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 servicemen
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, May 31, 2018: Special oryx hunts available for injured servicemen SANTA FE -- Injured military service members can apply online starting June 13 for an upcoming special drawing by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to award three special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range. To be eligible, one must be active-duty military or a veteran of the U.S. military who has a disability rating of 50 percent or greater in accordance with U.S. Veteran’s Administration guidelines for receiving disabled veteran benefits. Applicants (except NMDGF Disabled Veteran card holders) are required to provide proof of eligibility prior to the July 18 application deadline. Significantly injured, active-duty military members who don’t have a VA disability rating also may apply and will need [...]
Barbary sheep, oryx, Persian ibex rule changes topic of public meetings
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Dan Williams: (505) 476-8004 dan.williams@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 25, 2018: Barbary sheep, oryx, Persian ibex rule changes topic of public meetings SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments on proposed revisions to the Barbary sheep, oryx, and Persian ibex rule. The department is proposing changes in Barbary sheep, oryx, and Persian ibex hunting across the state, including increasing Barbary sheep draw licenses, adding new oryx hunts on White Sands Missile Range, and increasing female/immature ibex draw licenses. To gather public comments, three public meetings will be conducted: Las Cruces: 6 to 7 p.m. May 7 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive. Roswell: 6 to 7 p.m. May 8 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 1912 W. Second Street. Albuquerque: 6 to [...]
Big-game draw results available today
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 18, 2018: Big-game draw results available today SANTA FE – Hunters who applied for New Mexico big-game licenses will know their draw results early again this spring through the Department of Game and Fish online license system. At 10 a.m. today, the department released draw results to customer accounts on the department website and began sending emails to successful applicants, seven days earlier than expected. Draw licenses may be printed from the customer's account and tags will be mailed to the address provided. Do not hunt without a valid license and tag. Unsuccessful applicants should receive refunds on credit cards beginning today and through their checking accounts within the next two weeks. More than 203,000 applicants tried for about 58,000 deer, 58,000 deer, elk, antelope, oryx, ibex, Barbary sheep and javelina licenses -- [...]
Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Thunderbird near Mimbres
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Jennifer Morgan, (505) 222-4722 jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 11, 2018: Special hunter education camp offered at Camp Thunderbird near Mimbres MIMBRES – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a special hunter education camp where youths can receive hands-on training and earn their hunter education certification. The camp is open to youths ages 11 and over who are accompanied by an adult. It will be conducted the weekend of May 18-20, at the beautiful Camp Thunderbird in the Gila National Forest. Lodging and meals are free and all equipment is provided. Registration for this camp opportunity opens April 16. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 12 p.m., April 30, to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants will learn safe [...]
Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting and fishing seasons
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Ross Morgan, (505) 222-4707 Public contact: (888)-248-6866 ross.morgan@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 9, 2018: Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting and fishing seasons SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during hunting and fishing seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations. The 2018-2019 hunting and fishing season began April 1. All hunters and anglers are required to purchase a new license before hunting and fishing. Anglers can expect roadblocks throughout the summer. Guides and outfitters are also reminded that new registration is required. Youth turkey season begins April 6 and the general season begins April 15. Trapping and hunting season continues for raccoons April 1 to May 15 and April 1-30 for beaver, muskrat and nutria. Year-round cougar, Barbary sheep, off-range oryx and off-mountain ibex seasons run from April 1, [...]