OHV News
Welcome to off-highway vehicle news from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Department-wide news can be found under Home → NMDGF News.
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OHV News Archive
Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Applications Extended Until May 3, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 16, 2024: Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Applications Extended Until May 3, 2024 SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is accepting applications for its 2024-2025 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grants through May 3, 2024. These grants are available to not-for-profit organizations and federal, state and local government agencies. Entities can apply for up to $20,000 per project. Recipients may use grant funds for projects that enhance recreational use of side-by-sides, ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles on public lands. Projects promoting OHV safety or mitigating impacts from OHV use also qualify. Law enforcement agencies are eligible for special grant funds up to $15,000 to conduct OHV patrols, control paved road use of OHVs and enforce the provisions of the OHV Act (66-3-1001 through 66-3-1021 NMSA). Previous grants have funded the purchasing of the necessary equipment to clear and maintain the redeveloped Elephant Rock Trail in the Carson [...]
Off-Highway Vehicle Law Enforcement Overtime Grant Awards Announced
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Off-Highway Vehicle Program is pleased to announce the following 2023-2024 grant cycle awards for OHV law enforcement overtime patrols: Bureau of Land Management (Farmington Field Office) - $8,000. United States National Forests in New Mexico (Carson, Cibola, Gila, Lincoln, and Santa Fe National Forests) - $10,000. Los Lunas Open Space Rangers - $10,000. Luna County Sheriff’s Office - $8,000. Otero County Sheriff’s Office - $15,000. Pueblo of Santa Ana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Enforcement Division - $10,000. Sandoval County Sheriff’s Department - $15,000. Deming Police Department- $15,000. Since 2011, the OHV Program has awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to non-profits, land management, and law-enforcement agencies. Local areas of concern have been addressed utilizing OHV-specific overtime enforcement patrols, for officers to host OHV safety training classes to certify juveniles, and conduct outreach events informing the public [...]
Agencies and volunteers gather over 750 pounds of trash near Mesilla Dam
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 22, 2022: Agencies and volunteers gather over 750 pounds of trash near Mesilla Dam Mesilla – Multiple public land user groups gathered June 18 to clean up areas with a high amount of illegal dumping and Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) use. Staff and volunteers from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Friends of the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks, Bureau of Land Management and Throat Punch Performance SXS cleaned areas west of Mesilla Dam in southern New Mexico. Over 750 pounds of trash were gathered, including mattresses, box springs, aluminum cans, glass and yard debris. "Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks were excited to help clean up our public lands with our valued agency partners and community members. We look forward to more events like this and [...]
Expect checkpoints statewide during hunting and fishing seasons
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 15, 2022: Expect checkpoints statewide during hunting and fishing seasons The Department of Game and Fish will conduct checkpoints throughout the state during hunting and fishing seasons, in hunting and angling areas, to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations. The 2022-2023 hunting and fishing season began April 1. All hunters and anglers are required to purchase a new license before hunting and fishing. Guides and outfitters are also reminded that new registration is required. The general turkey season begins April 15. For more information, please consult the Department’s Hunting Rules and Information Booklet. Hunters and anglers can expect checkpoints throughout the spring and summer. At checkpoints, conservation officers will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood [...]
Applications Now Available for 2022-2023 Off-Highway Vehicle Grants
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@dgf.nm.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEB. 21, 2022: Applications Now Available for 2022-2023 Off-Highway Vehicle Grants SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is now accepting grant applications for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation projects and law enforcement patrols. Federal, state and local government agencies as well as not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for grants to enhance safe recreational use or mitigate impacts of side-by-sides, ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles on public lands. Law enforcement agencies can apply for grants to conduct OHV patrols and enforce the provisions of the OHV Act (66-3-1001 NMSA). Funds for grants are user-generated revenues from OHV registrations, collected in the state’s Trail Safety Fund and administered by the Department. Grants will reimburse up to $15,000 for projects starting July 1, 2022, with final [...]