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News2026-08-18T08:54:20-06:00

NMDOW 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|

Hunters Helping the Hungry program set to relaunch in New Mexico

SANTA FE — Roadrunner Food Bank, the Food Depot and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are pleased to announce the relaunch of the New Mexico Hunters Helping the Hungry program, a partnership between Roadrunner Food Bank and the Food Depot that enables hunters to donate wild game meat to help feed hungry New Mexicans. Hunters can donate deer, elk, antelope, oryx, ibex or Barbary sheep meat to one of two processors: Honest Processing, located at 945 S. 2nd St. in Raton, or Padilla’s Meat Cutting and Processing, located at 72 Hondo Seco Rd. in Arroyo Hondo. Honest Processing can be reached at 575-779-6612, and Padilla's Meat Cutting and Processing can be reached at 575-776-1233. The processors will then grind and package the meat, which will be collected by Roadrunner Food Bank or the Food Depot for distribution through their pantries and food bank partners. "The program [...]

Nov 19, 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|

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