB. 3, 2017:
Pronghorns captured and relocated to Santa Ana Pueblo and southeastern New Mexico
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish captured 135 pronghorns on a private ranch near Cimarron this week and relocated 40 to Santa Ana Pueblo and 66 to Bureau of Land Management property in southeastern New Mexico.
The operation allowed the department to remove excess pronghorns from the Express UU Bar Ranch near Cimarron to augment herds in other parts of the state. Twenty-five of the captured pronghorns were bucks released back onto the ranch.
The department uses a helicopter to herd pronghorns into a funnel-shaped, fenced area where staff on foot then drive them into an enclosed corral. Individual animals are caught by hand and processed for transport or release. Veterinarians oversee and assist department biologists during the effort.
At least a third of the pronghorns sent to southeastern New Mexico were equipped with radio collars, which will allow department biologists to track their survival. Significant habitat improvements have been made in the area to support more pronghorns, said Orrin Duvuvuei, the department’s deer and pronghorn biologist.
Pronghorns released at Santa Ana Pueblo are part of an ongoing effort between the department and the pueblo to re-establish pronghorns on historic rangeland along the Interstate-25 corridor between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. If the herd grows substantially, the pueblo tribal council may in the future consider granting a limited number of public hunting permits.
For more information about the department and wildlife management, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Bighorn sheep biologist awarded prestigious honor
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, JAN. 27, 2017:
Bighorn sheep biologist awarded prestigious honor
SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish bighorn sheep biologist Eric Rominger has been inducted into the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Wild Sheep Biologist’s Wall of Fame.
Rominger, Ph.D., is a 22-year veteran of the department. He received the honor Jan. 18 at the foundation’s annual convention in Reno, Nev.
Rominger, 61, has been instrumental in the department’s bighorn sheep recovery program, said Elise Goldstein, assistant chief of the department’s Wildlife Management Division.
“He is a leader in his field, a wonderful person and very deserving of this honor,” Goldstein said.
New Mexico’s desert bighorn sheep population was nearly wiped out by market hunting, domestic livestock diseases and mountain lion predation. Fewer than 70 animals remained statewide by 1980, prompting New Mexico to add the desert bighorn to its endangered species list.
Today, transplanting efforts and cougar control have helped establish herds across southern New Mexico. By 2011 there were enough desert bighorn sheep in the state to enable their removal from the state endangered species list.
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep had disappeared from New Mexico by the early 1900s. But the animals have since rebounded through efforts by the department with funds from hunters and conservation groups.
Hundreds of bighorn sheep have been transplanted across the state to establish herds while mountain lions have been brought under control to limit predation losses.
For more information about hunting for bighorn sheep in New Mexico, please visit the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Gould’s turkey and Gila monster recovery plans available for public review and comment
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, JAN. 27, 2017:
Gould’s turkey and Gila monster recovery plans available for public review and comment
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish recovery plans for Gould’s turkeys and Gila monsters are available for public review and comment.
The plan is on the department website, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/home/public-comment/. It also can be obtained by contacting John Bulger, the department’s recovery coordinator, (505) 476-8106 or john.bulger@state.nm.us.
Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. Feb. 22, 2017.
Gould’s turkeys live in the Sierra San Luis, Animas and Peloncillo Mountains of New Mexico’s Bootheel region. Gila monsters have been found in portions of Grant and Hidalgo counties. The recovery plans outline strategies to maintain viable populations of these species and their habitats within the state.
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New 2017-2018 hunting rules and information booklet available
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, Jan. 11, 2017:
New 2017-2018 hunting rules and information booklet available
SANTA FE – Rules and information about applying for 2017-2018 hunting licenses are now available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The booklet includes information hunters need to apply for and purchase big-game, trapper and upland game licenses and permits. Hunters are encouraged to review season dates, application deadlines and other information before applying for licenses or going afield.
The department will begin accepting online applications at 10 a.m. Jan. 11. The application deadline for bear and turkey permits is 5 p.m. Feb. 8. The application deadline for big-game licenses is 5 p.m. March 22. Hunters need to file all mandatory harvest reports from last season’s hunts to be eligible for the 2017-2018 draw.
New this year is an opportunity to draw a premiere statewide deer and elk hunt. Also new are extended seasons and over-the-counter licenses for javelina. Now included in the draw are hunts for elk and turkey on the Valles Caldera National Preserve. And hunters now can share all or part of their harvest through the Hunters Helping the Hungry program.
For more information please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us or contact the department’s Information Center, (888) 248-6866.
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Game Commission to meet Jan 12 in Santa Fe
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, Jan. 5, 2017:
Game Commission to meet Jan 12 in Santa Fe
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Jan. 12 in Santa Fe to consider numerous matters including presentation of a draft recovery plan for Gould’s turkeys and Gila Monsters.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, in the Santa Fe Community College boardroom, 6401 Richards Ave., Santa Fe.
Other agenda items include:
- Presentation for approval of a final recovery plan for white-tailed ptarmigan.
- Consideration of proposed 2017 -2018 migratory birds hunting season dates and bag limits.
- Update on the Gold King Mine spill.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Tips sought in bighorn poaching case off N.M. 518 near Sipapu ski area
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, Dec. 28, 2016:
Tips sought in bighorn poaching case off N.M. 518 near Sipapu ski area
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is requesting the public’s help in identifying suspects involved in the poaching of a bighorn sheep off N.M. 518 near Comales Campground on Dec. 22.
A bighorn sheep was killed that morning sometime between 9:20 a.m. and noon on the hillside off the east side of the highway just above the pull off where a blue Adopt-a-Highway memorial sign dedicated to Sonny James Marquez stands. The pull-off is between mile markers 55 and 56 and just after the bridge crossing the Rio Del Pueblo while traveling north toward Penasco from the Sipapu ski area between Taos and Mora in northern New Mexico. Investigating officers are seeking information about any vehicles parked at the pull off or people on foot in the area at the time.
A reward is being offered in this case. 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 are filed. Reports also can be submitted anonymously online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/enforcement/.
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Farmington conservation officers recognized for service at Navajo Lake State Park
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, Dec. 28, 2016:
Farmington conservation officers recognized for service at Navajo Lake State Park
SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers from the Farmington district received recognition for their assistance at Navajo Lake State Park last year.
Conservation officers conducted joint patrols with state park rangers in search of alcohol impaired boaters, checked angler licenses and commercial guide equipment and assisted with crowd control throughout the year.
“Their support went above and beyond what was expected and contributed to the overall success of Navajo Lake State Park last year,” said Christopher Smith, superintendent of Navajo Lake State Park.
Sgt. Matt Anthony said the department’s five Farmington district officers spend a lot of time conducting law enforcement and public outreach efforts at the park, home of the San Juan River and a very popular boating and fishing destination.
“We’re honored to have been recognized,” Anthony said.
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State Wildlife Action Plan approval results in release of federal funds
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, Dec. 16, 2016:
State Wildlife Action Plan approval results in release of federal funds
SANTA FE – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has provided $812,000 in State Wildlife Grant Program funds to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish following the New Mexico State Game Commission’s recent approval of a revised State Wildlife Action Plan.
The commission approved the plan at its Nov. 17 meeting in Grants. It was then submitted to federal administrators resulting in the release of funds earmarked for the department.
New Mexico’s State Wildlife Action Plan provides an inventory of species throughout the state in need of conservation, their habitats and any threats to them. It is used by federal officials to provide grants to states for projects beneficial to species in need of conservation.
Since the 2002 the department has used annual proceeds from the program to fund 150 grant proposals and conservation projects around the state. For more information please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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White-tailed ptarmigan recovery plan available for public review and comment
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, DEC. 7, 2016:
White-tailed ptarmigan recovery plan available for public review and comment
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish recovery plan for the white-tailed ptarmigan is available for public review and comment.
The plan is on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. It also can be obtained by contacting John Bulger, the department’s recovery coordinator, (505) 476-8106 or john.bulger@state.nm.us.
Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. Dec. 20, 2016.
The white-tailed ptarmigan is the smallest member of the grouse family and lives above timberline in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is listed as endangered under the New Mexico Wildlife Conservation Act. The recovery plan outlines strategies to maintain viable populations of the species and its habitat within the state.
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Public invited to Tres Piedras shooting range groundbreaking
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, DEC. 6, 2016:
Public invited to Tres Piedras shooting range groundbreaking
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites the public to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for a public shooting range under construction at the department’s Tres Piedras Wildlife Management Area at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12.
The shooting range is about 3.5 miles east of Tres Piedras off U.S. 64 and about 2 miles south of the highway. Signs will be posted for the ceremony. The 200-yard State Game Commission-owned primitive range will be surrounded by earthen berms and feature several concrete shooting stations.
Some members of the State Game Commissioners may attend the ceremony but will not be formulating public policy, rules, regulations or taking any action on department-related business. Refreshments will be provided by Amigos Bravos. For more information, please visit the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Tipsters help bust poacher
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, DEC. 1, 2016:
Tipsters help bust poacher
SANTA FE – A poacher has been convicted based on an anonymous tip provided to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Operation Game Thief hotline.
Cody Davis, 37, of Dickinson, N.D., recently pleaded no contest before Bernalillo Magistrate Delilah Montano-Baca to unlawful hunting, killing and possession of a deer during a closed season and waste of game.
Davis, formerly of Lindrith, was ordered to pay $432 in court fees and donate $3,000 to the Operation Game Thief fund. His jail sentence was deferred upon successful completion of 90 days unsupervised probation. Game and Fish will also seek civil restitution for the loss of the trophy-sized buck.
Department conservation officers began investigating Davis following a Dec. 8, 2015, anonymous call to the hotline about a headless deer carcass rotting near Lindrith in Rio Arriba County. The caller accused Davis of killing it.
The case remained unsolved until March 2016 when another anonymous tip came in suggesting where Davis might have hidden the mule deer’s head.
June 7, officers watched as Davis picked the head out of some thick brush alongside N.M. 95 north of Lindrith and then headed toward Bernalillo. Davis was observed dumping the head into the Rio Grande from the N.M. 550 bridge. Officers and fisheries staff with diving equipment recovered the evidence.
“This case is a perfect example of someone doing the right thing and making a call to OGT and it resulted in the successful prosecution of a case,” said Capt. Ty Jackson, a conservation officer with Game and Fish.
Anyone with information about any wildlife crimes is urged to call the department’s 24-hour toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline, (800) 432-4263. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for rewards if charges are filed. Reports also can be submitted anonymously online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ogt.
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Game wardens find motorist stranded overnight on remote forest road
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, DEC. 1, 2016:
Game wardens find motorist stranded overnight on remote forest road
RUIDOSO – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish game wardens helped save a 63-year-old Alto woman stranded overnight in her car on a remote, rugged road in the Lincoln National Forest.
The driver recently got lost while traveling in a 2013 Chevrolet sedan on Forest Service Road 496 near the Capitan Mountains Wilderness. While traversing the rocky road she punched a hole in her oil pan and then got stuck in a sandy wash. The woman called 911 on her cell phone and state police radio dispatchers determined her general location, but then her cell phone battery died. Searchers couldn’t find her that evening and she spent the night in her car without food, water or her medications.
The next day, game wardens familiar with the remote area, Sgt. Benjamin Byrd and Conservation Officer Travis Nygren, were called in to help and they found the woman and brought her out to safety. The woman was treated for dehydration at a local hospital and later released.
Officer Nygren suggested motorists should always carry emergency supplies such as food, water, extra medications and a sleeping bag while exploring New Mexico’s back country.
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Southeast New Mexico is your best bet for quail
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Zen Mocarski, (505) 476-8013
zenon.mocarski@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Nov. 23, 2016:
Southeast New Mexico is your best bet for quail
SANTA FE – Those ready for a challenging hunt may want to dust off a shotgun and head to southeastern New Mexico in search of quail.
Quail season runs from Nov. 15, 2016 to Feb. 15, 2017. There is a total bag limit of 15 per day and 30 in possession, except for Montezuma quail, which is five per day and 10 in possession.
“I continue to receive information suggesting above-average numbers of quail in southeast New Mexico,” said Casey Cardinal, turkey and upland game biologist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “Both bobwhite and scaled quail numbers are up after a high reproduction year in 2015.”
Additionally, she said spring reports of Montezuma quail in the Sacramento, Capitan and San Mateo Mountains were encouraging.
Statewide, however, Cardinal said quail hunting should be average.
“The spring began on a positive note because the majority of quail overwintered fairly well,” she said. “Hot temperatures, mixed with below-average spring and summer precipitation reduced the hopes of another above-average production year.”
Ross Morgan, the Game and Fish northwest area public information officer, said the area north and west of Jal up to Maljamar consistently produces a good number of quail and there is a good amount of BLM and state land to hunt.
“Another great place that produces a good number of birds is the BLM and state land south of Hope,” Morgan said. “The area from Las Cruces west to Lordsburg and north to Hatch is always worth exploring.”
For more information on quail hunting, visit the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Flagrant poaching case results in 10-year revocation
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Zen Mocarski, (505) 476-8013
zenon.mocarski@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Nov. 23, 2016
Flagrant poaching case results in 10-year revocation
SANTA FE – An investigation that spanned more than two years and led to the filing of 26 poaching charges has resulted in a decade-long revocation, just the second time this has occurred in New Mexico’s history.
The State Game Commission revoked the hunting, fishing and trapping privileges of Esequiel Mascarenas, 36, of Las Vegas, N.M., for 10 years. He and a partner, Nick Jaramillo, now deceased, were the subject of an investigation that began in January 2012. A search warrant was served later that year and culminated in charges being filed in 2014.
Mascarenas was found guilty of killing deer out of season, exceeding the bag limit of deer, use of artificial light while hunting and three counts of possession of deer out of season. During the execution of the search warrant, conservation officers discovered five deer skulls, two whole freshly killed deer, deer and antelope capes and two elk skulls. They also documented a Remington 700 model rifle with a scope and an Excalibur crossbow with scope in the car.
Game and Fish conservation officers began investigating Mascarenas and Jaramillo in early 2012 after receiving an anonymous tip to the Operation Game Thief hotline. A search warrant was obtained allowing officers to track Mascarenas’ vehicle, which was being used in the poaching activities.
On the night he was caught, Mascarenas and another man, Benjamin Arguello, 38, from Las Vegas, drove approximately 300 miles and shot three deer, killing two. The deer were shot in three separate counties, including one deer that was shot with a crossbow in downtown Cimarron behind the historic St. James Hotel.
Charges were filed in Colfax, Harding, San Miguel and Mora counties.
After the case concluded in the courts, the State Game Commission handed down its decision.
“It was satisfying to catch them,” said Capt. Ty Jackson, one of the conservation officers who worked the case. “This is an example of a true poacher. This was for the sole purpose of personal gratification and bragging rights.”
“This is not representative of the hunting community,” Jackson said. “This is definitely one of the most egregious acts of poaching I’ve ever seen”.
Anyone with information about any of these 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 are filed. Reports also can be submitted anonymously online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ogt.
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Six new game wardens graduate from law enforcement academy
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, Nov. 18, 2016:
Six new game wardens graduate from law enforcement academy
SANTA FE – Six New Mexico Department of Game and Fish game wardens graduated from the San Juan County Criminal Justice Training Authority Law Enforcement Academy in Farmington Thursday.
The department’s graduates of the 16-week law enforcement training academy are:
- Logan Eshom of Capitan and a graduate of New Mexico State University.
- Barkley McClellan of Lubbock, Texas and a graduate of Texas Tech University.
- Lonie Morales of Cuba and a graduate of Adams State University in Colorado.
- Trevor Nygren of Carlsbad and a graduate of New Mexico State University.
- Isaih Reynolds of Kurtistown, Hawaii and a graduate of Western New Mexico University.
- Garrett Silva of San Angelo, Texas and a graduate of San Angelo State University.
Two officers from this year’s graduating class had noteworthy accomplishments. Eshom earned the title of class valedictorian while McClellan earned the academy’s “Top Shot” award.
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.
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 about a career as a conservation officer with the Department of Game and Fish please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Department of Game and Fish resumes stocking winter trout waters
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, Nov. 21, 2016:
Department of Game and Fish resumes stocking winter trout waters
SANTA FE – Anglers can catch trout all winter long as the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has resumed stocking its winter trout waters.
Every fall, the department switches from stocking catfish in the summer to trout in the winter at popular fishing waters such as Tingley Beach and the drains in the Rio Grande valley around Albuquerque and at many lakes and ponds in the southern half of the state. Catfish thrive in warmer water while trout prefer it much cooler, and these waters are ideal for this kind of stocking program.
“Winter’s a great time of year to enjoy southern New Mexico’s warmer weather and the great trout fishing found there,” says Eric Frey, sportfish manager for the department.
Some great spots to fish for trout in the winter include Alto Lake and Grindstone Reservoir near Ruidoso. Lake Roberts, Bear Canyon and Bill Evans Lakes in the Gila National Forest region are fabulous fishing destinations. Oasis Lake State Park near Portales and Lake Van in Dexter provide excellent fishing and scenery in the southeastern part of the state. Alumni Pond in the heart of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces can be a fun place to fish, while Tiger Park Lake outside of Aztec provides an excellent setting for fishing, Frey says. For a complete list of winter trout waters and more information about them, including maps for the Albuquerque drains, please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The department stocks an estimated 17,000 trout a month in its winter trout waters. Tingley Beach, also called Conservancy Park, and the drains around Albuquerque are stocked weekly, including some bigger trout. Most winter trout waters are found south of Interstate 40. See the department’s weekly stocking report at www.wildlife.state.nm.us for information about where and when winter trout waters are stocked. The website also features helpful articles about fishing.
Anglers ages 12 and older need a fishing license, available by calling the department’s customer service line, (888) 248-6866. A license also can be purchased online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or from vendors such as bait and tackle shops and sporting goods stores.
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New Mexico game wardens rescue horseback rider injured in back country
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, NOV. 18, 2016:
New Mexico game wardens rescue horseback rider injured in back country
CHAMA – Game wardens helped rescue Randy Van Zant, a 64-year-old Chama area man thrown from his horse while riding in a remote, rugged area of the Humphries Wildlife Management Area.
Van Zant suffered a badly broken arm and had to be airlifted from the field after it was determined that he couldn’t be transported across rough terrain by vehicle.
The man’s horse apparently spooked at the sight of a trailside stone marker and threw the man to the ground during a Nov. 3 outing.
“Apparently the horse didn’t know what it was and jumped sideways and the rider spun in the other direction,” said New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Conservation Officer Mark Bundren. “He fell on his arm. The break wasn’t through the skin, but you could see the break. It was bad.”
A fellow rider sought help from Bundren, the department’s Chama area officer, who responded to the remote scene accompanied by fellow game warden John Zamora, a Rio Arriba County deputy and local emergency medical technicians in an ambulance. It was determined based on the man’s medical condition and the rough terrain that a helicopter was the best way to extract the injured rider.
Van Zant later was treated and released from a Durango, Colo. hospital and is recovering nicely, Bundren said. The department’s estimated 10,000-acre Bill Humphries Wildlife Area is about 10 miles west of Chama off U.S. 64 and is a popular wildlife and scenic viewing area open to licensed hunters, anglers, trappers and those with a valid department issued habitat stamp.
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Nominations Sought for NM’s Excellence in Wildlife Conservation Awards
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, Nov. 15, 2016:
Nominations Sought for NM’s Excellence in Wildlife Conservation Awards
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is soliciting nominations for its Excellence in Wildlife Conservation awards to be presented Feb. 18 at the Governor’s Special Hunt Auction & Banquet at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque.
The awards are in recognition of outstanding achievements and contributions to wildlife conservation in New Mexico. The public is invited to submit nominations in the following categories:
Governor’s Conservationist Lifetime Achievement Award
The Governor’s Conservationist Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a distinguished individual who has made a contribution of lasting significance to the benefit of New Mexico’s wildlife. Nominees should be individuals whose lifelong efforts have been dedicated to conserving New Mexico’s wildlife for future generations.
Commissioner’s Wildlife Conservation Partnership Award
The Commissioner’s Wildlife Conservation Partnership Award recognizes an organization that promotes wildlife conservation in New Mexico. Nominees should be organizations that have made significant contributions of their time and skills through volunteer services or financial resources to further the mission of the Department of Game and Fish — “To conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico using a flexible management system that ensures sustainable use for public food supply, recreation and safety; and to provide for off-highway motor vehicle recreation that recognizes cultural, historic, and resource values while ensuring public safety.”
Director’s Wildlife Conservation Professional of the Year Award
The Director’s Wildlife Conservation Professional of the Year Award recognizes a Department of Game and Fish employee who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to wildlife conservation in New Mexico. Nominees should be department professionals whose work inspires others and benefits the department’s wildlife conservation efforts. These contributions may include noteworthy research, innovative approaches to wildlife conservation, excellence in developing outstanding outreach programs, successful application of conservation principals or exemplifying the conservation officer concept.
How to Nominate
Nominations should include a submission of a letter of no more than 1,500 words explaining why the nominee is deserving of the award, along with the nominee’s curriculum vitae or biography.
Questions and nominations will be accepted by email only at: DGF-2016awards@state.nm.us.
The deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 31, 2017. Awards are to be presented during the 2017 Governor’s Special Hunt Auction & Banquet, 6 p.m. Feb. 18, 2017 at Expo New Mexico’s Creative Arts Building on the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque.
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Game Commission to meet Nov. 17 in Grants
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, NOV. 7, 2016:
Game Commission to meet Nov. 17 in Grants
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Nov. 17 in Grants to consider numerous matters, including presentation of the State Wildlife Action Plan for approval.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, at New Mexico State University, Martinez Hall, 1500 N. 3rd St., Grants.
Other agenda items include:
- Presentation of public comments of proposed changes in the fisheries rule regarding adding a section of catch-and-release fishing in the Chama River.
- Presentation about adding another bighorn sheep season for the San Andres Mountain Range.
- Recommendation of application deadline dates for 2017/2018 season special hunts.
- Consideration of a list of volunteers selected to serve on regional Citizen Advisory Committees to review proposed Sikes Act funded projects around the state.<
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dick” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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New bear-resistant dumpsters should reduce conflicts
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, OCT. 27, 2016:
New bear-resistant dumpsters should reduce conflicts
LOS ALAMOS – A routine call from the Los Alamos Medical Center resulted in the purchase of 13 bear-resistant dumpsters to be placed at 10 locations throughout the city.
The medical center initially contacted the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish about a problem with bears visiting dumpsters at the facility. Following a site visit, Game and Fish personnel contacted Los Alamos County regarding similar issues.
“The bears had become regular visitors and we were concerned about the bears and potential issues with people,” said Carlos Branch, director of plant operations at the medical center. “We anticipate the new dumpsters will minimize interactions with bears and other animals that climb into the containers and pull out trash. This will dramatically reduce litter and risk.”
Angelica Gurule, environmental services manager for the county, said locations were identified around Los Alamos that involved a lot of food waste.
“The community is happy about getting these dumpsters in place,” she said. “We’ve had issues with bears dragging trash into the canyons and making a mess.”
Dangerous encounters are possible when bears become habituated to humans.
“This will help address the public safety concern,” said Bob Osborn, assistant chief of private land programs for Game and Fish. “Human-wildlife conflicts often don’t end well for wildlife. Hopefully this will encourage bears to forage naturally in the wild and not rely on garbage dumpsters as a source for food.”
The deal to get the dumpsters has been finalized and they’ll be put in place before bears begin searching for food in the spring. Osborn said the $31,500 cost of the project will be split between the department, county and medical center.
The bear-resistant dumpsters feature heavy metal lids with two smaller access doors for people to use. The lid releases when a truck picks up a dumpster and locks back in place when it is set down.
For more information on living in bear country, visit the Game and Fish website www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Meeting scheduled on proposed Rio Chama catch-and-release fishing section
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, OCT. 20, 2016:
Meeting scheduled on proposed Rio Chama catch-and-release fishing section
HERON LAKE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Heron Lake State Park Visitor Center to discuss a proposal designating 3.5 miles of the Rio Chama below El Vado Dam as a catch-and-release water with tackle restrictions.
The proposal stems from public comments received about the department’s recently updated statewide fisheries management plan. The proposal and plan can be viewed and comments submitted on the department’s website, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/commission/proposals-under-consideration/.
Department staff will provide information about the proposal at the meeting and accept comments for consideration by the State Game Commission at an upcoming meeting.
The 1.5-mile stretch of the river just below the dam and flowing past Cooper’s El Vado Ranch would not be affected by the proposed rule change.
For more information, please contact Kirk Patten, the department’s assistant chief of fisheries, (505) 476-8054 or kirk.patten@state.nm.us.
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Late-season archery elk licenses available Oct. 26
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, OCT. 12, 2016:
Late-season archery elk licenses available Oct. 26
SANTA FE – There will be 275 first-come, first-served late-season bull elk archery hunting licenses on sale beginning Oct. 26 on the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website.
The sale will begin at 10 a.m. and will be open only to New Mexico residents for the first 24 hours, after which any remaining licenses will be available to everyone. Only hunters who did not hold a 2016-2017 elk license are eligible. The bag limit for the late-season hunts is one bull elk with antlers having at least six points on one side.
Hunters are advised to obtain an online customer account or review their existing account, including user name and password, before the sale begins. The sale is online-only and hunts normally sell out seconds after becoming available.
Available licenses include: Game Management Unit 12, Nov. 19-23, 25 licenses; Unit 34, Dec. 17-21, 200 licenses; and Unit 37, Dec. 3-7, 50 licenses.
Special restrictions for elk harvested in Unit 34 can be found on page 81 of the current New Mexico Hunting Rules and Information booklet. To review the regulations or purchase a hunt, visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
To be eligible to buy a license, hunters must previously have purchased either a Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Those licenses, along with Habitat Improvement Stamps and Habitat Management Access Validations, also can be obtained through online accounts.
Hunters planning to purchase a license must have completed all mandatory 2015-2016 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee will be refunded on rejected purchases.
The department makes late-season elk licenses available as biologists assess annual population and harvest information, regional herd management objectives and additional harvest needs.
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Game Commission to meet Oct. 5 in Las Vegas, N.M.
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, SEPT. 26, 2016:
Game Commission to meet Oct. 5 in Las Vegas, N.M.
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Wednesday, Oct. 5, in Las Vegas, N.M., to consider numerous matters, including proposed fishing rules changes.
Please note the commission will meet on Wednesday instead of a Thursday, the day it normally meets.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, at New Mexico Highlands University, Adele Ilfed Auditorium, 800 University Avenue, Las Vegas.
Other agenda items include:
- Update on hunter education program initiatives.
- Update on negotiations with the State Land Office for public access to hunt, fish and trap on State Trust Lands during the 2017-18 season.
- Update on proposed shooting range developments.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dick” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Trout in Classroom program helps teacher win top award
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, Sept. 23, 2016:
Trout in the Classroom program helps New Mexico science teacher win presidential award
FARMINGTON – Cindy Colomb has used the Trout in the Classroom program for years to teach her sixth-grade science students about biology, and it just helped her win a presidential award.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish supports Trout in the Classroom projects around the state by providing trout eggs, technical assistance and staff for classroom presentations and field trips.
Colomb and three other New Mexico teachers recently received a highly coveted Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
The Trout in the Classroom program, pioneered by Trout Unlimited, allows students to raise trout in their classrooms and later release them into the wild. The students learn biology and other science-related subjects during the process.
Colomb said students in the Farmington area are very interested in trout due to the local angling culture generated by the nearby trophy-class trout fishery, the San Juan River.
“In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see one my students working as a biologist for Game and Fish someday,” she said.
Volunteers from the San Juan Fly Fishing Federation and the department routinely work with Colomb and her students at Hermosa Middle School. They sponsor field trips to the San Juan River each year, where students release their trout and spend the day learning about fly-fishing, insects, wildlife and the environment. There are now seven teachers at three different Farmington area schools conducting Trout in the Classroom projects this year, said Cpl. Brad Ryan, the department’s Farmington based conservation officer.
Colomb has been a middle school science teacher with the Farmington School District for 15 years. She said she was thrilled to be recognized for her work at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
For more information about the Trout in the Classroom program, please contact Dennis Segura, sport-fishing, aquatic education coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, dennis.segura@state.nm.us or (505) 476-8119.
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Raton receives 650 new bear resistant trash dumpsters
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, Sept. 23, 2016
Raton receives 650 new bear resistant trash dumpsters Bear Resistant Dumpster
RATON – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the City of Raton have installed 650 bear-resistant trash dumpsters to discourage bears from frequenting the town in search of food.
“The collaborative project has been a huge success,” said Scott Berry, Raton’s city manager. “The new containers have provided numerous benefits, including decreased operating costs associated with cleanup, a cleaner city and a healthier environment for the area’s wildlife.”
The department partnered with the city to buy the custom-built dumpsters and contributed about $382,500 to the effort. The city provided another $213,000, said Bob Osborn, the department’s assistant chief of private lands programs.
Bears have been raiding Raton’s trash dumpsters for years and the department frequently was called to deal with them. The city came up with a bear-resistant trash dumpster design that worked with its trash collection vehicles. The city and department pitched in to get them built and distributed.
“This is a good example of how we can work with communities to address wildlife issues in a mutually beneficial manner,” Osborn said.
Residents can find instructions on how to operate the new dumpsters on the city’s website, www.ratonnm.gov. For more information on living in bear country, please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Free Fishing Day Saturday, September 24
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, SEPT. 22, 2016:
Free fishing this Saturday
SANTA FE – Fishing is free, no license required, this Saturday, Sept. 24, on all public waters in New Mexico.
Residents and nonresidents can fish without a license, but must abide by all other fishing rules and regulations. Please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us for the 2016-2017 Fishing Rules and Information booklet.
For information about where to fish and what to use, consult the department’s weekly fishing and stocking report. Maps of public fishing waters, lists of where to find family-friendly fishing and tips on how to fish also can be found on the department website. For more information, please contact the department’s Information Center, (888) 248-6866.
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Leftover sandhill crane and pheasant hunt permits available Sept. 21
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, SEPT. 19, 2016:
Leftover sandhill crane and pheasant hunt permits available Sept. 21
SANTA FE – Leftover sandhill crane and pheasant hunting permits will be available for sale at 10 a.m. MDT Sept. 21 on the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website. Available permits are:
- One, youth-only, pheasant hunting permit for the Bernardo Wildlife Area on Oct. 22.
- Nine, youth-only, pheasant hunting permits for the W.S. Huey Wildlife Management Area on Dec. 3.
- Forty-three sandhill crane hunting permits for the southwest hunt area from Oct. 29 to Nov. 6.
- Fifteen sandhill crane hunting permits for the southwest hunt Jan. 7 and 8, 2017.
Customers purchasing leftover permits must have a game-hunting license and stamp(s) prior to hunting. Crane hunters also must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
Information about sandhill crane hunts is available in the department’s 2016-2017 migratory game bird supplement, page 11. Information about the special pheasant hunts is available in the department’s 2016-2017 hunting rules and information booklet, page 131. Both can be viewed on the department’s publications page at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
New Mexico residents will get first shot at the permits during the first-come, first-served sale. Permit sales will be open only to residents for the first 24 hours. The sale will be opened to everyone, regardless of residency, at 10 a.m. Sept. 22.
Leftover permits will be sold online only. Permits, licenses and stamps can be printed from any computer by signing on to an account and selecting “My Purchases.”
Hunters planning to purchase a leftover permit also must have completed all mandatory 2015-2016 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The application fee will not be refunded on rejected purchases.
For more information about the leftover permit sale or other Department of Game and Fish matters, please call the department’s toll-free information line, (888) 248-6866. Leftover permits will not be sold over the phone, however.
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Chronic wasting disease found in McGregor Range deer
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Lance Cherry: (505) 476-8003
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 19, 2016:
Chronic wasting disease found in McGregor Range deer
SANTA FE – Five deer harvested in the McGregor Range area of southern New Mexico during the 2015-16 hunting season have tested positive for chronic wasting disease, the Department of Game and Fish announced.
Hunters who harvested those deer have been notified of the test results. Forty hunters who drew licenses for 2016-17 hunts on the range will be notified and advised of procedures to present their harvested deer for testing.
First discovered in New Mexico in 2002, chronic wasting disease has only been found in the state’s southern hunting units. To date, 42 deer and 8 elk have tested positive for the disease. Tissue samples were obtained from hunters who presented their harvest for testing, at check stations during hunts, and from the department’s live-capture efforts.
Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease found in deer, elk and moose which is fatal in these species. It belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or prion diseases. The disease attacks the brains of infected deer, elk and moose, causing the animals to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior, lack coordination and eventually die.
It is recommended hunters avoid eating meat from deer and elk that appear sick or that have tested positive for chronic wasting disease. However, no known transmission to humans has been documented through the consumption of meat from an animal that has tested positive.
The department has designated all of Game Management Units 34, 28 and 19 as Chronic Wasting Disease Control Areas. As the department continues to monitor the disease, hunters must observe special rules pertaining to the handling and transportation of animal carcasses.
Department rules allow hunters who take a deer or elk within a control area to transport only certain portions of the carcass outside the boundaries of the Game Management Unit from which it was taken. Those portions include:
- Meat that is cut and wrapped, either commercially or privately.
- Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached.
- Meat that has been boned out.
- Hides with no heads attached.
- Clean skull plates with antlers attached. Clean is defined as having been immersed in a bath of at least one part chlorine bleach and two parts water, with no meat or tissue attached.
- Antlers, with or without velvet, attached to skull plate with no meat or tissue attached.
- Upper canine teeth, also known as “buglers,” whistlers,” or “ivories.”
- Finished taxidermied heads and hides.
Hunters can assist the department in its chronic wasting disease research and tracking efforts by submitting deer or elk heads for testing within 48 hours of harvest at a field-testing station within a control area. Hunters who harvest deer or elk can submit heads for testing at any department office. Participating hunters will be entered into a special drawing for transferrable elk or oryx licenses.
For more information about chronic wasting disease, the drawing, or a field-testing station location, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us or call the department at (888) 248-6866.
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State list of threatened and endangered species available for public comment
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, SEPT. 2, 2016:
State list of threatened and endangered species available for public comment
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Biennial Review of the status of all state-listed, threatened and endangered wildlife species.
The Biennial Review process determines whether a state-listed wildlife species should maintain its current status or be moved from threatened to endangered or endangered to threatened. Adding or removing species from the state list is a separate process.
Listing decisions are based on biological and ecological factors. Social, economic and political considerations noted during the review can be considered in the implementation of conservation and recovery actions after the species is listed. The Wildlife Conservation Act contains no provisions for critical habitat, habitat regulation or other restrictions regarding state-listed wildlife except to prevent direct taking of endangered species.
The department will accept public comment on the Biennial Review for 14 days starting Sept. 5, 2016. The review is available on the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
For a printed version of the review or for more information, please contact John Bulger, terrestrial recovery coordinator, john.bulger@state.nm.us or (505) 476-8106.
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Bass fingerlings stocked at Elephant Butte and other lakes
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, SEPT. 2, 2016:
Bass fingerlings stocked at Elephant Butte and other lakes
ELEPHANT BUTTE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish recently stocked over 100,000 fingerling bass in Elephant Butte Lake and put another 80,000 in numerous lakes around the state.
The young bass were obtained from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park’s Miles City Fish Hatchery, said Kevin Gardner, warmwater fisheries supervisor for the department.
Some of the largemouth bass were stocked in Alto Lake near Ruidoso, where it is expected they will grow to prey upon an unwanted population of discarded goldfish living there. They also will provide anglers with improved fishing opportunities in the area, Gardner said.
An estimated 6,200 bass from the same shipment went to Bill Evans Lake, another 20,000 were stocked in Ute Lake and Clayton Lake received about 8,800 of the fingerlings. Maxwell and Springer lakes got about 14,000 fish while Stubblefield Lake received about 30,000 of the young bass.
The stockings should help supplement natural bass reproduction that has been reduced in recent years due to drought-related low water levels at those lakes, Gardner said.
The fingerlings stocked at Elephant Butte Lake will find new homes amid habitat improvement projects recently installed by department staff and local volunteers. Those improvements include recycled and submerged Christmas trees and sunken “spider blocks” made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and concrete. Also installed were floating islands with young trees that can be inverted to provide habitat for fish among the branches and leaves.
A group of concerned bass anglers from the area brought their boats and gathered at sunrise to assist in the stocking at Elephant Butte Lake State Park. Park staff also were on hand to oversee and participate.
“All of this would not have been possible without the help of partnering states and the volunteers,” Gardner said. “It’s always great to see our partners turn out to take part in something they value and enjoy.”
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Hunters Helping the Hungry program kicks off this season
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, SEPT. 1, 2016:
Hunters Helping the Hungry program kicks off this season
SANTA FE – Hunters can donate deer and elk meat this year to help feed the hungry under a new program run by Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico.
Hunters can drop off fresh, clean, properly stored elk or deer meat at any of 11 approved meat processors statewide. The program pays processing costs and distributes the ground meat to soup kitchens and others for use in prepared meals.
“This is a great way for hunters to share their bounty with those in need,” said Bob Osborn, assistant chief of private land programs for the department. “We hope hunters will support this program by giving generously.”
The Department of Game and Fish provided seed money and organizational assistance to help the program get started. Roadrunner Foodbank will manage the program, conduct fundraising and distribute meat donations.
Those who donate cash or meat to the program can receive a receipt for charitable deduction purposes.
A list of approved game processors where hunters can donate meat can be found on the food bank’s website, www.rrfb.org/take-action/donate-food/hunters-helping-the-hungry/. Financial donations to fund the program also can be made through the website.
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Free family fun at Outdoor Expo Aug. 20-21
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, AUG. 16, 2016:
Free family fun at Outdoor Expo Aug. 20-21
ALBUQUERQUE – If you’ve wanted to learn to shoot a firearm, catch a fish, try archery or paddle a kayak, visit the Department of Game and Fish’s annual New Mexico Outdoor Expo, a free family event at the City of Albuquerque Shooting Range Park, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 20 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 21.
All equipment for use during the event is provided free.
Shooting ranges staffed by certified instructors await participants wanting to learn or polish skills at .22-caliber rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzleloader or archery events. Inside air-conditioned tents, department wildlife biologists will be available to answer questions about wildlife species, hunting and fishing opportunities and more.
Those interested in fishing will find helpful staff and volunteers on hand to teach the basics of casting, knot and fly tying and the use of bait and lures. Visitors can experience the thrill of catching and releasing a live fish from artificial ponds. A 5,000-gallon aquarium full of sport fish will provide spectators the opportunity to see how they react to lures trailed through the water.
Guests can experience the thrill of duck hunting from a blind, try rock climbing or kayaking and can throw an atlatl at three-dimensional animal targets.
Exhibit halls will feature a variety of display exhibits by sporting and conservation organizations and information booths staffed by several state and federal conservation agencies.
Guests should bring cash as there will be plenty of great food and beverages to buy from vendors. A map of the event can be downloaded at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
To get to the Albuquerque Shooting Range Park from Albuquerque, take Interstate 40 west to the top of Nine-mile Hill, exit and drive 4.2 miles north on Atrisco Vista, turn left at the park sign and drive 2.6 miles to the shooting range.
For more information about the event, please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Deadline is Aug. 24 to apply for special sandhill crane and pheasant hunts
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, AUG. 16, 2016:
Deadline is Aug. 24 to apply for special sandhill crane and pheasant hunts
SANTA FE – The deadline to apply for sandhill crane and pheasant draw hunts is 5 p.m. Aug. 24.
Applications can be made online at the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or over the telephone with the department’s information center, 1-888-248-6866.
Information about sandhill crane draw hunts is available in the department’s 2016-2017 migratory game bird supplement, page 11. Information about pheasant draw hunts is available in the department’s 2016-2017 Hunting Rules and Information booklet, page 131. Both can be viewed on the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Printed versions are available at the department’s area offices and most license vendors.
Successful applicants must have a game hunting license and applicable stamp(s) in addition to their draw permit. Successful sandhill crane applicants also must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Gorham Scout Ranch near Chimayo
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Jennifer Morgan, (505) 222-4722
jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 16, 2016:
Special hunter education camp offered at Gorham Scout Ranch near Chimayo
CHIMAYO – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 to 17 who are accompanied by a registered, responsible adult. It will be conducted the weekend of Sept. 16-18 at the Gorham Scout Ranch near Chimayo. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Registration opens Aug. 24. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 5 p.m. Sept. 2 to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with Gorham Scout Ranch and Safari Club International Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants also can test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles, shotguns and bows and arrows on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff.
To qualify for the camp, youths must have an online account with the department, register with an adult and complete a homework requirement before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youths younger than age 18 must successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information, please contact the hunter education program, (505) 222-4731 or www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Game Commission to meet Aug. 25 in Rio Rancho
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, Aug. 12, 2016:
Game Commission to meet Aug. 25 in Rio Rancho
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Aug. 25 in Rio Rancho to consider numerous matters, including revisions to the State Wildlife Action Plan.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Sandia Ballroom, 1771 Rio Rancho Blvd. S.E., Rio Rancho.
Other agenda items include:
- The department will provide an update on proposed shooting range developments.
- Update on negotiations with the State Land Office for public access to hunt, fish and trap on State Trust Lands during the 2017-18 season.
- Presentation of the department’s 2018 fiscal year budget for consideration and approval.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dick” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Revised State Wildlife Action Plan available soon
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: Matt Wunder (505) 476-8118
matthew.wunder@state.nm.us
Media contact: Karl Moffatt (505) 476-8007
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Aug. 1, 2016:
Revised State Wildlife Action Plan available soon
SANTA FE – A revised draft of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish State Wildlife Action Plan will be available for public review and comment beginning Aug. 2.
The document serves as the blueprint for planning and implementation of the department’s wildlife and habitat conservation initiatives over the next 10 years. It can be viewed and downloaded from the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/state-wildlife-action-plan.
A printed version of the plan can be obtained by contacting Matt Wunder of the department’s Ecological and Environmental Planning Division, (505) 476-8118 or matthew.wunder@state.nm.us.
Comments about the plan can be submitted to the department by email, DGF-comments.swap@state.nm.us or by regular mail:
Matt Wunder
Ecological and Environmental PIanning Division
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
P.O. Box 25112
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Comments must be received by Aug. 31 to be considered for use in the final document. For more information, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Game and Fish, archery coordinator, honored by NASP
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: Information Center, (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Zen Mocarski, (505) 476-8013
zenon.mocarski@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 28, 2016:
Game and Fish, archery coordinator, honored by NASP
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and its archery coordinator, Brian Guzman, once again have been honored for the state’s National Archery in Schools Program.
July 27, Guzman and the department received the Gold Medal Award for the nation’s highest percentage increase in school participation, and another award for surpassing the 100-school mark at the program’s coordinators conference in Lexington, Ky.
In April, Guzman received the Meeting Hero Award from the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau for bringing business into the community when Game and Fish hosted the New Mexico State Championship Tournament at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
The National Archery in Schools Program began in 2002 in Kentucky and New Mexico joined the effort in 2008. In eight years, school participation in New Mexico has grown to include approximately 120 schools with a goal of adding 15 more in the next year.
Guzman said the award represents a commitment by the department and many volunteers to build a successful program.
“This feels great,” he said. “I was shocked. Hitting over 100 schools is remarkable. I accepted the award, but receiving it is a reflection of the dedication of many people who helped make this program a success.”
The success of the program was reflected at the state championships, which attracted 51 teams and 829 participants.
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Cloudcroft homeowner kills bear attacking dogs
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, JULY 23, 2016:
Cloudcroft homeowner kills bear attacking dogs
CLOUDCROFT – A man shot and killed a bear after it attacked two of his dogs outside his home Thursday.
The adult female bear had two cubs which were captured at the scene and placed in the care of Dr. Kathleen Ramsay, an Española area veterinarian specializing in rehabilitating sick and injured wildlife.
The incident occurred when the man’s wife heard her two small dogs barking and went outside to discover two cubs on her patio, said New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Conservation Officer Marcelino Peralta.
The startled cubs bawled out for their mother who then came running around the corner. The woman fled into her house, but her two small dogs slipped out the open door. A fight ensued between the adult bear and the dogs, during which the woman attempted to scare the bear away. The woman’s husband arrived armed with a .22-caliber pistol and fired a single shot in the bear’s direction, Peralta said.
The bear ran off and collapsed about 40 yards away, dead from an apparent gunshot wound, Peralta said. One of the cubs was found near the house and the other was found in a tree.
“This is a very unfortunate incident,” Peralta said. “The homeowner reacted in defense of his dogs.”
The homeowners kept a clean yard, free of typical bear attractants such as bird feeders, compost piles or barbecue grills, Peralta said. But the home is in a sparsely populated rural area bordered by forest land that is home to many bears and other wildlife.
The two bear cubs will join two other orphan cubs being cared for by Dr. Ramsay. Each cub will cost approximately $6,000 to rehabilitate for future release into the wild.
The Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation provides financial and logistical aid to help rehabilitate wild animals of New Mexico. For more information or to make a donation to help rehabilitate these bear cubs, please visit the foundation online at www.landofenchantment.org, email info@landofenchantment.org or send correspondence to P.O. Box 957, Santa Cruz, NM 87567.
Here are some ways to protect yourself and help bears survive if you live in or visit bear country.
If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile. - Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
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Citizen advisors needed for Habitat Stamp Program
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact:Reuben Teran (505) 476-8130
ReubenS.Teran@state.nm.us
Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 22, 2016:
Citizen advisors needed for Habitat Stamp Program
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is seeking individuals to serve as volunteer citizen advisors to the Habitat Stamp Program.
Advisors review and provide guidance to the department about proposed projects, planning documents and program direction.
Advisors are appointed by the New Mexico Game Commission to serve on one of five committees around the state. Committees are composed of seven members. Members are selected to represent sporting and nonsporting conservation and public-land grazing permittee interests. Advisors serve three-year terms. The terms of current members expire Dec. 31.
Those who intend to hunt, fish or trap on lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management must purchase a $5.00 Habitat Stamp along with the appropriate license. Proceeds from stamp sales are used to fund wildlife habitat improvement projects throughout the state.
Advisors meet with federal and state biologists each winter to discuss current habitat conditions, regional habitat plans and future habitat projects. They meet again in the spring to recommend projects to fund. Advisors also can attend optional field trips during the summer.
The commission is scheduled to appoint 35 new citizen advisors at its meeting Nov. 17 in Grants.
Those applying to serve will be evaluated upon:
- Availability to attend meetings and participate in program activities.
- Familiarity with the program and wildlife conservation or habitat restoration activities.
- Knowledge of public lands and habitats.
- Qualifications to represent a particular constituent group.
To apply, please visit http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/habitat-information/habitat-stamp/. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 31, 2016. For further assistance, please contact Reuben Teran, (505) 476-8130 or ReubenS.Teran@state.nm.us. For more information about the department and its programs please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Game and Fish officers and inspectors busy over July 4 weekend
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, July 7, 2016:
Game and Fish officers and inspectors busy over July 4 weekend
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish worked lakes and streams in an effort to help the public stay safe over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Department officers made over 4,100 contacts with the public statewide and issued over 250 citations, including 161 for fishing without a license and another 121 for off-highway vehicle violations.
Department inspectors, partners and contractors also checked about 2,500 watercraft for aquatic invasive species and decontaminated 21 vessels at numerous lakes around the state over the holiday.
“We appreciate the boating public’s patience and cooperation in this continuing effort to keep our state’s waters free of aquatic invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels,” said James Dominiguez, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the department.
Inspectors at Navajo, Ute, Bluewater, Elephant Butte, Farmington and Conchas lakes conducted watercraft inspections and found 21 from out of state and that had not been drained and dried as required in New Mexico. Those watercraft were decontaminated on site and allowed to launch.
Largely due to mandatory inspection stations, New Mexico remains free of zebra or quagga mussel infestation but is surrounded by states where the invasive species have taken root. The mussels can attach to boats and grow quickly, leading to encrusted equipment and clogged water pipes. Their spread also poses a risk to our native aquatic wildlife, hydroelectric power systems and surface water delivery lines used for municipalities and agriculture. Mandatory boat inspections are one way the state is working to educate the public and keep the invasive mussels out.
All boats are required to stop for inspection when check stations are in operation. All out-of-state boats or any boats re-entering the state must obtain an inspection prior to being launched or exposed to any water body in the state. The department, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, New Mexico State Parks and the city of Farmington are manning inspection stations at most lakes this summer, including Navajo Lake, Elephant Butte, Ute, Bluewater, Conchas and Farmington.
Boaters are required to have their boats’ drain plugs pulled while trailered to allow water to drain. Keeping boats and related equipment clean, drained and dry is a primary means of combatting the spread of invasive mussels.
For more information on boat inspection locations and how you can help keep the state free of aquatic invasive species, please visit http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/fishing/fishing-regulations/aquatic-invasive-species/.
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Game wardens save family stranded on island at Abiquiu Lake
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 30, 2016:
Game wardens save family stranded on island at Abiquiu Lake
ABIQUIU – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish officers rescued a Santa Fe family of six left stranded on an island at Abiquiu Lake after their boat swamped during an outing Tuesday.
The two adults and four children were saved after New Mexico State Police radio dispatch received a distress call by cellphone from the family that evening. The department’s game warden stationed in Espanola, Wyatt Harwell, responded to the call with his powerboat and two other officers. The officers found the stranded family and loaded them onboard. They also drained the family’s boat and towed it back to the boat ramp.
“The parents did a great job of getting the kids to a safe spot when they realized the boat was taking on water,” said Harwell. “Thanks to some quick thinking by the parents, this event resulted in a positive outcome, instead of a tragic incident.”
Department officers stationed in districts with lakes often respond to these kinds of cases as part of their Conservation Officer duties. For more information about the department visit our website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Youth encouragement elk hunting licenses for sale
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 30, 2016:
Youth encouragement elk hunting licenses for sale
SANTA FE – More than 1,900 youth, antlerless elk licenses will go on sale through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Online License System at 10 a.m. July 6.
The sale is designed to encourage youth hunting and includes almost 1,500 licenses for hunters using any legal weapon and 450 licenses for hunters using a muzzleloader or bow.
Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log in to their Online License System account at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ARE:
- For the first 14 days, the sale is open only to N.M. resident youths who have applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts for deer, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, oryx or ibex and were not successful for any hunt. Please note that the purchase of a leftover, draw hunt for deer counts as a successful deer application.
- Must have a valid Hunter Education certification.
- Must be under 18 years old on the opening day of hunt.
Beginning at 10 a.m., July 20, the sale will open to all eligible youths, regardless of residency, who did not draw a 2016-17 elk license, whether they applied or not.
Hunters must have a current Junior Game Hunting or a Junior Game Hunting and Fishing license prior to purchasing an elk license. Customers without a Game Hunting license will be directed to purchase one before continuing to the youth encouragement sale.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility.
Hunters planning to purchase a youth encouragement license must have completed all mandatory 2015-2016 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee will be refunded on rejected purchases. After eligibility is verified, licenses will be awarded to hunters and will be available to print and view within a few days of purchase. Licenses can be printed from any computer by logging in to an account and selecting “My Purchases” in the main menu.
For more information about the youth encouragement elk license sale, hunting in New Mexico, or for help logging in, please call customer service at (888) 248-6866. Youth encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone. For the list of available hunts please see the 2016-2017 Hunting Rules and Information booklet available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Department of Game and Fish employees lauded for their work
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 30, 2016:
Department of Game and Fish employees lauded for their work
SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish employees were recognized for outstanding job performance at a recent meeting of the State Game Commission in Santa Rosa.
Employees of the department’s six fish hatcheries were recognized at the commission’s June 23 meeting for their combined effort to provide plenty of fish for anglers to catch. Also noted was a new hatchery program which produces bigger trout that has proven popular with many anglers. Roddy Gallegos, the department’s assistant chief of fisheries, was recognized for his leadership and oversight of hatchery staff implementing the program.
Other employees recognized for outstanding job performance in their fields were:
- George Farmer, a wildlife specialist and conservation officer in Roswell, for his efforts with lesser prairie chicken conservation, including habitat restoration, water development, fencing and native grass restoration on State Game Commission properties.
- Michaela Wolfe, a financial specialist with the department’s Information and Education Division who in her first year on the job attained certification as a procurement officer, hunter education instructor and off-highway vehicle instructor.
- Allen Perez, a conservation officer stationed in Hobbs, for his work as a certified police training and field training instructor, hunter education and fishing skills instructor and wildlife habitat improvement project leader.
For more information about the department, please visit www.widlife.state.nm.us.
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Game and Fish and Texas Tech Collaborate on research project
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Zen Mocarski, (505) 476-8013
zenon.mocarski@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 29, 2016:
Game and Fish and Texas Tech Collaborate on research project
SANTA FE – Today, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish announced that they will be partnering with Texas Tech University to address low pronghorn fawn survival rates in south-central New Mexico. The low survival rate over the last five years has biologists looking for answers.
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish personnel, in collaboration with Texas Tech University, captured 58 fawns outside of Capitan, N.M. in an effort to discover the primary causes for high fawn mortality. The pronghorn fawns were captured in May and June using a hoop net. Body measurements were taken and ear-tag transmitters placed on each animal and then they were quickly released to reduce overall stress.
None of the fawns died during the capture. However, less than a month into the study biologists documented 39 deaths, more than 50 percent of which are known to be the result of predation. 12 of the fawns were taken by bobcats, 11 by coyotes, 15 from unknown causes and one due to failing to cross a fence.
“Based on what we’ve seen during past surveys, the numbers don’t surprise me. It’s consistent with the survival rates over the last five to 10 years,” said Orrin Duvuvuei, deer and pronghorn biologist for Game and Fish.
Duvuvuei said that at the end of the project, the department hopes to gain insight on potential management actions that can be applied to improve fawn survival rates.
Having already documented a past population decline, Game and Fish supplemented the existing pronghorn herd by relocating 152 animals over three years to the area. Without stronger recruitment into the existing herds, Game and Fish biologists fear the population may begin a downward trend.
Game and Fish conducted the study with funding from a Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration grant. Additionally, Texas Tech helped with both funding and personnel.
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Missing bear cubs caught Saturday
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Lance Cherry: (505) 476-8003
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 26, 2016:
Missing bear cubs caught Saturday
Last Thursday, a National Park Service (NPS) biologist spotted the cubs and contacted the Department. Officers responded only to find they had once again managed to slip away. Over the next few days, efforts increased to find the cubs and on Saturday, it paid off when the Department’s tracker and an officer located the cubs.
Using dogs, the cubs were treed late Saturday afternoon, climbing nearly 90 feet above the forest floor. Officials contacted the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) with a request for assistance. A short time later a PNM boom truck arrived and a Department officer was able to safely, and without the need to tranquilize the cubs, use a catchpole to snatch them out of the treetop.
“It is really good news that the cubs were caught,” said Department Director Alexandra Sandoval. “We truly appreciate the support of the NPS, PNM and everyone else, who went above and beyond to help create a positive conclusion to an unfortunate event.”
“While this positive outcome doesn’t negate the sadness we all feel about last weekend’s events, it does lighten our hearts knowing the bear cubs are going to survive and be returned to the wild in the future,” said NPS Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos. “I want to express my sincere thanks to the Department, PNM and other partners for their tireless efforts to save these cubs.”
One male and one female cub, each weighing approximately 10 pounds, were immediately transported to Dr. Kathleen Ramsay, an Española area veterinarian specializing in rehabilitating sick and injured wildlife.
Officers originally believed the bear may have had three young cubs based on den data obtained from an ongoing wildlife study. However, based on eyewitness accounts and sightings following the event, it is now believed the mother bear only had two surviving cubs at the time of the attack. Both are now in the care of Dr. Ramsay.
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Public urged to catch fish in Santa Fe River before it goes dry
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 22, 2016:
Public urged to catch fish in Santa Fe River before it goes dry
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish has issued an emergency salvage order allowing the public to harvest an unlimited amount of fish by any means from the Santa Fe River between Camino Cabra and Camino Alire from June 22-30.
The salvage order was requested by the City of Santa Fe as water flowing into the riverbed from upstream reservoirs will be insufficient to sustain fish. The salvage order will allow anglers to remove trout from the Santa Fe River before it runs dry.
The department had stocked hundreds of trout in the river for the June 4 children’s fishing derby. Anglers caught most of those fish, but some may remain in the river between Camino Cabra and Camino Alire.
Tackle regulations will be suspended during the salvage period that begins at 12:01 a.m. June 22 through 11:59 p.m. June 30.
Fish can be removed from the river using nets or by other means. Anglers ages 12 and older are required to have a state fishing license.
For more information, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Three deer hunts removed from June 22 leftover license sale
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 20, 2016:
Three deer hunts removed from June 22 leftover license sale
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish has revised the list of available leftover hunting licenses that are scheduled to be sold June 22.
Deer hunt codes DER-3-194, DER-3-200 and DER-3-307 will not be available when the leftover sale begins June 22. A post-draw audit revealed a discrepancy requiring their removal from the sale.
Over 1,400 deer hunting licenses, over 1,000 javelina licenses and 7 elk licenses that were not allocated during the annual drawing for 2016-17 big-game hunting licenses will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 22, only on the Department of Game and Fish website.
New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses during the first-come, first-served sale. License sales will be open to residents only for the first 24 hours. The sale will be opened to everyone, regardless of residency, at 10 a.m. June 23.
To be eligible to buy a leftover license, hunters are reminded that they must previously have purchased either a Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Those licenses, along with Habitat Improvement Stamps and Habitat Management Access Validations, also can be obtained through online accounts.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to obtain or review online customer accounts, including their Customer Identification Number, user name and password, and to be signed on to their account before the sale begins. Popular licenses often sell out in minutes, sometimes seconds, after sales begin.
Leftover licenses will be sold online only. Licenses and stamps can be printed from any computer by signing on to an account and selecting “My purchases.”
Hunters planning to purchase a leftover license also must have completed all mandatory 2015-2016 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee will be refunded on rejected purchases.
For more information about the leftover license sale or other Department of Game and Fish matters, please call the department’s toll-free information line, (888) 248-6866. Leftover licenses will not be sold over the phone, however.
Here is the list of initially available licenses:
Bear responsible for attack on Valles Caldera marathon runner caught; euthanized
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Lance Cherry: (505) 476-8003
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 19, 2016:
Bear responsible for attack on Valles Caldera marathon runner caught; euthanized
JEMEZ – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers tracked and killed an adult female black bear that attacked a woman Saturday afternoon while she was participating in a marathon event on the Valles Caldera National Preserve near Los Alamos.
The bear is to be transported to the state Veterinary Diagnostic Services center for necropsy. State law requires any wild animal that attacks or bites a human be euthanized and tested for rabies which is spread when an infected animal scratches or bites another animal or human. Although it is rare, rabies is nearly 100 percent fatal if not properly treated.
“It is regrettable when a wildlife encounter results in human injuries and requires we euthanize the animal,” said Department Director Alexandra Sandoval. “We are thankful that the injuries sustained by the victim were not worse and are hopeful that she is able to recover quickly.”
The bear was located not far from where the attack occurred and matches the information given by the victim. The bear was part of a study involving wild bears and was collared with a GPS tracking device which helped Officers confirm the bear’s location at the time of the incident. Officers are confident they caught the right bear.
The attack occurred when the victim surprised it causing at least one cub to run up a nearby tree. The woman was bit and scratched multiple times and sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries to her upper body, head and neck. Nearby joggers provided immediate assistance until additional help could arrive. She was airlifted to an Albuquerque area hospital where she was treated for her injuries.
Officers later determined the bear had three young cubs, which averted capture Sunday. Officers will continue efforts, including the use of live traps to capture and place the cubs in the care of the New Mexico Wildlife Center in Espanola.
Here are some ways to protect yourself If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
###
Bear sought in attack on Valles Caldera marathon runner
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Lance Cherry: (505) 476-8003
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 19, 2016:
Bear sought in attack on Valles Caldera marathon runner
JEMEZ – Department of Game and Fish officers are searching for an adult female black bear that attacked a woman Saturday afternoon while she was participating in a marathon event on the Valles Calderas National Preserve near Los Alamos.
According to responding officers, the attack occurred when the victim surprised a mother bear whose cub ran up a nearby tree.
Although the full extent of the victim’s injuries are unknown, initial reports indicate that woman was bit and scratched multiple times and sustained non-life threatening injuries to her upper body, head and neck. Nearby joggers provided immediate assistance until additional help could arrive.
She was airlifted to an Albuquerque area hospital where she is being treated for her injuries.
The department is coordinating with the National Park Service to secure and deter people from entering the area. A response team that specializes in wildlife attacks of this nature has also been assisting.
Once found, the bear will be euthanized and tested for rabies. Although rabies in bears is rare, it is nearly 100 percent fatal in humans if not properly treated.
Here are some ways to protect yourself If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
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2016-17 Migratory Game Bird Rules and Information Booklet now available online
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 17, 2016:
2016-17 Migratory Game Bird Rules and Information Booklet now available online
SANTA FE – Rules and information about applying for licenses and hunting migratory game birds, including doves, sandhill cranes and waterfowl for the 2016-17 season are now available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
New this season are an increase in the bag limit and number of permits available for sandhill cranes. The department will begin accepting applications July 27 for sandhill crane hunts. The application deadline is 5 p.m. MDT Aug. 24. Applications can be made online or over the telephone through the department’s Information Center at 1-888-248-6866.
Information about hunt dates, licensing requirements, maps and other details are available on the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Printed versions of the Migratory Game Bird hunting rules booklet will be available soon at department area offices and license vendors.
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Six new game wardens graduate from law enforcement academy
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 16, 2016:
Six new game wardens graduate from law enforcement academy
SANTA FE – Six New Mexico Department of Game and Fish game wardens graduated from the Southeastern New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Hobbs Wednesday.
“This team of new officers have accomplished something special, something the entire department is proud of,” Department Director Alexandra Sandoval said. “Each officer demonstrated the high standard of professionalism, integrity and honor that defines a New Mexico Conservation Officer.”
The department’s graduates of the 16-week law enforcement training academy are:
- David Davis
- Carla Jo Ehlinger
- Justin Heppler
- Jacob Lobato
- Tyler Twitchell
Two officers from this year’s graduating class had noteworthy accomplishments.
David Davis graduated at the top of his class of 21 by scoring a total of 96.6 out of 100 in four categories; firearms, driving, physical fitness and academics.
During her training Carla Jo Ehlinger broke a school record for performing 109 pushups and 12 pullups to beat the previous female record of 70 pushups and 7 pullups, confirmed Angela Byrd, Director of the Southeastern New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Hobbs. The men’s record for pushups is 151 and 27 pullups.
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 about a career as a conservation officer with the Department of Game and Fish please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Game Commission to meet June 23 in Santa Rosa
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 13, 2016:
Game Commission to meet June 23 in Santa Rosa
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet June 23 in Santa Rosa to consider numerous matters, including updates on the Gold King Mine spill and the department’s Hunters Helping the Hungry program.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 23, 2016, at the Blue Hole Convention Center, Civic Center Room, 1085 Blue Hole Road, Santa Rosa.
The day before the meeting, the public is invited to join commissioners beginning at 1:30 p.m. as they tour the department’s Rock Lake Fish Hatchery, 1025 Hatchery Road, east of town about 2.5 miles off River Road. For more details, see the constituency tour agenda at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Other agenda items include:
- A discussion about the use of trail cameras and other technology in relation to hunting in New Mexico.
The State Land Commissioner will present a proposed lease agreement for public access to state trust lands for the 2017-2018 hunting season. - An update on proposed youth hunting opportunities and habitat expansion projects for bighorn sheep on the Wedding Cake Ranch in northeastern New Mexico.
- The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dick” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Special Oryx hunts available for injured servicemen and women
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 13, 2016:
Special Oryx hunts available for injured servicemen and women
SANTA FE- Injured military service members can apply for an upcoming special drawing by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to award three special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range.
Applicants must be active-duty or veterans of the U.S. military and must have a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran’s Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Applicants (except NMDGF Disabled Veteran card holders) are required to provide proof of eligibility prior to the July 20 application deadline.
Proof of eligibility may be e-mailed to specialhunts@state.nm.us or by postal mail with a postmark on or before July 20 to:
NMDGF
Attn: Special Hunts
PO Box 25112
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Significantly injured, active-duty military members may also apply and will need to submit supporting documentation to the department prior to the July 20 application deadline.
The drawing is open to resident and non-resident eligible applicants who do not hold a current-year oryx license. Applications will be accepted only through the department’s online license system by clicking Injured Military Oryx Hunts in the main menu. Successful applicants will be notified by the department and must buy the appropriate license(s) and pay White Sands Missile Range’s access fee.
The hunts will be three days between September 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017, with dates and areas to be determined by the successful applicants in coordination with White Sands Missile Range. These hunts will not be considered once-in-a-lifetime.
For more information visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us or contact the department’s Information Center at 888- 248-6866.
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Monastery Lake to be closed June 13-14 for road, parking lot repair
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 10, 2016:
Monastery Lake to be closed June 13-14 for road, parking lot repair
SANTA FE – Monastery Lake near Pecos will be closed to the public June 13 and 14 to allow construction crews to make repairs to the road and parking lot.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish leases the lake for public fishing. Anglers will find other fishing opportunities nearby on the Pecos River and upstream at Cowles Ponds.
Closure signs will be posted and conservation officers will be in the area for public safety. The angling public’s cooperation will be greatly appreciated.
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Sign up for free All-terrain vehicle safety classes in Lincoln National Forest
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Matthew Seidel, (505) 222-4728
matthew.seidel@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 7, 2016:
Sign up for free All-terrain vehicle safety classes in Lincoln National Forest
The Department of Game and Fish Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) program is teaming up with the U.S. Forest Service to offer free hands-on All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) safety classes in the Lincoln National Forest near Cloudcroft this summer.
Morning and afternoon classes for adults and youths ages 6 or older are scheduled for June 25, July 9 and July 23, 2016, at Benson Ridge Pit.
Each four-hour class is limited to six students and each student must be registered in advance. No walk-ins will be accepted. A parent or guardian must be in attendance while each youth is participating.
State law requires ATV riders ages 18 and younger and riding on public land to carry a safety permit proving completion of an approved OHV safety course. Students receive the permit upon successful completion of the department’s hands-on training course.
During registration, students can reserve a department ATV and safety equipment to use during training. Students can use their own mechanically-sound ATV as long as it is properly registered, complies with age-specific size and fit standards, is equipped with a spark arrester and meets exhaust noise rules. Sharing of ATVs is not allowed.
Each student must have a U.S. Department of Transportation approved helmet and eye protection, including either goggles, safety glasses or a face shield attached to the helmet. Students must wear sturdy over-the-ankle footwear, long pants, long sleeves and full-fingered gloves during training. Limited safety gear will be available for use.
To preregister for classes, please visit http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/ohv/ohv-education/ or call the program at (505) 222-4712. Online training that provides the required safety permit also is available.
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Leftover deer, elk, javelina licenses go on sale June 22
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 6, 2016:
Leftover deer, elk, javelina licenses go on sale June 22
SANTA FE – Almost 1,500 deer hunting licenses, over 1,000 javelina licenses and 7 elk licenses that were not allocated during the annual drawing for 2016-17 big-game hunting licenses will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 22, only on the Department of Game and Fish website.
New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses during the first-come, first-served sale. License sales will be open to residents only for the first 24 hours. The sale will be opened to everyone, regardless of residency, at 10 a.m. June 23.
To be eligible to buy a leftover license, hunters are reminded that they must previously have purchased either a Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Those licenses, along with Habitat Improvement Stamps and Habitat Management Access Validations, also can be obtained through online accounts.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to obtain or review online customer accounts, including their Customer Identification Number, user name and password, and to be signed on to their account before the sale begins. Popular licenses often sell out in minutes, sometimes seconds, after sales begin.
Leftover licenses will be sold online only. Licenses and stamps can be printed from any computer by signing on to an account and selecting “My purchases.”
Hunters planning to purchase a leftover license also must have completed all mandatory 2015-2016 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee will be refunded on rejected purchases.
For more information about the leftover license sale or other Department of Game and Fish matters, please call the department’s toll-free information line, (888) 248-6866. Leftover licenses will not be sold over the phone, however.
Here is a list of available licenses:
A — Antlerless
FAD — Forked-antlered deer
FAWM — Forked-antlered mule deer
FAWTD — Forked-antlered white-tailed deer
ES — Either sex
MB — Mature bull
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Opportunity in Roswell for youths to catch memories of a lifetime
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Zen Mocarski, (505) 476-8013
zenon.mocarski@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 2, 2016:
Opportunity in Roswell for youths to catch memories of a lifetime
ROSWELL – A hook, a line and a little bait will replace computers, cell phones and television as parents and children take home memories that will last a lifetime.
Saturday, June 4, from 8 a.m. to noon, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish personnel will host Outdoor Adventure Day at the Spring River Park and Zoo children’s fishing pond. The event is free and open to youths ages 11 and younger.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and continues throughout the duration of the event. The first 100 to register will receive free t-shirts.
The event is sponsored by the Department of Game and Fish, Safari Club International, Spring River Zoo and the City of Roswell Parks and Recreation.
In addition to the fishing derby, there will be an archery contest from 9 to 10 a.m. and a pellet shooting contest from 10 to 11 a.m. Hot dogs will be served beginning at 11 a.m. while supplies last and prizes will be awarded in a number of categories, including largest and heaviest catfish.
Participants need to bring their own equipment and bait and New Mexico bag limit restrictions apply.
For more information, contact Game and Fish at (575) 624-6135 or the Spring River Zoo at (575) 624-6760.
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Game and Fish conservation officers busy over holiday weekend
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center, (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Zen Mocarski, (505) 476-8013
zenon.mocarski@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 2, 2016:
Game and Fish conservation officers busy over holiday weekend
SANTA FE – Memorial Day weekend ushers in a new season, a time of year when tourism begins to blossom, outdoor recreationists take to the field and anglers dust off their rods and reels.
Conservation officers with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish spent the weekend educating the public and protecting the state’s resources. They made over 4,000 contacts with the public during more than 900 hours of patrolling.
With fishing activity increasing, it is important for anglers to purchase a current license and any required stamps. While the majority of the officers’ contacts did not result in citations, 219 were written, the most common for fishing without a license and not having required stamps.
The funds received from the purchase of licenses is the primary funding source for statewide stocking efforts. Those fishing without a license are taking fish paid for by others.
“A fishing license is affordable and serves as a means for the department to continue offering excellent angling opportunities throughout New Mexico,” said Officer Rey Sanchez, major for northern field operations. “Officers have an obligation to protect the resource for those who are supporting wildlife conservation with the purchase of our licenses.”
The warmer weather also has increased off-highway vehicle activity and it is important for anyone operating such a vehicle to become knowledgeable about state laws.
Rules and regulations can be reviewed and licenses can be purchased easily by visiting the department website, wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Some big Gila trout stocked in Lake Roberts for annual kid’s fishing derby
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 31, 2016:
Some big Gila trout stocked in Lake Roberts for annual kid’s fishing derby
LAKE ROBERTS – The annual Aldo Leopold Kid’s Fishing Derby at Lake Roberts in the Gila National Forest is back and bigger than ever, especially after being stocked with some record-breaking, native Gila trout.
The free event is Saturday, June 4, at Lake Roberts off N.M. 35 north of Silver City in southwestern New Mexico. The annual event had been postponed for the past several years while maintenance work was performed on the dam. Although the fishing derby is for children, the lake is open to fishing for anglers of all ages.
Native Gila trout from the Mora National Fish Hatchery, including some record-breaking, retired brood stock will be put into the lake just before the derby, said Jill Wick, Gila trout biologist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The state record Gila trout, weighing 4 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 20-inches in length, was caught in the Gila River in 2007.
June 4 is Free Fishing Day at public waters throughout New Mexico. No license is required, although bag limits and all other fishing regulations apply.
The Lake Roberts event will feature free fishing lessons and fishing rods and tackle to borrow. There also will be games and prizes for the kids. For more information, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Go fishing for free Saturday, June 4.
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 30, 2016:
Go fishing for free Saturday, June 4.
SANTA FE – Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Saturday, June 4, as the state celebrates National Boating and Fishing Week.
“Fishing is one of our state’s great cultural traditions,” said Eric Frey, sportfish program manager for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “And it’s one of the best ways to get kids outdoors.”
Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state Saturday, June 4, but everyone must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Kids can learn to fish at the annual, free fishing derby on the Santa Fe River at the intersection of East Alameda and Old Santa Fe Trail from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 4. Fishing rods, bait and instruction will be provided to those who need it. The river will be stocked with trout before the event. Prizes will be awarded to kids who catch fish.
In Grants, kids can learn to fish at the Riverwalk Pond downtown from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 4. The pond will be stocked with catfish and volunteers will provide equipment, instruction, lunch and prizes to participating children at no cost.
Lake Roberts in the Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico will be the scene of the fifth annual Aldo Leopold Kid’s Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 4. The lake will be stocked with native Gila trout and volunteers will provide fishing lessons and loan equipment to children. Prizes will be awarded for top catches. The event is free to the public.
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Expect inspections this boating season as state battles aquatic invasive species
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: James Dominguez (505) 476-8163
james.dominguez@state.nm.us
Media contact: Karl Moffatt (505) 476-8007
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 26, 2016:
Expect inspections this boating season as state battles aquatic invasive species
SANTA FE – Boaters can expect to encounter inspection stations at New Mexico lakes this summer as we continue to keep aquatic invasive species out of the state’s waters.
“We appreciate the boating public’s cooperation in our fight to prevent destructive invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels from infecting our waterways,” said James Dominiguez, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Largely due to mandatory inspection stations, New Mexico remains free of zebra or quagga mussel infestation but is surrounded by states where the invasive species have taken root. The mussels can attach to boats and grow quickly, leading to encrusted equipment and clogged water pipes. Their spread also poses a risk to our native aquatic wildlife, hydroelectric power systems and surface water delivery lines used for municipalities and agriculture. Mandatory boat inspections are one way the state is working to educate the public and keep the invasive mussels out.
All boats are required to stop for inspection when check stations are in operation. All out-of-state boats or any boats re-entering the state must obtain an inspection prior to being launched or exposed to any water body in the state. The department, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and New Mexico State Parks, are manning inspection stations at most lakes this summer, including Navajo Lake, Elephant Butte, Ute, Bluewater and Conchas lakes.
Boaters are required to have their boats’ drain plugs pulled while trailered to allow water to drain. Keeping boats and related equipment clean, drained and dry is a primary means of combatting the spread of invasive mussels.
For more information on boat inspection locations and how you can help keep the state free of aquatic invasive species, please visit http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/fishing/fishing-regulations/aquatic-invasive-species/.
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Application seeking temporary halt of wolf releases moved to federal district court
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Lance Cherry: (505) 476-8003
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 17, 2016:
Application seeking temporary halt of wolf releases moved to federal district court
LAS CRUCES – In an effort to thwart the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) removed the department’s application to temporarily halt future Mexican wolf releases into New Mexico from state to federal court late Friday. The department’s application alleges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) ignored state and federal laws last month by importing and releasing two Mexican wolves without first obtaining required state permits.
Under New Mexico law, the importation and release of non-domesticated animals requires a permit from the department and federal law instructs the USFWS to consult with the states and obtain necessary permits before releasing wildlife.
“Although we anticipated this move,” said Department Director Alexandra Sandoval, “we believe recent actions by the USFWS violate state and federal law. A review of the state law violations certainly belongs in state court. Regardless of venue, we are committed to pursuing this matter.”
The department originally filed the application in the state’s 7th Judicial District Court. It has since been moved to the U.S. District Court in Las Cruces.
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Department takes action to stop USFWS from ignoring federal and state law
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Chris Chadwick: (505) 660-5343
christopher.chadwick@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 13, 2016:
Department takes action to stop USFWS from ignoring federal and state law
RESERVE – Yesterday, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish sought a temporary restraining order in the 7th Judicial District Court requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to comply with state and federal laws, obligating them to obtain state authorization before releasing wildlife, including Mexican gray wolves, in New Mexico.
“The USFWS decision to move forward with unpermitted and illegal releases of wildlife into New Mexico demonstrates a disregard for our state’s sovereignty,” said Department Director Alexandra Sandoval. “We have a responsibility to uphold the laws of our state and ensure the USFWS complies with applicable state and federal law. We intend to take those actions necessary to ensure adherence.”
Under New Mexico law, the importation and release of non-domesticated animals requires a permit from the department and federal law instructs the USFWS to obtain that permit before releasing wildlife. The recent and planned releases of Mexican wolves in New Mexico by the USFWS violate these laws.
Additionally, section 6 of the Endangered Species Act requires the USFWS to “cooperate to the maximum extent practicable with the states.” Congressmen on both sides of the aisle in 1973 envisioned that this cooperative statutory mandate would be “the most important section” and “the major backbone of the act.”
The department seeks to hold the USFWS accountable to the principles of cooperative federalism embodied in the Endangered Species Act.
In the context of the Mexican wolf, the absence of a current, non-interim recovery plan, coupled with ongoing releases, undermines the department’s ability to manage a landscape of wildlife resources. The department cannot stand idle when its authority and ability to manage the State’s resources is threatened.
“The department prefers to work with the USFWS toward recovery of endangered species, within a species’ historical range,” Sandoval said. “This is difficult to do without the guidance of a legally sufficient, science-based recovery plan that clearly articulates recovery criteria.”
In April, the department offered dispute resolution as an avenue to address positional differences. This past Monday, the department met with representatives from the USFWS and attorneys from the United States Department of Justice. At this meeting, the department offered alternative solutions to resolve this matter. Late Wednesday, the department received notification from the USFWS declining all of the proposed solutions. “Unfortunately, the USFWS continues to disregard both federal and state law,” said Sandoval. “Therefore, we are forced to pursue this action against the USFWS.”
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Game and Fish archery coordinator to be honored
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 9, 2016:
Game and Fish archery coordinator to be honored
Brian Guzman, archery coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, is being honored as a “Meeting Hero” for his work in organizing the March National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) New Mexico State Championship Tournament at the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) in downtown Albuquerque.
Guzman is to be recognized at ACVB’s 2016 annual meeting at 9 a.m., May 12. The breakfast presentation will be at the Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 Second St. NW, in Albuquerque.
Guzman, with support from department staff and volunteers, coordinated the March archery tournament, which is among the largest in the West. The event attracted over 800 participants and coaches, family and friends, and contributed greatly to local businesses.
The cost to attend the meeting is $35 per person and includes breakfast, company board elections, presentations and the awards ceremony. Those interested can register by email at turpin@visitabq.org or by telephone at (505) 222-4338.
For more information about the NASP program, please contact Guzman at (505) 231-4375 or Brian.Guzman@state.nm.us. Also visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding
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 9, 2016:
Project proposals sought for Share with Wildlife funding
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Share with Wildlife program is accepting project proposals for the upcoming funding year.
The Share with Wildlife program funds projects up to $50,000 in four categories: habitat enhancement, biological and ecological studies, wildlife rehabilitation and wildlife education.
Topics of particular interest to the department for the July 1, 2016, to June 31, 2017, funding cycle and details about the proposal format are listed in the Call For Project Information for FY (fiscal year) 2017, available at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/share-with-wildlife/ under the Applications-Reports tab.
Any questions about the application process and final project proposals should be submitted to Share with Wildlife Coordinator, Ginny Seamster, at virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
All proposals must be submitted electronically in a single .pdf or Microsoft Word file in either .doc or .docx format by 5 p.m. Mountain Time, Friday, July 1, 2016.
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Game Commission to meet May 12 in Silver City
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 2, 2016:
Game Commission to meet May 12 in Silver City
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet May 12 in Silver City to consider numerous matters, including an update on hunting access for State Trust lands next season.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m., Thursday, May 12, 2016, at the Murray Hotel Ballroom, 200 W. Broadway St., in Silver City.
Other agenda items include:
- A proposal to amend bighorn sheep rules to allow population management hunts.
- An update on the department’s Gila trout restoration and management efforts.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dick” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Big-game hunting application results available Wednesday
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Zen Mocarski, (505) 476-8013
Zenon.mocarski@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 25, 2016:
Big-game hunting application results available Wednesday
SANTA FE – Hunters who applied for New Mexico big-game licenses can look up their draw results Wednesday.
Applicants can view their draw results beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday from their accounts online at wildlife.state.nm.us.
The Department will send email messages to successful applicants, informing them that they can print out receipts and licenses from their online account. Unsuccessful applicants will begin receiving license-fee refunds this week.
Draw results also will be available Wednesday by telephone by calling the department’s toll-free information line, (888) 248-6866.
The draw was for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, oryx, ibex, javelina and Barbary sheep for the 2016-17 seasons.
For more information about the big-game license draw, please visit the department website or call (888) 248-6866.
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Biologists believe perch from Eagle Nest Lake will help Abiquiu Lake fishery
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Zen Mocarski, (505) 476-8013
Zen.mocarski@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 25, 2016: (B-roll available)
Biologists believe perch from Eagle Nest Lake will help Abiquiu Lake fishery Stocking perch
SANTA FE – About 20 years ago, yellow perch were illegally placed into Eagle Nest Lake in northeastern New Mexico, where they since have become overpopulated. Now, biologist believe they may serve a purpose elsewhere.
The perch have had impacts to Eagle Nest’s primary species, rainbow trout and kokanee salmon due to competition for resources. However, they are expected to enhance angler opportunities at Abiquiu Lake, where growing populations of walleye and smallmouth bass are eager to eat them.
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish fisheries staff recently spent two days capturing and transporting approximately 7,000 of the perch from Eagle Nest to Abiquiu.
While the perch are viewed as a detriment to the Eagle Nest fishery, biologists believe the translocation to Abiquiu will improve the fishery there by increasing the prey base for walleye and smallmouth bass.
Game and Fish personnel, along with a group of Moreno Valley High School students caught 55 perch at Eagles Nest in early February that were sent to a lab and tested for diseases to make sure the translocation would be safe to the existing fish populations at Abiquiu.
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Public meeting May 5 in Taos on white-tailed ptarmigan recovery plan
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 25, 2016:
Public meeting May 5 in Taos on white-tailed ptarmigan recovery plan white-tailed ptarmigan
TAOS – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites the public to attend a meeting about development of a state recovery plan for the white-tailed ptarmigan.
The meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 2016, at the Juan I. Gonzales Agricultural Center, 202 Chamisa Road, Taos.
State recovery plans cannot restrict landowner activities or impose involuntary measures. At the meeting, department staff will present information about the reason for the bird’s listing, explain the recovery plan development process and respond to questions.
For more information, please contact the department’s recovery coordinator, John Bulger, at (505) 476-8106 or john.bulger@state.nm.us.
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Be bear aware when outdoors this spring
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 21, 2016:
Be bear aware when outdoors this spring
SANTA FE – Spring is in the air, and as people and wildlife become more active outdoors the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is encouraging everyone to be aware of the potential of encountering bears and other native wildlife.
Young bears are emerging from hibernation and will be foraging and seeking territory to call their own, said Rick Winslow, the department’s bear and cougar biologist. Sows with cubs will follow later in May. Those living in urban-wildland interface areas such as the foothills around Santa Fe or Albuquerque may have a greater chance of encountering bears, Winslow said.
If a bear exhibits aggressive or strange behavior, people are encouraged to call the department and report it. Bears that appear to be moving through the country should be left alone – no need to report them.
If you visit or live in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run.
- Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
- For more information about living with bears in New Mexico please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us and consult the publication “Living with Large Predators.”
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Information sought in several northern New Mexico poaching cases
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, April12, 2016
Information sought in several northern New Mexico poaching cases dead elk
RATON – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers are seeking information in several unsolved poaching cases.
Rewards are available for information leading to charges being filed in the following cases.
A game warden found a dead cow elk about 80 yards off the south side of N.M. 283, outside of Las Vegas, N.M., March 27. The animal had been shot in the head with a .22-caliber bullet and left to rot. Four .22-caliber shell casings were found at the scene. A month earlier, officers found a dead, bull elk that had been shot and left to rot alongside the same highway on Indian Head Ranch property. Officers collected four shell casings and two bullets as evidence. A $750 reward is being offered in this case.
Officers documented four separate incidents in which someone armed with a crossbow shot deer in the Angel Fire area in late 2015. Game wardens discovered the first two deer Nov. 23 and 25. An arrow had apparently passed through one deer and struck another that was found dead with the shaft through its neck. Two other deer were found in December that also had been killed with a crossbow. A $500 reward is being offered in this case.
A $3,000 reward has been raised for information leading to the identification of poachers who killed two bull elk and left them to rot at Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 20, 2015. The Department of Game and Fish, Friends of Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge, area landowners, businesses and residents put up the money for the reward. The dead elk were discovered in an area of the refuge frequently used by hikers, birders and photographers.
Anyone with information about any of these 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 are filed. Reports also can be submitted anonymously online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/enforcement/.
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Expect roadblocks statewide during fishing and hunting seasons
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, ARPIL 11, 2016:
Expect roadblocks statewide during fishing and hunting seasons
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during the hunting and fishing seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations.
The 2016-17 fishing season began April 1. Youth turkey hunting season began April 8 and the general season begins April 15. For more information, please consult the department’s fishing or hunting Rules & Information booklets available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or at area offices and license vendors.
At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act and the Aquatic Invasive Species Control Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact a Department of Game and Fish area office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell or Las Cruces, or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief.
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New hunting, fishing rules take effect this month
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 11, 2016:
New hunting, fishing rules take effect this month
SANTA FE – Springtime marks the beginning of a new April 1-March 31 “license year” for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish each season – always a good time to bring hunters and anglers up to date on any rule changes. This year, some of those changes are significant:
- Military discounts: Starting this year, New Mexico residents who are active-duty military or veterans will receive 50 percent discounts on all licenses, permits and stamps. Documentation is not required at the time of purchase, but may be requested later.
- OK on bow fishing: Bow fishing now is a legal means to take game fish in reservoirs and lakes that are open to fishing. It is not allowed in special trout waters, rivers or streams. Fishing with crossbows is not permitted. Prior to going out, be sure to confirm that local ordinances or laws allow for the use of bows.
- Bear and cougar pelt tagging: The pelts of all harvested bears and cougars must be accompanied by a license and properly tagged by a Department of Game and Fish conservation officer or staff at an area office. Beginning this year, hunters who appoint a designee to present their bear or cougar hide for tagging must first report the harvest to a conservation officer themselves. When the hunter contacts a conservation officer, the hunter will receive a confirmation code and the name of the officer, both of which must be provided by the designee at the time of tagging. Pelts will not be tagged without that information.
- Cougar trapping: Trapping and foot snaring of cougars are legal only on private land with written permission from the landowner and on State Trust Land. Foot snares are prohibited on Game Management Unit 27 and those portions of Game Management Unit 26 (San Luis Mountains) designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as critical habitat for jaguars. Jaguar critical habitat area in Unit 26 can be viewed at: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/report/table/critical-habitat.html by clicking the “online mapper” link. Neck snares are not a legal method of take. Legal trapping and snaring dates are Nov. 1–March 31. All other requirements and trap restrictions for furbearers (pages 121-123) apply to cougars.
- Rules for watercraft: All boats now are subject to inspection and possible decontamination before launching in New Mexico waters under new rules adopted to combat the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species. Rule changes include mandatory watercraft inspections and if necessary, decontamination before entering New Mexico waters. Complete rules are available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ais.
More information on all New Mexico hunting and fishing rules is available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/home/publications/.
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Citizen Advisory Committees to meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
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 11, 2016:
Citizen Advisory Committees to meet to recommend Habitat Stamp Projects
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled statewide Habitat Stamp Program Citizens Advisory Committee meetings for 2016. Citizen advisors will prioritize Habitat Stamp-funded projects for 2017 and 2018. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the following regional Citizen Advisory Committee meetings:
- Central: 9 a.m. April 28, Cibola National Forest office, 2113 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque.
- Northeast: 9 a.m. May 2, Carson National Forest office, 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos.
- Southeast: 10 a.m. May 7, Bureau of Land Management office, 2909 W. Second St., Roswell.
- Northwest: 9 a.m. May 11, Bureau of Land Management office, 6251 College Blvd., Farmington.
- Southwest: 10 a.m. May 14, Gila National Forest office, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City.
The Habitat Stamp Program has an annual budget of $742,300 with the support of hunters, anglers and trappers who purchase a $5 stamp each year to participate in their sports on Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service managed lands.
In the 30-year life of the program, 2,312 wildlife and habitat enhancement projects have been funded at a level of almost $46 million. Through this effort, the Habitat Stamp Program has contributed $19.7 million; federal agencies have reported contributing an additional $22.8 million in matching funds in the form of labor, materials, planning, fiscal tracking, National Environmental Policy Act compliance, and obtaining archeological/cultural clearances. Additional organizational and volunteer partners reported contributing another $3.4 million.
Overall, the program has improved approximately 837,143 acres of terrestrial habitat; enhanced approximately 11,191 acres of riparian habitat; built 789 places for wildlife to obtain water; completed 801 wildlife population and/or habitat surveys; completed 17 wildlife transplants; improved 87 aquatic habitat/fishing areas; installed approximately 805 erosion control structures for watershed improvement; maintained and/or monitored previously built infrastructure; provided habitat and shelter for wildlife; reduced human impacts on wildlife; and improved overall public enjoyment of wildlife.
Since its inception, citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program, advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Appointed by the State Game Commission, citizens representing sporting, conservation, and public-land permittee interests meet each spring to prioritize local habitat projects.
For more information about the Habitat Stamp Program, please contact Reuben Teran, (505) 476-8130, reubens.teran@state.nm.us or visit the Habitat Stamp Program website, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/habitat-information/habitat-stamp/.
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Donate part of your state tax refund to help wildlife
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 8, 2016:
Donate part of your state tax refund to help wildlife
SANTA FE – Want to help wildlife in need of conservation? It’s as easy as filing out a line on your state tax return to donate some or all of your refund to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Share with Wildlife program.
The Share with Wildlife program funds many projects and organizations, including the nonprofit New Mexico Wildlife Center in Espanola, where injured animals receive veterinary care and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.
The program also funds research, including the study of natural defenses that bat species in New Mexico may have against white-nose syndrome, a devastating disease wiping out many bat colonies in the eastern United States.
Another project involves developing a genetic test to detect species of fish in a stream or river by simply sampling the water instead of having to manually catch and identify them. Also funded this year is a project to study a type of salamander found only in the Sacramento Mountains of southern New Mexico.
“People who contribute to the Share with Wildlife program make all these wildlife projects possible,” said Ginny Seamster, the department’s Share with Wildlife program coordinator. Donations to the program are matched by federal dollars to maximize the effort. More than $1 million has gone to research, habitat enhancement, education and rehabilitation projects in the past 10 years. Many of those projects benefit nongame species in need of conservation. All donations fund projects, not program administration.
The program is reliant upon donations, especially through tax refund contributions. To donate part of your state tax refund, fill out line two of PIT-D, the voluntary contributions schedule. Visit the state Taxation and Revenue Department at www.tax.newmexico.gov for tax forms and instructions.
Donations also can be made directly to the program or by purchasing a Share with Wildlife license plate. Please visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/share for more information or contact Seamster at (505) 476-8111 or virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
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Department seeking next generation of conservation officers
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 6, 2016:
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 natural resources.
Applications for game warden trainees with salaries starting at $17.03 an hour will be accepted by the New Mexico State Personnel Office until June 5, 2016. Please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us to learn more about the position and how to apply.
Applicants also must pass a written exam and an oral interview board before being offered a position. If hired, recruits will receive basic training at the state Law Enforcement Academy and the department’s recruit school before undergoing a year of on-the-job training under a field training officer.
Those hired can look forward to extensive training in subjects such as emergency vehicle operations, criminal investigations, defensive tactics, firearms training and arrest procedures. Training also includes aerial wildlife survey techniques, wildlife restraint, off-highway vehicle and boat training. Training is rigorous and the work is often difficult, requiring sound judgement, a good work ethic and common sense. The department is seeking highly motivated personnel who are up to the challenge this career offers.
Conservation officers primarily work alone in remote, rural regions of the state while enforcing New Mexico’s game and fish laws, investigating criminal cases and pursuing civil cases against offenders. Officers also educate the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conduct wildlife surveys, capture problem animals, investigate wildlife damage to crops and property, assist in wildlife relocations, and help develop new hunting, fishing and trapping regulations.
For more information about conservation officer duties, educational and physical requirements, training and employee benefits, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us/enforcement/career-advancement or contact Lt. Brady Griffith, the department’s recruiting officer at (505) 795-1700 or bradyd.griffith@state.nm.us.
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Game Commission to meet April 14 in Las Cruces
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 1, 2016:
Game Commission to meet April 14 in Las Cruces
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet April 14 in Las Cruces to consider numerous matters, including a proposed rule change to improve public access to the department’s wildlife management areas.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2016, at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road, in Las Cruces.
Other agenda items include:
- Presentation of the department’s Statewide Fisheries Management Plan.
- Proposed migratory bird rules for the 2016-2017 hunting seasons.
- Update on proposed shooting ranges throughout New Mexico.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Department seeks information about poached antelope near Raton, Clayton
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 1, 2016:
Department seeks information about poached antelope near Raton, Clayton
RATON – Department of Game and Fish conservation officers are seeking information regarding a suspected illegal killing of a buck pronghorn antelope sometime Wednesday, March 30, between Raton and Clayton.
A Pueblo, Colo., game warden notified New Mexico officers Wednesday that he had stopped a truck in Pueblo and discovered a freshly killed, partially gutted pronghorn in the truck’s bed, with blood dripping out of the vehicle. The four suspects, traveling in a silver Chevrolet 2500 four-door pickup with a black bed cover and Colorado license plates, had checked out of an Amarillo, Texas, hotel earlier that morning, leading officers to suspect they shot the pronghorn somewhere between Clayton and Raton, a common route from Amarillo to Pueblo.
Anyone who witnessed the poaching or anything suspicious in that area Wednesday is urged to contact Operation Game Thief toll-free, (800) 432-4263. Callers who report wildlife crimes can remain anonymous and may be eligible for rewards if information leads to a conviction.
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Fishing season begins April 1; time to buy a new license
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 1, 2016:
Fishing season begins April 1; time to buy a new license Fishing rules and info
SANTA FE – A new fishing season begins April 1 in New Mexico and anglers are reminded to buy a new license before venturing out to their favorite waters.
Fishing licenses cost $25 for state residents. Most anglers also are required to purchase a $4 Habitat Management and Access Validation Stamp. Anglers intending to fish on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or U.S. Forest Service lands also will need a $5 federal Habitat Stamp.
Children younger than age 12 do not need a license to fish, and anglers age 70 and older qualify for a free license. Please consult the Fishing Rules and Information Booklet at www.wildlife.state.nm.us for more information. Printed versions are available from vendors or at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish area offices. Anglers also can call the department’s Information Center at (888) 248-6866 during normal business hours for customer assistance or to purchase a license over the phone.
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Department of Game and Fish biologists honored for conservation work
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, March 29, 2016:
Department of Game and Fish biologists honored for conservation work
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Two New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologists have been honored by peers for their wildlife and fisheries conservation work.
Leland Pierce, the department’s amphibian and reptile biologist, was recently awarded the New Mexico Chapter of The Wildlife Society’s Professional Award at the organization’s annual meeting in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Bryan Bakevich, the department’s Rio Grande cutthroat biologist, was named the Arizona-New Mexico Chapter of the American Fisheries Society’s Professional of the Year Award.
Pierce helped develop and implement recovery plans for numerous wildlife species and was instrumental in coordinating a revision of the department’s biennial review of New Mexico’s threatened and endangered species. He also helped bridge the gap between wildlife and geospatial communities for use in the wildlife management arena.
Bakevick worked on the Rio Costilla Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Restoration Project, one of the largest inland native trout restoration efforts in North America. The project’s record of success helped keep the native trout off the federal list of endangered species.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: Information Center (888)-248-6866
Media contact: Jennifer Morgan, (505) 222-4722
Jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, March 22, 2016:
Special hunter education camp offered at Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron
CIMARRON – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 to 17 who are accompanied by a registered, responsible adult. It will be conducted the weekend of April 29 – May 1 at the Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Registration opens March 24. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 5 p.m. April 7 to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with the Philmont Scout Ranch and the Safari Club International Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants also can test their marksmanship skills with .22 caliber rifles and shotguns on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff.
To qualify for the camp, youths must have a Customer Identification Number account with the department, register with an adult and complete a homework requirement before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youths younger than age 18 of age must successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information, please contact the department’s hunter education staff at (505) 222-4731 or go online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Public meetings to address access to state Wildlife Management Areas
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Zen Mocarski: (505) 476-8013
zenon.mocarski@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, March 21, 2016:
Public meetings to address access to state Wildlife Management Areas
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will conduct four public meetings to outline proposed changes to the Gaining Access into Nature program for State Game Commission-owned Wildlife Management Areas.
The program outlines the use of these Wildlife Management Areas for recreational activities other than, or in addition to, hunting, fishing and trapping, such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding. The proposed changes are intended to make it easier for the public to access and enjoy Commissioned-owned and managed properties.
Department staff will conduct a short presentation, accept public comments and answer questions. The meetings will be at 6 p.m. at the following locations:
- Abiquiu, March 28, Rio Arriba County Rural Event Center.
- Taos, March 29, Taos County Agricultural Center.
- Roswell, March 30, New Mexico Game and Fish office.
- Silver City, March 31, Grant County Administration Building.
The current recommendation from the Department is to manage designated properties as “open unless otherwise closed,” and to eliminate the need for a special GAIN permit. Access would be allowed for a group of up to four people, provided at least one of those individuals possesses a hunting, fishing, or trapping license and/or a Habitat Management and Access Validation permit.
Current rules require every member in a group visiting a wildlife management area to possess a GAIN permit and/or a hunting, fishing or trapping license.
Other proposed changes include increasing the camping limit to 14 days, allowing scouting activities for seven days before a hunt period, and updating specific access rules for certain properties. No license or permit is required for youths under 18 years old.
Please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us for more information about the proposed changes. The department is accepting email comments on the proposed changes at DGF-GAIN@state.nm.us.
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New Mexico game warden recognized as Officer of the Year by Shikar Safari Club International
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, March 16, 2016:
New Mexico game warden recognized as Officer of the Year by Shikar Safari Club International Curtis Coburn
Coburn received the award at the department’s second annual Governor’s Special Hunt Auction and Award Banquet on Feb. 20 in Albuquerque. Coburn, 35, currently is stationed in Ruidoso. He is a 12-year veteran of the department and holds a bachelor’s degree in Forest/Wildlife Management from Western New Mexico University in Silver City.
Shikar Safari Club International annually presents awards to wildlife law enforcement officers in all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces and territories. The club is dedicated to the protection, enhancement and preservation of wildlife, with particular emphasis on endangered and threatened species through the promotion of enforcement of conservation laws and regulations.
Coburn was lauded for his work with ranchers and land management agencies in modifying fences to allow pronghorn antelope to freely roam across a 28-mile area on the plains northeast of Capitan. His wildlife habitat improvement work to benefit mule deer within the Lincoln National Forest was also noted.
Coburn also has been named the 2015 Officer of the Year by the National Wild Turkey Federation.
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Several receive awards for wildlife conservation achievements
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, March 15, 2016:
Several receive awards for wildlife conservation achievements
ALBUQUERQUE – Several awards for achievement in wildlife conservation were bestowed during the second annual Governor’s Special Hunt Auction and Award Banquet on Feb. 20 in Albuquerque.
- Tod Stevenson, former department director, was awarded the Governor’s Conservationist Lifetime Achievement Award. Stevenson was recognized for his career with the department starting out as a hatchery worker in 1977 and retiring in 2011 as department director. During his career he served as a fish hatchery foreman and game warden before being promoted to division chief, assistant director, deputy director and finally, director of the department from 2008 through 2011.
- Eric Frey, sportfish program manager for the department, received the Director’s Professional of the Year Award for his work restoring the fishery at Eagle Rock Lake outside of Questa and habitat improvements on the nearby Red River. Frey also was recognized for his work on native cutthroat restoration and statewide fisheries management.
- Dona Ana County Associated Sportsmen received the Commissioners Wildlife Conservation Partnership award for the organization’s work on behalf of the department for many years. The organization has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to New Mexico State University’s fish, wildlife and conservation ecology students. Many of its members assist the department by volunteering as hunter safety education instructors. The conservation organization also has helped develop and implement numerous wildlife habitat improvement projects in southwestern New Mexico over the years.
The special hunt auction during the banquet offered many attractive hunting and fishing packages and generated over $160,000 for wildlife conservation in New Mexico.
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National Archery in the Schools tournament draws record crowd
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, March 15, 2016:
National Archery in the Schools tournament draws record crowd
ALBUQUERQUE – More than 900 archers competed at the fifth annual National Archery in the Schools (NASP) State Tournament March 12 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
“This sport is growing in popularity each and every year,” said Craig Sanchez, assistant chief of education for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “It’s fun, anyone can participate and it teaches discipline and focus.”
Tournament participation grew by 15 percent over last year and reflects the popularity of the sport, Sanchez said.
Cody Paris of Aztec High School scored 289 of a possible 300 points with 22 bullseyes to take first place among male high school competitors. Anne Rolsma of AIMS@UNM was the top female high school archer with a score of 280 and 14 bullseyes.
In the middle school division, David Westphal of AIMS@UNM, scored 284 out of 300 with 17 bullseyes to lead the boys while Kylee Pierce, of Albuquerque Home School, scored 276 with13 bullseyes to be the girls’ front runner.
In the elementary division Kimber Barnett of Clovis Christian School led the boys with a high score of 274 out of a possible 300 with 14 bullseyes. Barnett’s schoolmate, Chloee Whitten, was the top girls’ scorer at 273 and 12 bullseyes.
In team standings AIMS@UNM scored highest in the high school division with a total of 3283 out of a possible 3600 points while James Monroe Middle School won their division with a score of 2999 and Clovis Christian School took first place in the elementary division.
The top ten scorers in each individual division qualify to participate in the NASP Nationals in Kentucky in May. For complete list of tournament results please visit www.nasptournaments.org.
More than 100 public schools across New Mexico participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program and more join every year, Sanchez said. Schools receive free training for instructors, and the Department of Game and Fish provides 50 percent of the funding for each school to purchase archery equipment. It costs about $3,000 to outfit a school or organization with bows, targets, backstops and other equipment to get a program started. Many schools incorporate the program into existing physical education or after-school activities.
Federal funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes National Archery in the Schools Program possible. The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 dedicated federal excise taxes collected from manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment to national wildlife restoration programs, which include hunter education, shooting and archery programs in addition to wildlife surveys, transplants, and the purchase and management of wildlife management areas.
For more information about the National Archery in the Schools Program or how your school can get involved, contact Brian Guzman, archery coordinator for the Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4726 or brian.guzman@state.nm.us.
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Comments sought on Whitewater Creek Gila trout restoration project
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, March 14, 2016:
Comments sought on Whitewater Creek Gila trout restoration project
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is seeking public comment on a proposed project to restore native Gila trout to 24 miles of Whitewater Creek and its tributaries in the Gila National Forest and Wilderness.
The project aims to expand public angling opportunities while improving conservation of native fish species. Competing non-native fish would be removed from the creek to accommodate the repopulation of native fish. The creek would be treated with rotenone, a naturally occurring substance that affects only gill breathing animals and poses no threat to humans, but is very effective at killing fish and degrades rapidly after treatment.
Once all non-native fish have been eliminated from the creek, it will be stocked with native Gila trout and anglers will be allowed to fish for them with a daily bag limit of two. The project includes rebuilding trails to provide good public access to the creek.
The project is part of an ongoing effort to restore pure-strain Gila trout to southwestern New Mexico in an effort to produce a thriving population that no longer needs federally mandated protection. The species currently is listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. The department’s previous efforts have restored Gila trout to 62 miles of streams.
To view the project proposal and learn how to submit comments, please visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/fishing/native-new-mexico-fish/gila-trout-recovery-angling/.
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New wildlife license plate features a big buck
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, March 11, 2016:
New wildlife license plate features a big buck big buck license plate
“Hunters and wildlife enthusiasts will love this new license plate,” said Ginny Seamster, program coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “And it’s all for a good cause, conserving wildlife.”
Since 1981 the Share with Wildlife program has funded wildlife research, habitat enhancement, education and rehabilitation projects around the state. Many of those projects benefit nongame species in need of conservation.
The program is reliant upon donations, including the purchase of a special license plate from the state Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). Initial cost for the plate is $27 with $15 going to the Share with Wildlife Program. A subsequent $12 annual plate renewal cost also goes to the program. To order the new plate, please visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/share-with-wildlife/ to download the order form. The license plate also can be purchased at some MVD offices but call first to make sure it’s in stock.
Donations also can be made to the program by earmarking a portion of your state income tax refund. Just check off the box on your income tax form. Donors also can make a contribution through the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/share. All donations fund projects, not program administration.
For more information about the program, contact Ginny Seamster at (505) 476-8111 or virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
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Information Center open extra hours to take hunting license applications
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, March 10, 2016:
Information Center open extra hours to take hunting license applications
SANTA FE – Department of Game and Fish employees will be working extended hours and Saturdays this month to help hunters apply for big-game hunting licenses.
Information center hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. MDT Saturdays from March 12 through March 22. The information center will close at 4:30 p.m. MDT March 23. Online applications must be completed by 5 p.m. MDT that day.
Rules and information about applying for 2016-2017 hunting licenses is available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Printed editions of Hunting Rules & Information booklets are available at department area offices and license vendors. For more information or help applying for licenses, please call the information center at (888) 248-6866. Please have hunt choices and other information ready before calling.
The application deadline for big game, including elk, deer, pronghorn antelope, Barbary and bighorn sheep, oryx, ibex and javelina is 5 p.m. MDT March 23. Last season’s harvest reports for deer, elk, antelope, and turkey must be submitted by that date and a $8 late fee will apply. Javelina, Barbary sheep, oryx, ibex, and trapping license holders must report by April 7. Failure to report by these deadlines will result in rejection of all applications for this hunt season.
For more information about how to apply for licenses, please visit the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or see the instructional video on the department’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/NMGameandFish.
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Game and fish biologist featured in New Mexico Women of STEM calendar
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, Feb. 26, 2016:
Game and fish biologist featured in New Mexico Women of STEM calendar
SANTA FE –New Mexico Department of Game and Fish trout biologist Jill Wick is one of 17 New Mexico women featured on a calendar distributed statewide to encourage girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.
About 3,000 of the 16-month calendars recently were delivered to middle and high school math and science teachers for display in classrooms around the state. Wick is featured in the month of May.
Wick, 36, is the department’s Gila trout biologist. She credits her dad for instilling in her a love of nature and wildlife by taking her hiking, camping and fishing while growing up in Two Rivers, Wis. She later discovered she was interested in the sciences after taking an extra biology class as an elective in high school.
Wick earned her bachelor’s degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. She holds a master’s degree in natural resource and environmental science from Alabama A&M University.
She said it is an honor to serve as a role model for young girls. “It’s great to be able to show them that there really are cool jobs out there that they’re capable of doing,” she said.
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Special Hunter Education Camp offered at Camp Washington Ranch near Carlsbad
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: Information Center (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Jennifer Morgan (505) 222-4722
Jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Feb. 24, 2016:
Special Hunter Education Camp offered at Camp Washington Ranch near Carlsbad
CARLSBAD – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification.
The camp is open to youths ages 11 to 18 who are accompanied by a responsible adult. It will be conducted the weekend of March 18 – 20 at historic Camp Washington Ranch near Carlsbad. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 5 p.m., Feb 26, to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The department is hosting the camp in partnership with the New Mexico Youth Conservation Foundation, the Safari Club International Southern New Mexico Chapter and Safari Club International Foundation.
Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants also can test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles and archery on a range under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors and department staff.
To qualify for the camp, youths must have a Customer Identification Number account with the department and complete the required homework before attending. To hunt legally in New Mexico, youth under 18 years of age must first successfully complete a hunter education course or be registered in the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information please contact the Hunter Education Program at 505-222-4731 or go online to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/.
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Game Commission to meet Feb. 26 in Albuquerque
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 22, 2016:
Game Commission to meet Feb. 26 in Albuquerque
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will have a special meeting Friday, Feb. 26, in Albuquerque to hear a request by the Turner Endangered Species Fund to import five Mexican Wolves and temporarily hold them at its Ladder Ranch facility in southern New Mexico.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the Albuquerque Marriott, Acoma Room, 2101 Louisiana Blvd.
The Turner Endangered Species Fund, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Mexican Government wish to hold the wolves at the Ladder Ranch before they are exported to a facility in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, for eventual release into the wild in Mexico. The temporary stay at the Ladder Ranch would allow the wolves to rest during the long journey from the state of Washington, where they currently are held.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefing and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dick” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show in Albuquerque this weekend
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, Feb 17, 2016:
Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show in Albuquerque this weekend
ALBUQUERQUE – The annual New Mexico Outdoors Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show is back at the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque this weekend.
There’ll be plenty to see and do at this year’s event hosted by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, including a return engagement of the exciting fishing simulator.
Admission is free to all licensed anglers, hunters and trappers. Youths under the age of 18 get in free and it’s just $3 for everyone else.
Come see the latest equipment for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. New models of off-highway vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats and kayaks will be on display. And as always, outfitters, guides and conservation organizations will be on hand to offer their services and advice.
The event will be Feb. 19-21 in the Manuel Lujan Building at Expo New Mexico on the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque. The show opens to the public Friday, 1 to 8 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Deadline Wednesday to apply for bear, turkey permits
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 9, 2016:
Deadline Wednesday to apply for bear, turkey permits
SANTA FE –The deadline to apply for 2016-2017 bear and turkey permits is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10. Draw results will be available Feb. 24. Successful applicants must purchase a bear or turkey license and applicable stamps after April 1.
Hunters can apply online, by telephone or in person at Game and Fish Department area offices. Turkey hunters are reminded to submit harvest reports from last season’s hunt by Feb. 15 to avoid paying an $8 late fee.
Rules and information about applying for 2016-2017 hunting licenses is available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Printed editions are available at department area offices. For more information or help in applying for the draw, please call the information center at (888) 248-6866. Please have hunt choices and other information ready before calling.
Information center hours will be extended during the draw period from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays from March 12 through March 22. The information center will close at 4:30 p.m. on March 23. Online applications must be completed by 5 p.m. March 23.
The draw deadline for big game, including elk, deer, pronghorn antelope, Barbary and bighorn sheep, oryx, ibex and javelina is 5 p.m. March 23. Last season’s hunt harvest reports for deer, elk, antelope, and turkey must be submitted by that date. Javelina, Barbary sheep, oryx, ibex, and trapper license holders must report by April 7. Failure to report by these deadlines will result in rejection of all applications for this hunt season.
For more information about how to apply for the draw, please visit the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or see the instructional video on the department’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/NMGameandFish.
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Comments sought on public-private land-swap hunting access agreements
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: Information Center (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
State Land Office
Contact: Emily Strickler, (505) 827-3650
estrickler@slo.state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Feb. 5, 2016:
Comments sought on public-private land-swap hunting access agreements
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments about agreements that would open some private lands to public hunting in exchange for closing some areas of State Trust land.
The “unitization” agreements among the State Land Office, the department and several landowners are designed to benefit sportsmen and landowners. Under the agreements, some areas of State Trust land would be treated as private property and would be closed to hunting.
The private lands covered under the agreements then would be open to public hunters.
Unitization agreements give hunters access to private land while providing landowners greater flexibility in maintaining ranching operations on often-landlocked State Trust lands. The agreements must be reviewed and renewed annually.
The following ranches have been proposed for unitization agreements in southeastern New Mexico:
| Ranch Name | Game Management Unit(s) | County |
|---|---|---|
| Bettis Stoval | 39 | Guadalupe |
| Pajarito | 32, 36 | Lincoln |
| I Bar X | 36 | Lincoln |
| Armstrong | 37 | Lincoln |
| L Bar and Pentosa | 38 | Lincoln |
General unitization agreement information and maps of the proposed ranches can be found on the department website at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/home/public-comment/. Anyone with comments or concerns about the Department and the State Land Office entering into agreement with these landowners may send comments to Mike Perry at mike.perry@state.nm.us. All comments received will be forwarded to the Department of Game and Fish Director and the State Land Commissioner.
New rules approved to combat aquatic invasive species
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: Customer service (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Jan. 27, 2016:
New rules approved to combat aquatic invasive species
SANTA FE – All boats soon will be subject to inspection and possible decontamination before launching in New Mexico waters under new rules adopted to combat the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species.
The new rules, approved by the State Game Commission at its Jan. 14 meeting, will take effect Feb. 12.
Changes to the AIS rules include:
- Mandatory watercraft inspection required any time an inspection station is set up and in operation.
- Mandatory inspection and, if necessary, decontamination of all out-of-state registered watercraft or watercraft re-entering the state of New Mexico.
- Fourteen-day advance notification of intent to transport watercraft 26 feet long or longer into New Mexico.
- All boaters are required to “pull the plug” and drain watercraft when transporting in New Mexico.
- Implementation of a voluntary watercraft seal program to expedite boater access to a waterbody with limited need for inspection.
The amended rules were sought to help combat the spread of highly destructive aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels, quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species. New Mexico is one of only six western states that remain free of the invasive mussels, but is surrounded by neighboring states where the mussels are established. Invasive mussels attach to structures and grow quickly, clogging inlet pipes and other equipment. The most effective deterrent to their spread is to clean, drain and dry watercraft after each use.
For more information about the rule changes, watercraft inspection station locations and other news about aquatic invasive species, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ais or www.facebook.com/aquaticaliens; or contact the department’s aquatic invasive species coordinator, James Dominguez, (505) 476-8163, or james.dominguez@state.nm.us.
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Nominations sought for wildlife conservation awards
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JAN. 11, 2016:
Nominations sought for wildlife conservation awards
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is soliciting nominations for its inaugural Excellence in Wildlife Conservation awards to be presented Feb. 20 at the Governor’s Special Hunt Auction & Banquet at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque.
The awards are in recognition of outstanding achievements and contributions to wildlife conservation in New Mexico. The public is invited to submit nominations in the following categories:
Governor’s Conservationist Lifetime Achievement Award
The Governor’s Conservationist Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a distinguished individual who has made a contribution of lasting significance to the benefit of New Mexico’s wildlife. Nominees should be individuals whose lifelong efforts have been dedicated to conserving New Mexico’s wildlife for future generations.
Commissioner’s Wildlife Conservation Partnership Award
The Commissioner’s Wildlife Conservation Partnership Award recognizes an organization that promotes wildlife conservation in New Mexico. Nominees should be organizations that have made significant contributions of their time and skills through volunteer services or financial resources to further the mission of the Department of Game and Fish — “To conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico using a flexible management system that ensures sustainable use for public food supply, recreation and safety; and to provide for off-highway motor vehicle recreation that recognizes cultural, historic, and resource values while ensuring public safety.”
Director’s Wildlife Conservation Professional of the Year Award
The Director’s Wildlife Conservation Professional of the Year Award recognizes a Department of Game and Fish employee who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to wildlife conservation in New Mexico. Nominees should be department professionals whose work inspires others and benefits the department’s wildlife conservation efforts. These contributions may include noteworthy research, innovative approaches to wildlife conservation, excellence in developing outstanding outreach programs, successful application of conservation principals or exemplifying the conservation officer concept.
How to Nominate
Nominations should include a submission of a letter of no more than 1,500 words explaining why the nominee is deserving of the award, along with the nominee’s curriculum vitae or biography.
Questions and nominations will be accepted by email only at: DGF-2016awards@state.nm.us.
The deadline to submit nominations is Feb. 5, 2016. Awards are to be presented during the 2016 Governor’s Special Hunt Auction & Banquet, 6 p.m. Feb. 20, 2016 at Expo New Mexico’s Creative Arts Building on the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque.
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New 2016-2017 hunting rules and information booklet available
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: Customer service (888)-248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Jan. 6, 2015:
New 2016-2017 hunting rules and information booklet available
SANTA FE – Rules and information about applying for 2016-2017 hunting licenses is now available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Printed versions of the 2016-2017 hunting rules and information booklet will be available at license vendors and Game and Fish Department area offices soon.
The booklet includes information hunters need to apply for and purchase big-game, furbearer and upland game licenses and permits. Hunters are encouraged to review season dates, application deadlines and other information before applying for licenses or going afield.
The department will begin accepting online applications at 8 a.m. Jan. 13. The application deadline for bear and turkey permits is Feb.10. The application deadline for big-game licenses is 5 p.m. March 23. Hunters need to file harvest reports from last season’s hunt to be eligible for the 2016-2017 draw.
New rules this season include a 50 percent discount off licenses, permits and stamps for resident active duty military and veteran applicants.
Elk licenses and turkey permits for the Valles Caldera National Preserve now are available through the draw.
Customer service center hours will be extended during the draw period from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays from March 12 through March 22. The information center will close at 4:30 p.m. on March 23. Online applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. March 23. For more information or help with the draw, please call (888) 248-6866.
For more information about how to apply for the draw, please visit the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or see the instructional video on the department’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/NMGameandFish.
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Game Commission meet Jan. 14 in Santa Fe
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: Customer Service (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Jan. 4, 2016:
Game Commission to meet Jan. 14 in Santa Fe
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Jan. 14 in Santa Fe to consider numerous matters, including proposed changes to the Aquatic Invasive Species rule designed to prevent the spread of destructive zebra or quagga mussels to the state.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 14, 2015, in the Santa Fe Community College boardroom, 6401 Richards Ave., in Santa Fe.
Other agenda items include:
- Initial proposed dates and bag limits for migratory birds for the 2016-2017 hunting seasons.
- Consideration of the department’s plan to verify the active duty or veteran status of those seeking a 50 percent discount on licenses, permits and stamps as required under a newly enacted law.
- Presentation of the department’s priorities for the upcoming year.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are video recorded and can be seen at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Public help sought to protect big bucks during breeding season
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DEC. 14, 2015:
PUBLIC HELP SOUGHT TO PROTECT BIG BUCKS DURING BREEDING SEASON
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying poachers preying upon big bucks during the ongoing mule deer breeding season.
“Bucks in the rut are easy targets for opportunistic poachers,” said Bobby Griego, colonel of Field Operations for the department. “We’re asking the public to keep an eye out for our wildlife and report any suspicious activity.”
The mule deer breeding season in northern New Mexico is in full swing and deer can be found congregating in easily accessible areas where wildlife watchers, photographers and others can observe them. It is also the time of year that game wardens find many illegally slain bucks minus their heads and antlers — rotting by the roadside.
“They’re poaching some of our finest bucks,” Griego said.
The loss of these trophy bucks deprives deer herds of prime breeding stock for future generations and negatively impacts hunting for others.
Game wardens work overtime during the rut, patrolling wintering grounds where mule deer gather. Officers already are investigating numerous poaching cases, including:
- Officers received a report Dec. 8 of a large mule deer buck having been illegally killed several days earlier in a field off U.S. Forest Road 313 and N.M. 595 north of Lindrith. At the scene, officers discovered the carcass of a big buck missing its head, and two dead elk left to rot. Witnesses reported having seen a white Ford Raptor pickup truck in the field.
- A large gathering of ravens alerted an officer patrolling the Simms Mesa area near Navajo Lake on Sunday morning, Nov. 29, to evidence of a fresh kill. The officer observed tire tracks on a dirt road about half-mile north of mile marker 14 on N.M. 527 that indicated a vehicle had stopped, backed up and pulled off the road. Further investigation revealed drag marks leading into the brush, where a fresh gut pile from a male mule deer was found. No deer hunting was allowed in the area at that time.
- An officer on patrol Dec. 2 on N.M. 527 near mile marker 4 near Navjao Lake found the body of a dead buck with its antlers sawed off in the brush by the roadside. The body of a gutted but intact doe also was found nearby, along with a dead fawn that had been struck by a vehicle.
- An officer on patrol Nov. 28 investigated a large gathering of ravens at a well pad off Rio Arriba County Road 362, also known Rosa Road on the mesa east of Navajo Lake. The officer investigated and found the remains of a doe mule deer missing the only choicest cuts of meat known as the “back straps.”
Anyone with information about these cases or any others can earn cash rewards while remaining anonymous by calling the department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-432-GAME or reporting online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Monastery Lake closed to fishing due to unsafe ice conditions
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DEC.23, 2015:
MONASTERY LAKE CLOSED TO FISHING DUE TO UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS
SANTA FE –Monastery Lake near Pecos has been closed to fishing until further notice due to unsafe ice conditions.
Ice fishing is not allowed at the lake leased by the department from nearby Benedictine monastery for public fishing. A thin layer of ice has formed on the lake prompting the closure.
“When there are sufficient open areas of water available to allow fishing from the bank we’ll reopen it,” said Mike Sloane, chief of fisheries for the Department of Game and Fish.
Anglers can find good winter trout fishing in the Albuquerque area drains, at Tingley Beach and at other fishing waters in the southern part of the state. For a list of winter trout waters, maps and fish stocking reports visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us
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Public comments sought on proposed changes to aquatic invasive species rules
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: James Dominguez, (505) 476-8163
james.dominguez@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DEC. 15, 2015:
PUBLIC COMMENTS SOUGHT ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES RULES
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments on proposed rule changes to better protect the state from the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species.
“We need to further protect our state’s water resources and delivery infrastructure from these destructive invasive species,” said Mike Sloane, chief of the department’s Fisheries Division. “These rule changes will help us address some gaps we’ve discovered in enforcement and compliance.”
The proposed changes to Aquatic Invasive Species rules include requiring all out-of-state boat owners to pass an inspection before launching a watercraft in New Mexico. The proposed rules also would make it mandatory for all boaters to stop at aquatic invasive species inspection and decontamination stations, and would provide for the creation of a seal of approval program.
New Mexico remains free of zebra or quagga mussel infestation but is surrounded by states where the invasive species have taken root. The mussels can attach to structures and grow quickly, clogging inlet pipes and other equipment.
New Mexico is one of only six western states that remain free of the invasive mussels, and the rule changes are needed to help keep it that way, Sloane said.
The proposed rule changes can be found on the department website.
Comments or suggestions should be sent by Dec. 31 to James.Dominguez@state.nm.us.
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Eagle Nest Lake temporarily closed to ice fishing
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Clint Henson, (575) 445-2311
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
clint.henson@state.nm.us
New Mexico State Parks Division
Christina Cordova, (505) 476-3363
christina.cordova@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DEC. 11, 2015:
EAGLE NEST LAKE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ICE FISHING
EAGLE NEST – Eagle Nest Lake is temporarily closed to ice-fishing due to recent warm weather and winds that have produced unsafe conditions, the Department of Game and Fish and New Mexico State Parks announced.
There had been a good layer of ice on the lake, but recent warm weather caused some areas to melt resulting in open water. Ice conditions should improve soon, allowing for ice-fishing to resume. A minimum of 9 inches of solid ice is required for the lake to be considered safe for activities.
Fishing is still allowed from the bank and camping is available at Eagle Nest Lake State Park, but the boat ramps remain closed.
Please call the park at (575) 377-1594 for current fishing and ice conditions or visit the park’s web page, http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/eaglenestlakestatepark.html.
For more information about fishing in northeastern New Mexico, please contact the Department of Game and Fish office in Raton at (505) 445-2311. Fishing information is also available on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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$3,000 in rewards offered in refuge elk poaching
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DEC. 1, 2015:
LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Department of Game and Fish and Las Vegas, N.M., area landowners, businesses and residents are offering $3,000 in rewards for information leading to the poachers who killed two bull elk and left them to rot at Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge.
“It is outrageous and unacceptable that someone would kill these animals and leave them to waste,” said Rob Larrañaga, refuge manager. “These criminals stole two prized elk that could have been harvested in a youth hunt being planned by the refuge.”
The department is offering a $1,200 reward through its Operation Game Thief program, and Las Vegas area landowners, businesses and the Friends of Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge are offering another $1,800 for information leading to charges being filed in the case.
Anyone with information about this case or any other wildlife crime is urged to call Operation Game Thief toll-free, (800) 432-4263. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for rewards if charges are filed.
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Game Commission to meet Nov. 19 in Roswell
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOV. 5, 2015:
GAME COMMISSION TO MEET NOV. 19 IN ROSWELL
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Nov. 19 in Roswell to consider numerous matters, including implementation of a new law granting New Mexico resident military veterans and active duty soldiers a 50-percent discount on licenses, permits, or stamp purchases.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at New Mexico Military Institute, Pearson Auditorium, 101 West College Blvd., Roswell.
Other agenda items include:
- An update of ongoing lease negotiations with the State Land Office regarding continued hunting access on State Trust Lands.
- A report of results from recent fish population surveys at Bluewater Lake and discussion of possible future management plans.
- Final proposed amendments to the Fisheries Rule for designation of Special Trout Waters on the Valles Caldera National Preserve.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are broadcast live at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Late-season archery elk licenses available online Oct. 28
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCT. 16, 2015:
LATE-SEASON ARCHERY ELK LICENSES AVAILABLE ONLINE OCT. 28
SANTA FE –Two hundred seventy-five trophy bull elk archery hunting licenses will go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 28, first-come, first-served, on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The sale will begin at 10 a.m. Oct. 28 and will be open only to New Mexico residents for the first 24 hours. Any remaining licenses will be available to nonresidents beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 29. Only hunters who did not hold a 2015-2016 elk license are eligible to purchase the late-season licenses. The bag limit for the late-season hunts is one bull elk with antlers that have at least six points on one side.
Hunters are strongly advised to obtain an online customer account or review their existing account, user name and password well before the sale begins. The sale is online-only, first-come, and first-served and hunts sell out quickly.
Available licenses include:
Archery hunts, trophy bull elk (six-point antlers or more on one side):
Unit 12: Nov. 21-25, 25 licenses.
Unit 34: Dec. 19-23, 200 licenses.
Unit 37: Dec, 5-9, 50 licenses.
Special restrictions apply to elk harvested in unit 34. Please see page 79 of the New Mexico 2015-16 hunting rules and information booklet at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The Department makes late-season elk licenses available as biologists continue to assess annual population and harvest information, regional herd management objectives and additional harvest needs.
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Volunteers needed to clean up Santa Fe shooting areas
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
Public contact: Jessica Fisher, (505) 476-8100
jessica.fisher@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCT. 5, 2015;
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO CLEAN UP SANTA FE SHOOTING AREAS
SANTA FE – Volunteers are invited to help clean up two outdoor shooting ranges on public land south of Santa Fe in October.
The Department of Game and Fish, Santa Fe County and the Bureau of Land Management are sponsoring clean-up days at designated shooting areas off Old Buckman Road and at Camel Tracks.
“This is a great opportunity to clean up these areas,” said Jessica Fisher, shooting program coordinator for the department. “We’ll have a dumpster and trash bags available and with just a little help we can make a huge impact.”
The Camel Tracks and Old Buckman Road designated shooting areas are heavily used by Santa Fe area shooters, some of whom have left behind spent shells, used targets and other debris.
The clean-up dates:
9 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 – Camels Tracks shooting area off Santa Fe County Road 56C on the mesa south of Santa Fe just past the airport and old polo grounds.
9 a.m. to noon Oct. 17 – Old Buckman Road shooting area off Santa Fe County Road 77 just past the Las Campanas subdivision and on the road to Diablo Canyon and the Rio Grande.
Civic groups, sportsmen’s organizations, outdoor advocates and others interested in keeping public lands unspoiled are encouraged to participate. Volunteers are asked to bring rakes, shovels, gloves, outdoor work clothes food and beverages. Department staff will assist in the clean-up efforts and provide firearm safety information.
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Eagle Rock Lake in Questa restocked with trout and ready for fishing
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 30, 2015:
EAGLE ROCK LAKE IN QUESTA RESTOCKED WITH TROUT AND READY FOR FISHING
QUESTA – Eagle Rock Lake in Questa will reopen to fishing Saturday, Oct. 3, following a reopening ceremony and celebration of angling improvements to the lake and adjoining river.
“We’ve created an incredible aquatic park that anglers will really enjoy,” said Eric Frey, sport fish program manager for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “This should really put Questa on the map as one of the top fishing destinations in the state.”
Before the reopening, the lake will be restocked with rainbow trout, including plenty of big ones raised at the nearby Red River Fish Hatchery.
The lake has been closed for the past year while Chevron Mining drained, dredged and relined it. Construction crews also installed new trails, bridges and fish habitat improvements to the river. Anglers will find easier lakeside access and accommodations, along with numerous new pools in the river.
“There’s really nothing like it in the state, where an angler can fish the lake and stream all in one place,” Frey said.
The department invested $800,000 in the project, including over a mile of in-stream fish habitat improvements around the hatchery.
Reopening festivities include a volunteer cleanup and tree planting in the morning, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches around noon. Department hatchery workers will conduct a fish stocking demonstration and there will be live music and food available.
Project partners included Trout Unlimited, Questa Economic Development Board, Chevron Mining, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
Navajo Lake boat ramp closed to snagging in October
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contacts: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007, karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
Christina Cordova, 505-476-3363; christina.cordova@state.nm.us
Beth Wojahn, 505-476-3226; beth.wojahn@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 23, 2015:
NAVAJO LAKE BOAT RAMP CLOSED TO SNAGGING IN OCTOBER
NAVAJO DAM –The Pine Main boat ramp at Navajo Lake State Park and surrounding no-wake zone will be closed to anglers this October during kokanee salmon snagging season to allow the Department of Game and Fish to harvest salmon eggs and sperm.
The rest of Navajo Lake will remain open to snagging, including the spillway to the far corner of the dam. The kokanee salmon-snagging season at Navajo Lake runs from October 1 through December 31; the closed area will reopen to anglers on November 1.
“Low water years have hindered our egg take from Heron Reservoir, requiring the use of Navajo Lake as an alternative source of salmon eggs this year,” said Richard Hansen, cold-water fisheries supervisor for the department. The New Mexico State Parks Division has agreed to support the closure, allowing the department to maximize egg take, which will provide salmon to stock next year.
Kokanee are landlocked sockeye salmon that form schools, spawn and then die each fall. They cannot reproduce naturally in New Mexico’s lakes. Instead, each year department staff captures spawning fish and milks them of their eggs and sperm and raises the fertilized eggs at the department’s hatchery in Los Ojos. The fry are stocked out the following spring in Navajo, Heron, Eagle Nest, Abiquiu and El Vado lakes.
Snagging is a technique for harvesting soon-to-die spawning salmon. Anglers cast heavyweight treble hooks into schools of fish and then reel them in. Anglers are allowed to harvest 12 fish per day and have 24 in their possession.
The salmon snagging season runs from October 1 through December 31 at Navajo Lake, the Pine River, El Vado Lake, Abiquiu Lake, Eagle Nest Lake and the Chama River from El Vado Lake to the west boundary of the Rio Chama Wildlife and Fishing Area. The snagging season at Heron Lake and Willow Creek is from November 15 through December 31.
For more information about snagging season, please consult the “New Mexico Fishing Rules and Information” booklet available online at the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
For more information about Navajo Lake State Park, please call (505) 632-2278 or visit http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/navajolakestatepark.html.
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Game Commission to meet Sept. 29 in Albuquerque
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 18, 2015:
GAME COMMISSION TO MEET SEPT. 29 IN ALBUQUERQUE
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Sept. 29 in Albuquerque to consider numerous matters, including an update on a new Hunters Helping the Hungry food donation program.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, at the Embassy Suites Conference Center, 1000 Woodward Place N.E., in Albuquerque.
Other agenda items include:
- Discussion of lease negotiations with the State Land Office regarding continued hunting access on State Trust Lands.
- An update on the Gold King Mine spill, including a summary of events, findings to date and discussion of future actions.
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service appeal of the department’s denial of its request to release Mexican gray wolves.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are broadcast live at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Public comment sought on new statewide fisheries management plan
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: Kirk Patten 505-476-8055
DGF-StatewideFishPlan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT.17,2015:
MANAGEMENT PLAN
SANTA FE –The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on the draft of a new fisheries management plan that will help guide the department’s efforts into the future.
The new plan includes management direction for specific waters, primary fish species and project priorities. The last comprehensive, statewide, fisheries management plan was adopted in 1987 and only covered sportfish.
The new draft plan includes sportfish as well native and non-game fish. The draft plan also includes information about hatchery operations, habitat restoration projects, specific watershed areas, angler survey data, fishery management priorities, funding and more.
The plan can be found on the department’s website at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/commission/proposals-under-consideration.
The department is also conducting public meetings about the plan:
- Albuquerque: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sept. 29, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Northwest Area Office, 3841 Midway Place NE, Albuquerque.
- Roswell: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sept. 30, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Southeast Area Office, 1912 W. Second Street, Roswell.
- Las Cruces: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Oct. 7, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Southwest Area Office, 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces.
- Raton: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Oct. 8, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Northeast Area Office, 215 York Canyon Road, Raton.
Public comments can be sent by email to DGF-StatewideFishPlan@state.nm.us. Please submit comments by October 31, 2015. For further information please contact Kirk Patten, Assistant Chief of Fisheries, at 505-476-8055.
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Sign up for free All-Terrain Vehicle safety classes this fall
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact:Chris Johnson, (505) 222-4712
christopher.johnson@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 15, 2015:
SIGN UP FOR FREE ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE SAFETY CLASSES THIS FALL
ALBUQUERQUE – The Department of Game and Fish Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) program is conducting free, hands-on, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) safety classes around the state this fall.
The Saturday classes are four hours long. Space is limited to six students and preregistration is required. No walk-ins will be accepted. A parent or guardian must be in attendance.
State law requires ATV riders under age 18 to carry a safety permit proving completion of an approved OHV safety course. Upon successful completion of the department’s hands-on training course students will receive the required safety permit.
The classes:
- Sept. 19 — Rio Arriba County Fairgrounds north of Española.
- Oct. 3 — Los Lunas River Park in Los Lunas.
- Oct. 17 — Hackberry Lake OHV Area east of Carlsbad.
- Nov. 7 — Glade Run OHV Area north of Farmington.
- Nov. 14 — Del Norte Gun Club northwest of Rio Rancho.
During registration students can reserve a department ATV and safety equipment for training. Students can use their own mechanically-sound ATV as long as it is properly registered, complies with age-specific size and fit standards, is equipped with a spark arrester and meets exhaust noise rules. Sharing of ATVs is not allowed.
Each student must have a U.S. Department of Transportation approved helmet and eye protection including either goggles, safety glasses or a face shield attached to the helmet. Students must wear sturdy over-the-ankle footwear, long pants, long sleeves and full fingered gloves during training. Limited safety gear will be available for use.
For more information and to preregister for the OHV safety classes, please visit http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/ohv/ohv-education/ or call (505) 222-4712. Online training is also available that provides the required safety permit upon successful completion.
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Duck hunters asked to stop at harvest check stations
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 12, 2015:
DUCK HUNTERS ASKED TO STOP AT HARVEST CHECK STATIONS
SANTA FE – Duck hunters are asked to bring their harvested birds to check stations this season so Department of Game and Fish biologists can obtain samples for testing.
The effort is part of a broader, national plan to monitor wild bird populations for strains of avian influenza. New Mexico is host to hundreds of thousands of migratory birds each year, said department Bird Program Manager Kristin Madden.
“We’re encouraging hunters to come in after harvest so we can check their ducks,” Madden said. The quick, voluntary inspection consists of swabbing the bird for a sample, she said.
There are several strains of avian influenza that afflict wild and domestic birds, but none are known to be harmful to humans. Dogs used in wild bird hunting are not considered at risk of acquiring avian influenza and there have been no documented cases of the virus infecting dogs.
A lone bird at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge tested positive for the flu last year. Department biologists hope to sample about 1,300 birds this year to determine distribution of avian influenza in the state.
A department check-station will be off Interstate 25 at the Bernardo exit near the intersection of U.S. Route 60 and New Mexico 116 or inside the gate of the nearby Bernardo Wildlife Management Area. The check station will be in operation during the September teal hunting season.
The hours and dates are:
- 6:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 through Tuesday Sept.15.
- 6:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday Sept. 19.
The public’s cooperation is greatly appreciated.
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Hunter attacked by bear near Wagon Mound
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Clint Henson (505) 445-2311
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
clint.henson@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 11, 2015:
HUNTER ATTACKED BY BEAR NEAR WAGON MOUND BEAR AND CUB
RATON – Department of Game and Fish conservation officers are searching for a bear that attacked a 60-year-old man from Missouri who was elk hunting Thursday afternoon west of Wagon Mound.
Officers used dogs to search for the offending bear soon after the attack, but rain caused the scent to deteriorate and the bear was not found. A trap was set in the area. Officers will continue to search for the bear to test it for rabies. Bear hair was found at the attack site and will help in identifying the offending bear.
The hunter said he was eating lunch under a tree stand when a sow and cub came to the water hole where he was hunting. He took photographs and video of the bears before the attack and said he had seen five other bears that morning. The hunter fell 15 feet from the tree at one point but was able to climb back up. He also had a pistol and had fired a warning shot and four other shots from the tree at the bear, but it would not retreat. He radioed his guide to help him after the attack ended. The guide told officers that the hunter was nearly to the top of the 50-foot tree when he arrived.
The incident was the fourth this year resulting in injuries and the second this week in which a bear attack resulted in injuries to a human. Wednesday, a female bear with a cub attacked a runner on a trail near Los Alamos. The runner was being treated at a Santa Fe hospital. The search for that bear was suspended Friday because dogs could not find a scent.
If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
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Bear sought in attack on Los Alamos man
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 274-5449
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 10, 2015:
BEAR SOUGHT IN ATTACK ON LOS ALAMOS MAN
LOS ALAMOS – Department of Game and Fish officers are searching for an adult black bear involved in the attack of a 56-year-old man Wednesday evening on a hiking trail near Los Alamos.
The Los Alamos man suffered deep flesh wounds and scratches to his head, chest and hands and was being treated at Christus St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe.
Conservation officers using dogs were searching for the bear Thursday with assistance from Los Alamos police and Los Alamos National Laboratory. If found, the bear will be tested for rabies. Rabies in bears is rare but it is a nearly 100 percent fatal disease, so every precaution will be taken.
The trail where the attack occurred, the Canyon de Valle trail north of Los Alamos, was closed until further notice.
According to officer reports, the victim said he was running on the trail at about 7 p.m. when he encountered a female bear and its cub on the trail. The cub ran up a tree. The victim tried to scare the female bear away by making noise, but the bear charged, knocking him into a stream bed, and then started biting and clawing at his head. When the bear stopped attacking and the victim tried to stand up, the bear attacked again and then walked away.
The victim was able to walk 2.5 miles back to his car, where he retrieved his personal identification and flagged down a passing motorist, who took him to Los Alamos Medical Center. The victim was treated for his wounds before being transported to Christus St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe. Bear hair samples were collected from the victim and his clothes to help identify the bear involved in the attack.
The incident was the third this year in which a bear attack resulted in injuries to a human. In early July, a bear bit a Raton girl while she was sleeping in a tent outside her house. In early June, a bear attacked and scratched a man who was hunting antlers in Lincoln County.
Here are some ways to protect yourself if you live in or visit bear country:
If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
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Wildlife crimes net stiff fines and jail time
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 4, 2015:
WILDLIFE CRIMES NET STIFF FINES AND JAIL TIME
RATON –A Colfax County magistrate judge fined two Raton men more than $7,000 and sentenced one to 60 days in jail for “egregious” crimes against wildlife.
Judge Warren Walton convicted Michael A. Malcom, 29, of Raton on 13 charges including criminal trespass, illegal trapping and unlawful possession of deer and other wildlife parts following a bench trial Aug. 31, according to court records.
Walton characterized Malcom’s crimes as “egregious” and sentenced him to 60 days in jail and fined him $6,500 and $689 in court costs.
State Department of Game and Fish officers discovered Malcom trespassing on Vermejo Park Ranch last December. He was suspected of illegal trapping. Malcolm could not produce a valid trapping license but did produce a deer license and under questioning admitted he killed a deer but failed to validate the license. A warrant was obtained to search his residence where officers found the deer and other game parts. Several traps were also seized as evidence during the search. Malcom has appealed his conviction with the District Court in Raton.
In another case Pat Garrett, 47, of Raton was fined $500 plus $173 in court costs and 182 days probation by Judge Walton after Garrett pleaded no contest July 27 to unlawful possession of an elk head, according to court records.
Garrett, a hunting guide, had a client that recently wounded a bull elk but they couldn’t find the animal. About a month later, Garrett found the dead bull and took the head to his house so he could send it to the hunter. Officers observed the head while at Garrett’s house on an unrelated matter and questioned Garrett, who could show no license or other legal proof for having the head. All wildlife parts, except shed antlers, must have legal documentation to be possessed.
“This is a good lesson for everyone to remember,” said Officer Clint Henson, who worked on the cases. “You cannot pick up heads or other wildlife parts you find in the field. Contact your local game warden and he or she will conduct an investigation and then decide on their best use.”
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Statelifts catch and release recommendation for Animas and San Juan Rivers
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 4, 2015:
STATE LIFTS CATCH AND RELEASE RECOMMENDATION FOR ANIMAS AND SAN JUAN RIVERS
SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologists have determined fish caught in sections of the Animas and San Juan rivers affected by last month’s Gold King Mine wastewater spill in Colorado are safe to eat.
A laboratory in Colorado tested the organs and tissue for lead, mercury, selenium, copper, arsenic and cadmium in 17 fish, five catfish, and 12 trout that were taken from the affected areas of the rivers.
“Tissue samples from fish tested revealed trace amounts of metals that are within acceptable levels for human consumption,” said Mike Sloane, chief of fisheries for the Department. “After consulting with the Environment Department and the Department of Health, we have decided to lift our previous catch and release recommendation on fish caught in the affected reaches of the Animas and San Juan Rivers of New Mexico.”
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recently announced that fish from the Animas River in Colorado where the spill occurred are also safe to eat.
The Department will continue collecting and testing species of fish and macro-invertebrates in the rivers to monitor the short and long-term effects on aquatic species. Collections will be taken again at six months post-spill, one year post-spill and annually thereafter.
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Department seeks next generation of conservation officers
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 28, 2015:
DEPARTMENT SEEKS NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION OFFICERS
SANTA FE – The 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.
The department is accepting applications for game warden trainees with a starting pay of $17.03 an hour with an increase upon successful completion of required training. Prior law enforcement experience is not required, but successful applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field, pass a psychological and medical exam, and fitness and drug tests. Recruits will receive basic training at the Law Enforcement Academy and on-the-job training before working alone in the field.
Conservation officers enforce New Mexico’s game and fish laws and investigate and pursue criminal and civil cases against offenders. They also educate the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conduct wildlife surveys, investigate wildlife damage to crops and property, assist in wildlife relocations and help develop new rules and regulations.
Interested applicants can get more information about conservation officer duties, educational and physical requirements, training, and employee benefits by visiting the Enforcement page on the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us/enforcement/career-advancement.
Those interested in a career with the department can contact Lt. Brady Griffith, department recruiting officer, (505) 795-1700 or bradyd.griffith@state.nm.us.
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Hunting seasons ramp up across New Mexico
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 28:
HUNTING SEASONS RAMP UP ACROSS NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE – Many hunters will be taking to the woods and fields across New Mexico starting Sept. 1, the opening day for deer, elk and turkey archery hunts and for most small game and upland game birds.
Hunting seasons for doves, blue grouse, band-tailed pigeons and squirrels will open in many areas of the state starting Sept. 1. Licenses, maps, questionnaires and other related materials are available online at the Game and Fish Department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The 2015-16 migratory game-bird hunting rules and information booklet is available on the department website. Printed copies will be available soon at game and fish offices and license vendors.
The department will accept draw applications for sandhill crane and pheasant hunts from Sept. 2 to Sept. 30. Apply online with a customer account at www.wildlifestate.nm.us or by phone at (888) 248-6866. A list of available hunt dates and more information about bag limits and seasons is available on the department website.
This year, department staff manning crane harvest check stations also will inspect harvested ducks for evidence of avian flu, said Kristin Madden, bird program manager for the department.
Pronghorn antelope hunting season began in early August and is ongoing while big-game muzzleloader and rifle hunts commence later in the fall and continue through the early winter.
An estimated 36,000 elk hunters, 27,000 deer hunters, 4,400 pronghorn hunters and 30,000 small-game and bird hunters are expected to be in the field this season.
The Department of Game and Fish urges all hunters to stress safety while in the field, especially during archery seasons when hunters commonly are dressed in camouflage. Hikers, bikers and others using the back country during hunting seasons are encouraged to wear bright clothing so they are easily visible to hunters.
For more information about hunting in New Mexico please visit the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Game Commission meet Aug. 27 in Santa Fe
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 14:
GAME COMMISSION TO MEET AUG. 27 IN SANTA FE
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet Aug. 27 in Santa Fe to consider numerous matters, including discussion of a new statewide fisheries management plan.
The meeting will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at the Santa Fe Community College Jemez Rooms, 6401 Richards Ave., Santa Fe.
Other agenda items include:
- Discussion of the development of a new easement to provide continued sportsmen access to State Trust Lands for the 2016-2017 hunting seasons.
- Final department proposals to the Bear and Cougar Rule based on public comment, harvest data, population status and other management needs.
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service appeal of the department’s denial of its request to release Mexican gray wolves.
- Presentation of the department’s 2017 operating budget and request for commission approval.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are broadcast live at www.governor.state.nm.us.
Las Cruces teen takes first place in International Youth Hunter Education Challenge
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: Customer service (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 11, 2015:
LAS CRUCES TEEN TAKES FIRST PLACE IN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH HUNTER EDUCATION CHALLENGE
RATON – Raton played host to 339 contestants and coaches from 16 states for the International Youth Hunter Education Challenge at the National Rifle Association Whittington Center July 27-31.
Team Bullseye of Las Cruces brought home top awards from the competition with Lawrence Richardson, 14, of Las Cruces, earning first place in the junior division.
Richardson, a freshman at Mayfield High School and a member of team Bullseye, bested more than 120 contestants to win his division with high scores in multiple events. Bullseye’s junior team also took first place overall in orienteering while team member Kelsey Graves earned first place in wildlife identification.
New Mexico teams sent 32 competitors and 11 coaches to the competition that included tests under simulated hunting conditions in archery, rifle, muzzleloader and shotgun use, wildlife identification, orienteering, hunter safety and responsibility.
The event drew hundreds of contestants, coaches, volunteers and their families from around the country to the Raton area. To learn more about the program, please visit yhec.nra.org/.
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Free family fun at N.M. Outdoor Expo Aug. 15 & 16
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: Customer service (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 11, 2015:
ALBUQUERQUE – If you’ve wanted to learn to catch a fish, shoot a rifle, paddle a kayak or try your hand at archery, check out the Department of Game and Fish’s annual New Mexico Outdoor Expo, a free family event at the Albuquerque Shooting Range Park 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Aug. 15 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Aug. 16.
“This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy some fun outdoor activities together,” says Jessica Fisher, shooting program coordinator for the Department of Game and Fish. “And we’ll be teaching folks basic skills that can lead to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment.”
All equipment for use during the event is provided free.
Those interested in fishing will find helpful staff and volunteers on hand to teach the basics of casting, knot tying and the use of bait and lures. Visitors can experience the thrill of catching and releasing a fish from artificial ponds. A 5,000 gallon aquarium full of sport fish will provide spectators the opportunity to see how they react to lures trailed through the water.
This year, guests can experience the thrill of duck hunting from a blind in the event’s newest event. Other attractions include a rock climbing wall, kayak pond and atlatl throwing at 3-dimensional animal targets.
The exhibit hall will feature a variety of display exhibits by sporting and conservation organizations and information booths staffed by several state and federal conservation agencies. Guests will also find a good selection of food vendors outside the hall.
To get to the Albuquerque Shooting Range Park from Albuquerque, take Interstate 40 west to the top of Nine-mile Hill, exit and drive 4.2 miles north on Atrisco Vista, turn left at the park sign and drive 2.6 miles to the shooting range.
For more information about the event, please visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting season
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Ross Morgan (505) 222-4707
Public contact: Customer service (888) 248-6866
ross.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Aug. 6, 2015:
EXPECT ROADBLOCKS STATEWIDE DURING HUNTING SEASON
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during hunting seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations.
Hunting seasons are approaching for pronghorn antelope, deer, elk, bears and some other species as listed in the department’s Hunting Rules & Information booklets.
At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Act and the Aquatic Invasive Species Control Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact a Department of Game and Fish area office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell or Las Cruces, or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed.
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Agenda updated for Aug. 27 State Game Commission meeting
The agenda for the Aug. 27 State Game Commission meeting was updated Aug. 4.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Plenty of prime youth elk licenses available
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 30, 2015:
PLENTY OF PRIME YOUTH ELK LICENSES AVAILABLE
SANTA FE – Around 700 youth encouragement elk licenses remain available through the Department of Game and Fish Online License System.
The sale is now open to all eligible youths, regardless of residency, who don’t have a 2015-16 elk license, whether they applied for draw hunts or not.
Many of the remaining licenses are in prime hunting units, said Chad Nelson, supervisor of the department’s information center.
“There are a lot of excellent hunting opportunities still available,” Nelson said.
The sale is designed to encourage youth hunting and licenses are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log in to their Online License System account at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Youth hunters must have a valid Hunter Education number entered in their account before purchasing an elk hunting license, and must be younger than 18 years of age on opening day of the hunt to be eligible.
Hunters must have a current Junior Game Hunting or a Junior Game Hunting and Fishing license to purchase an elk license successfully. Customers without a Game Hunting license will be directed to purchase one before continuing to the youth encouragement sale.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility. The license fee, but not the application fee will be refunded on rejected purchases. After eligibility is verified, licenses will be awarded to hunters and will be available to print and view within a few days of purchase.
For more information about the youth encouragement elk license sale, hunting in New Mexico, or for help logging in, please call customer service at (888) 248-6866. Youth encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone.
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Share with Wildlife call for project information for FY16 projects released
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program announces the release of the Call For Project Information (CFPI) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 projects. The call for project proposals is available on the Share with Wildlife website, http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/share-with-wildlife/, on the Applications-Reports tab.
The Share with Wildlife program funds projects up to $50,000 that pertain to one of the following four categories: habitat enhancement, biological and ecological studies, wildlife rehabilitation, and wildlife education. Project topics of particular interest to the Department for FY16 and details regarding proposal format are listed in the CFPI. All questions regarding the application process and final project proposals should be submitted to the Share with Wildlife Coordinator, Ginny Seamster, virginia.seamster@state.nm.us.
Please contact Dr. Seamster if proposals will need to be submitted in hard copy. Otherwise, all proposals must be submitted electronically in a single .pdf or Microsoft Word file (.doc and .docx both acceptable) by 5 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.
Bighorn sheep license auction, raffle generate big bucks
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 27, 2015:
BIGHORN SHEEP LICENSE AUCTION, RAFFLE GENERATE BIG BUCKS
SANTA FE – The auction and raffle of four bighorn sheep hunting licenses brought in close to a half million dollars for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish bighorn sheep program this year.
Two lucky hunters won prized bighorn sheep permits in a record-breaking raffle conducted by the New Mexico chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation in June. The raffle sold more than 7,000 tickets and earned $143,000 for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s bighorn sheep program, said Eric Rominger, bighorn sheep biologist for the department. Twice as many $20 raffle tickets were sold this year than last year for the chance to hunt for either a Rocky Mountain or desert bighorn sheep, Rominger said.
In January, the auctions of a desert bighorn license and a Rocky Mountain bighorn license together brought in another $330,000 to the department’s program, Rominger said.
Proceeds will go to the department’s bighorn sheep program and will be used for research, restoration, predator control and other operations, Rominger said.
New Mexico’s desert bighorn sheep population was nearly wiped out by market hunting, domestic livestock diseases and mountain lion predation. Fewer than 70 animals remained statewide by 1980, prompting New Mexico to add the desert bighorn to its endangered species list. Today, transplanting efforts and cougar control have helped establish herds across southern New Mexico. By 2011 there were enough desert bighorn sheep in the state to enable their removal from the state endangered species list.
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep had already disappeared from New Mexico by the early 1900s.
But the animals have since rebounded through efforts by the department with funds from hunters and conservation groups.
Hundreds of bighorn sheep have been transplanted across the state to establish herds while mountain lions have been brought under control to limit predation losses.
For more information about hunting for bighorn sheep in New Mexico please visit the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
State Wildlife Action Plan meetings scheduled
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Department will host four, statewide meetings in July to provide information to the public and receive comment on revisions to the State Wildlife Action Plan.
The plan serves as a blueprint for planning and implementing the department’s wildlife and habitat conservation initiatives over the next 10 years.
The public is encouraged to attend.
- Albuquerque: 1 to 4 p.m. July 28, Interstate Stream Commission office large conference room, 5550 San Antonio Dr. NE, Albuquerque.
- Las Cruces: 1 to 4 p.m. July 29, Department of Game and Fish, Southwest Area Office, 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces.
- Roswell: 1 to 4 p.m. July 30, Department of Game and Fish, Southeast Area Office, 1912 West Second Street, Roswell.
- Taos: 1 to 4 p.m. July 31, Bureau of Land Management, Taos Field Office, 226 Cruz Alta Road, Taos.
State Wildlife Action Plan draft documents are available online at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/state-wildlife-action-plan/
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People, predators share New Mexico’s outdoors in summertime
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Ross Morgan, (505) 222-4707
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
ross.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 24, 2015:
PEOPLE, PREDATORS SHARE NEW MEXICO’S OUTDOORS IN SUMMERTIME
SANTA FE – Those venturing into New Mexico’s great outdoors this summer need to be aware that predators are still out there. Although abundant rainfall has kept most predators away from populated areas this summer, there have been some encounters.
Most recently, evidence indicated a pit bulldog was killed by a cougar after the dog broke free from its leash at a campground at Bill Evans Lake on July 22. Department officers believe a cougar was in the area hunting for javelina. No one saw the attack, but bite wounds on the dog indicated it was a cougar. Officers believe the cougar left the area. The lake and campground remain open to the public.
Plenty of food in the high country has kept most bears in the back country, but a few are still venturing into neighborhoods. For one bear, beehives near Tijeras were too much of a temptation.
After the bear ransacked some bee hives, the beekeeper contacted the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for assistance and a responding officer helped by erecting an electric fence around the hives to keep the bear out. The cost of the fencing was paid through the $3 depredation fee attached to every hunting license.
To help reduce encounters with predators follow these tips
If you visit or live in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you visit or live in cougar country, here are some ways to protect yourself, your family and your pets from cougars and other large predators:
- Do not let your pets roam around outside. Bring them in at night. If you keep pets outside, provide a kennel with a secure top. Do not feed pets outside where the food can attract cougars or other smaller animals that cougars prey upon. Store and dispose of all garbage securely.\
- Closely supervise small children. Make sure they are home before dusk and not outside before dawn. Make lots of noise if you come or go during times when cougars are most active — dusk to dawn. Teach your children about cougars and what they should do if they encounter one.
- Place all livestock in enclosed sheds or barns at night. Close the doors to all outbuildings so that an inquisitive cougar is prevented from going inside to look around.
- Do not feed wildlife. Use native plants, not non-natives, so as to not attract deer, which are the primary prey of cougars. Remember, predators follow prey.
- Landscape or remove vegetation to eliminate hiding cover for cougars, especially around areas where children play. Make it difficult for a cougar to approach unseen.
- Install outdoor lighting, especially in areas where you walk, so you can see a cougar if one were present.
- Close off open spaces below porches or decks.
Cougar encounters and attacks are extremely rare, but if you do encounter a cougar in the wild or in town:
- Do not run from a cougar as fleeing behavior may trigger the instinct of the cougar to attack. Stay calm and talk to it firmly. Slowly back away slowly if you can do so safely.
- Immediately pick up all children off the ground and tell them to stay calm.
- Face the cougar — do not turn your back — remain in an upright position and look as large as possible (raise your arms, open up your coat, if you’re wearing one).
- Carry a walking stick and use it to defend yourself by keeping it between you and the cougar. If the cougar approaches closer or behaves aggressively, arm yourself with the stick, throw rocks or sticks at the cougar, and speak louder and more firmly to the cougar. Convince the cougar you are dominant and a danger to it.
- Fight back if a cougar attacks you. Use any possible object within reach as a weapon, such as rocks, sticks, jackets, a backpack or your bare hands. Cougars have been driven away by prey that fights back. Stay standing and if you fall down try to get back up on your feet.
- If you have an encounter with a bear or cougar or an attack occurs, please contact the Department at (505) 476-8000 during regular business hours, or your local sheriff’s or police department if you feel you are in danger.
For more information about cougars and living around large predators, please visit the Department Web site and check out the publication, Living with Large Predators in New Mexico.
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Bear bites Raton girl sleeping in tent
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 7, 2015:
BEAR BITES RATON GIRL SLEEPING IN TENT
RATON – Department of Game and Fish officers Tuesday were trying to catch a bear that bit a teenage girl while she was sleeping in a tent early Monday morning in a neighborhood yard just outside Raton.
The girl sustained minor wounds to her arm and ear when the bear apparently nipped at her through the wall of her tent. She was treated and released at a Raton hospital.
The homeowner, awakened at about 3 a.m. by something rustling through trash bags, told officers that he scared the bear away from the girl’s tent with a shot in the air from his handgun. When the bear returned later, he said he fired another below the bear, which turned and walked away. He described the bear as a juvenile or yearling.
Investigating officers were called to the scene at 8:45 a.m. By that time, a heavy rainstorm had washed away any tracks and scent that might have helped identify and find the bear. Officers set a culvert live trap in case the bear returns.
The girl who was bitten apparently was among several people who were attending a family gathering in the semi-rural area just northeast of Raton. She and others were sleeping in tents in the yard outside the house.
Here are some ways to protect yourself if you live in or visit bear country:
If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
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Aerial Survey Shows Lesser Prairie Chicken Population Increased 25 Percent From 2014 To 2015 Lesser Prairie Chicken
Media Contact: Bill Van Pelt, WAFWA Grassland Coordinator, bill.vanpelt@wafwa.org, (602) 717-5066
AERIAL SURVEY SHOWS LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKEN POPULATION INCREASED 25 PERCENT FROM 2014 TO 2015 LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKEN
An abundance of spring rainfall, along with ongoing efforts associated with the Lesser Prairie Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan, has helped increase the lesser prairie chicken’s population approximately 25 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to results from a recent range-wide aerial survey.
“An overall 25 percent increase in the lesser prairie chicken population across its five-state range is welcome news”, said Ross Melinchuk, chairman of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agency’s (WAFWA) Lesser Prairie Chicken Initiative Council. “This year’s increase, on the heels of last year’s 20 percent increase, is evidence of the species’ ability to rapidly recover from downturns as a result of drought and poor range condition. With continued improvement in nesting and brood-rearing habitat associated with more abundant rainfall and private landowner actions to conserve and restore their habitat, we are optimistic the species will recover to historic population levels.”
The only ecoregion with a continued downward population trend is the Shinnery Oak ecoregion of eastern New Mexico and western Texas. This ecoregion is recovering from a prolonged period of drought. Recent roadside surveys indicate lesser prairie-chickens in this area are starting to respond to late 2014, early 2015 rainfall.
“We’re confident that with continued moisture and drought relief, next year’s shinnery oak populations should continue to recover,” said Bill Van Pelt, WAFWA’s grassland coordinator. The nonprofit group is coordinating efforts established under the Lesser Prairie Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan, an initiative to engage private landowners and industry to conserve the birds’ habitat and minimize impacts to the species. To date, industry partners have committed $46 million in enrollment and mitigation fees to pay for mitigation actions, and landowners across the range have agreed to conserve nearly 100,000 acres of habitat through 10-year and permanent conservation agreements.
Companies, landowners, farmers and ranchers may enroll in the range-wide plan and receive regulatory assurances that their operations can continue under an accompanying Certificate of Participation. Participating companies pay enrollment fees, allowing them to continue operations under certain restrictions while providing funds to conserve prairie chicken habitat. To date, about 180 oil, gas, wind, electric and pipeline companies have enrolled about 11 million acres across the five states, and have committed more than $46 million for habitat conservation. Enrollment fees are deposited with WAFWA and administered to fund conservation efforts by private landowners to benefit the lesser prairie chicken in the five-state region.
The lesser prairie chicken was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in May 2014. The final listing rule allowed private industry to develop and impact habitat if enrolled and participating in WAFWA’s range-wide plan, and it also provided various options that landowners can use to receive similar coverage. The range-wide plan provides incentives for landowners and industry to protect and restore habitat, which is important because they control much of the bird’s range.
Organized in 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) represents 23 states and Canadian provinces, from Alaska to Texas and Saskatchewan to Hawaii – an area covering nearly 3.7 million square miles of some of North America’s most wild and scenic country, inhabited by over 1,500 premier wildlife species.
More information, including the range-wide plan, is available on the WAFWA website at www.wafwa.org.
Deming bear relocated to Gila Wilderness
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Jeremy Lane, (575) 532-2106
Public contact: Customer Service (888) 248-6866
Jeremy.lane@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 30, 2015:
DEMING BEAR RELOCATED TO GILA WILDERNESS
DEMING – Department of Game and Fish officers captured a young bear found eating trash on the front porch of a home near Deming on Monday and released it, unharmed, into the Gila Wilderness.
Officers set up a culvert trap to catch the bear after residents complained of it roaming the neighborhood off Butterfield Trail north of Deming over the weekend.
Residents reported the bear was still in the neighborhood Monday morning. Conservation officers found the bear sitting on the porch of a home rummaging through trash.
The young male bear was shot with a tranquilizer dart and taken away after falling asleep.
“This is a good reminder to everyone that no matter where you live in New Mexico, you’re in bear country,” said Public Information Officer Jeremy Lane. “Please keep all trash and other attractants away from your house to avoid bringing unwanted wildlife into it.”
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers, and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store with your food the clothes you wore while cooking or eating.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
For more information about black bears in New Mexico, please visit the Department of Game and Fish website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Survey indicates fishing even better in New Mexico
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: Customer service (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 25, 2015:
SURVEY INDICATES FISHING EVEN BETTER IN NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE – The number of satisfied anglers in New Mexico grew by 10 percent in 2015 and now accounts for more than 72 percent of those surveyed.
The latest annual survey, conducted by Davis Innovations of Santa Fe, indicated that the average angler in New Mexico fished about 13 days during the last year, with the majority seeking trout. The survey is available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Women accounted for about 20 percent of the 410 licensed resident and nonresident anglers interviewed by telephone this spring. That amounts to a 5 percent increase over last year’s survey, and a 10 percent increase from 2013.
The increase in angler satisfaction follows several years of remaining at just more than 60 percent satisfaction. According to Sloane, stocking larger trout and increasing fish habitat improvement projects around the state may be some of the reasons anglers are more satisfied.
The survey also indicated 77 percent of out-of-state anglers were satisfied or very satisfied with fishing in New Mexico.
About 160,000 resident and nonresident anglers spend around $268 million a year on fishing-related activities in New Mexico, according to a recent study of the industry that can be seen at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Plenty of youth elk hunting licenses for sale
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: Customer service (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 23, 2015:
PLENTY OF YOUTH ELK HUNTING LICENSES FOR SALE
SANTA FE – More than 1,900 youth, antlerless elk licenses will go on sale through the Department of Game and Fish Online License System at 10 a.m. July 8.
The sale is designed to encourage youth hunting and includes almost 1,500 licenses for hunters using any legal weapon, and 450 licenses for hunters using a muzzleloader or bow.
Licenses will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and hunters must be younger than 18 years of age on opening day of the hunt to be eligible. To purchase a license, customers must to log in to their Online License System account at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
For the first 14 days of the sale, licenses will be available only to eligible New Mexico youth who successfully applied for deer, elk, pronghorn, ibex, oryx, or bighorn sheep and did not receive a license for any of those species or obtain a leftover license.
Beginning at 10 a.m. July 22, remaining licenses will be available to resident and nonresident youth hunters who are eligible to purchase an elk license. Youth hunters who hold any current elk license, either draw or private-land, are ineligible to purchase a Youth Encouragement Elk License. Youth hunters must have a valid Hunter Education number associated with their account before purchasing an elk-hunting license.
Hunters must have a current Junior Game Hunting or a Junior Game Hunting and Fishing license to purchase an elk license. Customers without a Game Hunting license will be directed to purchase one before continuing to the youth encouragement sale.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility.
Hunters planning to purchase a youth encouragement license must have completed all mandatory 2014-15 harvest-reporting requirements, or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee, will be refunded on a rejected purchase. After eligibility is verified, licenses will be awarded to hunters and will be available to print and view within a few days of purchase. Licenses can be printed from any computer by logging in to an account and selecting “My Purchases” in the main menu.
For more information about the Youth Encouragement Elk License sale, hunting in New Mexico, or for help logging in, please call customer service at (888) 248-6866. Youth Encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone.
Here is a list of available licenses:
Leftover deer, javelina licenses go on sale at 10 a.m. June 24
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 11, 2015:
LEFTOVER DEER, JAVELINA LICENSES GO ON SALE AT 10 A.M. JUNE 24
SANTA FE – More than 1,607 deer hunting licenses, 25 elk licenses and over 1,100 javelina licenses that were not allocated during the annual drawing for 2015-16 big-game hunting licenses will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 24, only on the Department of Game and Fish website.
New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses during the first-come, first-served sale. License sales will be open only to residents during the first 24 hours after they become available. The sale will be opened to everyone, regardless of residency, at 10 a.m. June 25.
To be eligible to buy a leftover license, hunters are reminded that they must previously have purchased either a Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Those licenses, along with Habitat Improvement Stamps and Habitat Management Access Validations, also can be obtained through online accounts. Hunters are strongly encouraged to obtain or review online customer accounts, including their Customer Identification number, user name and password, and to be signed on to their account before the sale begins. Popular licenses often sell out in minutes, sometimes seconds, after sales begin.
Leftover licenses will be sold online only. All purchases are audited for eligibility prior to release of the license. If approved, licenses can be printed from any computer by signing on to an account and selecting “My Purchases.”
Hunters planning to purchase a leftover license also must have completed all mandatory 2014-2015 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee will be refunded on rejected purchases.
For more information about the leftover license sale or other Department of Game and Fish matters, please call the department’s toll-free information line, (888) 248-6866. Leftover licenses will not be sold over the phone, however.
Here is a list of available licenses:
Game Commission to meet at new location in Taos
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 10, 2015:
GAME COMMISSION TO MEET AT NEW LOCATION IN TAOS
TAOS – The location of the New Mexico Game Commission’s June 13 meeting in Taos has been changed to a larger venue to better accommodate the public.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Kachina Lodge, 413 Paseo del Pueblo Norte in Taos.
The meeting previously was scheduled to be at the Harwood Museum of Art, 238 Ledoux St., in Taos.
The commission will consider numerous matters during the meeting including a discussion of management plans for hunting, fishing and trapping on the Valles Caldera National Preserve following its recent transfer to the National Park Service.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Other agenda items include:
- A proposal to develop procedures for the public and licensed trappers to report the unintended capture of people, pets or livestock in traps or snares
- A presentation regarding proposed changes to the Bear and Cougar Rule based on public comment, harvest data, population status and other management needs.
- A summary of progress and deadlines for completion of the State Wildlife Action Plan, formally referred to as the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8029. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are broadcast live at www.governor.state.nm.us.
Capitan man kills charging bear
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 231-5375
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 5, 2015
CAPITAN MAN KILLS CHARGING BEAR
LINCOLN – A 25-year-old Capitan man shot and killed a charging bear while looking for shed antlers in the Lincoln National Forest.
The man was not injured by the bear. He reported Thursday evening that he was searching for antlers in the forest between Carrizozo and Capitan when he encountered the bear as he came over the top of a hill. He told officers that the bear charged and he shot it with his .30-30 caliber rifle from about 10 yards away.
Department of Game and Fish Officers investigated the incident and recovered the carcass of the bear, an adult female, early Friday morning. There was no evidence to indicate the presence of cubs.
Referring to the man who shot the bear, Game and Fish Corporal Curtis Coburn said, “Based on a thorough review of the scene, I believe he had little or no choice but to take the action that he did.”
The incident was the second this week in which bears were surprised by people searching for shed antlers. Monday, a 55-year-old man was scratched and bitten by a bear about 30 miles from the area of Thursday’s incident. Officials said it is unlikely the same bear was involved in both encounters and cautioned the public to be attentive to their surroundings when searching for shed antlers in areas known to be inhabited by black bears.
Here are some ways to protect yourself if you live in or visit bear country.
If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile. - Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
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Game Commission to meet Saturday, June 13, in Taos
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 4:
GAME COMMISSION TO MEET SATURDAY, JUNE 13, IN TAOS
TAOS – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet June 13 in Taos to consider numerous matters, including a discussion of management plans for hunting, fishing and trapping on the Valles Caldera National Preserve following its recent transfer to the National Park Service.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2015, at the UNM Harwood Museum of Art, 238 Ledoux St., Taos.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Other agenda items include:
- A proposal to develop procedures for the public and licensed trappers to report the unintended capture of people, pets or livestock in traps or snares.
- A presentation regarding proposed changes to the Bear and Cougar Rule based on public comment, harvest data, population status and other management needs.
- A summary of progress and deadlines for completion of the State Wildlife Action Plan, formally referred to as the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8027. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. Game Commission meetings are broadcast live at www.governor.state.nm.us.
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Bear sought in attack on shed hunter
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 2, 2015
BEAR SOUGHT IN ATTACK ON SHED HUNTER
LINCOLN – Department of Game and Fish officers are searching for an adult black bear involved in the attack of a 55-year-old man in the Lincoln National Forest on Monday afternoon.
The Lincoln County man suffered deep flesh wounds from scratches on his chest and a bite to his leg. He was treated and released from Lincoln County Medical Center in Ruidoso.
Conservation officers were searching for the bear Tuesday so it can be tested for rabies. The New Mexico Department of Health will interview the victim to assess his potential exposure and the need for rabies vaccinations. Rabies in bears is rare but it is a nearly 100 percent fatal disease, so every precaution will be taken.
The attack occurred in the forest near Baca Campground off Forest Service Road 57. The man had been hunting for antler sheds in thick brush when he apparently surprised the bear. The bear charged the man and attacked him before fleeing into the woods.
The injured man notified his hunting companion by two-way radio and the two hiked to their vehicle and drove to the hospital.
Here are some ways to protect yourself if you live in or visit bear country.
If you encounter a bear:
- Stop, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as the bear may consider that a threat. Do not run. Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
- Give the bear plenty of room to escape, so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped. If a black bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal, such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
- If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.
If you live or camp in bear country:
- Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your garage or storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.
- Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.
- Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors at night.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
- Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.
- Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, toiletries, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the tree trunk.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
- Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.
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Officers kill puppy-eating cougar
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Clint Henson, (575) 445-2311
Public contact: (888)-248-6866
clint.henson@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 29, 2015:
OFFICERS KILL PUPPY-EATING COUGAR
RATON – Department of Game and Fish officers killed a cougar in a Raton neighborhood Thursday night after it had attacked a puppy on a woman’s front porch.
The woman had called 911 saying she saw a small cougar attack her puppy. She later told officers that she had lost another puppy a few days before and also was missing several cats.
Officers found cougar tracks and blood near the woman’s porch and called a local houndsman, who quickly treed a cougar near the home. A subsequent necropsy confirmed that the young female cougar recently had eaten a puppy.
Conservation Officer Clint Henson said the cougar might have been drawn to the woman’s house because a neighbor was feeding feral cats. “Leaving uneaten pet food or other attractants outside can draw predators into neighborhoods and closer to people and their pets,” Henson said.
Anyone who sees a cougar in a residential area or suspects one is in the area because of missing pets is encouraged to call the Department of Game and Fish area office or (888) 248-6866, or 911 in an emergency.
If you live in cougar country, here are some ways to protect yourself, your family and your pets from cougars or other large predators:
- Do not feed wildlife. Use native plants, not non-natives, so as to not attract deer, which are the primary prey of cougars. Remember, predators follow prey.
- Do not let your pets roam around outside. Bring them in at night. If you keep pets outside, provide a kennel with a secure top. Do not feed pets outside where the food can attract cougars or other smaller animals that cougars prey upon. Store and dispose of all garbage securely.
- Closely supervise small children. Make sure they are home before dusk and not outside before dawn. Make lots of noise if you come or go during times when cougars are most active — dusk to dawn. Teach your children about cougars and what they should do if they encounter one.
- Landscape or remove vegetation to eliminate hiding cover for cougars, especially around areas where children play. Make it difficult for a cougar to approach unseen.
- Install outdoor lighting, especially in areas where you walk, so you can see a cougar if one were present.
- Close off open spaces below porches or decks.
- Place all livestock in enclosed sheds or barns at night. Close the doors to all outbuildings so that an inquisitive cougar is prevented from going inside to look around.
Cougar encounters and attacks are extremely rare, but if you do encounter a cougar in the wild or in town:
- Stop or back away slowly if you can do so safely.
- Stay calm if you come upon a cougar. Talk to it calmly and firmly. Slowly move away from it.
- Immediately pick up all children off the ground and tell them to stay calm.
- Do not run from a cougar as fleeing behavior may trigger the instinct of the cougar to attack.
- Face the cougar — do not turn your back — remain in an upright position and look as large as possible (raise your arms, open up your coat, if your wearing one).
- Carry a walking stick and use it to defend yourself by keeping it between you and the cougar. If the cougar approaches closer or behaves aggressively, arm yourself with the stick, throw rocks or sticks at the cougar, and speak louder and more firmly to the cougar. Convince the cougar you are dominant and a danger to it.
- Fight back if a cougar attacks you. Use any possible object within reach as a weapon, such as rocks, sticks, jackets, a backpack or your bare hands. Cougars have been driven away by prey that fights back. Stay standing and if you fall down try to get back up on your feet.
If you have an encounter with a cougar or an attack occurs, please contact the Department at (505) 476-8000 during regular business hours, or your local sheriff’s or police department if you feel you are in danger.
For more information about cougars and living around large predators, please visit the Department Web site and check out the publication, Living with Large Predators in New Mexico.
Elephant Butte Lake to be stocked with 20,000 bass
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Jeremy Lane, (575) 532-2106
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
jeremy.lane@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 5, 2015:
ELEPHANT BUTTE LAKE TO BE STOCKED WITH 20,000 BASS
ELEPHANT BUTTE – Bass anglers and the community of Elephant Butte Lake plan to stock 20,000 juvenile largemouth bass to help improve fishing at the state’s biggest reservoir.
Anglers and community members raised $21,000 to purchase the 3- to 4-inch bass that are expected to be delivered May 6, said Ron Gilworth, a Socorro bass fisherman involved in the community project. Volunteers in boats will distribute the fish around the lake with assistance from New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Elephant Butte Lake State Park staff.
“We hope to improve the fishing here, not just for tournament bass fishers, but for all future anglers,” Gilworth said. “This is a win-win for the community, working to increase tourism, fishing and the lake’s reputation.”
Organizers of the event have seen lake levels and bass numbers drop at Elephant Butte Lake in recent years because of severe drought and they wanted to do something to help the popular fishery. The group also submerged discarded Christmas trees and other man-made structures around the lake to provide good habitat for bass and other fish.
The department helped the community acquire and import the bass from a private fish hatchery in Arkansas.
“It’s great to be working with the community in bass stocking and habitat improvement,” said Mike Sloane, the department’s chief of fisheries. “These added habitat structures have the potential to provide important rearing habitat, not only for largemouth bass, but for other species as well.”
For more information about the event, please contact Ron Gilworth at (575) 835-8123.
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Game Commission to meet May 7 in Farmington
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 29, 2015:
GAME COMMISSION TO MEET MAY 7 IN FARMINGTON
Commissioners will tour All Vets Memorial, Farmington and Jackson lakes May 6, public invited
FARMINGTON – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet May 7 in Farmington to consider numerous matters, including proposed changes to bear, cougar and waterfowl hunting rules.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2015, at the Farmington Civic Center, 200 West Arrington St., in Farmington.
The day before the meeting, the public is invited to join commissioners as they tour the All Vets Memorial on the Animas River, Farmington Lake and the Jackson Lake Wildlife Area. For more details, see the constituency tour agenda at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Other agenda items include:
- A presentation regarding development and location of potential shooting ranges throughout the state to better accommodate the public and promote the sport.
- Discussion of a new law that allows the department to recruit and train a corps of volunteers to assist the agency in its many functions.
- Determination of which minor hunting and fishing violations would qualify for a penalty assessment rather than a court appearance.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8029. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Public meetings scheduled for bear and cougar hunting rules
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 29, 2015:
PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR BEAR AND COUGAR HUNTING RULES
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is conducting statewide public meetings about proposed changes to bear and cougar hunting rules.
The department reviews rules for hunting bears and cougars every four years and encourages public involvement as the State Game Commission considers new regulations.
The meetings:
- Las Cruces: 6 p.m. May 4, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Southwest Area Office, 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces.
- Albuquerque: 6 p.m. May 5, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Northwest Area Office, 3841 Midway Place NE, Albuquerque.
- Ruidoso: 6 p.m. May 27, U.S. Forest Service Fire Control Bldg., 901 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso.
- Silver City: 6 p.m. May 28, Grant County Administration Center, County Commissioner Meeting Room, 1400 Highway 180 East, Silver City.
- Raton: 6 p.m. June 1, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Northeast Area Office, 215 York Canyon Road, Raton.
Proposed changes to the rules are available for public review and comment. The State Game Commission, when finalizing the rules later this year, will consider all public comments, harvest and survey data, biological information about population sustainability, and management goals.
For more information about rule-change proposals or to submit a comment, please visit the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Fox involved in attack tests positive for rabies
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 23:
FOX INVOLVED IN ATTACK TESTS POSITIVE FOR RABIES
LINCOLN COUNTY– A fox that attacked a 78-year-old woman in Lincoln County on April 20 tested positive for rabies and officials are warning the public to stay away from wildlife that is dead, injured or acting abnormally.
“The public should be vigilant and stay away from any animals behaving strangely,” said Dr. Kerry Mower, wildlife disease specialist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “People should vaccinate their pets.”
Wildlife acting sick, fearless, aggressive or friendly should be considered a threat and avoided, Mower said.
“Rabies in humans is a fatal disease once symptoms start, so it is critical that people who are bitten receive post-exposure prevention therapy when indicated,” said New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Retta Ward.
The public should contact their local Department of Game and Fish office or call radio dispatch at (505) 827-9376 for assistance with suspicious wildlife such as skunks, raccoons and foxes, Mower said. The public should contact the New Mexico Department of Health at (505) 827-0006 if they or their animal are bitten or otherwise potentially exposed to unknown animals.
The gray fox involved in the attack was euthanized by a Department of Game and Fish warden and tested positive for the disease at the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory Division. The woman was walking near her home in Lincoln County when the fox approached her and bit her on her leg when she tried to scare the fox away. The woman has begun rabies preventive therapy.
This is the first wild animal to test positive for the disease in New Mexico this year, Mower said. A rabies epidemic occurred among gray foxes in New Mexico from 2007 to 2010 and further testing of the fox is underway to determine if that strain of the disease is involved, he said.
In 2014 there were 12 cases of rabies found in wildlife, including six bats in Bernalillo County, one bat in San Miguel County, four skunks in Eddy County, and a fox in Roosevelt County.
Here are some guidelines to help protect yourself and your family from rabies:
- Stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals. Do not attempt to feed, approach, or touch wild animals (alive or dead). Teach this important message to your children. Rabid animals may show no fear of people and may seem friendly or become aggressive.
- Pets should be up to date on rabies vaccinations and wearing current license tags on their collar.
- Horses and other valuable livestock should be considered for rabies vaccination to protect them from wild rabid animals that may attack them.
- If you or a loved one are bitten by an animal, or come into contact with an animal’s saliva, wash the exposed site immediately with soap and water. Be sure to report the bite to local animal control and/or health officials as soon as possible for recommendations about receiving rabies exposure preventive vaccine, and seek medical care as soon as possible.
- Keep pets on a leash at all times.
- If your cat or dog has been bitten or scratched, call your pet’s veterinarian, even if the wound appears to be superficial.
- If you see a sick or dead wild animal, or a wild animal acting abnormally, stay away and report it to authorities. For more info about rabies see the New Mexico Department of Health website at: http://archive.nmhealth.org/erd/healthdata/rabies.shtml
Trout removed from Lisboa Springs Fish Hatchery
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DATE: April 21, 2015:
TROUT REMOVED FROM LISBOA SPRINGS FISH HATCHERY
PECOS – More than 160,000 small rainbow trout will be removed from their raceways at Lisboa Springs Hatchery near Pecos after tests showed some of the fish had contracted a bacterial disease.
The Department of Game and Fish found bacterial kidney disease in trout being raised in one of two sections of the hatchery during regular testing in early February. All of the trout, ranging in size from three to nine inches, will be destroyed to ensure full decontamination of the section, department Fisheries Chief Mike Sloane said.
“That’s why we do this testing to ensure we are raising strong, healthy fish for the public to catch and eat,” Sloane said.
The disease is naturally present in the environment and can be caught by fish due to a variety of circumstances, including living in a hatchery environment. The disease is no threat to humans. However, the department will not be distributing the diseased fish for human consumption because the department does not want to risk further spreading the disease, Sloane said.
“It’s a little like catching the common flu for them, but in some instances it can be catastrophic to a population of fish,” Sloane said.
The affected area of the hatchery will be drained, disinfected, restocked and additional testing will occur to ensure its cleanliness before it is returned to full production. This process may take up to two years to complete.
The hatchery will continue to produce trout in its second section, but overall production will be reduced by about half at the Lisboa Springs Hatchery. Waters normally stocked by the hatchery, including Monastery Lake, Cowles Ponds and the Pecos River will receive their scheduled allotments of fish, Sloane said.
The department’s five other hatcheries normally produce excess fish and those will be used to make up for the shortfall.
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Single New Mexico duck tests positive for avian influenza
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 14, 2015:
SINGLE NEW MEXICO DUCK TESTS POSITIVE FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA
SANTA FE – A lone bird at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge has tested positive for a highly pathogenic avian influenza strain that affects wild and domestic fowl, but is not known to be harmful to humans, officials announced.
A cinnamon teal duck was one of 196 birds tested at the refuge for the disease that was first detected in the United States in late 2014. It was the first bird in New Mexico to test positive for the highly pathogenic strain. It is unknown whether the duck was migrating through the state. Most migratory birds have left the refuge for their northern nesting areas.
Dr. Kerry Mower, wildlife disease specialist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, said although the disease poses no threat to humans, people should take precautions to protect their domestic flocks of chickens and other birds. The best way to do that, he said, is to isolate domestic flocks and avoid contact with wild birds.
The strains of the avian flu virus that have been found in the United States are not the same as the virus strain that has infected humans in Asia, Africa, the Pacific, Europe, the Near East and Canada.
Infected birds are not known to pose a threat to hunters, but people who handle wild game always are advised to take normal precautions to avoid disease and insect pests.
- Do not handle or eat sick game.
- Do not harvest or handle wild birds that obviously are sick or found dead.
- Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handling and cleaning game or cleaning bird feeders.
- Wash hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes immediately after handling game.
- Wash tools and work surfaces used to clean game birds with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10 percent solution of chlorine bleach.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling animals.
- Separate raw meat, and anything it touches, from cooked or ready-to-eat foods to avoid contamination.
- All game should be thoroughly cooked (internal temperature of 165 °F).
Dogs used in wild bird hunting are not considered at risk of acquiring avian influenza and there have been no documented cases of the virus infecting dogs. No cats have been documented with avian influenza in North America. Dog and cat owners should consult their veterinarian for more information about influenza in pets.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service encourages all bird owners, whether commercial or backyard producers, to practice good biosecurity, and prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. People are also urged to report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to New Mexico State Veterinarian Dr. Ellen Wilson, DVM, at 505-841-6163 or to USDA at (866) 536-7593. More information about biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov/.
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Citizen advisory committees to meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 10, 2015:
CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO MEET TO RECOMMEND HABITAT STAMP PROJECTS
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled statewide Habitat Stamp Citizens Advisory Committee meetings for 2015. Citizen advisors will prioritize Habitat Stamp-funded projects for 2016 and 2017. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend meetings:
Northwest: 9 a.m. April 16, Carson National Forest office, 1110 Rio Vista Lane, Bloomfield.
Southeast: 10 a.m. April 18, Lincoln National Forest office, 4 Lost Lodge Road, Cloudcroft.
Central: 9 a.m. May 13, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place NE, Albuquerque.
Northeast: 10 a.m. May 15, New Mexico Highlands University, National Avenue and 8th Street, Student Senate Chambers, Student Union Building, Room 320, Las Vegas.
Southwest: 10 a.m. May 16, Gila National Forest office, 3005 E. Camino Del Bosque, Silver City.
The Habitat Stamp Program has an annual budget of $742,300 with the support of hunters, anglers and trappers who purchase a $5 stamp each year to participate in their sports on Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service lands.
In the 29-year life of the program, 2,272 wildlife habitat projects have been funded at more than $44 million. Through this effort, the program has contributed $19.2 million and federal agencies have reported contributing an additional $21.8 million in matching funds in the form of cash, costs of planning, fiscal tracking, National Environmental Policy Act compliance, and obtaining archeological/cultural clearances.
Overall, the program has improved approximately 829,632 acres of terrestrial habitat; enhanced approximately 11,141 acres of riparian habitat; built 773 places for wildlife to obtain water; completed 711 wildlife population and habitat surveys; completed 17 wildlife transplants; improved 87 aquatic habitat/fishing areas; maintained previously built structures; installed 805 erosion control structures for watershed improvement; and improved overall public enjoyment of wildlife.
Since its inception, citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program, advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Appointed by the State Game Commission, citizens representing sporting, conservation and public-land permittee interests meet each spring to prioritize local habitat projects.
For more information about the Habitat Stamp Program, please contact Reuben Teran, (505) 476-8130, ReubenS.Teran@state.nm.us or visit the department website page Habitat Stamp.
Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 10, 2015:
EXPECT ROADBLOCKS STATEWIDE DURING HUNTING SEASONS
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during hunting seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations.
Hunting season for youth turkey hunters starts April 10 and the general season starts April 15, as listed in the department’s Hunting Rules & Information booklets.
At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act and the Aquatic Invasive Species Control Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact a Department of Game and Fish area office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell or Las Cruces, or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed.
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Clovis man pays $8,110 for catching 160 times his limit of trout
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 8, 2015:
CLOVIS MAN PAYS $8,110 FOR CATCHING 160 TIMES HIS LIMIT OF TROUT
Bounchanh Bounsombath, 63, was arrested in May 2014 after Department of Game and Fish conservation officers seized the trout during a search warrant at Bounsombath’s home. Bounsombath admitted to catching all of the fish at Green Acres Lake and Denis Chaves Pond in Clovis. Most of the trout were in one-gallon zip lock bags containing two to four trout per bag. All of the trout had been salted and dried before being frozen.
The case was initiated in 2013 by an anonymous call to Operation Game Thief. Bounsombath was cited for exceeding the bag limit and unlawful possession of trout. In May 2014, the Clovis district officer began covert surveillance of Bounsombath after he noticed Bounsombath spending a great amount of time at the lakes.
Bounsombath was observed fishing on at least 20 different occasions at both lakes over a three-week period. During most of those occasions Bounsombath caught and kept more than the daily bag limit of five rainbow trout. Licensed anglers may keep five rainbow trout per day and have 10 in possession at any given time.
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Fishing should be good this year — time to get a license
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 1, 2015:
FISHING SHOULD BE GOOD THIS YEAR — TIME TO GET A LICENSE
Fishing season has begun in New Mexico — time for anglers to get a new license and enjoy all the fun!
Anglers can expect good fishing in many waters this year, with many streams now carrying plenty of spring runoff from the state’s modest mountain snowpack.
“We’re looking a lot better now than we have for years after all this drought,” said Eric Frey, Sport Fish Program manager for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. ”I’d say the fishing is going to be pretty good this season.”
Anglers are reminded to purchase a new fishing license before setting out for their favorite fishing hole. The fishing license year runs from April 1 to March 31 and licenses cost $25 for state residents. Most anglers also are required to purchase a $4 state habitat management and access validation stamp, and anglers intending to fish on Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service lands also need a $5 federal habitat stamp.
Habitat stamps help fund fish habitat improvement projects around the state that provide anglers more opportunities to catch great fish.
Children younger than 12 do not need a license to fish, and anglers age 70 and older qualify for a free license. Disabled military veterans and active-duty members of the armed forces qualify for free or discounted licenses.
Consult the current fishing rules and information booklet, available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or at local license vendors for more details.
Anglers can purchase their new license online at onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us, at a participating license vendor or by calling the department toll free at (888) 248-6866.
Anglers can expect to find good fishing this spring at many reservoirs and lakes that have filled up after good monsoon rains last summer and fair mountain snowpack this winter, Frey said.
“Conchas Lake is looking great right now with the water clear and clean and the bass fat, happy and hungry,” Frey said. Santa Rosa Lake is recovering nicely after several years of ill effects from the ongoing drought, Frey said. “We’re seeing some young smallmouth bass and crappie that have spawned there and that’s a good sign that the lake is on the rebound,” he said.
Clayton Lake in the northeast corner of the state is in good shape and always is a great spot for chasing potential record-breaking walleye, good-sized bass and plenty of stocked trout, Frey said.
Caballo Lake in the south central portion of the state is a good place to pursue those fish too, he said.
Stream and river anglers will find waters in the Jemez Mountains some of the first to clear up and come down from spring runoff. The area received much-needed snow this past winter and anglers should find fishing conditions have improved.
For more information about fishing conditions around the state, consult the fishing and stocking report at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/fishing/weekly-report/.
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Special hunter education camp offered at Philmont Scout Ranch
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 24, 2015:
SPECIAL HUNTER EDUCATION CAMP OFFERED AT PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Philmont Scout Ranch and Safari Club International are offering a new way for youths younger than 18 to earn their hunter education certification and be able to legally hunt with firearms in the state.
Participants of the free Hunter Education Camp will stay with their families at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron the weekend of April 17-19, where they will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Participants also will have the opportunity to test their marksmanship skills with .22 rifles and shotguns on the range under the instruction of certified hunter education instructors and department staff.
To qualify for the camp, youths must be age 11 to 18, have an online account with the Department of Game and Fish, and complete some advance homework.
For youths under 18 years of age to legally hunt with firearms in New Mexico, they first must have successfully completed a hunter education course or have registered with the department’s Mentored-Youth Hunting Program.
For more information on and how to register for the camp and other hunter education opportunities, please contact the Hunter Education Program Office at (505) 222-4731 or email jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us.
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Game Commission to meet March 26 in Alamogordo
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 16, 2015:
GAME COMMISSION TO MEET MARCH 26 IN ALAMOGORDO
ALAMOGORDO – The New Mexico Game Commission will meet March 26 in Alamogordo to discuss possible strategies to reintroduce desert bighorn sheep in the Sacramento Mountains of southern New Mexico, and to discuss possible changes in the way hunters tag big-game and report harvest results.
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at the New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Route 2001, in Alamogordo. The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Details of proposed rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website.
Other agenda items include:
- A presentation about possible changes to bear and cougar regulations based on public comments, harvest data, population status and other research.
- Discussion of possible changes to migratory bird hunting regulations based on recent survey information and information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- A proposal to replace security-badge oryx hunts with population-management hunts on White Sands Missile Range.
The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Paul Kienzle, Vice-chairman Bill Montoya, Thomas “Dickie” Salopek, Robert Espinoza Sr., Ralph Ramos, Bob Ricklefs and Elizabeth Ryan.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz, (505) 476-8029. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
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Deadline fast approaching to apply for big-game hunting licenses
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 11,2015:
DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING TO APPLY FOR BIG-GAME HUNTING LICENSES
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is reminding hunters that March 18 is the deadline to apply for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, oryx, ibex, bighorn sheep, javelina and Barbary sheep licenses. The department expects more than 160,000 applicants for about 60,000 licenses.
Hunters must complete their applications before 5 p.m. MDT March 18. All applicants previously must have created an online account at onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Here’s how to apply:
- Online: Applicants can access or create accounts via the “Customer Login” link on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. From their account, applicants will select “Draw Hunt Applications” in the main menu and then will be prompted through license and application choices.
- By phone: Hunters without computer access or who need help applying can call toll-free, (888) 248-6866 and a department representative will submit an application for them. The information center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays until March 17. The center will close at 4:30 p.m. on deadline day, March 18, to allow representatives to help customers complete applications before the 5 p.m. deadline. Phone lines will be extremely busy as the deadline approaches, so applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Applicants will be able to print 2015 licenses from their account when the license year begins April 1. Draw licenses can be printed after the draw results are released April 29. Licenses are no longer mailed except by request.
To be eligible for the draw, applicants who held deer, elk or turkey licenses for the 2014-15 seasons must have submitted a harvest report either online or through the information center and paid any applicable late fees by March 18. Applicants who held 2014-15 licenses for oryx, ibex, Barbary sheep, javelina and trapping must submit harvest reports by April 7. Failure to report before the deadlines will result in rejection of all draw applications.
Before applying, hunters are strongly encouraged to read the Rules and Information booklet, available online, from license vendors or at department offices in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell and Las Cruces. The department website also includes valuable information about how the draw works, application procedures, game-management unit maps, drawing odds and a “How to Apply” video.
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Department-landowner agreement opens new bighorn sheep hunting area
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 5, 2015:
DEPARTMENT-LANDOWNER AGREEMENT OPENS NEW BIGHORN SHEEP HUNTING AREA
SANTA FE – A new Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep area will open to hunting this year in northeastern New Mexico after successful negotiations between the Department of Game and Fish and two private landowners.
The single public ram license will be the first offered in the Dry Cimarron area near New Mexico’s borders with Colorado and Oklahoma.
“The growth of this bighorn sheep herd and this unique hunting opportunity would not be possible without the cooperation and land stewardship that these landowners have displayed,” Department Director Alexandra Sandoval said. “We are very thankful for their conservation efforts.”
The agreement between the department and the Pacheco and Black Mesa ranch owners will allow a hunter who is successful in this year’s public drawing to hunt on either ranch or on public lands in Game Management Unit 58. The hunt period of Aug. 15, 2015, through Jan. 15, 2016, was lengthened because the bighorns move around a lot and may not be present in the unit at all times.
Hunters interested in applying for the Unit 58 bighorn sheep hunting license or other 2015-16 big-game licenses for deer, elk, oryx, pronghorn, ibex, Barbary sheep or javelina are reminded to apply before the deadline, 5 p.m. MDT March 18. Hunters who have already applied for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep licenses and would like to add the Unit 58 hunt to their application may do so by calling the department by 5 p.m. March 13 at (505) 476-8072 or (505) 476-8093.
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Mescalero Apache School takes top honors at State Archery in the Schools Tournament
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 3, 2015:
MESCALERO APACHE SCHOOL TAKES TOP HONORS AT STATE ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT NASP TOURNAMENT
RIO RANCHO – Mescalero Apache School placed five archers among the top 10 finishers to win their division and become the first Native American team to win a state championship at the New Mexico National Archery in the Schools State Tournament.
Competitors shot 15 arrows each from distances of 10 and 15 meters, trying for a perfect score of 300.
Dalton Hamilton scored 270 out of a possible 300 to lead Mescalero to the High School Division title. Mescalero’s team score of 2,979 easily outdistanced second-place Clovis, 2,675; and third-place Albuquerque Homeschool, 2,589.
James Monroe Middle School scored 2,801 to win the team title in the Middle School Division. Aaron Lawrence of Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science took the division’s individual championship with 20 bull’s-eyes and a total score of 286.
For complete tournament scores, please visit the NASP website and click on the Tournaments tab.
Approximately 100 public schools across New Mexico participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program. Schools receive free training for instructors, and the Department of Game and Fish provides 50 percent of the funding for each school to purchase archery equipment. It costs about $3,000 to outfit a school or organization with bows, targets, backstops and other equipment to get a program started. Many schools incorporate the program into existing physical education or after-school activities.
Federal funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes National Archery in the Schools Program possible. The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 dedicated federal excise taxes collected from manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment to national wildlife restoration programs, which include hunter education, shooting and archery programs in addition to wildlife surveys, transplants, and the purchase and management of wildlife management areas.
For more information about the National Archery in the Schools Program or how your school can get involved, contact Brian Guzman, archery coordinator for the Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4726 or brian.guzman@state.nm.us.
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Comments sought on public-private land-swap hunting access agreements
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 2, 2015:
COMMENTS SOUGHT ON PUBLIC-PRIVATE LAND-SWAP HUNTING ACCESS AGREEMENTS
The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments about agreements that would open some private lands to public hunting in exchange for closing some areas of State Trust land.
A public meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. March 25 at the Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Mountainair, where representatives from the department and the State Land Office will hear comments and answer questions. All comments received will be forwarded to the Department of Game and Fish Director and the State Land Commissioner.
The “unitization” agreements among the State Land Office, the department and several landowners are designed to benefit sportsmen and landowners. Under the agreements, some areas of State Trust land would be treated as private property and would be closed to hunting. The private lands covered under the agreements then would be open to public hunters.
Unitization agreements give hunters access to private land while providing landowners greater flexibility in maintaining ranching operations on often-landlocked State Trust lands. The agreements must be reviewed and renewed annually.
The following ranches have been proposed for unitization agreements in southeastern New Mexico:
| Ranch Name | Game Management Unit(s) | County |
| Bettis Stoval | 39 | Guadalupe |
| Pajarito | 32, 36 | Lincoln |
| I Bar X | 36 | Lincoln |
| Armstrong | 37 | Lincoln |
| L Bar and Pentosa | 38 | Lincoln |
Special-season bear and turkey draw results available Friday
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 26, 2015:
SPECIAL-SEASON BEAR AND TURKEY DRAW RESULTS AVAILABLE FRIDAY
SANTA FE – Hunters who applied for New Mexico special-season bear and turkey licenses can check their draw results beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or by calling toll-free, (888) 248-6866.
The Department of Game and Fish will send emails to successful applicants Thursday evening and post all draw results to customer accounts on the department website Friday.
Hunters can check their draw results by logging onto their customer account on the department website.
For more information about the drawing, please visit the website or call toll-free, (888) 248-6866.
State’s biggest archery tourney Saturday in Rio Rancho
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003; cell: (505) 321-8162
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 26, 2015:
STATE’S BIGGEST ARCHERY TOURNEY SATURDAY IN RIO RANCHO
RIO RANCHO – More than 800 young archers will compete Saturday in New Mexico’s fourth annual National Archery in the Schools State Tournament in Rio Rancho.
Shooting will start at 8:45 a.m. and conclude at 5:45 p.m. at the Santa Ana Star Center.
Approximately 100 public schools across New Mexico participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program. Schools receive free training for instructors, and the Department of Game and Fish provides 50 percent of the funding for each school to purchase archery equipment. It costs about $3,000 to outfit a school or organization with bows, targets, backstops and other equipment to get a program started. Many schools incorporate the program into existing physical education or after-school activities.
At the tournament, competitors will shoot 15 arrows each from distances of 10 and 15 meters, trying for a perfect score of 300. Male and female students will compete for team and individual prizes, with the winning team earning a chance to compete in the national tournament.
Federal funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes National Archery in the Schools Program possible. The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 dedicated federal excise taxes collected from manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment to national wildlife restoration programs, which include Hunter Education, shooting and archery programs in addition to wildlife surveys, transplants, and the purchase and management of wildlife management areas.
For more information about the National Archery in the Schools Program or how your school can get involved, contact Brian Guzman, archery coordinator for the Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4726 or brian.guzman@state.nm.us.
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Wildlife Society honors Department wildlife disease specialist
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 10, 2015:
WILDLIFE SOCIETY HONORS DEPARTMENT WILDLIFE DISEASE SPECIALIST
SANTA FE – Dr. Kerry Mower, 20-year wildlife disease specialist for the Department of Game and Fish, recently was presented with the 2015 Wildlife Professional Award by the New Mexico chapter of The Wildlife Society. The award is given annually to a wildlife professional for outstanding contributions in their field related to wildlife in New Mexico.
As the Department’s wildlife disease specialist, Mower is widely recognized as the go-to guy for wildlife disease issues throughout New Mexico and across the west. His efforts have greatly improved the department’s disease-monitoring of chronic wasting and other diseases. He also leads the department’s efforts to improve techniques involved in wildlife captures and restraint procedures used in projects such as trapping and relocation of bighorn sheep, deer and pronghorns.
“Dr. Mower is always willing to lend assistance or provide advice on animal handling and drug use during wildlife captures across the state,” Department Director Alexandra Sandoval said. “His dedication to improving wildlife health, maintaining positive relationships with colleagues within and outside of the department, and inspiring the next generation of wildlife biologists makes him an invaluable wildlife biologist.”
Mower, who received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University, goes out of his way to provide hands-on experience to students aspiring to be wildlife professionals. He regularly gives presentations to the New Mexico State University chapter of The Wildlife Society and interacts with various student groups across the state.
“Dr. Mower is the epitome of a wildlife professional,” Sandoval said.
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Eight Clovis men convicted of unlawful hunting
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Clint Henson, (505) 445-2311
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
clint.henson@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 10, 2015:
EIGHT CLOVIS MEN CONVICTED OF UNLAWFUL HUNTING
RATON – Eight Clovis men will pay penalties and fines totaling $7,189 after pleading guilty to numerous poaching and other charges, including killing a deer and turkey out of season and hunting without licenses.
Department of Game and Fish officers caught the men hunting on the Elliott Barker Wildlife Area north of Cimarron on Nov. 10, 2014, when the area was closed to hunting. The men appeared before Raton Magistrate Warren Walton on Feb. 4 and pleaded guilty to 13 of an original 34 charges, which included unlawful hunting and unlawful killing and illegal possession of a deer and turkey. Penalties included fines, court costs, civil penalties and donations to Operation Game Thief.
A hunter who had been scouting in the area alerted officers after he saw a large hunting camp with a deer hanging from a tree. The hunter knew that the area had no current hunting seasons open at that time and called the Operation Game Thief hotline. Officers went to the area and found eight men, all with rifles, actively hunting. Three of them held licenses for Game Management Unit 34, near Cloudcroft. They were hunting in Game Management Unit 55.
“Thanks to an aware citizen, we were able to make this case,” Sgt. Kyle Jackson said. “We depend on responsible hunters to help us protect New Mexico’s wildlife resources.”
- Rafael Flores Sr., 57, who killed a deer and a turkey, and Edgar Flores, 35, held licenses in GMU 34 for the same hunt period. Both said they thought they had drawn the Barker WMA but never checked their licenses. Rafael Flores, Sr. was fined $1,000 plus $232 court costs and paid a voluntary civil assessment of $250 for the deer and $150 for the turkey. He also surrendered his rifle. Edgar Flores was fined $2,000 plus $179 court costs for unlawful hunting. His penalty was enhanced because it was his third wildlife-law offense. He also surrendered his rifle.
- Antonio Flores, 22, held a license for GMU 34 but for an October hunt period. He was fined $1,200 plus $126 court costs, an enhanced penalty because it was his second wildlife-law offense.
- Joel Flores, 45, had a license for GMU 34 that belonged to his son. He was fined $500 plus $179 court costs.
- Rafael Flores Jr., 32, Juan Rojo, 26, Erasmo Ortega, 34 and Samuel Orrantia, 47, were hunting without licenses. Flores Jr. agreed to donate $500 to Operation Game Thief; Rojo was fined $400 plus $73 court costs; and Ortega and Orrantia each agreed to donate $200 to Operation Game Thief.
There were many other charges filed in the case, including negligent use of a deadly weapon due to drinking while hunting. The party also was driving on closed roads with off-highway vehicles.
If you have information about unlawful hunting, fishing or trapping, please contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline, (800) 432-4263. Informants can remain anonymous and may be eligible for rewards if information leads to charges being filed.
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Outdoor Adventure show this weekend in Albuquerque
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 9, 2015:
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOW THIS WEEKEND IN ALBUQUERQUE
ALBUQUERQUE – Hunters, anglers and other outdoor adventurers are invited to join the Department of Game and Fish this weekend in Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, where visitors will find information about upcoming hunting, fishing and trapping opportunities, all-terrain vehicle riding, the latest gear and more.
The New Mexico Outdoor Adventure Show, formerly the Bob Gerding Show, will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Manuel Lujan Building at Expo New Mexico. Admission is free for licensed New Mexico hunters, anglers and trappers, and for anyone age 17 or younger. Nonlicensed adults will pay $3 at the door. Don’t forget to bring your license.
The Department will be at the show with the new Hunting Rules and Information Booklets and plenty of advice about hunting and fishing rules and the best places to try your luck.
If you’re interested in all-terrain vehicles, the Department will have an ATV simulator that will give riders a hands-on feel for the ride while emphasizing safety.
More than 100 exhibitors will be at the show demonstrating the latest equipment for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. New models of off-highway vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats and kayaks will be on display by area dealers. And as always, outfitters, guides and conservation organizations will be on hand to offer their services, advice and to recruit volunteers.
This is the 16th year for the popular show that features exhibits from around the country. For more information about the show, call (888) 248-6866.
Department capture-relocation projects help pronghorns, landowners
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JAN. 22, 2015:
DEPARTMENT CAPTURE-RELOCATION PROJECTS HELP PRONGHORNS, LANDOWNERS
SANTA FE – About 125 pronghorns have new homes and landowners in northeastern New Mexico have fewer threats to their crops following a successful capture-relocation operation by the Department of Game and Fish.
The pronghorns captured Jan. 12-15 on the UU-Bar Ranch near Cimarron were released on U.S. Bureau of Land Management properties northwest of Roswell and east of Truth or Consequences. Fifteen pronghorn does also were released near Fort Stanton, where graduate students will monitor them and their fawns.
The operation was the fifth of its kind since 2009, when the department resumed pronghorn trapping after an 11-year hiatus. Before that, traps were fairly common as the agency continued its efforts to relocate pronghorns and build the statewide population. Using an improved version of a wing trap invented in 1937 by department wildlife biologist T. Paul Russell, the agency gradually helped bring statewide pronghorn populations from a low of 1,740 reported by Aldo Leopold in 1916 to around 40,000 today.
While the expanded pronghorn population has been good for the native species and hunters, it has caused problems for some landowners when too many hungry pronghorns compete with agricultural operations. Using traps, the department has been successful easing stress on crops while relocating pronghorns to less populated areas. Captured pronghorns also have been traded to neighboring states for desert bighorn sheep and Gould’s turkeys to bolster New Mexico’s populations of those species.
“These pronghorn traps and the skilled biologists and staff who build and operate them are among our department’s biggest successes,” Department Director Alexandra Sandoval said. “Their hard work, with help from our landowner partners, is keeping our state’s pronghorn population healthy for hunters and everyone who enjoys native wildlife.”
Elizabeth Thomas, a neighbor of the UU-Bar Ranch, said she was impressed by this month’s trap when she stopped by to observe.
“It was something I don’t believe I will ever forget,” Thomas said. “The coordination, camaraderie, preparedness, communication and gut-wrenching hard work were truly incredible. Most inspiring was everyone’s effort to protect the animals and each other.”
Only one pronghorn died during the operation, a remarkable feat considering the animals’ extreme sensitivity to stress and heat.
The wing trap is a simple V-shaped design, with fences set up along traditional antelope routes. Crews set up the trap days in advance, pounding posts and lining wire and netting with 8-foot tarps so the trapped animals can’t see out or easily escape as they are driven into a small corral, first by a helicopter, then by a line of crew members who fall in behind and block the gaps. As the animals approach the corral, a hidden gate is quickly closed behind them before they realize they are in a trap.
Once they are in a the corral, the pronghorns are allowed to settle down a bit before they are forced into a padded, darkened chute, where two crew members catch and carry the animals to waiting veterinarians. To help keep them calm once they are caught, the animals’ hooves are not allowed to touch the ground until they are released into the trailers.
Veterinarians were on hand during the capture to help the pronghorns survive their journey. Before they were loaded in trailers, each pronghorn had its horns clipped for safety and was given shots to fend off parasites and infection. They also received vitamin supplements, ear tags and a tranquilizer for the road. Some were fitted with radio collars so they could be tracked in their new habitats.
“All involved spoke in hushed tones, seemingly out of respect for the animals they were tenderly working with and trying valiantly to calm,” Thomas said. “My hats and gloves are off to them.”
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Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Safety Fund Grant Money Available
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Marc Hildesheim, (505) 222-4728
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
marc.hildesheim@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JAN. 8, 2015:
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE TRAIL SAFETY FUND GRANT MONEY AVAILABLE
ALBUQUERQUE – Communities and off-highway vehicle enthusiasts across New Mexico now have safer riding trails, more training classes and improved recreation areas thanks to grant money and assistance offered by the state’s Off-Highway Vehicle Act.
Since the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish began administering the program in 2009, 79 grants totaling $572,980 have been issued to municipal, county, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Funded projects have had positive impacts on communities by improving recreational opportunities, protecting fragile environments and providing enforcement of the state’s OHV laws.
The Act requires OHVs used in New Mexico to be registered, and that a portion of the fees from registration to be returned to communities through two separate grant programs: one for OHV recreation, safety, and education; and one for enforcement of the provisions of the Act. Projects completed by grant recipients include:
- In Los Lunas, local youths can receive free OHV safety training at a facility that includes a training hill, gazebo and picnic tables. Three grants totaling $30,000 provided the young riders with a maintained space to learn safe operation of OHVs, proper safety gear and how to be an ethical user of public land.
- In Santa Fe, a $10,000 grant allowed the city to reopen a motocross track in 2014 that had been closed for almost two years.
- In Gallup, the Red Rock Motorsports Club used three $30,000 grants to improve trailhead facilities, provide educational kiosks and maintain the network of trails at the city motocross and OHV park.
- In Red River, four grants totaling $40,000 allowed the city to provide a network of groomed snowmobile trails on the Questa Ranger District of the Carson National Forest, boosting tourism in the region.
- In Carlsbad, a $10,000 grant helped the field office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management maintain trails and expand the parking lot at the Hackberry Lake OHV Area. The projects improved access and safety for riders at the area, site of a popular annual desert race.
- In the Cibola National Forest, the Sandia Ranger District used a $9,530 grant to develop a Trail Ambassador Program. The grant paid for resources and materials to train and outfit volunteers who provide motorized patrols to educate riders about OHV rules and laws in the forest and New Mexico.
More grants are available this year through the Department of Game and Fish Off-Highway Vehicle Program. Applications are being accepted now for projects that enhance OHV safety, promote responsible use of public lands, develop and maintain trails, and provide law enforcement patrols.
Grant applicants may be federal, state, local, or tribal government agencies, or IRS-registered private nonprofit organizations. For-profit organizations are not eligible.
Grant applications will be judged in part on efforts to maximize statewide and regional-geographic benefit and use matching funds from other sources. The program operates on a reimbursement basis. Each successful grant award will be funded to a maximum of $15,000. All projects must be completed between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016.
Applications for both grant programs can be downloaded from the OHV Program website at http://www.B4uRide.com. Applications must be postmarked or delivered to the department no later than 5 p.m. April 15, 2015. For more information, please contact the Off-Highway Vehicle Program at (505) 222-4727.
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Hunting Rules & Information booklet available on department’s new website
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DEC. 29, 2014:
HUNTING RULES & INFORMATION BOOKLET AVAILABLE ON DEPARTMENT’S NEW WEBSITE
SANTA FE – Rules and information about applying for licenses and hunting big-game, small game and turkeys in New Mexico are available now on the Department of Game and Fish’s redesigned website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The 2015-16 Hunting Rules and Information booklet includes all the information hunters need to apply for and purchase big-game and small-game hunting licenses and permits. Hunters are encouraged to review season dates, application deadlines and other information before applying for licenses or going afield.
The department will begin accepting online applications for 2015-16 big-game and turkey licenses Jan. 7. Application deadlines are 5 p.m. Feb. 4 for special-permit bear and turkey hunts, and 5 p.m. March 18 for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Barbary sheep, ibex, oryx and javelina licenses.
Hunters will find navigating the department website much more user-friendly. The site has been reorganized and redesigned for easy access to online license sales and applications, hunting and fishing information, education and off-highway vehicle programs, publications, news and other features.
The modern, searchable website was created with users of smart phones and tablets in mind. Now, mobile devices will interface with the website with ease.
For more information about 2015-16 hunting rules and information, please call the department’s toll-free information line, (888) 248-6866.
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Study: N.M. hunters, anglers spend more than $613 million
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@dgf.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOV. 13, 2014
STUDY: N.M. HUNTERS, ANGLERS SPEND MORE THAN $613 MILLION
HUNTING, FISHING CREATE NEARLY 8,000 JOBS
SANTA FE – New Mexico’s hunters and anglers spend more than $613 million on their recreational activities and contribute another $51.4 million to the state’s economy in labor, income and taxes, according to a study conducted for the Department of Game and Fish.
The study by Southwick Associates, specialists in fish and wildlife economics and statistics, was commissioned to determine the amount of participation and subsequent economic impacts hunters and anglers have on New Mexico overall and by county.
“Hunting and fishing are among New Mexico’s most cherished traditions,” Governor Susana Martinez said. “This study clearly shows the tremendous value our wildlife resources bring to our state, creating nearly 8,000 jobs and contributing millions to New Mexico’s economy. Outdoor activities like hunting and fishing are New Mexico True.”
According to the study, New Mexico has more than 160,000 resident and nonresident anglers who spend $268 million a year on fishing-related activities. The state also has 87,600 hunters who spend $345.5 million a year on hunting-related activities.
Hunters and anglers also support more than 7,900 jobs in New Mexico that provide more than $267 million in labor income, according to the study. The estimated state and local revenues generated from these activities is over $51 million annually.
The study used license-sale records and survey-based data to estimate economic contributions based on retail spending related to recreational hunting and fishing in the state. The report included individual contributions for each of the state’s 33 counties. The report also included estimated contributions by hunters who pursue selected species.
Data was collected from an online survey conducted in April and May of 2014 and sent to all hunting and fishing license buyers who provided an email address at purchase. Surveys were delivered to 66,092 license buyers, and 15,379 responded, for a response rate of 23 percent.
The complete report by Southwick Associates is available on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Late-season archery elk licenses available online October 29
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Contact: (888) 248-6866
ispa@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCT. 21, 2014
LATE-SEASON ARCHERY ELK LICENSES AVAILABLE ONLINE OCT. 29
SANTA FE – Two hundred seventy-five trophy bull elk archery hunting licenses will go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 29, first-come, first-served, on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
The sale will begin at 10 a.m. Oct. 29 and will be open only to New Mexico residents for the first 24 hours. Any remaining licenses will be available to nonresidents beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 30. Only hunters who did not hold a 2014-2015 elk license are eligible to purchase the late-season licenses. The bag limit for the late-season hunts is one bull elk with antlers that have at least six points on one side.
Hunters are strongly advised to obtain an online customer account or review their existing account, user name and password before the sale begins. The online-only sale is first-come, first-served and popular hunts sell out quickly. Available licenses include:
Archery hunts, trophy bull elk (six-point antlers or more on one side):
Unit 12: Nov. 15-19, 25 licenses.
Unit 34: Dec. 13-17, 200 licenses.
Unit 37: Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 50 licenses.
The Department makes late-season elk licenses available as biologists continue to assess annual population and harvest information, regional herd management objectives and additional harvest needs.
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Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCT. 14, 2014
EXPECT ROADBLOCKS STATEWIDE DURING HUNTING SEASONS
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during hunting seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations.
Hunting seasons are ongoing for deer, elk, pronghorns, bears and some other species as listed in the department’s Hunting Rules & Information booklets.
At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Act and the Aquatic Invasive Species Control Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact a Department of Game and Fish area office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell or Las Cruces, or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed.
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Rio Grande cutthroat trout no longer an endangered species candidate
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCT. 1, 2014
RIO GRANDE CUTTHROAT TROUT NO LONGER AN ENDANGERED SPECIES CANDIDATE
SANTA FE –New Mexico’s state fish, the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, no longer is a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday.
Since 2008, aggressive conservation efforts by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and it’s partners have enhanced or restored pure-strain native cutthroats in 127 streams that are open to public fishing. Rio Grande cutthroats now occupy about 700 miles of stream habitat.
After reviewing current scientific information about the cutthroat’s populations, genetic diversity and habitat conditions in its historic range in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, the federal agency deemed that the fish is in no danger of extinction. The Rio Grande cutthroat was designated a candidate for listing in 2008, mostly because its habitat had dwindled to 11 percent of what it once was.
“Tuesday’s decision is a tribute to the hard work by the department and its public and private partners to conserve our state fish and keep it off the endangered species list,” said Paul Kienzle, chairman of the State Game Commission. “It also ensures recreational public fishing opportunities for Rio Grande cutthroat trout for years to come.”
Cutthroat restoration partners include Trout Unlimited, New Mexico Trout, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Turner Enterprises Inc., northern tribes and pueblos, and others.
The most impressive restoration effort has been the ongoing project to restore pure-strain native cutthroats to the Rio Costilla watershed, which consists of more than 150 miles of streams, 25 lakes and the Costilla Reservoir. More than 70 miles of streams have been restored and more than 33,000 native fish have been stocked in those waters since that project began in 2007. This year, the department plans to stock another six miles of restored waters.
All of the stocked Rio Grande cutthroats come from the department’s Seven Springs Hatchery in the Jemez Mountains, which raises nothing but genetically diverse, pure-strain fish for restoration and recreation.
“Keeping native trout in our state’s streams and lakes is extremely important to us, not only because it’s the department’s mandate to protect native species, but also because it’s our goal to provide anglers with opportunities to catch them,” said Bryan Bakevich, the department’s Rio Grande cutthroat trout biologist. “The Rio Grande cutthroat is found only in one place in the world – northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. We need to keep them around.”
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Bighorn hunters will have more options, opportunities in 2015
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 9, 2014
BIGHORN HUNTERS WILL HAVE MORE OPTIONS, OPPORTUNITIES IN 2015
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Game Commission adopted new rules Aug. 28 that will provide hunters planning to enter the public drawings for 2015-season bighorn sheep licenses in New Mexico with more opportunities and more choices than ever.
Beginning next year, the department estimates it will make 36 bighorn ram licenses available in the annual public drawing, an all-time high. Sixteen of those licenses will be for Rocky Mountain bighorn rams. Twenty will be for desert bighorn rams, a remarkable increase from only one desert bighorn license issued in 2011.
The increased licenses are thanks to successful reintroduction and management efforts by the Department of Game and Fish in partnership with the Wild Sheep Foundation, the Bureau of Land Management and private landowners.
The 2015 bighorn drawings also will see some changes in the way licenses are allocated to state residents and nonresidents. To equitably distribute the bighorn licenses and comply with state statues requiring that 84 percent be awarded to residents, the department consolidated the available licenses for Rocky Mountain rams, Rocky Mountain ewes, Rocky Mountain ewe archery and desert bighorn rams into four individual license pools. This approach will not affect how bighorn herds are managed across the state, but it will enable the Department to distribute licenses consistent with state statute such that residents will receive at least 84 percent of the licenses, nonresidents six percent, and hunters who use outfitters will receive ten percent. By consolidating the licenses into the four pools, all three categories of applicants will have an opportunity to draw.
The 2015 drawing also will include several youth-only licenses and some hunts for ewes.
“With our statewide bighorn herds growing, we are excited that everyone – residents and nonresidents – will have a chance to draw a license,” said Cal Baca chief of the department’s Wildlife Management Division. “If the drawing were conducted under the previous system, nonresidents would have virtually no chance of drawing a license.”
The new system also will enable hunters to rank their choices of hunts and areas for both Rocky Mountain and desert bighorns on their applications, effectively giving them six hunt choices. Previously, hunters had only three choices.
For more details about hunting in New Mexico and the state’s bighorn herds, please visit the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. The rules and information booklets for the 2015-2016 hunting seasons, including maps, season dates, bag limits and more, will be available January 5, 2015. Information also is available by calling toll-free (888) 248-6866.
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Hunting seasons open for doves, grouse, squirrels, band-tailed pigeons; pellet guns approved for collared doves, grouse, squirrels
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 2, 2014
HUNTING SEASONS OPEN FOR DOVES, GROUSE, SQUIRRELS, BAND-TAILED PIGEONS;
PELLET GUNS APPROVED FOR COLLARED DOVES, GROUSE, SQUIRRELS
SANTA FE – Hunting seasons opened Sept. 1 in New Mexico for doves, grouse, squirrels and band-tailed pigeons, with some rule changes that provide more hunting opportunities.
Beginning this year, .177 caliber or larger pellet guns are among the legal sporting arms for Eurasian collared doves, dusky grouse and squirrels. The State Game Commission approved the change Aug. 28 to give hunters more opportunities to bag those species, partly due to the ongoing shortage of .22-caliber ammunition.
The Game Commission also increased the hunting season for Eurasian collared doves – an invasive, non-native species – to year-round with no bag limit. Hunters must leave one wing attached to each collared dove while in the field so conservation officers can differentiate the birds from white-winged or mourning doves, which have a bag limit of 15 birds a day.
Eurasian collared doves are identified by the distinct black and white collar on the back of their neck.
For more details about hunting small game and waterfowl in New Mexico, please visit the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, rules and information booklets are available that include maps, season dates, bag limits and more. Information also is available by calling toll-free (888) 248-6866.
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Bear and cub captured near downtown Santa Fe
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
lance.cherry@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG 22, 2014
BEAR AND CUB CAPTURED NEAR DOWNTOWN SANTA FE
SANTA FE – Conservation officers captured a bear and her cub Friday morning about a half-mile from the State Capitol near downtown Santa Fe.
The healthy bear and her cub were not harmed during the capture and were on their way to be released in the Gila National Forest in southern New Mexico later Friday.
It was the third time officers captured and relocated the female bear and cub. This spring, the bear had two cubs when they were captured near downtown Santa Fe and relocated to the Jemez Mountains. In July, the same female and one cub were captured in San Isidro and relocated to the Cibola National Forest near Mount Taylor, approximately 100 miles from where they were captured Friday.
The bear and cub were relocated again because a cub was involved and officers did not consider the bear and cub to be a public safety threat. The Gila National Forest offers a healthy habitat for wildlife and an abundance of food and forage for bears.
For more information about black bears in New Mexico, please visit the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Mimbres River Ranch purchase benefits wildlife, habitat
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG 8, 2014
MIMBRES RIVER RANCH PURCHASE BENEFITS WILDLIFE, HABITAT
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission recently purchased more than 1,000 acres of riparian habitat along the Mimbres River in southwestern New Mexico. The $585,000 purchase will allow the Department of Game and Fish to manage the property and its diverse wildlife habitat.
“The River Ranch is an opportunity for the department to conserve valuable habitat for many wildlife species,” Department Director Alexa Sandoval said. Approximately half the purchase price came from the department’s Share With Wildlife tax-refund check-off donations, money targeted for nongame wildlife conservation.
Part riparian area and part Chihuahuan desert grasslands, the River Ranch and adjoining 2,920 acres of state and federal leased lands supports a high diversity of native plants and wildlife. The last free-flowing stretch of the Mimbres River cuts through the property, supporting large sands of broadleaf cottonwood, Arizona walnut and other large-diameter trees, including the New Mexico’s State Champion velvet ash tree. Deer, black bears, Arizona gray squirrels, cougars, Merriam’s turkeys, Gambel’s quail and two species of bats also call the River Ranch home.
The State Game Commission made the purchase of the River Ranch possible though a conservation easement by the ranch owners, Gene and Elizabeth Simon. The Simons wanted to protect the ranch from development, preferring for it to be managed for conservation and education.
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New bighorn sheep herd to be established in the Santa Fe National Forest
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG 7, 2014
NEW BIGHORN SHEEP HERD TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST
TAOS SKI VALLEY – The Department of Game and Fish plans to reintroduce Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep into historic bighorn sheep habitat near Cochiti Canyon in the Jemez Mountains of the Santa Fe National Forest.
Several dozen department staff and volunteers will conduct a capture operation Aug. 11-14 near Wheeler Peak in the Carson National Forest. The sheep will be released in the treeless burned area created by the Las Conchas Fire in 2011, which has become ideal bighorn sheep habitat.
The department hopes to capture 30 to 40 adult sheep and their lambs using drop nets and then transport the sheep via helicopter to a staging area where they will undergo a health evaluation. After receiving veterinary care, they will be transported by trailer their new home.
This will be the 10th Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep herd the department has established since beginning to restore the species in 1978. Biologists anticipate that the herd will expand into Bandelier National Monument and the White Rock Canyon area, and will increase opportunities for New Mexican’s to see bighorns in the wild.
As part of a long-term study, the department will place radio collars on all of the adult sheep. Twenty of the collars will have GPS technology that will give wildlife biologists new insights about the sheep and their daily routines.
The department has used the herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep near Wheeler Peak, established in 1993, as a source for starting new herds since 2003. The department most recently transplanted sheep from the herd of about 350 in 2012.
“More than 170 bighorn sheep have been trapped from the Wheeler Peak population since 2003, and every time is different,” said Eric Rominger, bighorn sheep biologist for the department. “Success is never guaranteed, but we are hoping for the best.”
Hikers in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness may see a helicopter carrying equipment and possibly bighorn sheep as the department conducts the sheep trapping and relocation project. The department and the U.S. Forest Service have agreed that using helicopters is the least disruptive method to accomplish bighorn trapping operations in wilderness areas, which normally are closed to all motorized vehicles.
For more information about New Mexico’s bighorn sheep and the state’s bighorn restoration projects, please visit the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/bighorn.
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Learn more about the Responsible Hunter Program
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Jessica Fisher, (505-476-8100
Public contact: (888)-248-6866
jessica.fisher@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG 6, 2014
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RESPONSIBLE HUNTER PROGRAM
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish scheduled meetings across New Mexico to explain changes in the shooting program to youth shooting club leaders.
“In the past, youth clubs benefited from the agency purchasing ammunition and other shooting equipment,” said Jessica Fisher, shooting program coordinator. “In the future, we intend to offer financial assistance for the clubs to purchase equipment and other products they need. We also will be emphasizing ‘responsible hunting’ through better marksmanship.”
Learn more about these changes at the following meetings:
Aug. 25, 1912 West Second Street in Roswell;
Aug. 26, 2715 Northrise Drive in Las Cruces;
Sept. 2, 3841 Midway Place NE, Albuquerque;
Sept. 3, 215 York Canyon Road, Raton.
All meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. For more information contact Jessica Fisher at (505) 476-8100.
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Fish for big cats at Villanueva State Park
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG 1, 2014
FISH FOR BIG CATS AT VILLANUEVA STATE PARK
LAS VEGAS – The department stocked a section of the Pecos River flowing through Villanueva State Park south of Las Vegas with 200 catfish for the first time earlier this week. The large channel catfish range in size from 18 to 20 inches, and larger.
“We are always looking to expand public fishing opportunities,” Department Fisheries Chief Mike Sloane said. “When anglers in the Villanueva area reached out to us to request more opportunities to fish, we were happy to be able to help.”
Villanueva has long been a trout-fishing destination. The department regularly stocks the stretch of river flowing into the park with rainbow trout during the winter. Trout prefer cooler water temperatures, so the department does not stock trout in the area during warm summer months.
Anglers can fish at Villanueva year-round since catfish will now provide an excellent summer fishing opportunity. Catfish tolerate a range of temperatures, but prefer warmer waters. They can be lured easily with bait at water temperatures between 60 and 72 degrees, but they stop feeding when the temperature drops lower than 40 degrees.
The department plans to start stocking this stretch of the Pecos regularly with catfish from April through October, and will continue to stock rainbow trout November through March.
Additional big catfish waters around the state include Bataan, Blue Hole Park Pond, Bosque Rdondo, Carrizozo, Chaparral, Conoco Lake, Corona, Dennis Chavez Pond, Escondida, Estancia Park Lake, Eunice, Grants Riverwalk Pond, Green Acres, Green Meadow, Jal Lake, Lake Van, Ned Houk, Oasis State Park, Perch Lake, Roswell Kids Pond, Tingley Beach and Young Pond.
To fish for cats at Villanueva State Park, or any public waters in the state, anglers ages 12 and older are required to have a fishing license. To purchase a fishing license, and for more information about fishing in New Mexico, please visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Expect roadblocks statewide during fall hunting seasons
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Mark Madsen, (575) 624-6135
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
mark.madsen@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 28, 2014
EXPECT ROADBLOCKS STATEWIDE DURING FALL HUNTING SEASONS
SANTA FE –The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during fall hunting seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations.
Bear season starts in mid-August with deer, elk, and pronghorn seasons starting shortly thereafter. Small game seasons are also scheduled to start on Sept. 1.
At roadblocks, conservation officers will also check for compliance with the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Act and the Aquatic Invasive Species Control Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays.
To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact a Department of Game and Fish area office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell or Las Cruces, or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed.
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Plague activity continues in the East Mountain area
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 25, 2014
PLAGUE ACTIVITY CONTINUES IN THE EAST MOUNTAIN AREA
Latest Fatal Animal Cases include a Mountain Lion and Coati from an Edgewood Nature Park
SANTA FE –The New Mexico Department of Health and the Department of Game and Fish report continuing instances of plague in the East Mountain area, which includes parts of Bernalillo, Torrance, and Santa Fe counties. Two animals, a mountain lion and a small raccoon-like mammal called a coati, from the Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood recently died from complications due to plague. The infected animals both died within the last few weeks.
The two departments have been actively working with Wildlife West Nature Park in an effort reduce the presence of plague to minimize the possibility of people or animals being exposed.
“After a detailed inspection, officials are overseeing the parks efforts to decrease wild rodent population in the park, dust rodent burrows with insecticides to kill fleas, post signs to warn people to stay on designated trails and watch for any rodent die-offs that may be due to plague,” said Dr. Kerry Mower, wildlife biologist with the Department of Game and Fish.
Plague is a bacterial disease of rodents and is generally transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, but can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, wildlife and pets.
“We’ve been cooperating with the Department of Health and the Department of Game and Fish, putting all of their recommendations into place so our visitors will be safe,” said Roger Alink, Director of the Wildlife West Nature Park.
Plague symptoms in cats and dogs are fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. There may be swelling in the lymph node under the jaw.
“It is very important to have children and pets avoid rodents and their burrows, especially if the rodents appear sick,” said Dr. Paul Ettestad, public health veterinarian for the Department of Health. “Pets that are allowed to roam and hunt can bring infected fleas from dead rodents back into the home, putting you and your children at risk. Also, if you have recently handled a rodent or been bitten by their fleas and you develop a high fever, and maybe also a painful swollen lymph node, you should seek medical attention.”
Symptoms of plague in humans include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache and weakness. In most cases there is a painful swelling of the lymph node in the groin, armpit or neck areas. Plague can be treated with antibiotics, but infected people and animals must be treated promptly to avoid serious complications or death. Physicians who suspect someone might be infected with plague should promptly call the New Mexico Department of Health at (505) 827-0006.
“People hunting furbearers or small animals such as cottontail rabbits or squirrels can reduce their risk of exposure to disease by wearing gloves when handling animals,” Dr. Mower said. “Wash hands and arms with soap and water after field dressing game.”
Protect yourself and your pets:
- Reduce rodent habitat around your home, work place and recreational areas. Remove brush, rock piles, junk, cluttered firewood and possible rodent food supplies, such as pet and wild animal food. Make your home and outbuildings rodent-proof.
- If you’re a hunter, wear gloves if you handle or skin potentially infected animals to prevent contact between your skin and the plague bacteria.
- Use repellent if you think you could be exposed to rodent fleas during activities such as camping, hiking or working outdoors. Products containing DEET can be applied to the skin as well as clothing and products containing permethrin can be applied to clothing (always follow instructions on the label).
- Talk to your veterinarian about using an appropriate flea control product on your pets as not all products are safe for cats, dogs or children.
- Do not allow dogs or cats that roam free in endemic areas to sleep on your bed.
There have been two human cases of plague this year in New Mexico. Both people are still recovering. There were four human cases of plague in 2013 with one fatality, one case in 2012, two cases in 2011, no cases in 2010 and six human cases of plague in 2009, one of them fatal.
For more information, including fact sheets in English and Spanish, go to the Department of Health’s website at: http://archive.nmhealth.org/erd/healthdata/plague.shtml.
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Hunting licenses still available for elk, deer and javelina
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 16, 2014
HUNTING LICENSES STILL AVAILABLE FOR ELK, DEER AND JAVELINA
SANTA FE –The 2014-2015 hunting season is fast approaching, and hunters still have the opportunity to buy a hunting license in New Mexico.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish still has more than 1,000 deer hunting licenses and nearly 500 javelina licenses for sale that were leftover from the annual hunt drawing. More than 1,000 youth encouragement hunting licenses for antlerless elk are also still available. Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis.
Many of the leftover deer and javelina licenses are for muzzleloader or archery hunts, but there are a few youth only rifle hunts. The sale is open to everyone, regardless of residency.
The youth encouragement elk license sale is open only to eligible New Mexico youths who successfully applied but did not draw a deer, elk, pronghorn, ibex, oryx or bighorn sheep license this year. Beginning at 10 a.m. July 23, the sale will open to all eligible youths, regardless of residency and whether they applied for the draw or not. Hunters must be younger than 18 years of age on opening day of the hunt to be eligible.
To purchase a license, customers will need to log in to their Online License System account.
For more information about available licenses, hunting in New Mexico or for help logging in, please call us at (888) 248-6866.
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Off-highway Vehicle Program announces grant awards for 2014
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Marc Hildesheim, (505) 222-4728
Public contact: (888) 248-6966
marc.hildesheim@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 10, 2014
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE PROGRAM ANNOUNCES GRANT AWARDS FOR 2014
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Off-Highway Vehicle Program has selected 10 grant proposals to share in $105,000 awarded from the Trail Safety Fund administered by the department.
The New Mexico Legislature mandated that fees from all-terrain vehicle, dirt bike, recreational off-highway vehicle, and snowmobile registrations be collected in the Trail Safety Fund, and a portion awarded as grants to encourage safe and responsible OHV recreation that respects the state’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage.
Projects funded for the 2014-2015 grant cycle include multiple-use trail construction and maintenance, safety training facility improvements, trail guidebooks, and public information kiosks at trailheads.
Grant recipients include the Lincoln and Cibola National Forests, the City of Santa Fe and the Town of Red River, the New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance and National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, and the Chimayo Youth Conservation Corps.
The Game and Fish Department’s OHV program also awards Trail Safety Fund grants to law enforcement agencies to encourage compliance with the provisions of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act.
For more information, please contact the Off-Highway Vehicle Program at (505) 222-4727.
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Department of Game and Fish officers busy over holiday
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 10, 2014
DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH OFFICERS BUSY OVER HOLIDAY
SANTA FE – Department of Game and Fish law enforcement officers spent the Fourth of July weekend patrolling lakes and recreation areas throughout the state in an effort to keep people and New Mexico’s wildlife safe.
Officers contacted more than 2,000 anglers and people riding off-highway vehicles to check for licenses and permits. They also assisted State Parks officers, responded to bear complaints, and enforced OHV safety rules and fishing bag limits.
Officers issued more than 200 citations over the weekend, a small percentage of those checked. Most of the citations were for fishing without a license. Fishing violations can result in fines of $50 to $500 and up to six months in jail. Repeat offenders or those committing more serious violations can have their hunting or fishing privileges revoked.
Officers patrolled popular lakes and rivers in New Mexico, including Bluewater, Navajo, Ute, Santa Rosa, Grindstone, Elephant Butte lakes and the San Juan and Pecos rivers. The department will continue patrols statewide throughout the summer.
“New Mexico’s conservation officers want to ensure that the wildlife and the people who enjoy outdoor recreation stay safe,” department Col. Robert Griego said. “Our officers also want to make sure that everyone out there enjoying their wildlife resources have done their fair share by purchasing the necessary licenses or permits.”
The Department of Game and Fish receives no general fund tax dollars. Instead, hunters and anglers pay for conservation in New Mexico through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses and through federal excise taxes on sporting goods.
“Our sportsmen and women are generally responsible and law abiding,” Griego said. “We want to thank our licensed anglers and hunters who are doing the right thing.”
To report fishing violations or other wildlife crimes, please contact Operation Game Thief at 1-800-432-4263. For a free copy of the New Mexico Fishing Rules and Information booklet and more information about fishing in New Mexico, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or call the department at (888) 248-6866.
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Catch outdoor rewards this Independence Day
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 3, 2014
CATCH OUTDOOR REWARDS THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish, in collaboration with area chambers of commerce and the New Mexico Tourism Department, want to make your fishing experience a little richer with a special fishing event starting this holiday weekend.
The department will release five large trout into state waters somewhere in New Mexico that have been tagged for cash prizes totaling $1,000. It is up to anglers to decipher clues pointing to the whereabouts of the fish, then find and catch the fish for prizes. Local chambers of commerce will provide the cash awards. Lucky anglers who catch one of the five trout can redeem the numbered tag from the fish for $200 at the nearest chamber of commerce.
The event begins July 3 and ends when all the fish have been caught and prizes claimed, or September 2, whichever occurs first. Follow the Department of Game and Fish and the Tourism Department on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/nmdgf and www.facebook.com/NewMexico respectively, to receive clues guiding anglers to the location of the fish. The departments will release weekly clues throughout the event starting today.
All participants must follow all New Mexico fishing rules and regulations. Anglers 12 and older must purchase a fishing license. Licenses can be purchased online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by calling the department during business hours at (888) 248-6866 or through a participating vendor.
Visit the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us to view fishing rules, event details and information about how to claim prizes.
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WAFWA Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-Wide Plan Nears 4 Million Acres
Media Contact:
Bill Van Pelt, WAFWA Grassland Coordinator
bill.vanpelt@wafwa.org
(602) 717-5066
Date: July 1, 2014
Aerial Survey Shows Lesser Prairie-Chicken Population Increased 20 Percent in 2014
Biologists Note Regional Populations Fluctuate, Emphasize Value of Improved Habitat
The third annual lesser prairie-chicken aerial survey shows a nearly 20 percent increase in the bird’s range-wide population, up from an estimated 18,747 birds in 2013 to 22,415 this year. While wildlife biologists are encouraged by the increase, they note that prairie-chicken numbers can fluctuate up and down from year to year, mainly due to grassland habitat conditions influenced by rainfall.
The range-wide increase was not evenly spread across the bird’s four habitat regions distributed among five states—Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The mixed grass prairie region showed the biggest gain, a region that includes the northeast Texas Panhandle, northwestern Oklahoma and south central Kansas, an area where more rain produced better prairie habitat. The sand sagebrush region in southwestern Kansas, southeastern Colorado and the northwestern Oklahoma panhandle, where persistent drought continues to take a toll, showed a significant population decline.
“Just as with last year’s population decrease, we shouldn’t read too much into short-term fluctuations over one or two years,” said Bill Van Pelt, WAFWA grassland coordinator. “What these numbers show is the importance of maintaining good prairie habitat. Increased rainfall led to improved habitat in part of the lesser prairie-chicken’s range, allowing populations to respond to better conditions. This population response underscores the importance of implementing the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan, a blueprint to work with private landowners and industry to protect and restore habitat and recover the species.”
Companies, landowners, farmers and ranchers that did not enroll by the federal listing deadline of May 12 may still enroll in the range-wide plan and receive regulatory assurances their operations can continue under an accompanying Certificate of Participation. Participating companies pay enrollment fees, allowing them to continue oil and gas production under certain restrictions while providing funds to conserve prairie chicken habitat. As of early June, about 160 oil, gas, wind, electric and pipeline companies had enrolled about 9 million acres across the five states, committing more than $43 million for habitat conservation over the next three years. Enrollment fees are deposited with WAFWA and administered to fund conservation efforts by private landowners to benefit the lesser prairie-chicken in the five state region.
West Ecosystems, Inc. of Laramie, WY is the contractor conducting the lesser prairie-chicken aerial survey effort. Begun in 2012, it is the first large-scale, helicopter-based survey to locate lesser prairie-chicken leks or breeding areas across the High Plains region in all five states within the bird’s range, which is then used to estimate the population. The survey is a collaborative effort involving WAFWA’s Lesser Prairie-Chicken Interstate Working Group and is funded through industry enrollment fees, state wildlife agencies, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Organized in 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) represents 23 states and Canadian provinces, spanning from Alaska to Texas and Saskatchewan to Hawaii – an area covering nearly 3.7 million square miles of some of North America’s most wild and scenic country, inhabited by over 1500 premier wildlife species.
More information, including the range-wide plan, is available on the WAFWA website at www.wafwa.org.
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More than 2,000 youth elk licenses for sale beginning July 9
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 26, 2014
MORE THAN 2,000 YOUTH ELK LICENSES FOR SALE BEGINNING JULY 9
SANTA FE –More than 2,000 youth antlerless elk licenses will go on sale through the Department of Game and Fish’s Online License System at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 9. To purchase a license, customers will need to log in to their Online License System account at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/.
The sale is designed to encourage youth hunting and includes almost 1,500 licenses for hunters using any legal weapon and 540 licenses for hunters using a muzzleloader or bow. Licenses will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and hunters must be younger than 18 years of age on opening day of the hunt to be eligible.
For the first 14 days, the sale will be open only to eligible New Mexico youths who successfully applied but did not draw a deer, elk, pronghorn, ibex, oryx or bighorn sheep license this year. Beginning at 10 a.m. July 23, the sale will open to all eligible youths, regardless of residency, who did not draw a 2014-15 elk license, whether they applied or not.
Youth hunters must have either a valid Hunter Education or Mentored Youth number entered in their account before purchasing or applying for a hunting license.
Hunters must have a current Junior Game Hunting or a Junior Game Hunting and Fishing license to purchase an elk license successfully. Customers without a Game Hunting license will be directed to purchase one before continuing to the youth encouragement sale.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility. Hunters planning to purchase a youth encouragement license must have completed all mandatory 2013-2014 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee will be refunded on rejected purchases. After eligibility is verified, licenses will be awarded to hunters and will be available to print and view within a few days of purchase. Licenses can be printed from any computer by logging in to an account and selecting “My Purchases” in the main menu.
For more information about the youth encouragement elk license sale, hunting in New Mexico, or for help logging in, please call us at (888) 248-6866. Youth encouragement licenses will not be sold over the phone.
Here is a list of available licenses:
More than 2,000 youth elk licenses for sale beginning July 9
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Fishing bag limits, tackle restrictions lifted on Santa Fe River
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 23, 2014
FISHING BAG LIMITS, TACKLE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED ON SANTA FE RIVER
SANTA FE – Beginning Monday, June 23, anglers will be allowed to catch and keep unlimited numbers of fish from a two-mile stretch of the Santa Fe River as the City of Santa Fe prepares to stop the flow from city reservoirs. The Department of Game and Fish issued the official emergency salvage order, to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. June 23, and remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 30.
The salvage order will affect only the section of river from Paseo de Peralta two miles downstream to Camino Alire.
Tackle regulations also will be suspended during the salvage period. Fish can be removed from the stream using nets or by other methods and people will not be required to catch fish by using a hook and line, which is usually the case. Anglers ages 12 and older are required to have a state fishing license.
The salvage order will allow anglers to remove trout from the Santa Fe River before it runs dry. The Department stocked more than 500 trout in the river this spring to provide angling opportunities during the recent Children’s Fishing Derby. People have caught most of those fish, but some may remain, mostly in the stretch of river downstream from the Paseo de Peralta bridge.
For more information about New Mexico fishing regulations and angling opportunities, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Leftover deer, javelina licenses go on sale online at 10 a.m. June 25
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 16, 2014
LEFTOVER DEER, JAVELINA LICENSES GO ON SALE ONLINE AT 10 A.M. JUNE 25
SANTA FE –Thousands of leftover deer and javelina draw licenses will go on sale online at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25. To purchase a license, customers will need to log in to their Online License System account at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/.
Licenses will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis to New Mexico residents only for the first 24 hours. The sale will be opened to everyone, regardless of residency, at 10 a.m. June 26.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to purchase either a Game Hunting or a Game Hunting and Fishing license in advance because popular licenses often sell out quickly. A person without a Game Hunting or a Game Hunting and Fishing license will be required to purchase one before purchasing a leftover deer or javelina license.
All purchases will be audited to verify the customer’s eligibility. After being verified for eligibility, licenses will be awarded to hunters and will be available to print and view within a few days of purchase.
Hunters planning to purchase a leftover license also must have completed all mandatory 2013-2014 harvest reporting requirements or their purchase will be rejected in the post-sale audit. The license fee, but not the application fee will be refunded on rejected purchases.
Licenses can be printed from any computer by logging in to an account and selecting “My Purchases” in the main menu.
For more information about the leftover license sale, hunting in New Mexico, or for help logging in, please call us at (888) 248-6866. Leftover licenses will not be sold over the phone.
Available licenses:
Leftover deer, javelina licenses go on sale online at 10 a.m. June 25
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Free children’s fishing derby June 14 in Santa Fe
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 9, 2014
FREE CHILDREN’S FISHING DERBY JUNE 14 IN SANTA FE
Free children’s fishing derby June 14 in Santa Fe
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the City of Santa Fe are sponsoring a free fishing derby Saturday, June 14 for children 11 years old and younger at the Santa Fe River Park from Don Gaspar Avenue upstream to Old Santa Fe Trail. Anglers ages 11 and younger may fish without a license.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will stock 500 rainbow trout in the Santa Fe River for the event. Department staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide fishing information. Children 11 years old and younger who catch the first 10 tagged fish are eligible for prizes the day of the event. Children must be present to win. The derby is from 7 a.m. until noon, and is intended for children 11-years old and under.
“This is a great opportunity for Santa Feans to get outside with their families and enjoy the warm weather and a flowing Santa Fe River,” Department Fisheries Chief Mike Sloane said.
If family and friends want to fish after the derby, anglers 12 and older can purchase a fishing license online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Licenses also can be purchased by calling the department during business hours at (888) 248-6866 or through a participating vendor. The daily bag limit is five trout per day and no more than 10 in possession.
Who: Children 11 years old and under
What: Children’s Fishing Derby
When: 7 a.m. – noon Saturday, June 14
Where: Santa Fe River Park (El Parque del Rio) from Don Gaspar Avenue upstream to Old Santa Fe Trail
Parking: Public parking is available at the St. Francis Cathedral lot at 215 Cathedral Place; Archdiocese lot at 251 E. Alameda St. off East Alameda St. New Mexico; and the New Mexico State Land Office at 310 Old Santa Fe Trail.
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Anglers out in force over Memorial Day
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 4, 2014
ANGLERS OUT IN FORCE OVER MEMORIAL WEEKEND
SANTA FE –Anglers across New Mexico took to the waters over the recent Memorial Day weekend. The warm weather and recent fish stockings drew people to lakes and streams throughout the state.
Department of Game and Fish officers checked more than 3,000 anglers for licenses over the holiday weekend.
“We want all anglers to purchase a fishing license, if required.” said Department Col. Robert Griego. “Fishing is affordable family fun.”
The department uses revenue from fishing licenses to manage and improve fisheries, including stocking fish, rehabilitating riparian areas and improving boat and angler access.
Children age 11 and under are not required to purchase a license. Resident annual fishing licenses are $25 and nonresident annual fishing licenses are $56. Junior annual fishing licenses for anglers 12 to 17 years of age, senior annual fishing licenses for residents age 65 and older, one-day and five-day licenses also are available. Anglers can purchase their licenses online at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us, toll-free at (888) 248-6866, at all department offices or at local vendors.
“Anglers are usually happy to talk to us when we are out checking licenses,” said Conservation Officer Sergeant Ty Jackson. “They have a lot of questions, like where the fish are biting and where the best hunting will be in the fall.”
“Only a small percent of those checked were in violation of the law,” Griego said. “Our sportsmen and women are generally responsible and law abiding, and our officers enjoy the opportunity to educate the public about safety, conservation and fishing rules.”
While the majority of anglers followed the rules, officers issued nearly 300 citations over the weekend. The most common violation was fishing without a license. Officers also wrote citations for exceeding the bag limit, off-highway vehicle safety violations and other offenses. They also responded to complaints about bears and mountain lions. Conservation officers will continue to visit lakes and streams throughout the summer, educating the public and making sure that people are not taking more than their fair share.
Fishing violations can result in fines of $50 to $500 and up to six months in jail. Repeat offenders or those committing more serious violations can have their hunting or fishing privileges revoked.
For more information about fishing in New Mexico visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or call the department at (888) 248-6866.
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Unprecedented Effort Protects Prairie Chicken Habitat in Five States
Media Contact: Bill Van Pelt, WAFWA Grassland Coordinator
bill.vanpelt@wafwa.org (602) 717-5066
Date: June 4, 2014
Unprecedented Effort Protects Prairie Chicken Habitat in Five States
Nearly 14 million acres now enrolled under various Lesser Prairie Chicken conservation agreements
The May 12 listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act helped fuel a surge in oil and gas company enrollments to conserve the species under special agreements spearheaded by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA). To date, 160 oil, gas, wind, electric and pipeline companies have enrolled about 9 million acres across the five states that contain habitat for the bird’s survival, committing more than $43 million for habitat conservation over the next three years.
WAFWA’s Lesser Prairie Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan as well as the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) provided landowners and industry with options to receive regulatory assurance after the listing went into effect. The plan and CCAA were developed by state wildlife agency experts in 2013 with input from a wide variety of stakeholders.
The five range states are Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Companies, landowners, farmers and ranchers that did not enroll by the listing deadline of May 12 may still enroll in the plan and receive regulatory assurance under an accompanying Certificate of Participation. The companies are required to pay enrollment fees and these credits allow the companies to continue oil and gas production under certain restrictions while providing funds to mitigate impacts on prairie chicken habitat.
These enrollments complement other voluntary conservation agreements that have been underway for several years in parts of the species’ range. Voluntary ranching CCAA’s have been available in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico and many landowners have chosen to participate in this manner. More than 3 million acres of private land has been enrolled across the three states, including about 400,000 acres enrolled by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, nearly 675,000 acres by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and nearly 2 million acres by the Center of Excellence in New Mexico. By undertaking voluntary conservation measures such as brush control, grazing management, and prescribed burning on their property, landowners are assured that no further land use restrictions or conditions will be required of them in the wake of the species’ listing. In addition, the Center of Excellence has enrolled another 1.9 million acres of oil and gas lease under separate conservation agreements in New Mexico.
“The enrollment of nearly 14 million acres in these various conservation agreements to benefit the lesser prairie chicken is an extraordinary achievement. Private landowners and industry are critical partners in our collective efforts to conserve this iconic grassland bird,” said Carter Smith, Texas Parks and Wildlife executive director who also serves as president of WAFWA. “Our focus now is to continue implementing the plan, recover the species, and facilitate the bird’s removal from the federal threatened species list. In that regard, we appreciate the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s commitment to and support for using the range-wide plan as a blueprint for recovery.”
Enrollment fees are being deposited with WAFWA and will be administered to fund conservation efforts that will benefit the lesser prairie chicken in the five state region.
“The oil and gas industry has demonstrated overwhelming support for the Lesser Prairie Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan,” said Ben Shepperd, president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association. “The industry should be lauded for doing their part in this important initiative and we appreciate the leadership of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in developing a plan that works for industry, landowners and the prairie chicken.”
Organized in 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) represents 23 states and Canadian provinces, spanning from Alaska to Texas and Saskatchewan to Hawaii – an area covering nearly 3.7 million square miles of some of North America’s most wild and scenic country, inhabited by over 1500 premier wildlife species.
For more information about WAFWA: http://www.wafwa.org/
For more information about the conservation efforts of the Center of Excellence: http://cehmm.org/index.php/programs/conservation/
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Saturday, June 7, is free fishing day in New Mexico; youth clinics statewide
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 2, 2014
SATURDAY, JUNE 7, IS FREE FISHING DAY IN NEW MEXICO; YOUTH CLINICS STATEWIDE
SANTA FE – Whether you feel like testing the waters for the first time or you are an old hand at fishing, Saturday, June 7, is the perfect time to get out and make a cast or two at lakes and streams across New Mexico — no license required.
“We want to encourage New Mexican’s to get out with their families and enjoy their wildlife resources, and celebrating National Free Fishing Day is a great way to do that,” Department Fisheries Chief Mike Sloane said.
June 7, 2014, is National Free Fishing Day, and to celebrate, all anglers, residents and nonresidents may fish free on public waters statewide. On this special day, no one needs a license or stamp, although bag limits and all other fishing rules apply.
As a bonus, the Department of Game and Fish and its partners will conduct free fishing clinics at waters across the state. Anglers of all ages are encouraged to participate. All you need is some basic fishing equipment. Most clinics will provide prizes for youth who register and attend educational stations.
More than 150 volunteers and more than 20 Department staff members will be at the clinics to provide fishing instruction and information about New Mexico’s fish and fish habitat. Young anglers will learn the basics: how to bait hooks, tie knots, catch fish and the correct way to release fish. They will also learn how to be responsible anglers.
The youth fishing clinics will be at waters across the state in lakes and streams of varying sizes — even in a portable swimming pool. The department will generously stock all the clinic locations with catchable-sized trout or channel catfish before the events.
For more information about the clinics, contact Kevin Holladay at (505) 476-8095.
Here’s where to find the clinics:
Albuquerque: 9 a.m. to noon, Tingley Beach.
Grants: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Grants Riverwalk Pond. Lunch will be provided for the youth attending the event.
Pecos: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Cowles Ponds, Santa Fe National Forest
Corona: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Corona Pond
Ruidoso: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Grindstone Reservoir. Kayak rides, prizes and snacks will be available.
Roswell: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Wal-Mart Super Center, catfish portable pool.
Las Cruces: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Alumni Pond, New Mexico State University.
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New Mexico youths can receive donated hunting licenses
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 22, 2014
NEW MEXICO YOUTHS CAN RECEIVE DONATED HUNTING LICENSES
ALBUQUERQUE – The State Game Commission has approved the nonprofit organization, the Donald R. Kemp Youth Hunting Club of Las Cruces, to qualify youths to receive donated hunting licenses and permits.
At its May 15 meeting, the commission amended a rule in January that allows those who cannot use a hunting license or permit to transfer it to youths 17 years of age or younger who have been qualified through an approved nonprofit organization that promotes youth hunting. The change allows those who cannot use a hunting license to donate it to the Department of Game and Fish so it can be transferred to a youth.
The club is the first nonprofit to be approved under the new rule. The original rule restricted transfers to individuals identified by wish-granting organizations. Frequently these organizations were unable to locate appropriate recipients who could use the licenses and potential donations were left unused.
For more information about how to donate a hunting license or to learn how nonprofits can be approved by the commission, please contact the department at (888) 248-6866
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Protect New Mexico waters from invasive species
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 20, 2014
PROTECT NEW MEXICO WATERS FROM INVASIVE SPECIES
NAVAJO DAM – Invasive mussels are closing in on New Mexico. Quagga mussels have been discovered in nearby Lake Powell by the thousands. The department reminds boaters to clean, drain and dry before transporting their watercraft and equipment to protect New Mexico waters from the invaders.
“We have not found any invasive mussels in our state’s reservoirs,” said James Dominguez, the Department’s Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator. “Zebra and quagga mussels have colonized waters in the states surrounding New Mexico and the department needs boaters and anglers to help protect our water bodies from infestation.”
Mussels and their microscopic larvae can survive long after a watercraft has left a water body. Open all compartments and air-dry watercraft leaving positive waters for up to 30 days. Contact the department at (888) 248-6866 to learn if a watercraft will need to be decontaminated before being launched or to schedule the decontamination. The department will inspect and decontaminate watercraft free of charge.
Boaters can check which waters in neighboring states have quagga and zebra mussels by using the map of states with positive waters on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ais/ais. For more information about the length of time needed to dry boats, please visit the 100th Meridian Initiative website at http://100thmeridian.org/emersion.asp.
Invasive zebra and quagga mussels multiply rapidly and spread to new waters by adhering to boats and other equipment that come in contact with the water. The mussels can clog water intake and delivery pipes used to supply drinking water, irrigation to farmlands, or water for hydroelectric power stations. The filter feeders also strip nutrients out of the water. Each mussel filters about one liter of water per day, removing the valuable nutrients that support a healthy fishery.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reminds boat owners to clean, drain and dry every time to help prevent the spread of invasive species that harm wildlife and threaten water supplies.
Clean all mud, plants, mussels and other debris from boats, trailers, paddles and gear.
Drain all of the water from watercraft by pulling the drain plug, emptying live wells and ballast tanks, draining bilge lines and lowering the engine.
Dry watercraft completely by wiping it down; make sure there are no pools of water anywhere by drying footpads, depressions, gear and ropes.
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Northern New Mexico: hunters invited to give input on big-game hunting rules
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 19, 2014:
HUNTERS IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO INVITED TO GIVE INPUT ON BIG-GAME HUNTING RULES
SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites hunters and wildlife enthusiasts in the Santa Fe area to give comments on several big-game hunting rules during a public meeting at 6 p.m. May 21 at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish office, 1 Wildlife Way. Participants are asked to bring their questions, concerns and ideas.
The department is seeking public input about proposed hunting rules for bighorn sheep, deer, elk and pronghorn. The department also is seeking input for turkey and migratory game bird hunting rules. Times and locations of meetings, as well as rule development schedules for the various species are posted on the department website.
“Our recent public meetings have had some of the highest participation rates we have seen for big-game rule development,” said Stewart Liley, big-game program manager for the department. “We want to thank hunters for providing their valuable input.” Hunting rules for Barbary sheep ibex, javelina, and oryx were finalized May 15 at the Game Commission meeting in Albuquerque.
The department reviews and revises hunting rules every four years. Public involvement is invaluable, and ensures diverse perspectives will help influence rules and license numbers of hunting seasons for 2015 through 2019.
Proposed adjustments to the rules are available for public review on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by clicking on “For review and comment” or by following the link. Public comments, along with biological information, management goals and harvest and survey data will be considered by the State Game Commission when finalizing the rules later this year.
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Southeast New Mexico: hunters invited to give input on big-game hunting rules
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 19, 2014:
HUNTERS IN SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO INVITED TO GIVE INPUT ON BIG-GAME HUNTING RULES
ROSWELL – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites hunters and wildlife enthusiasts in the Roswell area to give comments on several big-game hunting rules during a public meeting at 6 p.m. May 20 at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish office, 1912 W. Second St. Participants are asked to bring their questions, concerns and ideas.
The department is seeking public input about proposed hunting rules for bighorn sheep, deer, elk and pronghorn. The department also is seeking input for turkey and migratory game bird hunting rules. Times and locations of meetings, as well as rule development schedules for the various species are posted on the department website.
“Our recent public meetings have had some of the highest participation rates we have seen for big-game rule development,” said Stewart Liley, big-game program manager for the department. “We want to thank hunters for providing their valuable input.” Hunting rules for Barbary sheep ibex, javelina, and oryx were finalized May 15 at the Game Commission meeting in Albuquerque.
The department reviews and revises hunting rules every four years. Public involvement is invaluable, and ensures diverse perspectives will help influence rules and license numbers of hunting seasons for 2015 through 2019.
Proposed adjustments to the rules are available for public review on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by clicking on “For review and comment” or by following the link. Public comments, along with biological information, management goals and harvest and survey data will be considered by the State Game Commission when finalizing the rules later this year.
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Game Commission names Alexandra Sandoval Department of Game and Fish Director
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 15, 2014
GAME COMMISSION NAMES ALEXANDRA SANDOVAL DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH DIRECTOR
ALBUQUERQUE – Alexandra Sandoval, a 20-year employee of the Department of Game and Fish, is the department’s new director, the State Game Commission announced Thursday.
Sandoval, currently the department’s chief financial officer and Administrative Services Division chief, was selected among four finalists chosen after a nationwide search that began Jan. 24 and ended March 24.
Sandoval began her career with the department in 1994 as a district wildlife officer (game warden) in Roswell and Clayton. She went on to become a wildlife specialist, federal grant manager, licensing supervisor and Administrative Services Division chief and chief financial officer. She holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from New Mexico Highlands University and a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management from Colorado State University and is a graduate of the National Conservation Leadership Institute.
As the second woman director in the department’s 101-year history, Sandoval will be responsible for managing a state wildlife agency with more than 300 employees and an annual budget of more than $38 million.
The other finalists were Edward “Ted” Koch, Nevada state supervisor for Ecological Services and Fisheries programs for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Brian Wakeling, Wildlife Management Branch supervisor for the Arizona Game and Fish Department; and Matthew Wunder, chief of Ecological and Environmental Planning for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
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Department archaeologist wins prestigious Heritage Preservation Award
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 14, 2014
DEPARTMENT ARCHAEOLOGIST WINS PRESTIGIOUS HERITAGE PRESERVATION AWARD
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish archaeologist and tribal liaison was speechless after learning the Cultural Properties Review Committee had voted to present him with the 2014 Heritage Preservation Award for archaeological heritage.
The award recognizes archaeologist Jack Young’s recent work at the Lake Roberts Wildlife Management Area north of Silver City. During required construction to make safety improvements on the Lake Roberts Dam, Young oversaw the protection, excavation and management of two archeological sites that dated back to about 700 to 1100 AD.
Mr. David Siegel of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service nominated Young for his “exemplary stewardship of New Mexico’s archaeological heritage,” throughout his work at the Lake Roberts Wildlife Area. Siegel stated in his nomination, “Jack Young and the NMDGF worked tirelessly to protect those sites, while keeping essential dam improvements on schedule.”
“It was a project where we thought he did an outstanding job,” said Jan Bella, New Mexico State Archaeologist and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer for the Cultural Properties Review Committee.
Archaeologists investigated two Mimbres sites at Lake Roberts. They found pit houses, arrowheads, tools, animal shaped stone beads, and pottery shards from rare polychrome pots painted with black, orange and red geometric patterns.
“It was massive team effort on a complex project,” Young said. “Many organizations and individuals collaborated to protect the integrity of the prehistoric site and excavate cultural resources in peril.”
The Department of Game and Fish, students from the University of New Mexico, the University of New Mexico Office of Contract Archaeology, the New Mexico State Preservation Historic Office, archaeologist Rachel Johnson, Human System Research Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with significant tribal collaboration, worked together to respectful treat and safeguard the site.
Established in 1969, the award recognizes outstanding examples of preservation work across the state during National Historic Preservation Month, celebrated in May.
Young will be presented with his award during the 42nd annual Heritage Preservation Ceremony, at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16, at the New Mexico Museum of Art, 107 W. Palace Ave., Santa Fe. Fourteen recipients will be recognized for their work in historic preservation. The public is invited to attend. For more information or to RSVP, please contact the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs at (505) 827-6320.
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New Mexico students set to release trout raised in the classroom
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 9, 2014
NEW MEXICO STUDENTS SET TO RELEASE TROUT RAISED IN THE CLASSROOM
ALBUQUERQUE –Northern New Mexico students are readying to release hundreds of rainbow trout fingerlings into the wild.
The students raised the fish from eggs as part of the Trout in the Classroom Program. The students care for the fish throughout the year and teachers use the fish to help teach biology, chemistry, math and writing. When the students release the fish they are about an inch and a half long.
About a dozen New Mexico schools are involved, with additional schools joining each year. The department supplies fish eggs, a chiller unit to keep the water cold and a department biologist visits each class to teach them about the fish. The national conservation organization Trout Unlimited developed the program as a way to bring nature into the classroom.
The Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited helped organize three upcoming releases.
Albuquerque area eighth graders from 21st Century Academy, and their parents, will release rainbow trout into the Pecos River at the Dalton fishing access site at about 11 a.m., Saturday, May 10.
Albuquerque area third graders from Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary School, parents, and volunteers will release fish into the ponds at Tingly Beach at about 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14. The group will tour the Bosque after the release.
Nearly 100 Santa Fe area seventh graders from El Dorado Community School will release fish into the Pecos River near the Bert Clancy fishing and recreation area at about 11 a.m. Friday, May 16. Volunteers from the Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited, residents of Pecos, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish staff and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees will be on hand to teach the students about aquatic insects, healthy rivers and trout biology.
For more information about the Trout in the Classroom program, and how schools can get involved, please contact Kevin Holladay, Department of Game and Fish aquatic education coordinator, (505) 476-8095.
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New Mexico cares about bears
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
Photographs available upon request.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 8, 2014
NEW MEXICO CARES ABOUT BEARS
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reminds New Mexicans that spring is the time of year when bears emerge from their dens and begin looking for food after their long slumber.
“Help care for bears this season by securing trash and removing bear attractants now,” said Rick Winslow, bear and cougar biologist for the department. “In the spring, bears eat naturally available foods such as insects and grass, but they can be lured into dangerous situations by human food and attractants.”
Every year, black bears stray into neighborhoods, enticed by human food sources such as garbage and birdfeeders. Bears that associate humans with food can become aggressive and are a threat to public safety.
“The department wants to give bears every opportunity to be wild, but to keep the public and bears safe, at times we have to step in,” Winslow said. “Sometimes we can educate the public about bear attractants, other times a bear has to be relocated, and occasionally, if a bear has become a threat to people, it has to be put down.
“This is a community issue that will only be solved by the community coming together,” Winslow said. “If five people on your block are doing the right thing to care for bears and someone isn’t, they are putting your whole neighborhood and bears in danger.”
Winslow released a male bear back into the wild in April 7 in the Manzano Mountains south of Albuquerque, after a department officer captured the young bear last year in downtown Bernalillo. The bear may have been looking for food in town, and was scared up a tree. The Wildlife Center in Espanola cared for the bear over the winter.
If you really care about New Mexico’s black bears, help keep wildlife wild by remembering five bear aware tips.
Keep trash away from bears.
- Only feed birds in the winter or bring bird feeders in at night.
- Keep food sources, including pet food, out of the reach and smell of bears.
- Keep barbecue grills clean or store inside.
- Pick fruit before it ripens.
For more information about living with bears, visit the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or follow the link to the Bear Aware brochure.
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Hatchery visitors help support future wildlife managers
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 5, 2014
HATCHERY VISITORS HELP SUPPORT FUTURE WILDLIFE MANAGERS
LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish announced five New Mexico State University students as recipients of its annual department scholarships. The department gives the awards to promote and encourage future wildlife managers in New Mexico. Students must be enrolled in the department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology at New Mexico State University to be eligible.
“The department continues to fulfill its mission to conserve, regulate and protect the state’s wildlife for generations to come by continuing to grow these endowed scholarships and awarding them to deserving students,” Interim Director R.J. Kirkpatrick said.
Every year visitors to the department’s hatcheries help increase the endowed scholarships by buying fish feed pellets for the hatchery fish. The 25-cent handfuls of feed sold from vending machines add up. Hatchery guests contribute an average of $3,000 every year toward educating future wildlife managers.
Sophomore Travis Day of Truth or Consequence and sophomore Justin Hebert of Las Cruces are recipients of the prestigious William A. “Bill” Humphries Memorial Scholarship. The department awards the yearly scholarship to a freshman or sophomore in memory of Humphries, who moved up the ranks from a department officer to the assistant director over his 27-year career at the department.
Junior Rachel Bean of Albuquerque and senior Jacob Naranjo of Santa Fe are recipients of the Ocie Gray Memorial Wildlife Scholarship. The scholarship honors Gray, a New Mexico State University graduate who died in a plane crash while working for the department. Employees and friends established the scholarship in 1965 to be awarded annually to a deserving junior or senior.
Graduate student Krysten Zummo of Patchogue, N.Y., is the recipient of the Ladd S. Gordon Memorial Scholarship established in 1992. Gordon worked for the department for 26 years and served as director for more than 10 years. He was instrumental in the re-introduction of wild sheep and elk in the state and he helped secure funding to purchase wildlife habitat and construct fish hatcheries. For more than 10 years the department has annually awarded a New Mexico State University graduate student the scholarship.
New Mexico State University Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology recognized the 2014 scholarship recipients during its 54th Annual Awards Banquet April 17 at the Las Cruces Convention Center. Interested students may apply for next year’s awards through the New Mexico State University online scholarship form. The deadline is Mach 1 every year.
To help support a department scholarship and for more information, contact Terra Winter, Director of Development for the New Mexico State University College of Consumer and Environmental Science, at (575) 646-5787.
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Southwest New Mexico: hunters invited to give input on big-game hunting rules
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 1, 2014:
HUNTERS IN SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO INVITED TO GIVE INPUT ON BIG-GAME HUNTING RULES
SILVER CITY – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites hunters and wildlife enthusiasts in the Silver City area to give comments on several big-game hunting rules during a public meeting at 6 p.m. May 5 in the Grant County Commission meeting room of the Grant County Administration Building, 1400 Highway 180 East. Participants are asked to bring their questions, concerns and ideas.
The department is seeking public input about proposed hunting rules for Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina, pronghorn and oryx. The department also is seeking input for turkey and migratory game bird hunting rules. Times and locations of meetings, as well as rule development schedules for the various species are posted on the department website.
The department reviews and revises hunting rules every four years. Public involvement is invaluable, and ensures diverse perspectives will help influence rules and license numbers of hunting seasons for 2015 through 2019.
Proposed adjustments to the rules are available for public review on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by clicking on “For review and comment” or by following the link. Public comments, along with biological information, management goals and harvest and survey data will be considered by the State Game Commission when finalizing the rules later this year.
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Albuquerque area Hunter Education instructors sought
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Jennifer Morgan, (505) 222-4722
Public contact: (888)-248-6866
jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 1, 2014
ALBUQUERQUE AREA HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS SOUGHT
ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico’s Hunter Education program is looking for new instructors to help meet course demand in the Bernalillo County area.
In the Albuquerque metro area, a handful of dedicated Hunter Education Instructors currently conduct dozens of courses annually, graduating just under a thousand new hunters each year.
“These special volunteers make our program a success,” Game and Fish Hunter Education Coordinator Jennifer Morgan said. “They also have the opportunity to pass along our proud hunting traditions to the next generation.”
To learn more about New Mexico’s Hunter Education program, and how to get involved, contact Morgan at the Game and Fish Hunter Education Program office (505) 222-4722 or via email at jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us.
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May 1 is ‘Stop Poaching Day’
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; cell: (505) 470-6832
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 30, 2014:
MAY 1 IS ‘STOP POACHING DAY’
SANTA FE – May 1 is “Stop Trophy Poaching Day,” in New Mexico, emphasizing the serious threat the illegal activity poses to the state’s long tradition of hunting, and highlighting the contribution of hunting to New Mexico’s heritage and economy.
Trophy poaching occurs when illegal hunters kill large wild game and take only the heads, antlers and horns, which can fetch large amounts of money on the black market. The meat and hide on the poached animals usually are left to rot. The offense is a misdemeanor in New Mexico and convictions often result in light penalties. The Department supported bills for stiffer penalties in the last two legislative sessions, but neither passed.
The Wild Friends Program at the University of New Mexico School of Law is a network of students, teachers and mentors who support wildlife and seek common-ground solutions to wildlife issues.
“The Wild Friends students across New Mexico worked hard to make this day happen, and feel strongly about the need to stop trophy poaching,” said Susan George, director of the Wild Friends Program.
“We want those big beautiful animals to be around forever,” said Matthew Farnsworth, a 5th-grade student from Ladera Elementary in Farmington.
Governor Susana Martinez has proclaimed May 1 as “Stop Trophy Poaching Day”; click here to read the Governor’s proclamation. To learn more about how you can help stop poaching, please visit the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us and click on the “enforcement” tab. To learn more about the Wild Friends Program, please visit http://wildfriends.unm.edu/.
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Enjoy wildlife areas, but remember permit
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Richard McDonald, (575) 532-2106
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Richard.mcdonald@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 29, 2014:
ENJOY WILDLIFE AREAS, BUT REMEMBER PERMIT
SILVER CITY – The Department of Game and Fish wants to remind visitors to purchase the required licenses and permits before visiting Wildlife Management Areas owned by the State Game Commission. Officers will be educating the public about the requirements and issuing misdemeanor citations for noncompliance.
Anyone 18 years of age and older accessing Wildlife Management Areas are required to have a valid hunting or fishing license or a Gaining Access into Nature permit and a $4 Habitat Management and Access Validation stamp. The department urges visitors to purchase their licenses and permits before their trip. Licenses and permits can be purchased online at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by phone at (888) 248-6866, at all department offices or at license vendors.
Commission-owned properties, such as Bear Canyon, Bill Evans Lake, Heart Bar, Lake Roberts and the Pecos Canyon properties, allow wildlife a safe place during crucial breeding and wintering times. They also give visitors the opportunity to access some of the most beautiful and wild places in New Mexico. Visitors to these areas must abide by all restrictions and posted notices.
Learn more about Wildlife Management Area activities and closures by visiting www.wildlife.state.nm.us under “Conservation” or by clicking here.
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Big-game hunting application results available Wednesday
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 22, 2014:
BIG-GAME HUNTING APPLICATION RESULTS AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY
SANTA FE – Hunters who applied for New Mexico big-game licenses can look up their draw results Wednesday thanks to the paperless, all-online system that allows the Department of Game and Fish to process applications faster than ever.
Applicants can view their draw results beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday from their accounts on the Department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. The Department sent e-mail messages to successful applicants, informing them that they can print out receipts and licenses from their online account. Unsuccessful applicants will begin receiving license-fee refunds this week.
Draw results also will be available Wednesday by telephone by calling the Department’s toll-free information line, (888) 248-6866.
The Department received 169,463 applications – almost 10,000 more than last year – for 63,772 hunting licenses for deer elk, pronghorn antelope, oryx, ibex, javelina and Barbary sheep for the 2014-15 seasons.
For more information about the big-game license draw, please visit the Department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or call toll-free, (888) 248-6866.
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Improvements underway at the Hammond Tract wildlife management area
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 17, 2014:
IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY AT THE HAMMOND TRACT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
BLOOMFIELD – The Department of Game and Fish is restoring wetlands and improving access to the Hammond Tract Wildlife Management Area along the San Juan River.
The hunting and fishing area, including the boat ramp, located downstream from Navajo Dam, will be closed during the improvements until June 20. Boaters should exit the river before reaching the Hammond Tract boat ramp, since it is the last takeout before the Hammond Diversion.
Starting Monday, and over the next few weeks, construction workers will restore 20 acres of riparian habitat and a half-mile of river by creating new wetlands, improving stream habitat and planting native vegetation. Workers will also replace the boat ramp and improve the parking lot. The department already has cleared invasive salt cedar and Russian olive trees from the 80-acre area owned by the State Game Commission.
“Partnerships with sportsmen and women, ConocoPhillips, WPX Energy and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife New Mexico made it possible to improve boater and angler access to the excellent trout waters here and return the habitat used by deer, turkey, geese and ducks to a more natural state,” department Fisheries Chief Mike Sloane said.
Anyone older than 18 accessing Wildlife Management Areas is required to have a valid hunting or fishing license or a Gaining Access into Nature permit and a $4 Habitat Management and Access Validation stamp. The department urges visitors to purchase their licenses and permits before their trip. Licenses and permits can be purchased online at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by phone at (888) 248-6866, at all department offices or at license vendors.
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Northwest New Mexico: hunters invited to give input on big-game hunting rules
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 15, 2014:
HUNTERS IN NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO INVITED TO GIVE INPUT ON BIG-GAME HUNTING RULES
FARMINGTON – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites hunters and wildlife enthusiasts in the Farmington area to give comments on several big-game hunting rules during a public meeting at 6 p.m. April 23 in rooms A and B of the Farmington Civic Center, 200 W. Arrington St. Participants are asked to bring their questions, concerns and ideas.
The department is seeking public input about proposed hunting rules for Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina, pronghorn and oryx. The department also is seeking input for turkey and migratory game bird hunting rules. Times and locations of meetings, as well as rule development schedules for the various species are posted on the department website.
The department reviews and revises hunting rules every four years. Public involvement is invaluable, and ensures diverse perspectives will help influence rules and license numbers of hunting seasons for 2015 through 2019.
Proposed adjustments to the rules are available for public review on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by clicking on the “public comments” tab. Public comments, along with biological information, management goals and harvest and survey data will be considered by the State Game Commission when finalizing the rules later this year.
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Southwest New Mexico: hunters invited to give input on big-game hunting rules
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 15, 2014:
HUNTERS IN SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO INVITED TO GIVE INPUT ON BIG-GAME HUNTING RULES
LAS CRUCES – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites hunters and wildlife enthusiasts in the Las Cruces area to give comments on several big-game hunting rules during a public meeting at 6 p.m. April 22 at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Dr. Participants are asked to bring their questions, concerns and ideas.
The department is seeking public input about proposed hunting rules for Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina, pronghorn and oryx. The department also is seeking input for turkey and migratory game bird hunting rules. Times and locations of meetings, as well as rule development schedules for the various species are posted on the department website.
The department reviews and revises hunting rules every four years. Public involvement is invaluable, and ensures diverse perspectives will help influence rules and license numbers of hunting seasons for 2015 through 2019.
Proposed adjustments to the rules are available for public review on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by clicking on the “public comments” tab. Public comments, along with biological information, management goals and harvest and survey data will be considered by the State Game Commission when finalizing the rules later this year.
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Northeast New Mexico: Give input on big-game hunting rules
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 15, 2014:
GIVE INPUT ON BIG-GAME HUNTING RULES (NORTHEAST NEW MEXICO)
RATON – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites hunters and wildlife enthusiasts in the Raton area to give comments on several big-game hunting rules during a public meeting at 6 p.m. April 16 at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish office, 215 York Canyon Road. Participants are asked to bring their questions, concerns and ideas.
The department is seeking public input about proposed hunting rules for Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina, pronghorn and oryx. The department also is seeking input for turkey and migratory game bird hunting rules. Times and locations of meetings, as well as rule development schedules for the various species are posted on the department website.
The department reviews and revises hunting rules every four years. Public involvement is invaluable, and ensures diverse perspectives will help influence rules and license numbers of hunting seasons for 2015 through 2019.
Proposed adjustments to the rules are available for public review on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by clicking on the “public comments” tab. Public comments, along with biological information, management goals and harvest and survey data will be considered by the State Game Commission when finalizing the rules later this year.
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Pecos Canyon fishing, camping areas to reopen
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 9, 2014:
PECOS CANYON FISHING, CAMPING AREAS TO REOPEN –
REMEMBER TO BUY YOUR LICENSE OR PERMIT BEFORE YOU GO
TERRERO – Two popular fishing and camping areas in Pecos Canyon will reopen April 18 for the first time since last summer’s wildfires and subsequent flooding.
The Bert Clancy and Terrero fishing and recreation areas are among four State Game Commission-owned properties along N.M. 63 that were closed after the Tres Lagunas and Jarosa wildfires. The nearby Mora and Jamie Koch fishing and recreation areas also were closed, but have since reopened.
The Department of Game and Fish wants everyone to enjoy our properties and to remember rules require everyone older than 18 who uses commission-owned properties to have either a valid hunting or fishing license or a Gaining Access Into Nature permit. Visitors are advised to purchase a license or permit before their trip, as they are not available in the canyon and telephone coverage is spotty. Licenses and permits are available online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by phone at (888) 248-6866 or at license vendors. There are no license vendors in the canyon.
Trout fishing in the Pecos River should be good this spring and through the summer. The department plans to stock the river regularly with rainbow trout raised at Lisboa Springs Hatchery. The department also recently stocked nearby Monastery Lake with 17-inch trout from Los Ojos Hatchery and plans to stock more big fish there this spring.
For more information about New Mexico fishing and to purchase licenses and permits, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us or call toll-free (888) 248-6866.
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NMDGF releases bobcats back into wild
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 8, 2014:
DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH RELEASES BOBCATS BACK INTO THE WILD
SANTA FE – Three young bobcats are back in the wild after being released April 4 by Department of Game and Fish staff near Glorieta Mesa near Santa Fe.
Department of Game and Fish releases bobcats back into the wildThe Wildlife Center in Española rehabilitated the bobcats after they were found in residential areas of Eldorado near Santa Fe last spring.
A homeowner discovered a litter of bobcats under his deck and called the department for advice. Conservation Officer Brady Griffith told the homeowner to leave the bobcats alone and wait for the mother to move the kittens. The mother moved her kittens, but she left one behind. The homeowner asked Griffith for help and pulled a board from his deck so Griffith could retrieve the kitten and take it to The Wildlife Center.
“The kitten was about the size of my hand,” Griffith said. “Its eyes were still closed, but it looked in good health.”
About a week later, Conservation Officer Megan Morales received a complaint about a bobcat in a barn in Eldorado. After she sedated the bobcat, she discovered two kittens hidden in the straw. Morales brought the mother and her two kittens, thought to be about two weeks old, to The Wildlife Center for care.
For the cats, that was a best-case scenario, according to the center. All three kittens imprinted on an adult bobcat instead of a human, and were raised together.
Rick Winslow, bear and cougar biologist for the department, was pleased with the success of the rehabilitation and happy to see them return to the wild.
The cats growled loudly when the doors to their crates were opened one by one. They turned their heads side to side sniffing the air and slinked away. Their spotted coats camouflaged them in the grass and shrubs at the release site, making it an ideal place for them to hone their hunting skills.
“Truly rehabilitated animals retain their natural fear of humans, and their power to defend and feed themselves without our help,” Winslow said. “Wild animals need these instincts if they are going to make it out here.”
For more information about bobcats and other wildlife, please visit the department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or follow the link to Wildlife Notes.
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Game Commission names finalists for next Game and Fish Director
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 3, 2014:
GAME COMMISSION NAMES FINALISTS FOR NEXT GAME AND FISH DIRECTOR
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico State Game Commission announced Thursday, after more than three hours of deliberation, a list of four finalists for the director position of the Department of Game and Fish. The finalists are:
• Edward “Ted” Koch, employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He holds a master’s degree in zoology and a bachelor’s degree in biology.
• Brian Wakeling, employed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. He holds a master’s degree in environmental resources and a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology.
• Alexandra J. Sandoval, employed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management.
• Matthew Wunder, employed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. He holds a Ph.D in natural resources and environment, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in wildlife biology.
Numerous organizations, including the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club, WildEarth Guardians and other conservation organizations urged the commission to conduct a nationwide search for the next director. The commission agreed with this advice and initiated a nationwide search Jan. 24. By the application deadline of March 24, the commission received 13 applications.
The commission selected finalists based on requirements including a bachelor’s or higher degree, at least 10 years of experience in fish and wildlife, leadership responsibility, policy development and budget management.
The national search included advertisements in major newspapers, universities across the country, online job boards, and social media, as well as notifying state wildlife agencies, the Wildlife Management Institute and conservation organizations such as National Audubon Society, Wild Turkey Federation, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, and Trout Unlimited. The department also posted the position announcement on its website, and a link to the announcement was sent to more than 4,200 email contacts nationwide.
The commission will conduct final interviews May 14 at the department’s Albuquerque office. The commission will name the department’s new director at the May 15 commission meeting in Albuquerque at a site to be determined.
The new director will be responsible for managing a state wildlife agency with more than 300 employees and an annual budget of more than $38 million. The annual salary for the position is $99,999 to $120,000.
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2014-2015 Fishing Season Begins
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888)-248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 2, 2014:
2014-2015 FISHING SEASON BEGINS
SANTA FE – Fishing season has begun and anglers are required to purchase 2014-2015 annual fishing licenses to fish in New Mexico state waters. Last year’s 2013-2014 fishing licenses expired March 31.
Anglers can purchase their licenses online at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us, toll-free at (888) 248-6866, at all department offices or at local vendors. Children age 11 and under may fish without a license and New Mexico residents 70 years and older qualify for free annual fishing licenses and are not required to purchase a Habitat Improvement Stamp, a Habitat Management & Access Validation or a second-rod validation. Discounted licenses for disabled and military anglers also are available.
“Spring has sprung, and warmer temperatures mean thawing ice, emerging insects, hungry fish and great fishing!” Department Fisheries Chief Mike Sloane said.
Residents have several options when making their license purchases:
• Annual fishing license: $25.
•Game-hunting and fishing combination license: $30.
•Junior annual fishing license (age 16 to 17): $5.
•Senior annual fishing license (for residents age 65 to 69): $8.
•One-day fishing license (resident or nonresident): $12.
•Five-day fishing license (resident or nonresident): $24.
A nonresident annual fishing license is $56, and a nonresident junior annual fishing license for anglers 12 to 17 years of age costs $15.
Anglers also must purchase a Habitat Management & Access Validation, which costs $4. This once-per-license-year fee is used to: lease private lands for public use; provide public access to landlocked public land; and provide improvement, maintenance, development and operation of property for fish and wildlife habitat management. The fee is waived for individuals under 18 years of age, residents 70 years and older or one hundred percent disabled veterans in conjunction with their free licenses.
A Habitat Improvement Stamp is mandatory to fish on all USDA Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management properties. The stamp costs $5.
Anglers and small-game hunters are advised to carry a printed version of their license while in the field. Customers can print their own licenses or they can contact the department toll-free for assistance, (888) 248-6866.
New Mexico offers abundant fishing opportunities for species including bass, tiger muskie and walleye in local reservoirs and Rio Grande cutthroat, Gila and rainbow trout in high mountain streams. The department annually stocks more than two million fish statewide.
The department uses revenue from fishing licenses to manage and improve fisheries, including stocking fish, rehabilitating streams and lakes and improving boat and angler access.
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish receives no general fund tax dollars, but operates solely from the funds anglers, hunters and trappers provide through licenses and fees.
For more information about fishing in New Mexico and fishing licenses, visit www.wildlife.sate.nm.us,or call the department at (888) 248-6866.
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Citizens Committees will meet to recommend Habitat Stamp Projects
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 27, 2014:
CITIZENS COMMITTEES WILL MEET TO RECOMMEND HABITAT STAMP PROJECTS
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled statewide Habitat Stamp Citizens Advisory Committee meetings for 2014. The committee will prioritize habitat improvement projects for 2015 and 2016. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend meetings:
• Southeast: 10 a.m. April 5, U.S. Forest Service office, 901 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso.
• Central: 1 p.m. April 8, BLM office, 435 Montano Road NE, Albuquerque.
• Northeast: 1 p.m. April 10, BLM office, 226 Cruz Alta Road, Taos.
• Northwest: 1 p.m. April 14, U.S. Forest Service office
(in the old Rio Vista Elementary School building), 1100 N. Rio Vista, Bloomfield.
• Southwest: 9 a.m. May 3, BLM office, 1800 Marquess St., Las Cruces.
The Habitat Stamp Program has an annual budget of $740,000 supported by hunters and anglers, who must purchase a $5 Habitat Stamp each year to participate in their sports on Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service lands.
The Habitat Stamp Program has improved more than 804,000 acres of habitat, enhanced more than 11,000 acres of riparian habitat, built 766 places for wildlife to obtain water, completed 710 wildlife population and habitat surveys, completed 17 wildlife transplants (bison, pronghorn, and turkey), improved 87 fishing areas, maintained previously built structures more than 9,000 times, installed 805 erosion control structures, reduced human impacts on wildlife, improved enjoyment of wildlife, and much more.
The program was initiated on an experimental basis on the Valle Vidal Division of the Carson National Forest, with first projects being completed in 1986. With success, progressively, areas were included in the program jurisdiction that culminated with statewide implementation in 1991.
In the 28-year life of the program, more than $42 million has been spent on 2,227 wildlife habitat projects. Funding included 18.6 million from the Habitat Stamp Program and $20.9 million in matching federal aid money for planning, fiscal tracking, National Environmental Policy Act documenting, and obtaining archeological/cultural clearances. Other organizational contributions have contributed $2.9 million in time and cash since 1999.
Since its inception, citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program, advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Appointed by the State Game Commission, citizens representing sporting, environmental and public-land permittee interests meet each spring to prioritize local habitat projects.
For more information about the Habitat Stamp Program, please contact Dale Hall, (505) 222-4725.
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Applicants for Bighorn Sheep, Oryx and Ibex Hunting Licenses Eligible for Full Refunds
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 26, 2014:
APPLICANTS FOR BIGHORN SHEEP, ORYX AND IBEX HUNTING LICENSES ELIGIBLE FOR FULL REFUNDS
SANTA FE – Hunters who applied for bighorn sheep, oryx or ibex licenses for the 2014-15 seasons and are unsuccessful in the drawings will be eligible for full refunds of application fees and license fees, the Department of Game and Fish announced Wednesday.
Application fees normally are nonrefundable whether a license applicant is successful or not. This year’s departure from that practice is in response to Monday’s ruling in U.S. District Court that vacated a 1977 injunction that prohibited the Department from applying preferential quotas that benefitted state residents in drawings for bighorn sheep, oryx and ibex licenses. The injunction allowed nonresidents to enjoy the same odds as residents when applying for those species.
Because of Monday’s ruling, the Department will begin applying the same quotas this year to bighorn sheep, oryx and ibex applications as it applies to deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and Barbary sheep. According to those quotas, 84 percent of licenses are allocated to New Mexico residents, 6 percent are allocated to nonresidents, and 10 percent are allocated to applicants – residents and nonresidents – who use New Mexico outfitters.
Applicants for bighorn sheep, oryx and ibex who choose not to participate in the new quota system must delete their applications by April 18. Applications can be deleted through online accounts or by telephone toll-free, (888) 248-6866.
“The Department determined that it will be most equitable to refund the normally nonrefundable application fees to applicants who are unsuccessful or who choose to withdraw their application due to changes resulting from the recent court decision, and to comply immediately with state law,” Department General Counsel Allison Marks said.
Because the option to apply with outfitters was not offered on this year’s application forms, hunters who would like to designate a valid outfitter will be able to do so and join the 10 percent license allocation pool. To add a New Mexico outfitter to an application, the applicant will be required to call the Department and provide the application number, customer identification number and the outfitter number no later than April 18.
The court ruling prompted the Department to delay this year’s drawing by approximately one week. Drawing results will be available no later than April 30.
For more information about the drawing, refunds and the application process, please call the Department toll-free, (888) 248-6866.
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Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-Wide Plan Nears 4 Million Acres
Media Contact: Bill Van Pelt, WAFWA Grassland Coordinator, bvanpelt@azgfd.gov, 623-236-7573
New Mexico Landowners Contact: Grant Beauprez, Grant.Beauprez@state.nm.us, (575) 478-2460
March 25, 2014
Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-Wide Plan Nears 4 Million Acres, Industry Enrollment Provides Nearly $21 Million for Habitat Conservation
Thirty-two private companies in five states representing oil and gas, pipelines, electric transmission and wind energy have committed to enroll nearly 4 million acres in the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan, providing about $21 million for habitat conservation over three years. The latest enrollment surge comes a week before the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deadline to announce a final decision on whether to list the bird under the federal Endangered Species Act, expected by March 31.
Enrolling companies get regulatory assurances through a special USFWS rule or a CCAA permit, so that if the species is listed the companies have a pathway to continue operations and development in the region. The companies agree to pay modest enrollment fees, follow a list of guidelines to minimize impacts on the bird, and agree to pay for impacts they cannot avoid. The money goes to farmers, ranchers and landowners to protect and restore habitat for the bird.
“The range-wide plan represents more than a pathway to mitigate industry impacts,” said Bill Van Pelt, grassland coordinator with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA), which developed the range-wide plan working with state wildlife agencies in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, and others. “It also serves as a way to unify all existing lesser prairie-chicken programs under a common set of goals to conserve the species. Each of those programs have been successful in their own right.”
Van Pelt said those related efforts include the Conservation Reserve Program managed by the USDA Farm Service Agency (about 3.4 million acres across the bird’s range), Working Lands for Wildlife Program and Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative managed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (about 800,000 acres), the New Mexico Candidate Conservation Agreement managed by the Center for Excellence in Hazardous Materials Management (about 1.5 million acres of industry enrollment and 1.5 million acres of ranching enrollment), and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA) for farming and ranching in Oklahoma and Texas (about 820,000 acres).
“When considering these various programs together with recent enrollments in the range-wide plan,” said Van Pelt, “the total comes to nearly 13 million acres under conservation, equivalent to about 60 percent of the lesser prairie-chicken’s current range.”
Companies enrolling in the range-wide plan include American Electric Power; Apache Corporation; Central Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.; COG Operating LLC; ConocoPhillips; Continental Resources, Inc.; Devon Energy Corporation; Energex LLC; EnerVest Operating LLC; Fasken Oil and Ranch, Ltd; Greenbelt Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Marathon Oil Corporation; MewBourne Oil Company; Northfork Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Northwestern Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation; Oklahoma Gas and Electric Energy Corporation; Peregrine Petroleum Partners, Ltd.; Prairie Wind Transmission LLC, a joint venture between Westar Energy and Electric Transmission America; QEP Resources Inc.; Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative; Samson Resources; Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc.; and Western Farmers Electric Cooperative. As a courtesy to enrolling companies, WAFWA is still contacting the remaining few not listed here for permission to announce their names.
Complementing the range-wide plan, landowner CCAAs offer legal assurances for farmers and ranchers in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. These cover a total of nearly 2.3 million acres across the three states. Landowners in Colorado and Kansas, who do not have access to a ranching CCAA, can enroll their lands under the range-wide plan and receive the same assurances.
The range-wide plan includes habitat management goals and conservation practices to be applied throughout the lesser prairie-chicken’s range, guided by the Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool (CHAT) online database and mapping system.
The range-wide plan can be viewed on the WAFWA website. Industry representatives with questions about the plan may contact Sean Kyle, chairman of the Lesser Prairie Chicken Interstate Working Group, at sean.kyle@wafwa.org. New Mexico farmers, ranchers, and landowners with questions about enrollment in the plan please contact Grant Beauprez, lesser prairie-chicken biologist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at Grant.Beauprez@state.nm.us or (575) 478-2460.
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Eagle Nest Lake Open to Boating
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Clint Henson, (575) 445-2311
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Clint.henson@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 24, 2014:
EAGLE NEST LAKE OPEN TO BOATING
RATON – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the State Parks Division will open Eagle Nest Lake for boating Wednesday, March 26.
State Parks officials have been monitoring ice and debris remaining in the lake after the winter season and have determined that boating is now safe.
The Department and State Parks want to ensure that anglers will be safe when fishing on the lake. Call the Department, (888) 248-6866, or Eagle Nest Lake State Park, (575) 377-1594 for more information.
Court Ruling Gives New Mexico Resident Hunters Better Odds in Drawings for Bighorn Sheep, Oryx and Ibex
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 24, 2014:
COURT RULING GIVES NEW MEXICO RESIDENT HUNTERS BETTER ODDS IN DRAWINGS FOR BIGHORN SHEEP, ORYX AND IBEX
ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico resident hunters scored a big victory Monday with a U.S. District Court ruling that allows the Department of Game and Fish to reinstate quotas that give state residents a big advantage over nonresidents when applying for bighorn sheep, oryx and ibex hunting licenses.
“This is an important decision and a huge win for New Mexico hunters,” said Paul Kienzle, newly elected chairman of the State Game Commission. “It’s been a long fight, but New Mexicans now have a good shot at those quality hunts, as intended by the governor and the state legislature.”
Monday’s ruling by Chief U.S. District Judge Christina Armijo vacated a 1977 injunction that prohibited the Department from applying preferential quotas that benefited state residents in the drawings for bighorn sheep, oryx and ibex licenses. Because of that injunction, nonresident hunters enjoyed equal odds with residents in the annual drawings.
Beginning with this year’s draw, resident hunters who apply for bighorn sheep, oryx and ibex licenses will enjoy the same odds as those who applied for any other big-game species. Currently, state residents receive 84 percent of all public licenses issued through drawings. Nonresidents receive 6 percent and hunters using outfitters – residents and nonresidents – qualify for 10 percent of public licenses. The application deadline for 2014-15 big-game licenses was March 19.
“The injunction has prevented the Department from complying with state law to the detriment of New Mexico residents and in opposition to the will of the governor and the legislature,” Department Legal Counsel Allison Marks said. “Judge Armijo unequivocally found New Mexico’s statutory quota does not violate federal law. The judge’s quick decision affords the Department the opportunity to make immediate changes to the draw system in order to comply with state law.”
Several conservation organizations supported the Department’s motion to vacate the injunction. They included United Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, the New Mexico Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation and the Southern New Mexico Chapter of Safari Club International.
The injunction applied only to bighorn sheep, oryx and ibex because at the time of the legal challenge, they were the only species of big game in New Mexico for which the State Game Commission provided an in-state preference for license allocation. The injunction was issued in connection with a 1974 lawsuit by David B. Terk, a Texas resident and hunter. Terk challenged New Mexico’s license allocation system that gave him a lower chance of drawing a license than state residents would enjoy.
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Rio Grande Gorge Stocked with Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; (505) 470-6832 (cell)
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 19, 2014:
RIO GRANDE GORGE STOCKED WITH RIO GRANDE CUTTHROAT TROUT
TAOS – Department of Game and Fish personnel plan to stock the Rio Grande Gorge with almost 10,000 Rio Grande cutthroat trout March 24. Volunteers are needed to help carry the native fish down into the gorge by packing them in on foot.
Anglers, schoolchildren and cutthroat trout enthusiast from a variety of organizations have volunteered, and everyone is welcome.
The river is 800 feet down at the bottom of the gorge and is only accessible by foot. Trails to the bottom vary in length from less than a mile to a mile and a half.
Volunteers will carry bags filled with 3 to 4 gallons of water containing more than 100 live fingerlings. The bags will be tied off, loaded into backpacks and hiked down to the Rio Grande. Before the fish are released, they will be acclimated to the river’s temperature.
“Anglers make this program possible, not only by volunteering but by funding it through license fees and through an excise tax on fishing equipment, rods and boat fuel through the Sport Fish Restoration Act,” said Jason Blakney, coldwater fisheries biologist for the department. “Sportsmen have invested in this program and make it possible to have a wild population of Rio Grande cutthroat trout in a large river system.”
Once native to the Rio Grande Gorge, the department began restocking the state fish in the river in 2008. Today people can fish for cutthroat that have grown to adulthood in the gorge and are now as large as 10 to 12 inches.
Department staff raised the trout fingerlings at Seven Springs Hatchery. To keep the cutthroat’s genetic strain pure, they are the only species of fish raised there.
Volunteers transporting the fish will meet at 10:30 a.m., March 24, at the La Junta Trailhead at the Wild Rivers Recreation Area. For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Jason Blakney at (575) 445-2311 or Jason.Blakney@state.nm.us.
If you cannot attend the cutthroat stocking, there are other ways you can support their recovery. The department is encouraging anglers to report how many cutthroats they catch, as well as when, where, and the size of the fish. Photographs of the fish are especially useful. These reports help biologists gauge the success of the reintroduction and fish survival rates.
To send angler reports and photographs of Rio Grande cutthroat trout to the department please contact Fisheries Management division in Santa Fe at (505) 476-8055 or Jason.Blakney@state.nm.us.
For more information about Rio Grande cutthroat trout restoration and angling, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Young Archers Score Big at State Tournament
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 10, 2014:
YOUNG ARCHERS SCORE BIG AT STATE TOURNAMENT
RIO RANCHO – Young archers loosed 18,930 arrows Saturday at the Santa Ana Star Center, where teams from across New Mexico gathered for the third annual National Archery in the Schools State Tournament.
“This was our biggest turnout ever – 631 kids,” said Brian Guzman, program coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “There was a lot of good competition, and a whole lot of fun.”
Aztec High School’s Clint Valerio was the top archer of the day, scoring 290 out of a possible 300 in the High School Division. Twenty-one of his 30 shots were bulls-eyes. His teammate, Douglas Hood, scored 280, helping Aztec beat defending champion Albuquerque Institute of Math and Technology by 167 points. Dalton Hamilton of Mescalero took third place with an individual score of 277 to help his team win third place.
Twenty middle schools, eight elementary schools and nine high schools registered for the tournament. Archers shot 15 arrows each from distances of 10 and 15 meters. The winners advance to the national tournament later this year in Louisville, Ky.
Jared O’Toole of Koogler Middle School in Aztec scored 273 to take individual honors in his division. Jahnesta Killen of Albuquerque Institute for Math and Science and Lulu Benitez of Albuquerque’s Washington Middle School each scored 269, with Killen’s 13 bull’s-eyes breaking the tie. Mesa View of Farmington took the middle school team title, followed by Albuquerque Institute for Arts and Science and Washington.
In the Elementary School Division, Juan Carrillo of Albuquerque’s Pajarito Elementary took the individual prize with a score of 256. His teammate, Nadia Gonzales hit nine bulls-eyes to edge out Carlos Reyes of Las Cruces Sun Rise Elementary for second place. Both archers scored 250, and Reyes had three bulls-eyes. In the team competition, Seven Bar Elementary of Albuquerque won its third straight title by outscoring Pajarito Elementary 2,607 to 2,575. Sun Rise Elementary took third place with a score of 2,519.
The top three archers in each division won Genesis compound bows. The top three teams won trophies. Complete lists of individual and team scores can be found on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us under “Events and Opportunities” or by clicking here.
Approximately 100 schools and home-school students across New Mexico participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program. Schools receive free training for instructors, and the Department provides 50 percent of the funding for each school to purchase archery equipment. For more information about the program, please contact Brian Guzman at (505) 231-4375 or brian.guzman@state.nm.us.
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New Mexico’s Archery in Schools Tournament Scheduled March 8, 2014
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888) 248-6966
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 28, 2014:
NEW MEXICO’S ARCHERY IN SCHOOLS TOURNAMENT SCHEDULED MARCH 8
RIO RANCHO, N.M. – More than 600 archers are scheduled to compete in New Mexico’s third annual National Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament March 8 at the Santa Ana Star Center here. Shooting starts at 8:45 a.m. and the last flight is scheduled to start at 3:45 p.m.
“There should be some really good archers competing,” said Officer Brian Guzman, NASP program coordinator for the Department of Game and Fish. “Last year’s top archer was in the top 100 of almost 10,000 kids competing at the national tournament in May.”
Approximately 100 schools and more home-school students across New Mexico participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program. Schools receive free training for instructors, and the Department provides 50 percent of the funding for each school to purchase archery equipment. The NASP curriculum must be taught for a minimum of two weeks during the scholastic year for schools to qualify for the state and national tournaments.
Competitors will shoot three ends from both 10 and 15 meters. A perfect score would be 300. A total of 20 mid-schools, eight elementary schools, and nine high schools are registered for the tournament. In addition, home-schooled students will compete as individuals.
Federal funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes NASP possible in New Mexico and many other states. The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 dedicated federal excise taxes collected from manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment to national wildlife restoration programs, which include Hunter Education, shooting and archery programs in addition to wildlife surveys, transplants, and the purchase and management of wildlife management areas.
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Time is short to apply for 2014-15 Big-Game Hunting Licenses
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Public contact: (888) 248-6966
rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 28, 2014:
TIME IS SHORT TO APPLY FOR 2014-15 BIG-GAME HUNTING LICENSES
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is reminding hunters that March 19 is the deadline to apply for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, oryx, ibex, bighorn sheep, javelina and Barbary sheep licenses. The department expects about 160,000 applications for about 65,000 licenses. Hunters must complete their applications before 5 p.m. MDT March 19. All applicants must have an online account at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/.
Here’s how to apply:
- Online: Applicants can access or create accounts via the department website, https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/. From their account, applicants can access license and application choices and payment options.
- By phone: Hunters without computer access or who need help applying can call toll-free, (888) 248-6866 and a department representative will submit an application for them. The information center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays beginning March 3. The center will close at 4:30 p.m. on deadline day, March 19, to allow customers to complete applications before the 5 p.m. deadline.
Hunters are strongly advised to review their online account passwords and complete their applications well in advance of the deadline. A flood of last-minute applications could affect online access and phone banks. Waiting until the last minute can result application failures if problems arise and time runs out.
This is the third year since the department eliminated paper application forms in favor of a paperless online system designed to streamline the application and licensing process and make drawing results and refunds available much sooner. The system allows successful applicants to print all types of licenses themselves. Carcass tags have been eliminated and licenses no longer will be mailed unless requested.
For the second year, the department’s Mentored Youth Hunter Program will offer hunters younger than age 18 opportunities to apply for and purchase licenses before they complete a full hunter safety course. Hunters in the program must complete an online quiz and be accompanied in the field by a licensed adult. Please check the Rules and Information booklet or the Hunter Education Page of the website for more information.
To be eligible for the draw, applicants who held deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and turkey licenses for the 2013-14 seasons must have submitted a harvest report either online or by phone at (888) 248-6866. The deadline to submit harvest reports without a late fee was Feb. 15, but applicants still can be eligible for the draw by reporting before the March 19 draw deadline and paying an $8 late fee. Applicants who held 2013-14 licenses for oryx, ibex, Barbary sheep, javelina and trapping must submit harvest reports by April 7 to be eligible for the draw.
Before applying, hunters are highly encouraged to read the Hunting Rules and Information booklet, available online, from license vendors or at Department offices in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell and Las Cruces. The Hunting Page of the department website also includes valuable information about how the draw works, application procedures, game-management unit maps, drawing odds and links to a “How to Apply” video.
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Chairman resigns from State Game Commission
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 17, 2014:
CHAIRMAN RESIGNS FROM STATE GAME COMMISSION
SANTA FE – Scott Bidegain, chairman of the New Mexico Game Commission, tendered his resignation from the commission over the weekend. Bidegain represents Game Commission District 4.
In his resignation letter, Bidegain stated: “I am honored to have served on the commission and as its chair. Unfortunately, I was present during a hunting incident earlier this month that will result in charges being filed shortly. I believe that it is in the best interest of the Commission and the Department that I step down at this time. I think you should be proud to know that throughout this incident, the officers at the Department acted honorably and professionally.”
Department conservation officers diligently pursue all wildlife violations in their efforts to protect and conserve the state’s wildlife. Department officers filed a misdemeanor charge in Quay County Magistrate Court today against Bidegain alleging he was an accessory to the unlawful killing of a cougar.
Vice Chairman Thomas “Dickie” Salopek will lead the commission following Bidegain’s resignation.
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Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Safety Fund Grant Money Available
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Marc Hildesheim, (505) 222-4728
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
marc.hildesheim@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 17, 2014:
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE TRAIL SAFETY FUND GRANT MONEY AVAILABLE
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Off-Highway Vehicle Program is accepting applications for grants to promote responsible off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation and support enforcement of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act.
The New Mexico Legislature enacted the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act to enhance the safety of OHV users, promote responsible use of public lands, and protect the state’s natural, cultural and historic resources. The Act requires OHVs used in New Mexico to be registered, and allows a portion of the registration fees to be returned to communities through two separate grant programs.
Applicants may apply for either grant. Only projects relating to OHV safety, education, and development of trails or areas open to the public for off-highway motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, recreational utility vehicles or snowmobiles or law enforcement activities to provide for patrols to enforce the provisions of the Act are awarded.
Grant applicants may be federal, state, local, or tribal government agencies or IRS-registered private non-profit organizations. Previous grant awardees include; the University of New Mexico Law School, the Town of Red River, the City of Santa Fe, the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Red Rock Motorsports Club of Gallup. For-profit organizations are not eligible.
Grant applications are judged in part on efforts to maximize statewide and regional/geographic benefits and use matching funds from other sources. The program operates on a reimbursement basis. Each successful grant award is funded to a maximum of $10,000. All projects must be completed between July 1, of 2014 and June 30, 2015.
Applications for both grant programs can be downloaded from the OHV Program website at http://www.B4uRide.com. Applications must be postmarked or delivered to the Department no later than 5 p.m., April 15, 2014. For more information please contact the Off-Highway Vehicle Program directly at 505-222-4727.
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Wild Turkeys Trapped, Relocated
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
dan.williams@state.nm.us
B-roll available
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 14, 2014:
WILD TURKEYS TRAPPED, RELOCATED IN NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE – Sixty-seven wild turkeys have new places to roost in southern New Mexico this week following successful trapping and transplant operations by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
The separate transplants will increase existing turkey populations in southwestern and southeastern New Mexico, with a goal of one day offering more hunting opportunities in those areas.
Early this month, the department partnered with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to trap 20 Gould’s turkeys in Arizona and move them to the “Bootheel” region of extreme southwestern New Mexico. The Gould’s turkeys, a threatened species in New Mexico, were released in the Coronado National Forest, where they will add to a growing population of birds.
The Gould’s turkey transplant was part of a trade in which the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish trapped and moved 40 pronghorn antelope to Arizona in exchange for 60 Gould’s turkeys. Twenty turkeys will be trapped and moved to New Mexico each year for three years.
This week, the department trapped 47 Merriam’s turkeys at Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron and moved them to the Guadalupe Mountains of the Lincoln National Forest of southeastern New Mexico. The transplants will be a big boost to a small population of Merriam’s turkeys in the area northwest of Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Volunteers from the National Wild Turkey Federation, wildlife students from New Mexico State University and staff members from the National Forest Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department and Philmont Scout Ranch joined the department in both trapping operations.
Three species of wild turkeys, Merriam’s, Rio Grande and Gould’s, inhabit New Mexico. The state offers spring and fall hunting seasons for Merriam’s and Rio Grande turkeys. Gould’s turkey licenses are limited to two a year, one by auction and one by lottery, from the National Wild Turkey Federation.
For more information about turkeys and turkey hunting in New Mexico, please visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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Hunters: Don’t Forget To File Your Mandatory Harvest Reports
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; (505) 470-6832 (cell)
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 11, 2014:
HUNTERS: DON’T FORGET TO FILE YOUR MANDATORY HARVEST REPORTS
Mandatory harvest deadlines are fast approaching for hunters and trappers who held licenses for New Mexico’s 2013-14 seasons.
New mandatory harvest reporting requirements are in effect this year. The deadline to file a free report for hunters who held 2013-14 deer, elk, antelope or turkey licenses is Feb. 15, 2014. After that date, an $8 late fee will apply. Hunters must report on or before the March 19 application deadline or their applications will be rejected from the big-game draws.
The deadline to report for those who held 2013-14 Barbary sheep, javelina, oryx, ibex, or trapping licenses is April 7, 2014. The later harvest-reporting deadline allows license holders for those species to submit results after the seasons have closed.
Hunters and trappers can file their mandatory harvest report online at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us by logging in to their account and clicking “Harvest Reporting” in the main menu. Reports also can be submitted by phone toll-free at (888) 248-6866 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hunters have until Feb. 14 to report by phone, as Feb. 15 is a Saturday and Department offices will be closed.
The department encourages hunters and trappers to keep their confirmation number for their records and to update their account information and provide a valid email address so they can receive important information, confirmation emails and receipts from the department.
License holders must file a report, even if they did not hunt or trap. Failure to file a mandatory harvest report on time will result in rejection of all big-game applications.
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WAFWA Announces Landowner Sign-Up for Lesser Prairie-Chicken Conservation
Media Contact: Bill Van Pelt, WAFWA Grassland Coordinator, bvanpelt@azgfd.gov, 623-236-7573
New Mexico Landowners Contact: Grant Beauprez, Grant.Beauprez@state.nm.us, (575) 478-2460
February 6, 2014
WAFWA Announces Landowner Sign-Up for Lesser Prairie-Chicken Conservation
The Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) is now accepting applications through Feb. 28 from agricultural producers in lesser prairie-chicken range willing to implement conservation practices to benefit the species.
Practices include activities such as mechanical brush removal, prescribed grazing, and establishment and management of planted native grass stands. Only producers not currently enrolled in federal farm bill programs will be eligible to apply for five and 10 year contract options. At the end of the sign-up period, WAFWA will score and rank applications based on their value to prairie-chickens and select the highest ranking offers to receive funding. Landowners with accepted offers will receive a sign-up incentive and payments for implementing conservation practices that will maximize the value of their property for prairie-chickens. Payments of up to 125 percent of the estimated cost of implementing the conservation plan will be offered to landowners in high priority locations who are providing optimal habitat to the lesser prairie-chicken.
This map depicts the area of eligibility for the WAFWA lesser prairie chicken conservation program. Offers received from focal areas and connectivity zones will receive higher priority in the application process.
If the species is listed, any take that occurred while implementing prescribed practices would be exempt from the take prohibitions of the Endangered Species Act. Producers who are interested in the program should contact their local state wildlife agency office for more details or to complete an application.
After the sign-up period is complete, WAFWA will develop similar conservation plans for producers who do not desire or do not quality for payments but simply want to be exempted from Endangered Species Act take prohibitions. The prescribed management practices in these plans will be similar to the plans associated with funding; however, livestock stocking rates will not be quite as conservative. However, if the species is listed, any take that occurred while implementing the prescribed practices would be exempt from the take prohibitions of the Endanger Species Act. Producers interested in this type of conservation plan should also contact their local state wildlife agency office to request that one be developed.
WAFWA consists of 23 state and provincial wildlife agencies, including the five state wildlife agencies in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. Through WAFWA, those five state wildlife agencies worked cooperatively over the last two years to produce the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan as a means to preclude a federal listing of the species. On Oct. 23, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endorsed the range-wide plan as “a comprehensive conservation plan that reflects sound conservation design and strategy that, when implemented, will provide a net conservation benefit to the lesser prairie-chicken.” The amount of voluntary enrollment in the range-wide plan could weigh heavily into the final listing decision which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to announce by March 31.
To see the full the range-wide plan, go to www.wafwa.org. To access an interactive map showing prairie-chicken habitat focal areas, see the Southern Great Plains Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool at http://kars.ku.edu/maps/sgpchat/.
- Dec. 10, 2013: Special youth waterfowl hunts at Bernardo Waterfowl Area Snowmobilers reminded to register their machines before heading out this year
- Dec. 9, 2013: Information sought in Alamogordo deer poaching case
- Dec. 4, 2013: Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting, fishing seasons
- Nov. 26, 2013: Shikar-Safari Club honors Ben Byrd as Wildlife Officer of the Year
- Nov. 1, 2013: Salmon snagging season opens Nov. 8 at Heron Lake
- Oct. 30, 2013: Department of Game and Fish Assistant Director R.J. Kirkpatrick steps in as director
- Oct. 24, 2013: Five-state plan to protect lesser prairie chicken endorsed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Fishing bag limits, tackle restrictions lifted on Santa Fe River Oct. 22, 2013: Toxic algae likely cause of northeastern NM elk deaths
- Oct. 17, 2013: First New Mexican harvests desert bighorn sheep since delisting
- Oct. 15, 2013: Late-season archery elk licenses available Oct. 30 in online sale
- Sept. 27, 2013: Department to engage U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in wolf recovery program
- Sept. 23, 2013: >Fish for free Saturday, Sept. 28; celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day at Fenton Lake State Park >Expect roadblocks statewide during fall hunting, fishing seasons >Game and Fish seeks citizen participation in Habitat Stamp Program
- Sept. 17, 2013: Trophy bull elk found dead, poaching suspected
- Sept. 10, 2013: Game and Fish sports new look this year at the State Fair
- Sept. 6, 2013: Public comments sought on BLM unitization agreement
- Aug. 30, 2013: Hunting seasons open Sunday, Sept. 1, across New Mexico
- Aug. 28, 2013: Department investigating deaths of 100 elk in northeastern N.M.
- Aug. 27, 2013: Applications open Wednesday, Aug. 28, for special bird-hunting permits
- Aug. 21, 2013: State Game Commission to meet Thursday in Grants
- Aug. 13, 2013: Free outdoor fun: Learn to shoot, fish and more at Outdoor Expo
- Aug. 12, 2013: Bear-trap saboteur endangering neighbors in Sandia Heights
- Aug. 7, 2013: Two Game Commission properties in Pecos Canyon to reopen
- Aug. 7, 2013: >Partnership nourishes Rio Grande cutthroat trout habitat >Taos Young Guns recognized for outstanding sportsmanship
- July 30, 2013: Lake Roberts dam improvements to begin soon
- July 29, 2013: Department information and education efforts win national awards
- July 26, 2013: Sportsmen’s organizations join Department fight against Terk injunction
- July 24, 2013: Raton dumpster bear escapes narrow encounter with power pole
- July 22, 2013: Biologists find oldest endangered Jemez Mountains salamander
- July 17, 2013: Wild babies usually don’t need to be rescued, even during a drought
- July 12, 2013: Department, Cibola National Forest do not support supplementally feeding bears
- July 11, 2013: Freshly stocked with trout, Monastery Lake will reopen for fishing Friday
- July 8, 2013: >Young boys help rescue rare Mexican spotted owl >Department officers recognized for dedicated service
- July 1, 2013: >Bear attracted by birdfeeders ruins camping trip, dies >Trophy deer poacher ordered to donate $1,000 to Operation Game Thief >Three-time poacher sentenced to 364 days in jail
- June 28, 2013: Meetings will address proposed changes to fishing rules
- June 27, 2013: More than 2,000 youth elk licenses for sale beginning July 10
- June 18, 2013: State agencies, nonprofit join forces to provide water to N.M. wildlife during drought
- June 17, 2013: Department biologists receive prestigious ‘Recovery Champions’ awards
- June 14, 2013: Director, senator aides discuss Department opposition to Valles Caldera legislation
- June 13, 2013: Leftover deer, javelina licenses go on sale at 10 a.m. June 26
- June 11, 2013: Habitat Stamp funds assist recovery of hornshell mussel, gray redhorse
- June 5, 2013: >Bear enters house, attacks elderly woman >Native Rio Grande cutthroat trout rescued from Tres Lagunas Fire area
- May 31, 2013: Game Commission Pecos properties closed due to fire
- May 29, 2013: State hunter education teams ready to face the ‘Challenge’
- May 21, 2013: State Game Commission to meet Thursday, May 23, in Roswell
- May 14, 2013: Game and Fish asks court to vacate Terk decision
- May 8, 2013: Planning to visit a Game Commission property? Don’t forget your license or GAIN permit
- May 3, 2013: >Fire restrictions coming to state lands; >Game and Fish patrolling Commission properties
- May 1, 2013: Department biologists recognized for Gila trout rescue efforts
- April 19, 2013: Quick draw! Big-game hunting application results available Friday
- April 17, 2013: Bear trapped in trash compaction truck
- April 4, 2013: Governor signs bill extending license revocations for poaching
- April 3, 2013: Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting and fishing seasons
- April 1, 2013: >Be aware of wildlife, hazards when enjoying outdoors in spring >Citizens committees will meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
- March 28, 2013: >Fishing season opens April 1; Don’t forget your new license >Draw applicants will receive receipts by e-mail Friday
- March 27, 2013: Department biologist receives national conservation award
- March 26, 2013: Game and Fish enrolls properties in conservation agreement
- March 25, 2013: State Game Commission elects chairman
- March 20, 2013: Director initiates investigation into the potential delisting of peregrine falcon from the state list of threatened & endangered species
- March 15, 2013: License waiver for fishing events gains Legislature’s approval
- March 14, 2013: Governor receives bill to increase poaching penalties
- March 7, 2013: Eagle Nest Lake closed to ice fishing
- March 6, 2013: Game Commissioner Bidegain confirmed by unanimous vote
- March 4, 2013: Big-game hunters: Apply for licenses before March 20 deadline
- March 1, 2013: N.M. Senate confirms three State Game Commissioners
- Feb. 25, 2013: >Game Commission McClintic remembered for service to sportsmen >NASP Tournament qualifies teams for national event in Kentucky
- Feb. 5, 2013: >Get the latest hunting information at Hunting and Fishing Show this weekend >Las Cruces man convicted of illegal hunting >Expect roadblocks during Barbary sheep hunting seasons
- Jan. 30, 2013: Aztec officer named Wild Turkey Federation Officer of the Year
- Jan. 29, 2013: Large Gila trout to be stocked in Lake Roberts
- Jan. 23, 2013: Lesser prairie chicken meetings scheduled
- Jan. 18, 2013: Entries sought for 2013 Prairie Chicken Festival poster contest
- Jan. 14, 2013: Legislation would make trophy poaching that results in wanton waste a felony
- Jan. 11, 2013: Partnership will reopen road to 20,000 acres of public hunting land
- Jan. 7, 2013: Ibex hunting licenses offered for Florida Mountains
- Jan. 2, 2013: Eagle Nest Lake open to ice fishing
- Dec. 31, 2012: Plan your hunts: 2013-14 big-game information available online
- Dec. 20, 2012: Department offices to close early Dec. 24
- Dec. 17, 2012: Grants officer awarded esteemed Shikar-Safari Award
- Dec. 10, 2012: State Game Commission to meet Thursday, Dec. 13, in Lordsburg
- Dec. 4, 2012: Court strikes down lawsuit challenging trapping in wolf country
- Dec. 3, 2012: Man arrested after search warrant nets stolen firearm, poached deer Trophy New Mexico deer head seized on Lubbock, Texas
- Nov. 28, 2012: Expect roadblocks statewide in deer winter range
- Nov. 27, 2012: Thanksgiving warrant nets gun, crossbow and two mule deer Weekend youth pheasant permits available Wednesday
- Nov. 9, 2012: Suspected poacher arrested
- Oct. 29, 2012: Antelope hunting, carcass tag elimination on Game Commission agenda
- Oct. 22, 2012: Late-season archery elk licenses available Oct. 31 in online sale
- Oct. 16, 2012: More pronghorn meetings scheduled statewide
- Sept. 27, 2012: No license? No problem. This Saturday is Free Fishing Day! Special events planned at Fenton Lake State Park
- Sept. 27, 2012: Pronghorn meetings scheduled statewide
- Sept. 17, 2012: Department expands chronic wasting disease control areas
- Sept. 13, 2012: Hunters must remember: safety first
- Sept. 11, 2012: Law Enforcement Day at State Fair highlights Department’s efforts
- Sept. 10, 2012: Wildlife conservation history on display at State Fair
- Sept. 6, 2012: Department seeks public comments on changes to species list
- Aug. 27, 2012: Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons Aug. 22, 2012: Outdoor Expo sets attendance record
- Aug 17, 2012: Lake levels prompt suspension of boating and lifting of fishing bag limits at Santa Rosa Lake
- Aug. 17, 2012: Antelope hunting rules, wildfires on Game Commission agenda
- Aug. 15, 2012: Bill Evans Lake losing water as Gila River ash flows prevent pumping
- Aug. 14, 2012: Free fun! Learn to hunt, fish, shoot and more at Outdoor Expo
- Aug. 10, 2012: Meetings will address BLM hunting agreements in southeastern N.M.
- Aug. 10, 2012: Another monster muskie, another state record at Bluewater Lake
- Aug. 7, 2012: Safety stressed for OHV riders to avoid serious consequences
- Aug. 1, 2012: Plenty of youth elk licenses, leftover deer, javelina licenses still available
- July 26, 2012: Muskie mania in full swing at Bluewater, Quemado lakes
- July 10, 2012: More than 2,000 elk licenses for youths go on sale July 18 Young wildlife usually don’t need to be rescued — even close to fires
- July 3, 2012: N.M. residents get first shot at leftover deer, elk, javelina licenses
- June 25, 2012: Los Lunas deer poachers get $1,199 in fines and civil penalties
- June 18, 2012: Game & Fish seeks information in antelope poaching case
- June 15, 2012: State Game Commission to meet Thursday, June 21, in Mescalero Game Commission lands in Pecos Canyon under Stage 2 fire restrictions beginning Monday — no campfires
- June 14, 2012: Department seeking bear that ripped tent, scratched camper
- June 5, 2012: Game & Fish documentary on black bears to air on KYNM-TV Indictments issued in antelope poaching case
- June 1, 2012: State Game Commission properties in Pecos Canyon under fire restrictions
- May 24, 2012: Department offers more, cleaner camping options in Pecos Canyon
- May 21, 2012: Young archers score in National Archery in the Schools State Tourney
- May 7, 2012: Young archers put their skills on the line at state tournament Free online hunter education courses, manuals offered Share with Wildlife program accepting project ideas for funding
- May 3, 2012: Quick draw! Big-game draw results available Friday
- May 2, 2012: Trash management key to managing state bear issues
- April 18, 2012: Citizens committees to meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
- April 10, 2012: Prairie Chicken Festival poster contest winners selected
- April 2, 2012: Game Commission to meet Thursday, April 5, in Gallup
- March 30, 2012: 2012-13 fishing, hunting licenses are in the e-mail, online
- March 29, 2012: Fishing season’s here! Don’t forget your new license Low-flying helicopters assist prairie-chicken survey
- March 23, 2012: Apply now — online or by phone — for 2012-13 big-game licenses; Don’t miss the March 28 deadline and lose your chance to hunt
- March 20, 2012: Hunters: Don’t miss March 28 online license aplication deadline; computers, phone help available Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting, fishing seasons
- March 16, 2012: Spring turkey hunters: Buy your Game-hunting License early; don’t request refund when applying for big-game draw
- March 15, 2012: Eagle Nest Lake closed to ice fishing
- Feb. 21, 2012: Help available statewide with online hunting license application system
- Feb. 20, 2012: Game Commission to meet Thursday, Feb. 23, in Hobbs
- Feb. 14, 2012: Antelope shot and left to rot on King Ranch west of Albuquerque
- Feb. 9, 2012: Hunter education classed offered statewide to help youths qualify for 2012-13 big-game licenses
- Feb. 6, 2012: Desert bighorn skulls, horns up for auction this week
- Feb. 2, 2012: Off-highway Vehicle Program accepting grant proposals
- Jan. 23, 2012: Entries sought for Prairie Chicken Festival poster contest
- Jan. 13, 2012: Eagle Nest Lake open to ice fishing and OHVs
- Dec. 30, 2011: Eagle Nest Lake open for ice fishing; unlimited take on pike begins Jan. 17
- Dec. 27, 2011: San Juan River habitat work opens more trophy trout fishing
- Dec. 20, 2011: Two antelope shot and left to rot south of Estancia
- Dec. 14, 2011: Watch Game Commission meeting live from governor’s website Ice too dangerous for fishing at Fenton Lake
- Dec. 12, 2011: Eagle Nest Lake pike, youth elk hunts on State Game Commission agenda “Dirty Jobs” television show features Department fish squeezers
- Nov. 29, 2011: Eagle Nest Lake closed to boating, open for bank fishing
- Nov. 4, 2011: Sumner Lake open to boating; free of aquatic invasive species
- Oct. 31, 2011: Desert bighorn sheep delisting on Game Commission agenda
- Oct. 27, 2011: Trout habitat work begins Tuesday on San Juan River
- Oct. 17, 2011: 275 late-season archery elk licenses available online Nov. 2
- Oct. 13, 2011: Game Commission names Jim Lane to lead Department of Game and Fish
- Oct. 11, 2011: Expect roadblocks during fall hunting seasons
- Oct. 7, 2011: Fishing bag limits unlimited as Sumner Lake is drained
- Oct. 3, 2011: Habitat work will improve trout fishing on San Juan River Public meetings will address pike in Eagle Nest Lake
- Sept. 22, 2011: Fish for free statewide; celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day Saturday, Sept. 24, at Fenton Lake State Park
- Aug. 31, 2011: Nationwide search begins for Department director Hunting seasons open Thursday across New Mexico
- Aug. 29, 2011: Cimarron Conservation Officer Jackson named Wildlife Officer of the Year Meetings will address desert bighorn delisting proposal
- Aug. 19, 2011: Learn to hunt, fish, shoot at free Outdoor Expo State Game Commission to meet Thursday in Santa Fe
- Aug. 10, 2011: Apply now for special sandhill crane, goose, pheasant hunts
- July 29, 2011: Wildlife areas reopen
- July 20, 2011: Youth elk licenses, leftover deer, elk, javelina licenses go on sale in August
- July 14, 2011: Trapping rules on July 21 Game Commission agenda
- July 7, 2011: Department seeks information about poached deer
- July 6, 2011: Displaced Los Alamos residents encounter displaced bears Young wildlife — even near wildfires — usually don’t need to be rescued
- June 29, 2011: Wildlife areas closed due to extreme fire conditions
- June 27, 2011: Great Outdoors Camp July 10-15 at Eagle Nest Lake State Park
- June 24, 2011: Department temporarily closes Seven Springs Hatchery and Kids Pond
- June 23, 2011: Pecos Canyon campgrounds remain open with strict fire restrictions
- June 22, 2011: Fire safety stressed for off-highway vehicle riding
- June 6, 2011: Game Commission to meet Thursday, June 9, in Las Cruces Big-game license drawing results available Wednesday
- June 3, 2011: Sumner Lake boating update
- May 31, 2011: Saturday is Free Fishing Day — No license required
- May 27, 2011: Possible infestation closes Sumner Lake to boating
- May 26, 2011: Department improves fishing, camping areas in Pecos Canyon
- May 25, 2011: Mexican bighorn sheep join herd at Red Rock Wildlife Area
- May 10, 2011: Public hearings: Recommendation to delist desert bighorn sheep
- May 9, 2011: Espanola’s Carlos Vigil Middle School wins Archery Shootout
- April 29, 2011: Help wanted: Department hiring conservation officers
- April 28, 2011: Game Commission to meet May 5 in Albuquerque
- April 14, 2011: Annual walleye operation attracts thieves, “Dirty Jobs”
- April 13, 2011: Taos man accused of poaching 39 animals, throwing evidence into Gorge
- April 12, 2011: Department seeks information about fish theft Boaters: Expect roadblocks statewide for invasive species inspections
- April 5, 2011: Southeast meetings will address new private-land antelope rules National survey on hunting, fishing and wildlife watching under way Archery in the Schools State Tournament draws near
- March 31, 2011: Spring fishing is hot! Time to renew your season license
- March 24, 2011: Monday is deadline to apply for N.M. big-game hunting licenses
- March 23, 2011: Habitat Stamp advisory committee meetings scheduled statewide Department seeks information in antelope poaching case Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting, fishing seasons
- March 21, 2011: Northeast meetings will address new private-land antelope rules
- March 18, 2011: Officers save swan shot with arrow, launch search for shooter
- March 14, 2011: Lesser Prairie Chicken Festival poster contest winners chosen Bad ice: Eagle Nest Lake closed to ice fishing Bear awareness meeting March 25 in Sandia Park 2 bull elk poached, left to rot near Regina
- March 7, 2011: Attention big-game hunters: Don’t miss March 28 application deadline Oryx, bear, turkey drawing results available online March 9 Be extra careful with fires, aware of bears this spring
- March 2, 2011: Desert sheep from Mexico arrive at Red Rock Wildlife Area
- Feb. 23, 2011: Department to host deer and elk workshop
- Feb. 21, 2011: Hunter education classes scheduled statewide Safety stressed for off-highway vehicle riding
- Feb. 7, 2011: “New Mexico Wildlife” TV offers more hunting and fishing this season
- Feb. 2, 2011: Cougar hunters must pass cougar identification course
- Jan. 28, 2011: Eagle Nest Lake opens to ice fishing Saturday
- Jan. 14, 2011: Off-highway Vehicle Program accepting grant proposals
- Jan. 7, 2011: Entries sought for Prairie Chicken Festival poster contest
- Dec. 22, 2010: Plan your hunts: 2011-12 big-game rules now available online
- Dec. 6, 2010: Antelope hunting rules on Game Commission agenda
- Nov. 29, 2010: Eagle Nest Lake temporarily closed to boating, ice fishing
- Nov. 11, 2010: Carcasses were remains of legally harvested elk
- Nov. 9, 2010: Department seeks information about northern pike illegally stocked in Eagle Nest Lake
- Nov. 8, 2010: Trapping data sought to help protect wolves 2011 bear seasons passed by State Game Commission Late-season elk licenses grabbed in seconds Cougar management objectives adopted by commission Commission’s antelope decision being revisited
- Oct. 22, 2010: Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
- Oct. 20, 2010: Trophy bull elk shot, left to rot at Valles Caldera Online license sales, hunter education signups unavailable Saturday
- Oct. 15, 2010: Late-season elk licenses available in Nov. 3 online sale Youth elk licenses still available
- Oct. 4, 2010: Hunter education registration goes online; customer ID numbers required Off-highway vehicle safety training now available online
- Sept. 29, 2010: Department seeks information in northeast antelope poaching case
- Sept. 15, 2010: Fish for free, celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day Sept. 25 at Fenton Lake
- Sept. 14, 2010: Habitat Stamp partners seek public input on program’s future
- Sept. 13, 2010: Fishing bag limits, tackle restrictions lifted for Cowles Ponds
- Aug. 30, 2010: Program opens private land for public dove hunting
- Aug. 24, 2010: Eager hunters prepare for season openings Apply by Sept. 8 for sandhill crane, Bernardo youth waterfowl hunts
- Aug. 23, 2010: Bear, cougar, antelope hunting on Game Commission agenda
- Aug. 17, 2010: Learn to shoot, hunt and fish Aug. 21-22 at free Outdoor Expo
- Aug. 9, 2010: Youth elk licenses still available; leftover deer licenses go on sale Wednesday Department seeks citizen participation in Habitat Stamp Program
- July 28, 2010: Meetings will address proposed hunting rules for bears, cougars, pronghorn antelope
- July 21, 2010: Sufi student ends bear encounter by fighting back
- July 15, 2010: Youth elk, leftover deer, javelina licenses go on sale in August Off-highway Vehicle Program accepting grant proposals Comments sought on state endangered and threatened species list
- July 7, 2010: Bear attacks scout at Philmont Scout Ranch
- June 30, 2010: Bears attack camper, goat at Philmont Scout Ranch Hunting rules for elk, bighorns, exotic species on Game Commission agenda
- June 29, 2010: Agencies inspecting boats for aquatic invasive species Comments sought on unitization agreements in southeastern New Mexico
- June 28, 2010: Department kills bear at sight of Sunday’s attack
- June 25, 2010: Native Rio Grande cutthroat trout removed from South Fork Fire area
- June 23, 2010: New Mexico OHV riders reminded to be safe, legal this summer Department inspecting boats for aquatic invasive species
- June 10, 2010: Farmington wildlife supervisor McKim named Officer of the Year
- June 10, 2010: Fishing bag limits, tackle restrictions lifted on Santa Fe River
- June 8, 2010: Hide the food; hot weather brings out the bears Get outdoors, but be Cougar Smart New Mexico
- June 7, 2010: Poacher of trophy deer ordered to pay $10,000 in civil penalties June 7, 2010: Big-game license drawing results available online Wednesday, June 9
- June 1, 2010: Saturday, June 5, is Free Fishing Day in New Mexico; kids clinics statewide
- May 27, 2010: Department continues review of animal importation rule
- May 25, 2010: Game Commission to consider proposed hunting rule changes Young Grants archers win state championship
- May 18, 2010: Desert bighorns may be removed from state endangered species list
- May 12, 2010: Agencies inspecting boats for invasive species
- April 30, 2010: Please observe fire restrictions, be bear aware
- April 22, 2010: Meetings will address proposed big-game hunting rule changes
- April 13, 2010: 150,000 try for New Mexico hunting licenses
- April 12, 2010: Turkey hunters advised to check road conditions before going afield Spring turkey licenses come with two tags
- April 9, 2010: Santa Fe artist wins bass fishing license plate logo design contest
- April 5, 2010: Online combination licenses offer savings, but anglers must wait Trout Unlimited volunteer receives Aquatic Resource Education award
- March 30, 2010: Deadline is April 7 to apply for big-game hunting licenses Game Commission will discuss hunting, trapping rules
- March 29, 2010: N.M. fishing license year begins April 1 with several new rules
- March 23, 2010: Department captures, relocates 277 pronghorn antelope Citizen committees will meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
- March 22, 2010: Belen artist wins Lesser Prairie Chicken Festival poster contest Comment period opens for state endangered, threatened species list
- March 17, 2010: Officers capture, relocate Santa Fe mountain lion
- March 16, 2010: Large mountain lion sighted in neighborhood near downtown Santa Fe Monastery Lake closes for filming of “True Grit”
- March 11, 2010: Troublesome turkeys relocated to new home in Rio Grande Valley Wildlife areas closed during critical periods for deer, elk Santa Fe Fans win national award for educational event Trout Unlimited chapter gets grant for Trout in the Classroom program “New Mexico Wildlife” TV show features bighorns, elk Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
- Feb. 22, 2010: New fishing rules, pronghorn antelope, White Peak on Commission agenda
- Feb. 16, 2010: Successful trap moves 51 antelope to potential hunting area
- Feb. 11, 2010: Report off-highway vehicle violations on new hotline Catch the new season of ‘New Mexico Wildlife’ TV show
- Feb. 9, 2010: Ride an ATV simulator at annual hunting and fishing show
- Jan. 29, 2010: Attention hunters: Apply by Wednesday, Feb. 3, for oryx, WMA bear, special turkey and population reduction hunts
- Jan. 21, 2010: Taos men face poaching charges Reward offered for information about bull elk found dead near Grants
- Jan. 20, 2010: Wild about bass? Design a license plate logo, win a cash prize
- Jan. 19, 2010: Prairie Chicken Festival sells out in record time “New Mexico Wildlife” now showing in Las Cruces and on YouTube.com
- Jan. 7, 2010: Prairie Chicken Festival accepting registrations, poster contest entries
- Jan. 6, 2010: Wild-born Mexican wolf to be released in Gila Wilderness
- Jan. 5, 2010: Department seeks comments on proposed fishing rule changes
- Jan. 5, 2010: Storrie Lake temporarily closed to fishing because of unsafe ice
- Dec. 30, 2009:
Eagle Nest Lake opens for ice fishing - Dec. 30, 2009:
Poachers hit deer, elk and antelope hard in NW New Mexico - Dec. 9, 2009:
Fenton Lake ice unsafe — access to ice closed; park remains open - Dec. 4, 2009:
Thin ice: Eagle Nest Lake temporarily closed to fishing - Nov. 30, 2009:
Big-game license application deadlines on Commission agenda - Nov. 16, 2009:
Off-Highway Vehicle Board to meet Wednesday, Nov. 18, in Santa Fe - Nov. 10, 2009:
Gone in seconds … Hunters storm Web site for 350 cow elk licenses - Nov. 10, 2009:
Department, Game Commission consider changes to fishing rules
Two Portales men sentenced for poaching deer, antelope - Nov. 4, 2009:
Endangered roundtail chubs released in San Juan River
More opportunities to watch “New Mexico Wildlife” - Nov. 3, 2009:
Late-season cow elk licenses available online Nov. 10 - Oct. 20, 2009:
More elk hunts available for youth, late-season archery hunters - Oct. 15, 2009:
Expanded role for Rock Lake Hatchery discussed - Oct. 7, 2009:
Rules relaxed to salvage fish at Blue Hole Park Pond in Santa Rosa - Oct. 7, 2009:
Discover, learn and enjoy the outdoors on ‘New Mexico Wildlife’ - Sept. 22, 2009:
Fish for free statewide, celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday at Fenton Lake Sate Park - Sept. 16, 2009:
Big-game hunting application process on Commission agenda - Sept. 8, 2009:
Wild animals, educational exhibits at 2009 State Fair - Sept. 4, 2009:
Rule Book correction: Pacific Flyway north goose season is Sept. 26-Oct. 11 - Sept. 3, 2009:
“New Mexico Wildlife” TV show lineup - Aug. 26, 2009:
$10,000 penalty issued in trophy deer poaching case - Aug. 18, 2009:
Meeting will address transplanting desert bighorns to Caballo Mountains - Aug. 17, 2009:
San Juan fishing rules, antelope and elk hunting on Commission agenda
Learn to shoot, hunt and fish Aug. 22-23 at free Outdoor Expo
New Mexico hunters need Customer Identification Number - Aug. 10, 2009:
Leftover deer permits, elk and javelina licenses available online Aug. 19 - July 31, 2009:
Comments sought on proposed changes to deer license application process - July 27, 2009:
‘New Mexico Wildlife’ now on television - July 22, 2009:
Pecos conservation officer Howes named Wildlife Officer of the Year - July 13, 2009:
Black bears on the move around Los Alamos - July 2, 2009:
Comanche Creek restocked with Rio Grande cutthroat trout - July 1, 2009:
Public meetings will address elk hunting in Unit 6, Jemez Mountains - June 29, 2009:
Game Commission to consider aquatic invasive species rule changes - June 26, 2009
Public meetings will address proposed GAIN rule changes - June 25, 2009
Disabled veterans eligible for new, discounted hunting and fishing license - June 24, 2009
Game Commission will consider changing deer license drawing dates - June 17, 2009
Enforcement to increase for off-highway vehicles statewide - June 16, 2009
Please don’t pick up deer fawns or elk calves
Reward offered for information on deer poaching near Fort Sumner
Tingley Beach sees new bag and possession limit changes for trout - June 12, 2009
Catch a trout in the Santa Fe River - June 11, 2009
Gila trout restoration project scheduled June 16-24 - May 26, 2009
Game Commission to meet Thursday, May 28, in Albuquerque - May 20, 2009
South Valley Academy wins state archery tournament - May 18, 2009
Public health concerns halt Bataan Lake catfish stockings - May 15, 2009
Observe fire restrictions, be bear aware - May 13, 2009
Game Commission acquires property along Rio Grande - April 23, 2009
Residents urged to avoid encounters with mountain lions - April 8, 2009
Application deadline extended to April 17 for big-game licenses, permits - April 8, 2009
March madness: Hunter Education Program certifies 1,402 students
Peregrine falcon applications available through April 17 - April 7, 2009
Citizens committees will meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects - April 6, 2009
Phones temporarily down at Santa Fe office - April 6, 2009
Aquatic Invasive Species Act will help protect N.M. waters
April 2, 2009
Fort Sumner man pleads guilty to poaching near-record white-tailed deer
Get ready for another great fishing season in northwestern New Mexico
March 26, 2009
Deadline is April 8 to apply for big-game hunting licenses, permits - March 25, 2009
10 great reasons to buy a 2009-2010 fishing license
Portales man faces 20 charges in deer-poaching case
Economy hurts sales of New Mexico enhancement licenses - March 16, 2009
Albuquerque office opens Saturday, March 21, to help hunters with new application procedures before April 8 deadline
Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting, fishing seasons
Ranchos de Taos artist wins Prairie Chicken Festival Poster Contest - March 11, 2009
Successful antelope capture and release - March 3, 2009
Game Commission to meet Thursday in Santa Fe - March 2, 2009
(Corrected 3/5) Elk hunters advised to review applications due to errors in 2009-2010 Rules & Information booklet - Feb. 25, 2009
Eagle Nest Lake closed to ice fishing because of unsafe ice - Feb. 20, 2009
Multiple charges filed in Fort Sumner deer poaching case - Feb. 11, 2009
Attention deer, elk hunters: Mandatory harvest reports due Sunday, Feb. 15 - Feb. 10, 2009
Survey targets suggested elk hunting changes in Jemez Mountains - Feb. 9, 2009
Officers seek information about poached elk - Feb. 4, 2009
Deadline extended for oryx, population management, bear and turkey hunts - Feb. 3, 2009
Check out Department booth Feb. 13-15 at Hunting and Fishing Show - Jan. 21, 2009
Trout stocking raises awareness of San Juan River’s trophy trout waters
Poachers leave eagles, elk to rot in Cibola County - Jan. 15, 2009
Limited ice fishing opens Friday, Jan. 16, at Eagle Nest Lake - Jan. 12, 2009
Hunting ‘legend’ sentenced to $10,000 in fines, 4,500 hours community service - Jan. 9, 2009
Department offers online cougar education, identification course - Jan. 6, 2009
Game Commission to meet Saturday with new chairman, vice-chairwoman to discuss rules about hunting and fishing on private lands
Hunters need Customer ID Number to apply for licenses, permits - Jan. 5, 2009
Prairie Chicken Festival accepting poster contest entries, registrations
- Dec. 17, 2008 New rules adopted for big-game hunting Special Game Commission meeting will address private-land access, posting
- Dec. 10, 2008 Thin ice: Eagle Nest Lake temporarily closed to fishing
- Dec. 2, 2008 Thin, dangerous ice: Fenton Lake temporarily closed to fishing
- Nov. 25, 2008 Antelope plan extension, big-game hunting rules on Game Commission agenda
- Nov. 14, 2008 Leftover military-only oryx licenses available online Dec. 16
- Nov. 13, 2008 Department schedules more meetings statewide on antelope plan
- Nov. 7, 2008 Late-season cow elk licenses available online Nov. 18
- Nov. 5, 2008 Department schedules meetings statewide on antelope plan
- Oct. 30, 2008 Kokanee snagging season opens Nov. 14 at Heron Lake Wolf release scheduled Nov. 6 in Gila National Forest Department seeks public comments on antelope plan Meeting will address New Mexico’s desert bighorns
- Oct. 14, 2008 River otters return to upper Rio Grande Basin
- Oct. 14, 2008 Late-season archery elk hunts available online Oct. 22
- Oct. 9, 2008 River otters will return to New Mexico next week
- Oct. 7, 2008 Invasive ‘rock snot’ algae found in upper Pecos River
- Oct. 1, 2008 Big-game hunting rules on Game Commission agenda
- Sept. 19, 2008 Department aquatic species biologist receives prestigious national award
- Sept. 12, 2008 Investigation finds no oil in San Juan River Applications open for elk-bugling, wolf-tracking tours Department seeks information about wounded bear
- Sept. 5, 2008 Department seeks citizen participation in Habitat Stamp Program Meeting will address wildlife depredation issues in the Nogal Canyon and Bent areas of southeastern New Mexico
- Sept. 3, 2008 Forest Service reminds Manzano Mountains hunters of closures
- Sept. 2, 2008 Visit Department exhibits, park free at the State Fair
- Aug. 8, 2008 Proposal would downlist desert bighorns from endangered to threatened on state list Public meeting will address recovery plan for native suckers
- Aug. 7, 2008 State Game Commission, Department of Game and Fish put hold on lesser prairie chicken hunt, pending review
- Aug. 4, 2008 Reward offered for trout thieves
- July 28, 2008 Leftover deer permits, elk licenses available online Aug. 11
- July 21, 2008 State Game Commission meets Wednesday, July 23, in Las Vegas
- July 15, 2008 Skulls, antlers, 4WD trucks up for auction Saturday, July 19 Public-land deer hunters will receive permits, carcass tags separately Comments sought on aquatic invasive species plan Meetings will address proposed big-game hunting rule changes
- July 9, 2008 Warmwater hatchery’s first bass stocked in Elephant Butte Lake
- July 1, 2008 Second mountain lion captured near Pinos Altos Observe fire restrictions, be bear aware this Fourth of July
- June 26, 2008 Agencies return wolf pair to Gila Wilderness
- June 25, 2008 Wounded mountain lion captured, killed near Pinos Altos
- June 23, 2008 Search continues for lion that killed Pinos Altos man
- June 23, 2008 Game-park owner Kirt Darner pleads guilty in elk transportation, bighorn theft case
- June 18, 2008 Rewards exceed $2,000 for northeastern N.M. deer poachers
- June 11, 2008 Cibola National Forest issues food storage order to protect bears
- June 10, 2008 Public meetings in Farmington, Tierra Amarilla will address proposed hunting rules
- June 4, 2008 Fishing bag limits, tackle restrictions lifted on Santa Fe River
- June 3, 2008 Wildlife babies: Please leave them alone!
- June 2, 2008 Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 7; Kids’ clinics scheduled statewide
- May 27, 2008 Department seeks input on proposed big-game hunting rules
- May 22, 2008 Conservation officer cleared in investigation
- May 19, 2008 Campground closed, investigation continues in possible wild animal attack in Sandia Mountains
- May 15, 2008 Black bears on the move around Santa Fe and communities statewide
- May 14, 2008 Las Cruces residents urged to avoid encounters with mountain lions
- May 13, 2008 Black-footed ferrets, San Juan fishing rules on tap at Commission meeting Public hearing will address Gila trout recovery methods
- April 28, 2008 May 1 Lincoln Forest closure will send turkey hunters elsewhere Carlsbad men convicted of poaching Barbary sheep
- April 18, 2008 Department of Game and Fish negotiates White Peak access
- April 16, 2008 Dead fox found in Sierra County tests positive for rabies
- April 8, 2008 Game Commission considers varied agenda
- April 7, 2008 April 9 is deadline for big-game hunting applications
- March 24, 2008 Habitat Stamp Advisory Committee meetings scheduled statewide
- March 20, 2008 Another Silver City fox tests positive for rabies; Catwalk fox bites woman Special applications required to hunt deer on private land in northwestern New Mexico
- March 18, 2008 Bad ice — Eagle Nest Lake closes to ice fishing
- March 12, 2008 Feeding javelina can cause a nuisance, attract predators — and fines
- March 11, 2008 Head-hunters shoot two elk near Valles Caldera, leave bodies to rot
- March 7, 2008 Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting, fishing seasons Public meeting will address recovery plan for Pecos River suckers Recovery plan for imperiled rodents ready for public review
- March 5, 2008 Reserve-area residents fined more than $7,000 for illegal outfitting, guiding
- March 4, 2008 Department recruiting partners to help fight aquatic invasive species
- Feb. 29, 2008 Big-game enhancement hunting licenses net $568,000 at auctions
- Feb. 28, 2008 McAllister Lake to remain closed Albuquerque artist wins Lesser Prairie Chicken Festival poster contest
- Feb. 27, 2008 Department of Health confirms rabies in fox from Silver City Public meetings in Gallup to focus on bears, cougars and antelope
- Feb. 25, 2008 Game Commission expands Gila trout fishing, elects new officers Emergency fish salvage permit issued for Oasis State Park
- Feb. 19, 2008 Free workshop invites teachers to bring elk into their classrooms
- Feb. 18, 2008 Fishing fly limits, Gila trout angling opportunities on commission agenda
- Feb. 14, 2008 Public meeting to review Gila trout angling and recovery activities
- Feb. 8, 2008 State to work to reverse wolf decline Northern New Mexico elk holding their own in snow
- Feb. 7, 2008 Reward offered for information about Ruidoso deer poaching case
- Jan. 31, 2008 Ilegally acquired snakes removed from residence in Deming Department investigates illegal shooting of bobcat near Raton Commission to consider GAIN expansion approval Application deadline is Feb. 6 for oryx, turkey hunts
- Jan. 25, 2008 Feeding deer does more harm than good
- Jan. 24, 2008 Department wants head-hunting poacher who killed elk, left it to rot
- Jan. 23, 2008 Deadlines approaching for hunt applications, mandatory harvest reports Raton deer fawn shot with arrow
- Jan. 19, 2008 Counting, collaring Mexican wolves includes vaccinations Bernardo-La Joya hunters take note: Limit on pintails is one Bob Gerding’s Outdoor Adventures Hunting and Fishing Show
- Jan. 7, 2008 Federal Highway Administration applauds Tijeras Canyon Wildlife Corridor Lewis Ranch purchase protects 5,280 Roosevelt County acres Meetings to address multiple-fly rigging rules changes
- Dec. 27, 2007 Ice fishing opens Friday, Dec. 28, at Eagle Nest Lake
- Dec. 26, 2007 Prairie Chicken Festival accepting poster contest entries, registrations
- Dec. 13, 2007 Department seeks poachers who shot 4 elk and left them to rot
- Dec. 10, 2007 Turkeys, quail, wolves and hatchery on Game Commission agenda
- Nov. 29, 2007 Dec. 1 Chama public meeting rescheduled for Dec. 14 to discuss recreation, access on wildlife areas
- Nov. 27, 2007 Department director faces hunting rule charges
- Nov. 26, 2007 Wildlife area recreation, access is subject of Dec. 1 meeting in Chama
- Nov. 21, 2007 Department director says hunting incident a mistake; will cooperate with investigators
- Nov. 8, 2007 Competitive birding featured at Bernardo’s “Big Day”
- Nov. 7, 2007 Salmon snagging opens Nov. 9 at Heron lake, Willow Creek, Pine River
- Oct. 31, 2007 Late-season cow elk licenses available online Nov. 7
- Oct. 29, 2007 Gila trout angling, cutthroat restoration on Game Commission agenda
- Oct. 12, 2007 Late-season archery elk hunts available online Tuesday, Oct. 16 Two men arrested on antelope poaching and other charges
- Oct. 10, 2007 Department investigates fish kills at Quemado Lake, Pecos River
- Oct. 5, 2007 Extra youth-only duck hunts available Oct. 15 for Bernardo Wildlife Area Department continues to monitor for avian influenza
- Oct. 1, 2007 Kokanee snagging season opens at 4 New Mexico lakes
- Sept. 29, 2007 Help wanted: Department recruiting conservation officers Department seeks information about poached elk near Watrous
- Sept. 21, 2007 Grants outfitter sentenced to 10 years in jail in illegal hunting scheme
- Sept. 19, 2007 Department will use helicopters in annual fall elk herd surveys
- Sept. 14, 2007 Electric fencing, highway mats give wildlife safer passage in Tijeras Canyon
- Sept. 6, 2007 Antelope killing spree earns poachers jail time, big fines Don’t miss 2007 State Fair migration of fish, snakes, birds and mammals
- Sept. 5, 2007 Department seeks contractor for Sargent elk viewing area
- Sept. 4, 2007 Department publishes Oil & Gas Development Guidelines with wildlife in mind
- Aug. 30, 2007 Hard times for trout, anglers at McAllister Lake
- Aug. 28, 2007 Hunting seasons begin: officers will be conducting roadblocks Hunting seasons bring partial closures at Sargent, Humphries areas Another deer tests positive for chronic wasting disease Carlsbad man pleads guilty on negligent use of firearm charge Clayton residents advised to take measures to avoid mountain lions Habitat Stamp Program advisory committees need volunteers Department seeks information about poached antelope, elk
- Aug. 20, 2007 Texas hornshell recovery, hunt application fees on Game Commission agenda
- Aug. 13, 2007 Program views Mexican wolf restoration at close range
- Aug. 12, 2007 Bighorns released in Dry Cimarron, Rio Grande Gorge
- Aug. 9, 2007 Shooters kill elk, ruin signs, stuff dead rabbits in mail boxes Poachers fined $15,000 for killing 4 cow elk Department of Game and Fish seeks information about poached antelope
- August 7, 2007 Small-game seasons approach with revised dates, rules Helicopters will assist with bighorn sheep wilderness trapping operation Maddox Lake closing to public use
- July 30, 2007 Leftover permits available Aug. 7 for 2007-2008 deer, elk hunts
- July 23, 2007 Texas hornshell recovery plan available for review, comments Aug. 11 is Quail Appreciation day at the Double H Ranch
- July 17, 2007 Party-spot sting leads to 7 arrests, 57 citations near Carlsbad
- July 16, 2007 Waterfowl, upland game rules, state land lease on Game Commission agenda Lake Roberts’ aging dam will be topic at open-house forums Public meetings will address plan to restore imperiled rodents Education, fun on tap July 21 at Valle Vidal Youth and Appreciation Day
- July 11, 2007 New Mexicans honored by Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
- July 9, 2007 Bear bites camper in hand at Sugarite Canyon State Park Six suspects pay maximum fines for littering on Pecos River
- July 3, 2007 Trout stocking temporarily suspended at Grindstone lake
- June 29, 2007 Please, please don’t trash New Mexico’s bears Limited angling for Gila trout opens July 1; Camping in Black Canyon closed due to forest fire
- June 26, 2007 State Game Commission, Nature Conservancy purchase property on Gila River
- June 2, 2007 Fishing bag limits, tackle restrictions to be lifted on Santa Fe River
- May 31, 2007 Celebrate Free Fishing Day at statewide fishing clinics Wild babies do not need ‘helping’ human hands
- May 18, 2007 Visiting hours are over: Hospital bear relocated to Manzano Mountains
- May 7, 2007 Learning about bears can help avoid dangerous confrontations
- May 2, 2007 Fishing bag limits, tackle restrictions to be lifted at Oasis State Park
- May 1, 2007 Roadblocks to be conducted statewide during hunting, fishing seasons
- April 26, 2007 Bighorn sheep transplants, federal funding, state land lease on Game Commission agenda
- April 25, 2007 Sargent Wildlife Area will have limited access during elk calving season
- April 11, 2007 Is your pet Iguana legal? Find out at meetings addressing non-domestic animal possession ‘New Mexico Wildlife’ highlights Warmwater Hatchery, turkeys and trout
- April 4, 2007 Ramah Lake reopens for fishing Bernardo Wildlife Management Area vandalized
- April 2, 2007 Game Commission hears concerns, ideas about Mexican Wolf Program Limited angling for Gila trout will open July 1, 2007 Commission approves Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Restoration Program Beat the April 7 deadline rush: Apply early, online for 2007-2008 big-game hunts
- March 21, 2007 Attention hunters: Deadline is April 7 for 2007-2008 big-game applications New Mexico hunters prefer online application process Glenwood artist wins Lesser Prairie Chicken Festival poster contest Hunter Education Weekend certifies almost 800 young hunters
- March 19, 2007 Governor Richardson appoints conservationist Sandy Buffett to State Game Commission
- March 19, 2007 Game Commission to hear comments about Mexican Wolf Program
- March 14, 2007 Eagle Nest Lake closed to ice fishing
- Feb. 27, 2007 Unlicensed hunter receives jail time for trespassing
- Feb. 26, 2007 Poachers dump two elk carcasses west of Rio Rancho
- Feb. 20, 2007 Hunter Education Weekend brings classes to communities statewide
- Feb. 5, 2007 Cougar sightings increase due to heavy snowfall
- Feb. 1, 2007 Accused trophy deer poachers face severe penalties Deadlines approaching for hunt applications, mandatory harvest reports Hunters can report their harvest Feb. 9-11 at Hunting and Fishing Show
- Jan. 26, 2007 Auction raises $210,000 for bighorn sheep program Meetings scheduled statewide to discuss bear, cougar management
- Jan 11, 2007 Agreement will protect threatened White Sands pupfish Two men charged in poaching of trophy Barbary sheep near Logan
- Jan. 10, 2007 Game Commission elects chairman, welcomes new appointee
- Jan. 4, 2007 Game Commission to elect chairman, vice-chairman Jan. 10 in Santa Fe Department recruiting conservation officers Department seeks public input on antelope releases in Southeastern N.M.
- Jan. 2, 2007 Trout-stocking plan should improve fishing at Bluewater Lake, elsewhere .