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

NMDGF News

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Portions of Southern New Mexico border listed as National Defense Area

Attention Hunters: Along New Mexico's southern border, the US Army has designated areas as National Defense Area (NDA). The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has been working with the US Army to allow recreational and licensed hunters access to these areas. Below is a screenshot of the affected area; note the Department of Defense areas, shown in pink, in Hidalgo, Luna and Dona Ana Counties. The Bureau of Land Management has provided an interactive map of the NDA. As a result of the Department's efforts, the US Army has developed a protocol for hunters wishing to access the NDA. If you plan on hunting on any of the land designated in the NDA, please read the US Army's memorandum here. Hunters will need to submit information for a visitor access badge and pass a background check. Upon receipt of a visitor access badge, individuals will need to follow the guidelines in the US Army's [...]

Sep 5, 2025|

Department resumes debit, credit card sales; resolves payment processing system and online license sales issues

SANTA FE – Issues affecting the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish's payment processing system have been resolved, allowing the Department to process credit and debit cards for license and permit purchases. Licenses and permits can now be purchased in-person using debit or credit cards at Department offices and vendors statewide, as well as through the Department's online licensing system. "We appreciate our customers' patience," Department director Mike Sloane said. "We know this situation was inconvenient and frustrating for our customers, and we sincerely apologize. We also want to reassure our customers that none of their data was exposed as a result of these issues." On Aug. 29, the Department's payment processing system suffered a bot attack that caused the shutdown of the online licensing system. As a result, customers were unable to use debit or credit cards to purchase licenses or permits. The Department's security team was able to quickly identify the bot [...]

Sep 4, 2025|

Game Warden Recruit Hiring Fall 2025

Job Announcement Information September 3rd: Job Announcement Opens October 18th: Job Announcement Closes The Selection Process November 1st-2nd: Physical Pre-Assessment Testing (see physical standards below 6,000 feet) and Wildlife Written Exam (see sample test for study tips): Albuquerque November 3rd-4th: Formal interviews: Albuquerque December 1st-2nd: Pre-employment Background Investigation (if applicant passed physical pre-assessment testing): Albuquerque December 3rd: Psychological Examination (if selected to continue the process): Albuquerque December 4th: Body Armor fitting (if given a conditional job offer): Albuquerque December 5th: Medical Examination (if selected to continue the process): Albuquerque Game and Fish Warden Recruit (DGF #40869+) Pay Band C4Scan or click for job post on SPO.Salary Employees hired in this role will be placed at $25.205 per hour ($52,426 annually) for their first year of training. Upon completion of Recruit Training, officers will be placed in their district at a starting rate of $27.87310 per hour ($57,976 annually).Why does [...]

Sep 4, 2025|

Payment Processing Issue Affects Online License Sales

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has experienced a BOT attack, which has caused the Department to shut down its online payment processing system. This affects all credit and debit card transactions for license and permit purchases.  During this time, customers will be unable to purchase licenses or permits with a credit card through the Department's online system. We are working diligently to resolve this technical issue and will provide an update as soon as possible. In the interim, we have a solution to ensure our customers can still get out into the field and enjoy New Mexico’s outdoors. All NMDGF licenses and permits can be purchased with cash at any of our approved vendor locations across the state. Many vendors are also able to take credit cards. Approved Hunting License Vendors can be found here.  We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and [...]

Aug 29, 2025|

Game Commission to meet Aug. 28

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a virtual meeting at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.  The full agenda, and other information, will soon be available on the Department of Game and Fish website. If you are interested in participating or providing comments 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 Wheeler Brunschmid at 505-670-5453 or wheeler.brunschmid@dgf.nm.gov. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.

Aug 20, 2025|

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