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NMDGF News

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2023-2024 Turkey Hunting Forecast

Turkey populations appear to be entering a period of decline in New Mexico after several years of breeding-season drought. Turkey populations are highly influenced by precipitation and such a decline is anticipated given the drought; numbers respond quickly when the rains return. Spring moisture is important to create food sources for chicks, which need forbs (leafy plants) and insects for survival. Statewide drought conditions make it likely that turkey production has been low in each of the regions. Adult turkeys typically have low mortality rates, with fair mast crops and generally mild winters leading to decent overwinter survival. Some local areas still have very strong numbers of birds, but statewide, numbers appear to be down. Hunter harvest-success rates are never very high in New Mexico. Overall spring hunter harvest success rates from 2019-2021 ranged from 21% to 26%. Turkey license sales have increased during the past five years, resulting [...]

Pronóstico de caza del pavo 2023-2024

Las poblaciones de pavos parecen estar entrando en un período de disminución en Nuevo México después de varios años de sequía en la temporada reproductiva. Las poblaciones de pavos están mus influenciadas por las precipitaciones y se anticipa tal disminución dada la sequía; los números responden rápidamente cuando vuelven las lluvias. La humedad primaveral es importante para crear fuentes de alimento para los pavitos, que necesitan plantas frondosas e insectos para sobrevivir. Las condiciones de sequía en todo el estado hacen probable que la producción de pavo haya sido baja en cada una de las regiones. Los pavos adultos suelen tener bajas tasas de mortalidad, con cosechas de mástil aceptables e inviernos generalmente templados que conducen a una supervivencia decente durante el invierno. Algunas áreas locales todavía tienen un gran número de aves, pero en todo el estado, el número parece haber disminuido. Las tasas de éxito de la [...]

2023-2024 Pronghorn Hunting Forecast

New Mexico offers world-class pronghorn hunting opportunities throughout the state and is considered a premier hunting destination with many trophy bucks harvested throughout the years. In 2021, the latest data available, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish sold 6,857 licenses resulting in 4,655 bucks and 282 does harvested. Average reported hunt success, across all weapons and license types, was 70%. Annual success rates for pronghorn hunts in New Mexico typically range from 70-80%. Pronghorn population trends are largely driven by survival rates of adult females and fawns. Precipitation and predation impact pronghorn populations greatly. The department monitors pronghorn herds using a combination of aerial fixed-wing surveys and hunter harvest reports to provide meaningful population and harvest management recommendations. Fawn-to-doe ratios are used to monitor population productivity and trajectory, and buck-to-doe ratios help determine hunting opportunities. Poorly timed and confined rainfall throughout most pronghorn distributions have led to [...]

Pronóstico de caza del berrendo 2023-2024

Nuevo México ofrece oportunidades de caza de berrendo de clase mundial en todo el estado y se considera un destino de caza de primer nivel con muchos machos de trofeo cosechados a lo largo de los años. En 2021, según los últimos datos disponibles, el Departamento de Caza y Pesca de Nuevo México vendió 6,857 licencias, lo que resultó en la cosecha de 4,655 machos y 282 hembras. El éxito promedio de caza reportado, en todas las armas y tipos de licencia, fue del 70%. Las tasas anuales de éxito de la caza de berrendos en Nuevo México suelen oscilar entre el 70 y 80%. Las tendencias de la población de berrendos están impulsadas en gran medida por las tasas de supervivencia de hembras adultas y crías. La precipitación y la depredación tienen un gran impacto en las poblaciones de berrendos. El departamento monitorea los rebaños de berrendos utilizado [...]

2023-2024 Elk Hunting Forecast

New Mexico offers world-class elk hunting opportunities throughout the state and is considered a premier hunting destination. It is known for productive elk herds across diverse landscapes, and hunting access through both public-draw and private- landowner tags. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish offers many hunting opportunities on both public and private properties through rifle, muzzleloader or archery hunting options. Between 2017 and 2021, an average of 37,282 licenses were sold to hunters resulting in average harvests of 8,404 bulls and 6,428 cows each year. Average reported hunt success, across all weapons and license types, was 41.1% annually. Elk population trends are largely driven by survival rates of adult females and calves. Adult males are certainly important for elk populations, but proportionally fewer males does not reduce the reproductive potential of the population due primarily to the ability of a single bull to sire many calves. Weather, [...]

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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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