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.
Leftover deer, javelina licenses go on sale at 10 a.m. June 24
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, June 11, 2015: LEFTOVER DEER, JAVELINA LICENSES GO ON SALE AT 10 A.M. JUNE 24 SANTA FE – More than 1,607 deer hunting licenses, 25 elk licenses and over 1,100 javelina licenses that were not allocated during the annual drawing for 2015-16 big-game hunting licenses will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT June 24, 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 during the first 24 hours after they become available. The sale will be opened to everyone, regardless of residency, at 10 a.m. June 25. To be eligible to buy a leftover license, hunters are reminded that they must previously have purchased either [...]
Public meetings scheduled for bear and cougar hunting rules
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, APRIL 29, 2015: PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR BEAR AND COUGAR HUNTING RULES SANTA FE - The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is conducting statewide public meetings about proposed changes to bear and cougar hunting rules. The department reviews rules for hunting bears and cougars every four years and encourages public involvement as the State Game Commission considers new regulations. The meetings: Las Cruces: 6 p.m. May 4, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Southwest Area Office, 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces. Albuquerque: 6 p.m. May 5, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Northwest Area Office, 3841 Midway Place NE, Albuquerque. Ruidoso: 6 p.m. May 27, U.S. Forest Service Fire Control Bldg., 901 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso. Silver City: 6 p.m. May 28, Grant County Administration Center, County Commissioner [...]
Single New Mexico duck tests positive for avian influenza
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, APRIL 14, 2015: SINGLE NEW MEXICO DUCK TESTS POSITIVE FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA SANTA FE – A lone bird at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge has tested positive for a highly pathogenic avian influenza strain that affects wild and domestic fowl, but is not known to be harmful to humans, officials announced. A cinnamon teal duck was one of 196 birds tested at the refuge for the disease that was first detected in the United States in late 2014. It was the first bird in New Mexico to test positive for the highly pathogenic strain. It is unknown whether the duck was migrating through the state. Most migratory birds have left the refuge for their northern nesting areas. Dr. Kerry Mower, wildlife disease specialist for the New Mexico Department [...]
Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons
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, APRIL 10, 2015: EXPECT ROADBLOCKS STATEWIDE DURING HUNTING SEASONS SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during hunting seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations. Hunting season for youth turkey hunters starts April 10 and the general season starts April 15, as listed in the department’s Hunting Rules & Information booklets. At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act and the Aquatic Invasive Species Control Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or [...]
Deadline fast approaching to apply for big-game hunting licenses
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact: (888) 248-6866 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 11,2015: DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING TO APPLY FOR BIG-GAME HUNTING LICENSES SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is reminding hunters that March 18 is the deadline to apply for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, oryx, ibex, bighorn sheep, javelina and Barbary sheep licenses. The department expects more than 160,000 applicants for about 60,000 licenses. Hunters must complete their applications before 5 p.m. MDT March 18. All applicants previously must have created an online account at onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us. Here’s how to apply: Online: Applicants can access or create accounts via the “Customer Login” link on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. From their account, applicants will select “Draw Hunt Applications” in the main menu and then will be prompted through license and application choices. By phone: Hunters without computer access or who need help applying can [...]