News

News2026-05-22T16:53:06-06:00

NMDGF News

For Hunter Education classes, please see Hunter Education Course Schedule and for the Hunter Educator Workshops schedule please see Hunter Educator Instructor.

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

Apr 4, 2025|

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. Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov

Mar 18, 2025|

Decades of work keeps Rio Grande cutthroat trout off Endangered Species List

Decades of work keeps Rio Grande cutthroat trout off Endangered Species List Decades of dedicated conservation work by the Department and its partners have secured a bright future for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout (RGCT). This collaborative effort culminated in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent decision that the species does not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act, affirming its long-term stability throughout its range. The Rio Grande cutthroat trout, New Mexico’s state fish, is native to high-elevation streams in New Mexico and Colorado, including watersheds of the Canadian, Pecos and Rio Grande rivers. The species is threatened by competition and hybridization with nonnative trout, such as rainbow, brook and brown trout, as well as habitat loss, drought and the effects of wildfires. Conservation efforts for the RGCT date back to the 1960s and 1970s. In 1989, the Department created a dedicated biologist position to focus on [...]

Feb 26, 2025|

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 [...]

Feb 19, 2025|

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. 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 [...]

Feb 6, 2025|
Go to Top