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.
Special oryx hunts available for injured service members
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 9, 2020: Special oryx hunts available for injured service members SANTA FE — Injured military service members can apply online starting June 17 for an upcoming special drawing to award up to 10 special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range. Applicants must be veterans of the U.S. military with a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran’s Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Significantly injured, active-duty military members who do not have a VA disability rating also may apply. All applicants (except Disabled Veteran card holders) will need to submit supporting documentation to the Department prior to the July 22 application deadline. Proof of eligibility may be emailed to specialhunts@state.nm.us or by postal mail with a postmark [...]
Leftover draw licenses go on sale June 24
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 4, 2020: Leftover draw licenses go on sale June 24 SANTA FE – 711 deer and 56 youth-only pronghorn licenses that were not issued during the annual 2020-2021 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 24, through the Department’s Online License System. New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses for the first 24 hours of the first-come, first-served sale. The sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. June 25. Important note for youth and senior hunters: Because these are leftover draw licenses, purchasing a leftover deer or pronghorn license will render youth and/or senior hunters ineligible to purchase an encouragement elk license during the upcoming sale in July. To buy a leftover license, hunters must possess an [...]
Hunt season closure social media posts are hoax
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 26, 2020: Hunt season closure social media posts are hoax Department working hard to process 2020-2021 big-game draw SANTA FE – Despite false rumors floating around on social media, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish reassures New Mexico hunters the results of the 2020-2021 big-game draw will be released by April 29, 2020, if not earlier. Hunt season closure social media posts are hoax. Over the past week, there have been prank posts on social media stating that the 2020-2021 hunting season in New Mexico has been canceled. This is false, and the Department recommends not clicking on the links provided in this or any other hoax. Director Michael Sloane stated “the Department is working diligently to audit the draw and provide [...]
Migratory Game Bird rule changes 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@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 25, 2020: Migratory Game Bird rule changes topic of public meetings SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird rule. The Department is proposing small changes in migratory game bird hunting, including incorporating federal recommendations on migratory bird seasons and adjusting season dates for calendar shifts. To gather public comments, one public meeting will be conducted via conference call. The conference call will occur March 31 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Call 800-747-5150, and then use access code 4499417. Presentation slides will be posted to the Department’s website, prior to the meeting so attendees can follow along. If you do not have access to the website to view the presentation, please contact DGF-Waterfowl@state.nm.us [...]
Courts Order Department To Release Customer Names, Email, Addresses Today
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 19, 2020: Courts Order Department To Release Customer Names, Email, Addresses Today SANTA FE – A First Judicial District Court judge has ordered the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to turn over the names and addresses of all successful big-game applicants for the years 2015 through April 23, 2019 to Los Alamos County resident James Whitehead. Additionally, the New Mexico Court of Appeals ordered the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to turn over the email addresses of individuals who applied for state hunting licenses for the years 2015 through 2016 to former Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn. Both decisions conclude that information collected from the public in connection with the administration of its public duties falls within the meaning of public records and [...]