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.
Department surveys hunters, anglers about State Trust Land access
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004 Public contact: (888) 248-6866 dan.williams@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCT. 8, 2015: DEPARTMENT SURVEYS HUNTERS, ANGLERS ABOUT STATE TRUST LAND ACCESS SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is conducting an email survey this week asking hunters and anglers their views about the value of access to State Trust Lands for hunting, fishing and trapping. The survey asks license holders about how they use and how much they value access to State Trust Lands. It also reminds license holders of the State Land Office proposal to increase the current $200,000 annual lease fee to $1 million next year – a five-fold increase. Hunters and anglers pay for the lease with their license fees. Approximately 78,000 hunting and fishing license holders began receiving the survey by email Wednesday. Surveys were sent several thousand at a time, and [...]
Duck hunters asked to stop at harvest check stations
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007 Public contact: (888) 248-6866 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 12, 2015: DUCK HUNTERS ASKED TO STOP AT HARVEST CHECK STATIONS SANTA FE – Duck hunters are asked to bring their harvested birds to check stations this season so Department of Game and Fish biologists can obtain samples for testing. The effort is part of a broader, national plan to monitor wild bird populations for strains of avian influenza. New Mexico is host to hundreds of thousands of migratory birds each year, said department Bird Program Manager Kristin Madden. “We’re encouraging hunters to come in after harvest so we can check their ducks,” Madden said. The quick, voluntary inspection consists of swabbing the bird for a sample, she said. There are several strains of avian influenza that afflict wild and domestic birds, but none are known to be [...]
Hunter attacked by bear near Wagon Mound
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Clint Henson (505) 445-2311 Public contact: (888) 248-6866 clint.henson@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 11, 2015: HUNTER ATTACKED BY BEAR NEAR WAGON MOUND BEAR AND CUB RATON – Department of Game and Fish conservation officers are searching for a bear that attacked a 60-year-old man from Missouri who was elk hunting Thursday afternoon west of Wagon Mound. The hunter climbed a tree to try to escape the attacking bear, but received bites to his foot through his boot when the bear climbed up after him. He was taken to the Alta Vista Hospital in Las Vegas, N.M., where he was treated and released. Officers used dogs to search for the offending bear soon after the attack, but rain caused the scent to deteriorate and the bear was not found. A trap was set in the area. Officers will continue to search for [...]
Hunting seasons ramp up across New Mexico
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007 Public contact: (888) 248-6866 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 28: HUNTING SEASONS RAMP UP ACROSS NEW MEXICO SANTA FE – Many hunters will be taking to the woods and fields across New Mexico starting Sept. 1, the opening day for deer, elk and turkey archery hunts and for most small game and upland game birds. Hunting seasons for doves, blue grouse, band-tailed pigeons and squirrels will open in many areas of the state starting Sept. 1. Licenses, maps, questionnaires and other related materials are available online at the Game and Fish Department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. The 2015-16 migratory game-bird hunting rules and information booklet is available on the department website. Printed copies will be available soon at game and fish offices and license vendors. The department will accept draw applications for sandhill crane and pheasant hunts from Sept. [...]
Free family fun at N.M. Outdoor Expo Aug. 15 & 16
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007 Public contact: Customer service (888) 248-6866 karl.moffatt@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 11, 2015: FREE FAMILY FUN AT N.M. OUTDOOR EXPO AUG. 15 & 16 ALBUQUERQUE – If you’ve wanted to learn to catch a fish, shoot a rifle, paddle a kayak or try your hand at archery, check out the Department of Game and Fish’s annual New Mexico Outdoor Expo, a free family event at the Albuquerque Shooting Range Park 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Aug. 15 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Aug. 16. “This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy some fun outdoor activities together,” says Jessica Fisher, shooting program coordinator for the Department of Game and Fish. “And we’ll be teaching folks basic skills that can lead to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment.” Shooting ranges staffed by certified instructors await participants [...]