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.
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 [...]
Department-landowner agreement opens new bighorn sheep hunting area
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003 Public contact: (888) 248-6866 lance.cherry@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 5, 2015: DEPARTMENT-LANDOWNER AGREEMENT OPENS NEW BIGHORN SHEEP HUNTING AREA SANTA FE – A new Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep area will open to hunting this year in northeastern New Mexico after successful negotiations between the Department of Game and Fish and two private landowners. The single public ram license will be the first offered in the Dry Cimarron area near New Mexico’s borders with Colorado and Oklahoma. “The growth of this bighorn sheep herd and this unique hunting opportunity would not be possible without the cooperation and land stewardship that these landowners have displayed,” Department Director Alexandra Sandoval said. “We are very thankful for their conservation efforts.” The agreement between the department and the Pacheco and Black Mesa ranch owners will allow a hunter who is successful in [...]
Comments sought on public-private land-swap hunting access agreements
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Lance Cherry, (505) 476-8003 Public contact: (888) 248-6866 lance.cherry@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 2, 2015: COMMENTS SOUGHT ON PUBLIC-PRIVATE LAND-SWAP HUNTING ACCESS AGREEMENTS The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments about agreements that would open some private lands to public hunting in exchange for closing some areas of State Trust land. A public meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. March 25 at the Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Mountainair, where representatives from the department and the State Land Office will hear comments and answer questions. All comments received will be forwarded to the Department of Game and Fish Director and the State Land Commissioner. The "unitization" agreements among the State Land Office, the department and several landowners are designed to benefit sportsmen and landowners. Under the agreements, some areas of State Trust land would be treated [...]