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

NMDGF News

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Department reminds New Mexicans to keep holiday decorations wildlife-friendly

SANTA FE – Once Thanksgiving is over, many New Mexicans take the opportunity to decorate their homes for the holidays. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish would like to remind the public as they prepare to hang up those colorful strands of light and bring that inflatable Santa Claus out of storage to ensure that their holiday decorations do not pose a safety hazard to wildlife that may become entangled. Some tips to keep wildlife safe this holiday season include: Consider placing decorations on the inside of windows. Consider restricting outdoor decorations to those areas immediately around your house. If possible, consider having outdoor decorations that are firmly attached to door/window frames. Avoid placing outdoor decorations in areas around your home or yard that wildlife frequently visit or use as a travel corridor. Avoid using outdoor decorations with a net or closed circle design. String lighting should [...]

Dec 16, 2025|

New Mexico Birding Big Year Contest

Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026 Join birders across the Land of Enchantment for the 2026 New Mexico Birding Big Year! This year-long competition challenges participants to identify as many bird species as possible within the state between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31. Open to birders of all ages and skill levels, the contest promotes wildlife appreciation, conservation awareness and community among New Mexico’s birding enthusiasts. June Quarterly Update April Quarterly Update!! Participation Guidelines for the 2026 New Mexico Birding Big Year competition Participants must register via the online form on or before April 1 to be part of the 2026 New Mexico Big Year. Any questions can be emailed to DGF-WildlifeEd@dgf.nm.gov. Participants must read and abide by the set of rules governing the competition (see below). These rules are adapted from the American Birding Association Recording Rules and Interpretations and include the Code of Birding [...]

Nov 25, 2025|

Beer Battered Walleye

By Dela Joyner As summer winds down and the crisp air of fall sets in, it’s the perfect time to make the most of your summer catch. This Beer Battered Walleye recipe from The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish brings just the right amount of spice to the table. With only a few simple ingredients; fresh walleye from one of our state’s renowned fisheries, and a side of good company, you’ll have a flavorful dish ready in just 20 minutes. Serving three, this quick and zesty recipe pairs perfectly with potatoes or seasonal veggies, making it a great way to savor the last warm days with family and friends. Ingredients: 1 pound walleye fillets, deboned, skinned ½ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference) ½ tablespoon garlic powder ½ tablespoon paprika 1 teaspoon seasoned salt ¾ cup beer (can be non-alcoholic or [...]

Nov 24, 2025|

Why YY?

Stocking YY brook trout in the Rio Bonito requires Department staff to hike through Lincoln National Forest with a bucket of fish. By Melissa Garnett Fish don’t usually hike up mountains, but on the backs of conservation officers and fish biologists from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, they travel to picturesque habitat upstream of Bonito Lake near Ruidoso. These YY brook trout – so named because they have two Y chromosomes – are finishing their long journey. Originally, from a hatchery in Idaho as eggs, they traveled to the Department’s Los Ojos Fish Hatchery, located south of Chama where they incubates, hatched and start grow. They were then loaded on a truck bound for the Rio Bonito near Ruidoso, where they will live as part of the Departments long-term effort to restore Rio Grande cutthroat trout. The Department has been stocking YY brook trout since 2018 [...]

Nov 24, 2025|

Wildlife for Everyone: Experiencing the elk rut in the Valles Caldera

Participants in the Wildlife for Everyone event enjoyed the opportunity to view elk in the Valles Caldera in October. By Dela Joyner When the leaves of the aspens start to turn into gold, a familiar sound can be heard through the Valles Caldera. This sound is the bugling of a bull elk. The landscape was once home to a volcano and it is one of New Mexico’s most iconic locations. This seasonal display has drawn wildlife enthusiasts, outdoorsmen and women to the National Preserve from across the nation for years. The elk were out roaming in the Valles Caldera during the Wildlife for Everyone event. This year, the park had a group of special guests, marking the first “Wildlife for Everyone.” This event is a partnership between the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the National Park Service and Be the Blessing:The Richard Montoya Organization. The Department hosted [...]

Nov 20, 2025|

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