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Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 3

SANTA FE – Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Saturday, June 3, as the state celebrates National Boating and Fishing Week. Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state Saturday, June 3, 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. For information on additional places to fish and what to use, consult the Department’s weekly fishing and stocking report and the Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner. Maps of public fishing waters, lists of where to find family-friendly fishing and tips on how to fish also can be found on the Department's website. The Department reminds anglers and outdoor recreationists to “know before you go” [...]

May 19 Commission Meeting Postponed

Thew New Mexico State Game Commission meeting originally scheduled for Friday, May 19, in Santa Fe has been postponed. The Department will issue a revised meeting notice once the meeting is rescheduled. At that time, the revised agenda, location address, attendee information additional information will be available on the department of Game and Fish website.

Rio Rancho Archer Takes Top Honors at the National Archery in the Schools Program 2023 Western Nationals Championship

ALBUQUERQUE – In March, 85 New Mexico youth archers competing at the 2023 New Mexico National Archery in the School Program (NASP) State Championship qualified to participate in the Western Nationals Championship. Almost two thousand youth archers from 25 states competed for individual and team awards at the NASP Western Nationals Championship held at the Mountain America Center in Sandy, Utah, April 28-29, 2023. Bell Savary, a fifth grader from Maggie Cordova Elementary School in Rio Rancho, won the elementary bullseye division by earning a score of 275 out of 300. Savary outcompeted 182 elementary females for the first-ever NASP national title won by a youth representing New Mexico. Other New Mexico archers earning top-10 status were: Aiden McConnell from Southwest Aeronautics, Mathematics and Science (SAMS) Academy won fifth place in the high school male division with 290 points; Ashlynn McGinnis from Red Mountain Middle School won third place [...]

Bill Evans Lake Project Nears Completion

Your Content Goes Here New Mexico Department of Game and FishPublic contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov GRANT COUNTY  – Bill Evans Lake, located approximately eight miles south of Cliff, is now open to the public as work to improve boater access and fishing opportunities nears completion. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has installed a new boat ramp and fishing access points, as well as improved road access on the north side of the lake. The old boat ramp has been modified to provide better access for non-motorized watercraft, and several fishing jetties were also added. Please note that the new boat ramp will remain closed until the water level comes up enough for boats to launch safely – likely in June – at which time the new boat dock will be installed. The project cost approximately $800,000, with funding coming from license sales [...]

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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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