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.

Hunter Education Rule topic of public meeting

SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Hunter Education Rule (19.31.11 NMAC), discussed at the State Game Commission meeting on Aug. 25, 2023. A hybrid meeting will be held on Sept. 28, 2023 at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Northwest Area Office at 7816 Alamo Road NW, Albuquerque, NM, from 6-7:30 p.m. To attend via Zoom, please register at:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E7kBKc-QTtC0xflJDVmudQ Comments will be gathered at the time of meeting and can be submitted by email to DGF-HunterEducation-Rule@state.nm.us.

How are Rare Terrestrial Snails Faring?

Project Highlight: How are Rare Terrestrial Snails Faring? Mineral Creek mountainsnail. (Eric Wallace) How many rare snails can still be found in locations where they used to occur? Are there certain sources of disturbance likely to negatively impact these snails? These are some of the questions that Eric Wallace tried to answer during surveys carried out in very rugged, remote parts of southwestern New Mexico in 2020 and 2021. This work was completed in partnership with the Share with Wildlife program at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department). The geographic ranges of many of the terrestrial snails in New Mexico, especially those listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico, are somewhat restricted with some species only being found in a single, isolated mountain range or even within a single canyon of a mountain range. With [...]

Moose Captured in Downtown Santa Fe

SANTA FE – A bull moose was captured this morning by Department staff and City of Santa Fe Animal Services Officers near the intersection of Grant Avenue and Rosario Boulevard. The moose has been successfully relocated to suitable habitat in northern New Mexico. According to Colonel Tim Cimbal, the Department received a call from Animal Services at approximately 8:10 this morning reporting a moose near Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe. Officers soon tracked the animal to the intersection of Grant Avenue and Rosario Boulevard and set up a perimeter to protect the safety of residents and pedestrians in this popular walking area. The moose had progressively moved closer to urban areas, exposing it to hazards like moving vehicles and fence entanglement. It also showed little fear of humans or pets, creating concern for resident safety. Moose regularly exhibit aggression towards humans and pets, especially bulls during the rut or [...]

Game Commission to meet August 25

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in the City of Raton Commission Chambers, 224 Savage Ave.; Raton, New Mexico 87740. 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 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. 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 Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 [...]

Apply now for sandhill crane and pheasant draw permits

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is now accepting applications for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits. Applications can be made through your online account. The application deadline for special Sandhill crane and pheasant permits is 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 16. 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. The 2023-2024 Upland Game Rules and Information Booklet is currently available on the Department’s website in both English and Spanish. The 2023-2024 Migratory Bird Rules and Information Booklet will be available on the website following Friday's State Game Commission meeting.

News Releases for 2021

News Releases for 2020

News Releases for 2019
News Releases for 2018
News Releases for 2017
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
News Releases for 2014

Go to Top