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

NMDGF News

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Department, BCI partner to improve bat habitat at Double E

The lesser long-nosed bat is one of several bat species that feeds on the flowers of Palmer’s agave as they migrate from south-central Mexico through the southwestern United States. By Jennifer D'Annibale The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) Share with Wildlife program has partnered with Bat Conservation International (BCI) to monitor and improve habitat for nectar-feeding bats on the Double E Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Double E WMA is on the southwest edge of the Gila National Forest outside of Gila, New Mexico. The Double E WMA consists of large cottonwood and sycamore trees lining Bear Creek, but also has many acres of higher-elevation pinyon juniper hills. In 2020, Department habitat biologist Jennifer D’Annibale officially documented a large, dense patch of Palmer’s agave (Agave palmeri), an important nectar source for nectar-feeding bats, on the Double E WMA. This photo sparked interest from multiple nectar-feeding bat [...]

Nov 18, 2025|

Department announces New Mexico Fish Art Contest

Youth in grades K-12 can submit artwork through Jan. 31 Submission by Steven Ju (Grade 7-9 Division, Georgia) SANTA FE — New Mexico students in grades K-12 are invited to take part in the Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish in conjunction with Wildlife Forever. Fish are an integral part of New Mexico’s diverse ecosystems, providing vital support to local biodiversity and contributing to the health of rivers, lakes and streams. From the prized native trout of the Rio Grande to the colorful bass that inhabit the state’s reservoir, fish play an essential role in maintaining the balance of aquatic environments. For many New Mexicans, fishing is not only a cherished pastime, but also a way to connect with nature, support local economies and preserve cultural traditions. Through the Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, participants can [...]

Nov 7, 2025|

Game Commission to meet Nov. 7

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting starting at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at the Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central Ave., Los Alamos, NM 87544. The full agenda, and other information, will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website. If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will be a live webcast on the Department's website. If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.

Oct 24, 2025|

Hunters encouraged to stay informed and be on the lookout for New World Screwworm

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact only, Information Center: 888-248-6866, ispa@dgf.nm.gov Media contact only, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov New Mexico Department of Agriculture Media contact, Jenny Green: 575-202-4249; jgreen@nmda.nmsu.edu New Mexico Livestock BoardContact, Samantha Holeck, DVM, State Veterinarian: 505-841-6161; samantha.holeck@nmlb.nm.gov SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, New Mexico Department of Agriculture and New Mexico Livestock Board are encouraging hunters to help prevent the spread of New World screwworm among wildlife, livestock, pets and people. New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a foreign animal disease and poses a serious threat. The fly’s larvae infest open wounds, where they feed on living tissue. The New World screwworm (NWS) was eradicated from the United States decades ago, but recent detections in Mexico pose a risk of northward spread. At this time, it has not been detected [...]

Oct 16, 2025|

Keep wildlife wild – Feeding wildlife puts you and others at risk

Most people mean well when they feed wildlife. What many don’t realize is that feeding wildlife is bad for the animals and dangerous for people. It’s also against the law in New Mexico if it creates a nuisance for you or someone else. There are many reasons feeding wildlife is a bad idea and creating a nuisance is just one. Banner: Bears can be attracted to neighborhoods by bird feeders, which should be put away in the spring when bears become active. Feeding Deer Can Attract Unwanted Guests While putting out food for animals such as deer seems harmless, feeding wildlife can do more harm than good because when you attract deer, you are also attracting other wildlife. Deer are the primary prey of mountain lions. Concentrating deer by feeding them can attract mountain lions. The more these predators are around humans, the more they become less [...]

Oct 15, 2025|

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