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News2026-07-08T12:45:50-06:00

NMDOW News

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Calling all birders: Join the 2026 New Mexico Birding Big Year Contest!

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites birders statewide to participate in the 2026 Birding Big Year Contest, a friendly competition to identify as many bird species as possible in New Mexico between January 1 and December 31. "New Mexico has the fourth-highest bird diversity, in terms of overall species, in the nation," Curt Coffman, Assistant Chief of Education, said of the contest. "Bird watching has become very popular and is a great way to introduce people to the incredible natural areas found throughout New Mexico. We hope to see a wide variety of individuals participate in the Birding Big Year, including teens, beginners and the most seasoned bird watchers." Participants ages 13 and up, from beginners to advanced, are encouraged to join, submit sightings through eBird and connect with a growing community of wildlife enthusiasts. Participants will be separated into three age groups: [...]

Dec 22, 2025|

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 NM Birding Big Year 2nd Quarterly Leaderboard For a full list of the leaderboard, follow this link. 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 [...]

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|
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