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NMDGF News

For Hunter Education classes, please see Hunter Education Course Schedule and for the Hunter Educator Workshops schedule please see Hunter Educator Instructor.

2023-2024 Bighorn Sheep Hunting Forecast

Bighorn sheep hunting opportunities are highly coveted throughout North America. Bighorn sheep are not as widespread or abundant as the other big-game species because populations are often restricted to the most rugged habitats. New Mexico offers the opportunity to hunt both desert bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep subspecies and success rates average between 90-100%. The availability of a limited number of ewe licenses provides another pathway to hunt this unique and incredible animal. Hunters who draw a bighorn sheep license, and their hunting party, consider it to be a pinnacle hunting experience in their lifetimes. Below is the 2023-2024 bighorn sheep hunting forecast presented by bighorn sheep herd: Pecos Type: Alpine (>12,000 ft); Difficulty: High; Trophy Potential: High; Population estimate: 380-420 The Pecos bighorn sheep continue to thrive and consistently boast strong bighorn hunting opportunity in terms of both quality and quantity. They reside primarily on U.S. [...]

Pronóstico de caza del borrego cimarrón 2023-2024

Las oportunidades de caza del borrego cimarrón son muy codiciadas en toda América del Norte. El borrego cimarrón no está tan extendido ni es tan abundante como las otras especies de caza mayor porque las poblaciones a menudo están restringidas a los hábitats más escabrosos. Nuevo México ofrece la oportunidad de cazar tanto las subespecies del borrego cimarrón del desierto como el borrego cimarrón de las Montañas Rocosas y las tasas de éxito promedian entre el 90 y el 100%. La disponibilidad de un número limitado de licencias para borregas proporciona otra vía para cazar a este animal único y increíble. Los cazadores que sacan una licencia de borrego cimarrón, y su partida de caza, la consideran una experiencia de caza pináculo en sus vidas. A continuación, se muestra el pronóstico de caza del borrego cimarrón 2023-2024 presentado por el rebaño de borrego cimarrón: Pecos Tipo: Alpino (>12,000 pies); [...]

January 12 Commission Meeting Postponed

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JANUARY 11, 2023: January 12 Commission Meeting Postponed SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, January 12, in Santa Fe has been postponed due to an illness and family emergency. The department will issue a revised meeting notice once the meeting is rescheduled. At that time, the revised agenda, location address, attendee information and additional information will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website. ###

CANCELED Game Commission to meet Jan. 12

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866 Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027 darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JAN. 6, 2023: **CANCELED** Game Commission to meet Jan. 12 The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, at State Records and Archives in Santa Fe. The full agenda, location address, attendee information and additional information are 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. More information, including how to join the meeting by phone, will be available on the Department's website. 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 [...]

50th anniversary of Hunter Training Act

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: 888-248-6866 Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027 darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, DEC. 29, 2022: 50th anniversary of Hunter Training Act SANTA FE – The state's first mandatory hunter education law — the Hunter Training Act — turned 50 this year. The act has served a major role in ensuring the safety of hunters and hunting activities since its inception. The New Mexico State Legislature passed the Hunter Training Act in 1972. This act allowed the State Game Commission to adopt regulations requiring all hunters born after Jan. 1, 1958 to complete a hunter education course and possess a certificate in order to hunt with or shoot a firearm. The law originally required hunter education in order to shoot a firearm under any circumstance, even in a supervised program or on a certified range. The law was amended in 1976 to limit [...]

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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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