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

NMDOW News

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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|

Wildlife law violation checkpoints start for hunting, fishing seasons

SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is conducting checkpoints throughout the state this hunting season to collect biological data and to detect wildlife law violations.  As a result, the public may encounter minor delays. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff's offices. Please report any wildlife crime or suspected crime that you may observe while enjoying New Mexico's great outdoors. To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll-free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn cash rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations can also be reported online at Operation Game Thief.

Aug 8, 2025|

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|
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