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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.

Public asked to keep distance from northern New Mexico moose

TAOS – The Department is monitoring a female moose that recently appeared in northern New Mexico. Residents are reminded that moose can be dangerous and should not be approached for any reason. If a moose charges you or otherwise shows signs of aggression, run as fast as you can and try to put a boulder, car, tree or other large object between you and it. An aggressive moose can show signs such as having its ears laid back, licking its snout or having hairs raised on its neck. The moose is presently safe and appears healthy. The Department will continue to monitor its movements and will take appropriate actions to ensure public safety. Moose are a protected game animal in the state of New Mexico. New Mexico does not have an open hunting season for moose, and it is unlawful to harvest or harass them in the state. [...]

Public Meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to Meet Aug. 15

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Habitat Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee. The Citizen Advisory Committee will prioritize project opportunities at this meeting. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting. An agenda will be posted on the Habitat Stamp webpage prior to the meeting. Thursday August 15, 2024, Santa Fe, 9 a.m. Attend in person at 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM, 87507 Register in advance to attend virtually A meeting agenda along with information about how to attend virtually will be available on the Department webpage,

Ashlynn McGinnis: A Rising Star in Archery

The world of competitive archery has witnessed the rise of new, young talent from New Mexico. Ashlynn McGinnis, a student from Deming High School, made a significant mark in the 2024 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) IBO/3-D National Open Championship held in Daytona, Florida, on June 6-8. With a commendable score of 293 points out of 300, Ashlynn secured second place in the high school female division.  Ashlynn's achievements at the NASP IBO/3-D National Open Championship are a personal victory and a source of pride for her school and the state of New Mexico.   Because of Ashlynn's academic achievements, she earned one of just 34 coveted spots as a recipient of the NASP High School Division All-American Academic Archer award.   Ashlynn's journey in archery began at the young age of 10, under the guidance of her father Erik McGinnis. Her passion and commitment to archery [...]

Game Commission to meet Aug. 9

TAOS – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Bataan Hall, 121 Civic Plaza Dr., Taos, NM 87571. The full agenda, location details, attendee information and general information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website. If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will also be a live webcast on the Department’s website. 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 Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms. [...]

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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 [...]

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