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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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

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