Hunting News
The latest hunting news and press releases, including important reminders for the current hunting season, from the New Mexico Department of Wildlife. See additional wildlife news in Conservation News. Department-wide news can be found under Home → NMDOW News.
Deer, elk and exotics hunting rules topic of public meetings
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 26, 2022: Deer, elk and exotics hunting rules topic of public meetings SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the deer, elk and exotics (Barbary sheep, oryx, Persian ibex) rules which opened at the State Game Commission meeting on April 11, 2022. For deer, the Department is seeking input on adjustments to license numbers and hunt dates and adding some new hunt opportunities. Additionally, the Department is proposing creating an October youth hunt in GMUs 2A and 2B and moving the majority of licenses out of the current November hunt period. For elk, the Department is seeking input on creating several new hunt opportunities, “Primary Management Zone” expansion in some southwestern GMUs, designating GMUs 34 and [...]
Fire restrictions implemented statewide; Game and Fish patrolling Commission properties
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 22, 2022: Fire restrictions implemented statewide; Game and Fish patrolling Commission properties SANTA FE – With incidences of wildfires increasing daily, the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) Forestry Division announced restrictions on fireworks, smoking, campfires and open fires in New Mexico. The restrictions are in effect as of 12:00 p.m. today, Friday, April 22, 2022. The Forestry Division will continue to coordinate with other jurisdictions including federal, counties and municipalities to ensure that appropriate protections are in place to protect New Mexico as fire danger and wildfires increase. The Department of Game and Fish will follow guidelines initiated by the State Forestry Division for Game Commission-owned properties across the state. Commission-owned properties will also follow the same restrictions or closures in place [...]
Turkey rule and delisting topic of public meeting
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 12, 2022: Turkey rule and delisting topic of public meeting SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will hold hybrid public meetings and request public comments on the Turkey Rule and Gould’s turkey delisting. All three public meetings will be held in person, while two of the meetings will be available virtually. Biologists will provide a presentation at the meetings and allow time for questions and comments. The meetings will cover: The proposed changes to the Turkey Rule (19.31.16 NMAC) The recommendation to remove Gould’s turkey (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana) from the state list of threatened and endangered species. Both items were opened for consideration at the April 11, 2022, State Game Commission meeting in Santa Fe. The Department will hold public meetings [...]
New Mexico Trapping Statute Goes into Effect April 1
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 30, 2022: New Mexico Trapping Statute Goes into Effect April 1 SANTA FE – Legislation passed in 2021 making trapping on public lands illegal, with few exceptions, goes into effect this Friday, April 1. This new statute, titled the Wildlife Conservation and Public Safety Act (17-11-1 through 17-11-5 NMSA), makes the use of “a trap, snare or wildlife poison for the purposes of capturing, injuring or killing an animal on public land…” unlawful. Public land is defined as “state-owned land, state-leased land, lands held in trust by the state, lands administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Forest Service, the Federal Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the United States Department of Defense, State Parks and any county or [...]
Migratory game bird rule topic of public meeting
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 24, 2022: Migratory game bird rule topic of public meeting SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird rule. The proposals will be available on the Department’s website following the State Game Commission meeting on Mar. 4. To gather public comments, one virtual public meeting will be conducted via Zoom, March 10 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Use this link to join the virtual Zoom meeting. Or enter the following in your Zoom client: Meeting ID: 889 0744 4535 Passcode: 803351. To join the meeting by phone please dial 1-346-248-7799. You will be prompted to enter the Webinar ID: 889 0744 4535 and Passcode: 803351. Presentation slides will be posted to the Department’s [...]