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NMDGF News

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Moose Spotted Near Mora

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOV. 3, 2022: Moose Spotted Near Mora MORA – A young bull moose has been seen near Mora, and, based on photographs, officers suspect this may be the same moose spotted in Questa and on Taos Pueblo last month. This is the southernmost known sighting of a moose in New Mexico. There have been approximately a half dozen confirmed sightings of moose in New Mexico over the past 10 years, mostly of younger males in search of new habitat and breeding opportunities. Females have been observed in New Mexico as well, but there is no indication that moose are becoming established here nor are they expected to become established here in the future. Moose require a cool climate and wetland habitat next to rivers and streams. Colorado has more suitable moose habitat, [...]

Public Meeting: Habitat Stamp Program Citizen Advisory Committee to meet Sept. 27

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866Media contact, Ryan Darr: (505) 476-8027ryan.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 [...]

Tres Piedras Shooting Range will close for one-day cleanup on Sept. 21

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866Media contact, Ryan Darr: 505-476-8027ryan.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. ###

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 [...]

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. [...]

News Releases for 2021

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News Releases for 2019
News Releases for 2018

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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. [...]

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 [...]

News Releases for 2017

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 [...]

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. [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

News Releases for 2016

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. 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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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.The fishing license-year runs April 1 to March 31. Anglers can buy a new license online, over the phone or from a vendor. Starting this year, resident military veterans or active-duty members receive a 50 percent discount off their fishing license and stamps. New Mexico residents who are 100% disabled as a result of having served in the armed services will remain eligible for a free fishing license. Fishing licenses cost $25 for state residents. Most anglers also are required to [...]

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 [...]

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