Tag Archives: disease

April, 2017

  • 13 April

    Gould’s wild turkey

    New Mexico is home to Merriam’s, Rio Grande and Gould’s turkeys. The Gould’s, the largest of the three birds, was first documented in the state in 1892. Photo by Chuck Schultz, New Mexico Wildlife magazine Spring 2017 Vol60, Num1, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

    Gould’s wild turkey in New Mexico The wild turkey is a popular game bird throughout the United States, with their excellent eyesight and cautious behavior making for a challenging hunt. The excitement of calling in a tom or hearing the first gobble of the morning will create a lifelong memory. …

  • 13 April

    When nothing goes right

    New Mexico Department of Game and Fish personnel set up a number of turkey traps in Raton hoping to capture about 40 that would be moved to the Lincoln National Forest. It became evident the first morning that reaching that number would be difficult with deer continually getting inside the trap. NMDGF photo by Zen Mocarski, New Mexico Wildlife magazine Spring 2017 Vol60, Num1, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

    There are days when nothing goes right In my 14 years working for wildlife agencies, many exciting and sometimes frustrating experiences have presented themselves. Capturing wildlife certainly can get the adrenaline flowing when everything goes as planned. However, no matter how well everything is planned, success depends on animals doing …

  • 13 April

    Wildlife telemetry

    Tracking devices exist that can aid in the research of birds, mammals, fish, insects and arachnids, but with each different species come separate challenges. This backpack-style transmitter works well with wild turkeys. NMDGF pthoto by Zen Mocarski, New Mexico Wildlife magazine Spring 2017 Vol60, Num1, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

    The importance of telemetry in wildlife conservation Wildlife tracking has been around for centuries, but most of the time it had little to do with research. More than 500 years ago, falconers in Europe were known to place leg bands on their birds as a sign of ownership, but it …

October, 2016

  • 28 October

    Finding elk calves

    An elk calf lies still after researchers attached an ear transmitter. Calf survival has been low in the Mount Taylor area and researchers are trying to understand the reason. In the event of a death, researchers can respond to the scene quickly to identify the cause. Photo by Katelyn Shanor, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

    As dawn broke over Chivato Mesa, a group of New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologists, conservation officers and volunteers fanned out in search of calving elk. They climbed hilltops and used binoculars and spotting scopes to scan the vast meadows and clusters of scrub oak that dot the …

  • 28 October

    Iconic mammal takes center stage

    Primarily a grassland animal, bison will graze for a period of time before resting and chewing cud. While the bison population has grown to approximately 500,000, the majority have interbred with domestic cattle. Several locations, including Yellowstone National Park, still have populations of pure lineage. Photo by Dan Williams, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

    It took 240 years, but the United States finally has a national mammal: the bison. Fans of the bald eagle have no need to fear; the national animal since 1782 has not been replaced. Instead, the bison joins other national symbols such as the oak as the national tree and …

  • 28 October

    Raccoons: did you know…?

    Raccoons are extremely adept climbers and have the ability to climb back down headfirst by rotating the hind feet so they point backwards. This cunning raccoon navigates a tree in search of food. NMDGF photo, New Mexico Wildlife magazine.

    Sly, adaptable and cunning, the common raccoon (Procyon lotor) likely ranks among the most recognizable animals in the United States. Probably the most distinctive feature is the black mask around a raccoon’s eyes, earning it the nickname “bandit.” This unique characteristic is believed to serve a purpose. “Much like an …

August, 2016

  • 15 August

    Getting youths outside

    Game and Fish coldwater fisheries biologist Laurence D’Alessandro provides instructions to students from Questa Junior and Senior High School and Taos High School prior to a hike down to the Rio Grande to release cutthroat trout. Photo by Zen Mocarski, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

    Educators see value in getting youths outside. As society’s disconnect with nature has become more pronounced, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is making an effort to not only get youths outdoors, but also to get them involved. Call the class Conservation 101. It’s a class about the …

  • 15 August

    Modern conservation

    Fencing can impede movement of some wildlife, including pronghorns. Although capable of jumping, pronghorns ring to go under fences. Pronghorn-friendly fences include an 18-inch gap from the ground to the first strand. Fencing without such modifications impedes pronghorn movement. Photo, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

    The need for modern conservation efforts In the last 100 years, development has boomed, cities have grown and the connections people have with the outdoors has been replaced by the internet, shopping malls, movie theaters and home entertainment centers. The roadways we use, our homes, fences and our workplaces are …

  • 15 August

    Cibola National Forest undergoing major facelift

    More than 40,000 cubic feet of wood has been harvested within a restoration area in the Cibola National Forest. New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

    Rows of densely-packed ponderosa pine line the sides of the road traveling deep into the Cibola National Forest in the Zuni Mountains west of Grants. Dark shadows prevail and little can be seen beyond the first layer of trees. There’s a feeling of claustrophobia as a wall of ponderosas looks …

March, 2016

  • 1 March

    Feeding and the food chain

    Food on the ground is the biggest culprit in human-wildlife conflicts. Feed one animal and a person is potentially feeding many. Deer are the favorite food of cougars, and black bears become quickly habituated to people when provided an easy food source. New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF

    It really doesn’t matter if it’s Yogi the Bear, Wile E., Bugs, or Alvin the Chipmunk, feeding wildlife can have dire consequences. The majority of wildlife conflicts involve a feeding issue, whether it be intentional or not. “When the Department of Game and Fish needs to respond to a call …

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