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News2026-05-22T16:53:06-06:00

NMDGF News

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Mexican wolf population count complete

Count reveals more than 300 individuals in the wild SANTA FE — The Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team has completed the annual population count and documented the population increased to a minimum of 319 at the end of 2025, which is up from the minimum count of 286 in 2024. This is a consistent growth pattern for more than a decade.   The importance of this data is that this moves the recovery program one step closer to getting to the point that will support the downlisting of the Mexican wolf and development of a 4(d) rule under the ESA (Endangered Species Act). Implementation of a 4(d) rule would add greater flexibility in implementing management actions intended to reduce conflict while continuing recovery of the subspecies to the point of delisting.   The goal of every recovery program is to use the best scientific criteria to recover a species, so [...]

Feb 25, 2026|

Department seeks public comment on proposed rule changes regarding game species

SANTA FE – Members of the public will have opportunities to provide input as the New Mexico Department of Wildlife shapes its proposals for potential changes to several game species rules. Meetings will be held next month in: Albuquerque: Wednesday, March 11, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Department's Northwest Area office (7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque) Las Cruces: Thursday, March 12, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Department's Southwest Area office (2713 E. Northrise Dr., Las Cruces). The meetings will include information on proposed changes to the rules governing hunting for deer, elk, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, oryx, ibex, bighorn sheep, javelina, turkey and migratory birds. The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the proposals. If you are unable to attend these meetings in person, the Department offers virtual attendance via Zoom. Click here to register for the March 11 meeting or here to register for the March [...]

Feb 25, 2026|

Department seeks public comment regarding hybrid striped bass stocking at Elephant Butte State Park

SANTA FE – Members of the public will have an opportunity to provide input next month as the New Mexico Department of Wildlife is proposing to stock hybrid striped bass, also known as wipers, into Elephant Butte Reservoir. The Department will hold a public meeting in the Boat Training Building at Elephant Butte Lake State Park (7 Ridge Road, Elephant Butte) from 6-7 p.m. on March 5. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting to learn about the proposal and provide comments. Those who are unable to attend the meeting in person may also provide comment by email at DGF-Fisheries-Management-Comment@dgf.nm.gov or by mail: New Mexico Department of Wildlife, Attn: Elephant Butte Hybrid Striped Bass, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507. The Department will accept written comments until March 18.

Feb 24, 2026|

State Game Commission to meet Feb. 20 in Roswell

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting starting at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at the New Mexico Department of Wildlife Southeast Area Office, 1615 W. College Blvd., Roswell, NM 88201. The full agenda, and other information, will be available on the Department of Wildlife 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 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, [...]

Feb 6, 2026|

Monastery Lake closed to fishing due to unsafe ice conditions

PECOS, N.M. – Monastery Lake has been closed to fishing until further notice due to unsafe ice conditions. Ice fishing is not allowed at Monastery Lake. The lake, which is leased through the Department's Open Gate program, is located at the Benedictine Monastery just north of Pecos. A layer of ice has formed on the lake, prompting the closure. The closure will be lifted when there are sufficient open areas of water available to allow fishing from the bank. Anglers can find good winter trout fishing in the Albuquerque area drains, at Tingley Beach and at other fishing waters throughout the state. Visit our website for more information on trout species, the weekly fishing report, a list of convenient fishing locations and fish stocking reports.

Jan 30, 2026|

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