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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,” [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Game Commission to meet June 3

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 20, 2022: Game Commission to meet June 3 SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, June 3 in Eagle Nest. 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 [...]

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. [...]

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News Releases for 2016

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

News Releases for 2015
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