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News2026-08-18T08:54:20-06:00

NMDOW News

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Bear Canyon Wildlife Management Area to Implement Weekday Closures for Mitigation Work

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife, in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announces temporary weekday closures of the Bear Canyon Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Mimbres, N.M., beginning Oct. 5. The closures are required to ensure public safety while crews operate heavy equipment on an advanced mitigation project that temporarily captures and retains post-wildfire sediment in the watershed. To minimize disruption for recreational visitors, closures will apply during weekdays only: Monday – Thursday: CLOSED to all public access. Friday – Sunday: OPEN for regular recreational use. The closure is expected to remain in effect through the end of the year, with regular public access projected to resume in January 2027. Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and observe all posted closure signs and safety restrictions while work is underway. For more information about activities on all wildlife management areas, please visit the Department’s [...]

Oct 1, 2026|

Free Fishing Weekend set for Sept. 26-27 across New Mexico

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 21, 2026 Free Fishing Weekend set for Sept. 26-27 across New Mexico No licenses required, but bag and possession limits still apply SANTA FE — Anglers can fish for free in New Mexico on Sept. 26 and 27 as part of the state’s Free Fishing Weekend. Anyone can fish without a license in public fishing waters throughout the state on Saturday and Sunday, which is also National Hunting and Fishing Day nationwide. All anglers must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit the New Mexico Department of Wildlife’s website. “Fishing helps people connect with New Mexico’s waters and wildlife while building an appreciation for conserving these resources,” said Mike Sloane, director of the New Mexico Department of Wildlife. “Free Fishing Weekend is the perfect time to get started.” The Department has online resources to help you plan the [...]

Sep 21, 2026|

Attention Hunters: New Mexico needs your help to be on the lookout for New World screwworm

New World screwworm detected near Mimbres; hunters are asked to help On Sept. 17, 2026, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture announced a new case of New World screwworm (NWS) that has been detected near Mimbres, New Mexico. Individuals that are hunting in the area are asked to help reduce the spread of NWS. New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue of warm-blooded mammals. A handout on identification can be found here. All hunters can help All hunters who have recently been in the Infested Zone or Adjacent Surveillance Zone can report suspicious larva that they noticed while on their hunt. Reports related to livestock can be sent to the New Mexico Livestock Board at 505-841-6161. Reports from wildlife, including harvested game, can be emailed to the New Mexico Department of Wildlife at ispa@dgf.nm.gov. Interactive Infested Zone Map: Hunters traveling with livestock The [...]

Sep 21, 2026|

Attention Valle Vidal Hunters: Prescribed Burn Notice

This message is being shared with you at the request of our partners at the Carson National Forest. Taking advantage of cooler temperatures, shorter days and recent moisture, Carson National Forest fire crews are looking to implement two prescribed fires for the first half of the fall on the western side of the Valle Vidal. The exact timing of each will depend on specific wind, weather and fuel moisture conditions. Crews will be preparing the area in advance of the burns and patrolling during and after ignitions. Hunters should plan for smoke in the air. Please visit Carson National Forest’s website for more information. Regular fire helps restore the ecosystem and can reduce the threat of a catastrophic wildfire severely affecting the recently restored population of Rio Grande cutthroat trout, a project more than 20 years in the making. It also helps wildlife and local producers, and maintains productive [...]

Sep 18, 2026|

Attention Hunters: New Mexico needs your help to be on the lookout for New World screwworm

New World screwworm detected in New Mexico – Hunters are asked to help On Sept. 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new case of New World screwworm (NWS) that has been detected near Mimbres, New Mexico. Individuals that are hunting in the area are asked to help reduce the spread of NWS. Here is how you can help: Suspect NWS when you see a live or very recently (within a few hours) dead animal with:   ➤ Maggots/larvae in a wound ➤ White egg packets on or around a wound ➤ Foul or rotting odor associated with a wound Pay particular attention during periods when wildlife are more likely to sustain wounds, including rut, fighting among males, breeding activity, antler growth, velvet shedding, antler casting, birthing season and newborn animals with umbilical wounds. If you see suspected NWS: Take a GPS location. If it is a [...]

Sep 17, 2026|

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