News

News2025-04-17T11:13:33-06:00

NMDGF News

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

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. ###

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

News Releases for 2021

News Releases for 2020

News Releases for 2019
News Releases for 2018

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

News Releases for 2017

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 [...]

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 [...]

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. ###

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. Printed versions of the 2017-2018 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, 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 [...]

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 [...]

News Releases for 2016

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 [...]

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 SANTA FE – A new Share with Wildlife program license plate available to the public features a big mule deer sporting an impressive set of antlers. “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 [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

News Releases for 2015
News Releases for 2014

Go to Top