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.
Harvest reporting now just a phone call away
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, June 30, 2017: Harvest reporting now just a phone call away SANTA FE – New Mexico hunters have a new option to submit their 2017-18 hunting season harvest reports. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish today announced the new program which uses an interactive phone system that is accessed simply by calling the department’s information line, (888) 248-6866. The system allows hunters to file reports over the phone using their license information and following voice prompts. Customers receive a harvest report confirmation number and email message once they have answered and completed a list of questions that are used by biologists to better manage the state’s wildlife resources. “We’re always looking for ways to make our customer experience better and more convenient,” said Assistant Director [...]
Youth encouragement elk hunting licenses for sale
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, JUNE 20, 2017: Youth encouragement elk hunting licenses for sale SANTA FE – Almost 1,900 youth, antlerless elk licenses will go on sale through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Online License System at 10 a.m. July 5. The sale is designed to encourage youth hunting and includes almost 1,500 licenses for hunters using any legal weapon and 390 licenses for hunters using a muzzleloader or bow. Licenses will be sold online only on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase a license, customers will need to log in to their Online License System account at www.wildlife.state.nm.us. Eligibility requirements: For the first 14 days, the sale is open only to N.M. resident youths who have applied in the current license year for one or more draw hunts [...]
Special hunting skills camp offered at Wedding Cake Ranch near Clayton
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, JUNE 8, 2017: Special hunting skills camp offered at Wedding Cake Ranch near Clayton CLAYTON – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is partnering with First in the Field to offer a free hunting, fishing and outdoors skills camp where youths will receive hands-on training. The camp is open to youths ages 11 and older. The camp will be conducted June 22-25 at the Wedding Cake Ranch near Clayton. Meals and equipment are provided and participants will camp in tents at the ranch. Registration is underway. Participants must complete and return the registration form available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/education/hunter-education/ by 5 p.m. June 17 to be eligible. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will learn how to safely handle and fire shotguns, .22 [...]
Special oryx hunts available for injured servicemen and women
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, JUNE 8, 2017: Special oryx hunts available for injured servicemen and women SANTA FE -- Injured military service members can apply online beginning June 14 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. Applicants must be active-duty or veterans of the U.S. military who have 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 also may apply and will need to submit supporting documentation to the department prior to the July 19 application deadline. Applicants (except NMDGF Disabled Veteran card holders) are required to provide proof of eligibility prior to the [...]
Leftover deer and javelina licenses go on sale June 21
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, June 6, 2017: Leftover deer and javelina licenses go on sale June 21 SANTA FE – Almost 350 deer hunting licenses and over 100 javelina licenses that were not allocated during the annual 2017-18 big-game drawing will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 21, only on the Department of Game and Fish website. New Mexico residents will get first shot at the licenses during the first-come, first-served sale. License sales will be open only to residents for the first 24 hours. The sale will be opened to everyone, regardless of residency, at 10 a.m. June 22. Important note for youth hunters: Because these are leftover draw licenses, purchasing a leftover deer license will render youth hunters ineligible to purchase a youth encouragement elk license [...]