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NMDGF News

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Leftover draw licenses on sale June 28

SANTA FE – A total of 564 deer licenses not issued during the 2023-2024 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 28, through the Department’s Online License System. New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses for the first 24 hours of the first-come, first-served sale. If any licenses remain after the first 24 hours, the sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. June 29. Important note for youth hunters: Because these are draw licenses, purchasing a license will render youth hunters ineligible to purchase a youth encouragement elk license for the first 14 days of the upcoming sale in July. To buy a leftover license, hunters must possess a 2023-2024 Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing license. Hunters may buy the Game Hunting license, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the Over-The-Counter (OTC) [...]

Wildlife law violation checkpoints start for hunting, fishing seasons

The Department of Game and Fish will conduct checkpoints throughout the state this summer 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. As a reminder, the 2023-2024 hunting and fishing season began April 1. All hunters and anglers are required to purchase a new license before hunting and fishing. Guides and outfitters are also reminded that new registration is required. 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 also [...]

Special military and veteran oryx and pronghorn hunts opening June 14

SANTA FE – Three special military and veteran drawing opportunities for oryx and pronghorn will open today, June 14. Oryx hunts for injured military service members on White Sands Missile Range: Injured military service members can apply online starting June 14 for one of up to 10 special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range. Applicants must be veterans of the U.S. military with a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran’s Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Significantly injured, active-duty military members who do not have a VA disability rating also may apply. Pronghorn hunts for resident Purple Heart recipients on Melrose Air Force Base: Resident Purple Heart recipients are eligible to apply for one of up to five special pronghorn authorizations on Melrose Air Force Base. Pronghorn hunts for New Mexico active-duty military on Melrose Air Force Base: Active-duty military [...]

Governor’s Special Hunt Auction Online for 2023

New Mexico – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, pursuant to 2007 legislation, has authorized the auctioning of eight big-game hunts to benefit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF). NMDGF has partnered with New Mexico Ducks Unlimited (DU) to offer the New Mexico Governor’s Special Hunt Auction 2023 Online. Funds from the public auction support the Game Protection Fund and are used solely for NMDGF mission-related projects and programs. The eight packages offered this year are up for auction now and will close on June 30 at 8 p.m. The hunts this year include: Exotics Hunt Package including an either-sex oryx license and either-sex barbary sheep license. Coues deer license in Game Management Units (GMUs) 23, 24, 26, or 27. Elk license in GMUs 34 or 36. Elk license in GMUs 16 A-E. Elk license in GMU 55A Valle Vidal. Mule deer license in GMU 2. Mule deer license in [...]

Dec. 10, 2013: Special youth waterfowl hunts at Bernardo Waterfowl Area Snowmobilers reminded to register their machines before heading out this year
Dec. 9, 2013: Information sought in Alamogordo deer poaching case
Dec. 4, 2013: Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting, fishing seasons
Nov. 26, 2013: Shikar-Safari Club honors Ben Byrd as Wildlife Officer of the Year
Nov. 1, 2013: Salmon snagging season opens Nov. 8 at Heron Lake
Oct. 30, 2013: Department of Game and Fish Assistant Director R.J. Kirkpatrick steps in as director
Oct. 24, 2013: Five-state plan to protect lesser prairie chicken endorsed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Fishing bag limits, tackle restrictions lifted on Santa Fe River Oct. 22, 2013: Toxic algae likely cause of northeastern NM elk deaths
Oct. 17, 2013: First New Mexican harvests desert bighorn sheep since delisting
Oct. 15, 2013: Late-season archery elk licenses available Oct. 30 in online sale
Sept. 27, 2013: Department to engage U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in wolf recovery program
Sept. 23, 2013: >Fish for free Saturday, Sept. 28; celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day at Fenton Lake State Park >Expect roadblocks statewide during fall hunting, fishing seasons >Game and Fish seeks citizen participation in Habitat Stamp Program
Sept. 17, 2013: Trophy bull elk found dead, poaching suspected
Sept. 10, 2013: Game and Fish sports new look this year at the State Fair
Sept. 6, 2013: Public comments sought on BLM unitization agreement
Aug. 30, 2013: Hunting seasons open Sunday, Sept. 1, across New Mexico
Aug. 28, 2013: Department investigating deaths of 100 elk in northeastern N.M.
Aug. 27, 2013: Applications open Wednesday, Aug. 28, for special bird-hunting permits
Aug. 21, 2013: State Game Commission to meet Thursday in Grants
Aug. 13, 2013: Free outdoor fun: Learn to shoot, fish and more at Outdoor Expo
Aug. 12, 2013: Bear-trap saboteur endangering neighbors in Sandia Heights
Aug. 7, 2013: Two Game Commission properties in Pecos Canyon to reopen
Aug. 7, 2013: >Partnership nourishes Rio Grande cutthroat trout habitat >Taos Young Guns recognized for outstanding sportsmanship
July 30, 2013: Lake Roberts dam improvements to begin soon
July 29, 2013: Department information and education efforts win national awards
July 26, 2013: Sportsmen’s organizations join Department fight against Terk injunction
July 24, 2013: Raton dumpster bear escapes narrow encounter with power pole
July 22, 2013: Biologists find oldest endangered Jemez Mountains salamander
July 17, 2013: Wild babies usually don’t need to be rescued, even during a drought
July 12, 2013: Department, Cibola National Forest do not support supplementally feeding bears
July 11, 2013: Freshly stocked with trout, Monastery Lake will reopen for fishing Friday
July 8, 2013: >Young boys help rescue rare Mexican spotted owl >Department officers recognized for dedicated service
July 1, 2013: >Bear attracted by birdfeeders ruins camping trip, dies >Trophy deer poacher ordered to donate $1,000 to Operation Game Thief >Three-time poacher sentenced to 364 days in jail
June 28, 2013: Meetings will address proposed changes to fishing rules
June 27, 2013: More than 2,000 youth elk licenses for sale beginning July 10
June 18, 2013: State agencies, nonprofit join forces to provide water to N.M. wildlife during drought
June 17, 2013: Department biologists receive prestigious ‘Recovery Champions’ awards
June 14, 2013: Director, senator aides discuss Department opposition to Valles Caldera legislation
June 13, 2013: Leftover deer, javelina licenses go on sale at 10 a.m. June 26
June 11, 2013: Habitat Stamp funds assist recovery of hornshell mussel, gray redhorse
June 5, 2013: >Bear enters house, attacks elderly woman >Native Rio Grande cutthroat trout rescued from Tres Lagunas Fire area
May 31, 2013: Game Commission Pecos properties closed due to fire
May 29, 2013: State hunter education teams ready to face the ‘Challenge’
May 21, 2013: State Game Commission to meet Thursday, May 23, in Roswell
May 14, 2013: Game and Fish asks court to vacate Terk decision
May 8, 2013: Planning to visit a Game Commission property? Don’t forget your license or GAIN permit
May 3, 2013: >Fire restrictions coming to state lands; >Game and Fish patrolling Commission properties
May 1, 2013: Department biologists recognized for Gila trout rescue efforts
April 19, 2013: Quick draw! Big-game hunting application results available Friday
April 17, 2013: Bear trapped in trash compaction truck
April 4, 2013: Governor signs bill extending license revocations for poaching
April 3, 2013: Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting and fishing seasons
April 1, 2013: >Be aware of wildlife, hazards when enjoying outdoors in spring >Citizens committees will meet to recommend Habitat Stamp projects
March 28, 2013: >Fishing season opens April 1; Don’t forget your new license >Draw applicants will receive receipts by e-mail Friday
March 27, 2013: Department biologist receives national conservation award
March 26, 2013: Game and Fish enrolls properties in conservation agreement
March 25, 2013: State Game Commission elects chairman
March 20, 2013: Director initiates investigation into the potential delisting of peregrine falcon from the state list of threatened & endangered species
March 15, 2013: License waiver for fishing events gains Legislature’s approval
March 14, 2013: Governor receives bill to increase poaching penalties
March 7, 2013: Eagle Nest Lake closed to ice fishing
March 6, 2013: Game Commissioner Bidegain confirmed by unanimous vote
March 4, 2013: Big-game hunters: Apply for licenses before March 20 deadline
March 1, 2013: N.M. Senate confirms three State Game Commissioners
Feb. 25, 2013: >Game Commission McClintic remembered for service to sportsmen >NASP Tournament qualifies teams for national event in Kentucky
Feb. 5, 2013: >Get the latest hunting information at Hunting and Fishing Show this weekend >Las Cruces man convicted of illegal hunting >Expect roadblocks during Barbary sheep hunting seasons
Jan. 30, 2013: Aztec officer named Wild Turkey Federation Officer of the Year
Jan. 29, 2013: Large Gila trout to be stocked in Lake Roberts
Jan. 23, 2013: Lesser prairie chicken meetings scheduled
Jan. 18, 2013: Entries sought for 2013 Prairie Chicken Festival poster contest
Jan. 14, 2013: Legislation would make trophy poaching that results in wanton waste a felony
Jan. 11, 2013: Partnership will reopen road to 20,000 acres of public hunting land
Jan. 7, 2013: Ibex hunting licenses offered for Florida Mountains
Jan. 2, 2013: Eagle Nest Lake open to ice fishing

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