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

NMDGF News

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Leftover draw licenses go on sale Aug. 13

SANTA FE – A total of 499 deer licenses left over from the 2025-2026 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT on Wednesday, Aug. 13, through the Department's Online License System. The Department apologizes for the inconvenience caused by the technical difficulties that led to the postponement of the original sale date. The Department greatly appreciates customers' patience through this process. This first-come, first-served sale will only be open to New Mexico residents during the first 24 hours. If any licenses remain after the first 24 hours, the sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. Aug. 14. To buy a leftover license, hunters must possess a 2025-2026 Game Hunting or Game Hunting and Fishing License. Hunters may buy the Game Hunting License, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Licenses, Permits and Stamps link under License Sales 2025. Hunters [...]

Aug 6, 2025|

Research and dens and bears, oh my!

During the final weeks of winter, before the snow melts and a gradual rise in temperature signals a transition into spring, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologists take a calculated risk in the name of science to peek their heads inside bear dens. What they hope to find in these temporary yet carefully manicured shelters is a hibernating American black bear (Ursus americanus). The Department conducts these late-winter den checks to gather crucial data to better understand bear populations in New Mexico. By collecting data like their weight, body condition, DNA samples and the number of cubs born, Game and Fish is trying to paint a data-informed picture of bears in the state. Once data is collected, it will be used for multiple purposes, which range from understanding how ecological surroundings affect their health to making science-based management decisions.Contrary to collecting data in a lab, gathering it from [...]

Aug 6, 2025|

Game Commission to meet Aug 15

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at the Reserve Independent Schools Gymnasium, 24 Mountaineer Rd., Reserve, NM 87830. The full agenda, and other information, is 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.

Aug 1, 2025|

Public meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to meet Aug. 5

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting with the Public Land User (Habitat) Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee. The Citizen Advisory Committee will prioritize project opportunities at this meeting, providing guidance on the expenditure of Habitat Stamp funds. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting. An agenda will be posted on the Public Land User Stamp web page prior to the meeting. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 at 9 a.m. Attend in person at the Department's headquarters, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507 Register in advance to attend virtually A meeting agenda, along with information about how to attend virtually, will be available on the Department webpage. Comments can be provided by emailing PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov; in person at the meeting listed above; or by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Public Land User Stamp, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM [...]

Aug 1, 2025|

State Agencies Swiftly React to Restore Wildlife Habitat After Trout Fire

Reseeding efforts in the Gila National Forest, Grant County, aim to jumpstart regrowth, stabilize soils and support wildlife and watershed recovery.  SILVER CITY, N.M. - In the wake of the Trout Fire in Grant County, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) swiftly reseeded burned areas in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to restore over 1,200 acres of key habitat near the Bear Canyon Lake Wildlife Management Area through targeted reseeding efforts. The state agencies' quick reaction was crucial because the rapid response bypassed the potentially lengthy federal approval process that could have jeopardized seeding efforts due to impending monsoon rains. Located approximately 31 miles northeast of Silver City, the Bear Canyon area was significantly impacted by the wildfire. On July 15-16, 2025, state agencies in collaboration with their federal partners mobilized to help the land heal, spreading a [...]

Jul 25, 2025|

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