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.
Northeast New Mexico: Give input on big-game hunting rules
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071 Public contact: (888) 248-6866 Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 15, 2014: GIVE INPUT ON BIG-GAME HUNTING RULES (NORTHEAST NEW MEXICO) RATON – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites hunters and wildlife enthusiasts in the Raton area to give comments on several big-game hunting rules during a public meeting at 6 p.m. April 16 at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish office, 215 York Canyon Road. Participants are asked to bring their questions, concerns and ideas. The department is seeking public input about proposed hunting rules for Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina, pronghorn and oryx. The department also is seeking input for turkey and migratory game bird hunting rules. Times and locations of meetings, as well as rule development schedules for the various species are posted on the department website. The [...]
Applicants for Bighorn Sheep, Oryx and Ibex Hunting Licenses Eligible for Full Refunds
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071 Public contact: (888) 248-6866 Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 26, 2014: APPLICANTS FOR BIGHORN SHEEP, ORYX AND IBEX HUNTING LICENSES ELIGIBLE FOR FULL REFUNDS SANTA FE – Hunters who applied for bighorn sheep, oryx or ibex licenses for the 2014-15 seasons and are unsuccessful in the drawings will be eligible for full refunds of application fees and license fees, the Department of Game and Fish announced Wednesday. Application fees normally are nonrefundable whether a license applicant is successful or not. This year’s departure from that practice is in response to Monday’s ruling in U.S. District Court that vacated a 1977 injunction that prohibited the Department from applying preferential quotas that benefitted state residents in drawings for bighorn sheep, oryx and ibex licenses. The injunction allowed nonresidents to enjoy the same odds as residents when applying for those [...]
Court Ruling Gives New Mexico Resident Hunters Better Odds in Drawings for Bighorn Sheep, Oryx and Ibex
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071 Public contact: (888) 248-6866 Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 24, 2014: COURT RULING GIVES NEW MEXICO RESIDENT HUNTERS BETTER ODDS IN DRAWINGS FOR BIGHORN SHEEP, ORYX AND IBEX ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico resident hunters scored a big victory Monday with a U.S. District Court ruling that allows the Department of Game and Fish to reinstate quotas that give state residents a big advantage over nonresidents when applying for bighorn sheep, oryx and ibex hunting licenses. “This is an important decision and a huge win for New Mexico hunters,” said Paul Kienzle, newly elected chairman of the State Game Commission. “It’s been a long fight, but New Mexicans now have a good shot at those quality hunts, as intended by the governor and the state legislature.” Monday’s ruling by Chief U.S. District Judge Christina Armijo vacated a 1977 injunction [...]
Time is short to apply for 2014-15 Big-Game Hunting Licenses
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071 Public contact: (888) 248-6966 rachel.shockley@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 28, 2014: TIME IS SHORT TO APPLY FOR 2014-15 BIG-GAME HUNTING LICENSES SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is reminding hunters that March 19 is the deadline to apply for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, oryx, ibex, bighorn sheep, javelina and Barbary sheep licenses. The department expects about 160,000 applications for about 65,000 licenses. Hunters must complete their applications before 5 p.m. MDT March 19. All applicants must have an online account at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/. Here’s how to apply: Online: Applicants can access or create accounts via the department website, https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/. From their account, applicants can access license and application choices and payment options. By phone: Hunters without computer access or who need help applying can call toll-free, (888) 248-6866 and a department representative will [...]
Hunters: Don’t Forget To File Your Mandatory Harvest Reports
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Rachel Shockley, (505) 476-8071; (505) 470-6832 (cell) Public contact: (888) 248-6866 Rachel.shockley@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 11, 2014: HUNTERS: DON’T FORGET TO FILE YOUR MANDATORY HARVEST REPORTS Mandatory harvest deadlines are fast approaching for hunters and trappers who held licenses for New Mexico’s 2013-14 seasons. New mandatory harvest reporting requirements are in effect this year. The deadline to file a free report for hunters who held 2013-14 deer, elk, antelope or turkey licenses is Feb. 15, 2014. After that date, an $8 late fee will apply. Hunters must report on or before the March 19 application deadline or their applications will be rejected from the big-game draws. The deadline to report for those who held 2013-14 Barbary sheep, javelina, oryx, ibex, or trapping licenses is April 7, 2014. The later harvest-reporting deadline allows license holders for those species to submit results [...]