NMDGF Conservation News
The latest conservation news and press releases from New Mexico Game and Fish. Department-wide news can be found under Home → NMDGF News.
Migratory game bird rule topic of public meeting
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting regarding proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird Rule. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting in order to provide comments. March 31, 2025, Albuquerque, 6:30 p.m. Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM Register in advance to attend virtually The proposed changes to the rule, along with information about how to attend and participate in the virtual component of this meeting, will be available on the NMDGF web page. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Migratory Game Bird Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email at DGF-Waterfowl@dgf.nm.gov; or in person at the meeting listed above. Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov
Public meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to meet March 5
SEVILLETA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Habitat Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). This meeting will be a working session in which the CAC will be briefed on the status of previously prioritized projects and provide initial feedback on some of the projects that are being collaboratively developed for future consideration. A CAC subcommittee will discuss project-development guidance for the Department and partner agencies. Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend this hybrid public meeting. Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, 1 pm. Attend in person at 40 Refuge Road, San Acacia, NM 87831 Register in advance to attend virtually Contact PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov for in-person attendance directions A meeting agenda along with information about how to attend virtually will be available on the Department webpage, https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/public-land-user-stamp/. Comments can be provided by [...]
Public meeting: Citizen Advisory Committee to meet March 5
SEVILLETA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Habitat Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). This meeting will be a working session in which the CAC will be briefed on the status of previously prioritized projects and provide initial feedback on some of the projects that are being collaboratively developed for future consideration. A CAC subcommittee will discuss project-development guidance for the Department and partner agencies. Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend this hybrid public meeting. Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, 1 pm. Attend in person at 40 Refuge Road, San Acacia, NM 87831 Register in advance to attend virtually Contact PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov for in-person attendance directions A meeting agenda along with information about how to attend virtually will be available on the Department webpage, https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/public-land-user-stamp/. Comments can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of [...]
Department conservation officers free Ruidoso elk from lawn furniture
RUIDOSO – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers have freed a cow elk with a metal stool hanging from her neck in Ruidoso. This is the latest incident in an ongoing saga of Ruidoso elk becoming tangled in lawn furniture. Residents are reminded to avoid feeding wildlife and to secure outdoor furniture to help protect local elk. Department officers responded to reports of the ornamented cow elk as soon as she was spotted. Tranquilizing or otherwise capturing a wild animal can cause significant stress or injury, so it may not always be the best first option for the animal’s safety. The stool on the elk’s neck was hanging loosely and did not appear to disrupt its eating, drinking, breathing or movement. Therefore, officers responded by giving the elk a chance to free herself from the loose-fitting stool before taking more drastic measures. After giving her sufficient [...]
Monastery Lake Closed
SANTA FE – Monastery Lake, near Pecos, has been closed to fishing until further notice due to unsafe ice conditions. Ice fishing is not allowed at the Benedictine Monastery lake that is leased through the Department's Open Gate program. A layer of ice has formed on the lake, prompting the closure. The lake will reopen when there are sufficient open areas of water available to allow fishing from the bank. Anglers can find good winter trout fishing in the Albuquerque area drains, at Tingley Beach and at other fishing waters throughout the state. Visit our website for more information on trout species, the weekly fishing report, a list of convenient fishing locations and fish stocking reports.