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Governor signs law defining rules for OHV use on paved roads

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 11, 2017: Governor signs law defining rules for OHV use on paved roads SANTA FE – Riders of off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) soon will have specific laws to follow when driving on paved New Mexico public roads, as stated in legislation signed by Governor Susana Martinez. Senate Bill 51, sponsored by state Sen. Steven Neville, allows OHVs to be used on paved roads designated by city or state government officials, provided that the vehicle is equipped with legal headlights, taillights, mirrors and mufflers. OHVs that are driven on paved public roads also must have special license plates, issued by the Motor Vehicle Department for $7. The new legislation takes effect July 1, 2017. It requires OHV operators who ride on paved roads to have valid New [...]

Trophy poachers face stiffer fines, increased jail time

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 7, 2017: Trophy poachers face stiffer fines, increased jail time SANTA FE – Trophy poachers who kill bighorn sheep, ibex, oryx, Barbary sheep, elk, deer or pronghorn antelope without a license or out of season just for the head or horns face increased fines and jail times if convicted. Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation that elevates the crime of wasting game from a misdemeanor to a felony, which upon conviction carries a maximum prison sentence of 18 months and a fine of $5,000. Convicted felons also no longer would be able to hunt with a firearm. As a felony, the statute of limitations on wasted game cases increases from two to five years. Out-of-state suspects in such cases also could face extradition under the new [...]

USFWS approves N.M.’s State Wildlife Action Plan

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 7, 2017: USFWS approves N.M.'s State Wildlife Action Plan SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish received notice the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially approved New Mexico’s State Wildlife Action Plan on Wednesday. The plan was approved by the New Mexico State Game Commission last November and was submitted to federal administrators resulting in an initial release of $812,000 in State Wildlife Grant Program (SWG) funds and qualifies the department to continue receiving annual funds through 2025. New Mexico’s State Wildlife Action Plan is a non-regulatory, science-based planning document that provides an inventory of species throughout the state in need of conservation, their habitats, potential threats and potential conservation actions. The department will use the plan to guide the preparation of [...]

Game wardens rescue snowbound motorists

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 31, 2017: Game wardens rescue snowbound motorists SANTA FE – Game wardens rescued three men stranded in the mountains of northern New Mexico with no food or water after their truck got stuck in the snow on a remote forest road. The men had gone for a drive in the nearby Santa Fe National Forest after attending a funeral March 27 in Abiquiu, said Conservation Officer Wyatt Harwell. The weather was warm and sunny when the men, one from California, another from Arizona and the third from Abiquiu, set out in a two-wheel-drive Dodge pickup truck. The group drove out of Abiquiu and into the forest on Polvadera Road, intending to emerge at the village of Cañones and return home on a paved highway. The dirt [...]

Fishing season begins April 1; don’t forget your new license

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 30, 2017: Fishing season begins April 1; don't forget your new license SANTA FE – A new fishing season is approaching fast, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish would like to remind anglers to purchase a 2017-18 fishing license when they go on sale opening day, Saturday, April 1. Licenses can be purchased 24 hours a day on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, during business hours at department offices and license vendors statewide, or by calling the department Information Center, (888) 248-6866. For anglers’ convenience, Information Center phone lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 1, giving everyone a chance to purchase a license on opening day. The fishing license year runs April 1 to March 31. [...]

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