New Mexico Wildlife magazine Conserving New Mexico's Wildlife for Future Generations

New Mexico Area Updates

Pecos bighorn numbers

Editions: Recent, New Mexico Area Updates, Northeast, Vol 60 #1 - Spring 2017

While forage is readily available in the Pecos throughout most of the year, bighorn sheep are dependent on wind-blown areas clear of snow during the winter months. Wildlife biologists believe the population should be maintained at approximately 350 animals to avoid a potential die-off from starvation due to a lack of available food. NMDGF photo by Clint Henson, New Mexico Wildlife magazine Spring 2017 Vol60, Num1, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

Pecos bighorn numbers are dangerously high There are times when words appear to paint a rosy portrait, but upon closer inspection the painting is found to be a forgery. Such is the case in the Pecos Mountains, where more is not always better. The most recent surveys in the Pecos …

Fishing back to Berrendo

Editions: Recent, New Mexico Area Updates, Southeast, Vol 60 #1 - Spring 2017

An area of the Berrendo River on the outskirts of Roswell offers a quality angling experience and now sports a parking area that can hold up to 30 vehicles. NMDGF photo by Tyson Sanders, New Mexico Wildlife magazine Spring 2017 Vol60, Num1, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

Many partners work together to bring fishing back to Berrendo A red bridge passes over the Berrendo River on Red Bridge Road just north of East 19th Street on the outskirts of Roswell. Nowadays it’s more of an orange bridge from years of weathering. Just east of the bridge is …

Target walleye

Editions: Recent, New Mexico Area Updates, Southwest, Vol 60 #1 - Spring 2017

Kevin Rodden, southwest area regional biologist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, works to untangle walleye from gill nets along with a New Mexico State University student volunteer. The fish are then moved to lakeside net pens for holding. Photo by Eric Mammoser, New Mexico Wildlife magazine Spring 2017 Vol60, Num1, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

Timing is right to target walleye As the last rays of daylight fade over the horizon, a voracious predator with needle-like teeth and large reflective eyes goes on the prowl. It’s not a large, furry mammal, but a fish. Walleye are a popular sport fish because of their delicious white, …

Wildlife telemetry

Editions: Recent, New Mexico Area Updates, Northwest, Vol 60 #1 - Spring 2017

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 …

Dynamic hunter education camps

Editions: Recent, New Mexico Area Updates, Northwest, Vol 59 #3 - Fall / Winter 2016

Jeremy Lane, the Game and Fish Southwest Area public information officer, assists a young hunter education participant on the proper stance and handling of a shotgun prior to shooting it during a hunter education camp at Philmont Scout Ranch. Photo by Ross Morgan, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

Parents and youths are having fun learning at the new New Mexico Department of Game and Fish hunter education camps. These camps deviate from the more traditional classroom-heavy learning experience. Instead, the focus is more interactive for eligible youths 11 years of age and older. Any hunter in New Mexico …

Thriving in Rio Grande Gorge

Editions: Recent, New Mexico Area Updates, Northeast, Vol 59 #3 - Fall / Winter 2016

ith exceptional vision and climbing ability, steep rocky terrain is the ideal habitat for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Since being introduced into the Rio Grande Gorge, bighorn sheep have adapted well and their population has grown from 48 to about 280. Photo by Dan Williams, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

Wildlife agencies across the nation have many success stories to share when it comes to restoring wildlife populations. Sometimes the wildlife get much of the credit. That’s been the case in the Rio Grande Gorge, where a few dozen Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep released in 2006-2007 have multiplied to a …

Coming full circle

Editions: Recent, New Mexico Area Updates, Southwest, Vol 59 #3 - Fall / Winter 2016

Nathan Kempton (right), the son of Game and Fish Conservation Officer Brandon Kempton (center) poses with the 7x7 elk he harvested in 2015. Brandon and fellow Conservation Officer Adan Jacquez noticed an ear tag on the elk and it turned out to be the same animal that had been freed from beneath a cattle guard three years earlier.

Wildlife has no better ally than a conservation officer. The name alone, “conservation,” suggests their duties involve the protection of wildlife for future generations. Whether they are combating poaching, conducting population surveys, assisting in habitat projects, participating in relocation efforts or con-ducting classroom education, it all points to protecting and …

Control of feral hogs

Editions: Recent, New Mexico Area Updates, Southeast, Vol 59 #3 - Fall / Winter 2016

Feral hogs destroy wildlife habitat. Laws now exist that prohibit the importation of feral hogs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services is in the midst of a five-year project to lethally remove the animals from New Mexico. The effort will end in September 2017, but additional funding has been requested. Photo courtesy Wildlife Services.

Laws and additional control measures appear to have been effective in putting feral hog concerns to rest in New Mexico. At least for the moment. “I think we’ll always have to stay on top of it,” said Ryan McBee, regional wildlife biologist in Roswell. “They are a prolific-breeding invasive species. …

Dust off the fly rod

Editions: Recent, New Mexico Area Updates, Northwest, Vol 59 #2 - Summer 2016

A Rio Grande cutthroat trout reared at Seven Springs Fish Hatchery, New Mexico. NMDGF photo by Martin Perea, New Mexico Wildlife magazine.

Dust off the fly rod and visit local streams for some fun. The temperatures are nice and the weather is beautiful, which means it’s time to get out for some small- stream trout fishing in the mountains. This time of year it should be amazing. For those who enjoy catching …

Herping

Editions: Recent, New Mexico Area Updates, Southwest, Vol 59 #2 - Summer 2016

Found in a good portion of the western states, the common sagebrush lizard will feed on a variety of insects and spiders. These lizards are easily frightened and will quickly flee. Photo by Charlie Painter, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with reptiles and amphibians, and the search for these interesting creatures can be an entertaining, fun-filled activity enjoyed by an entire family. For those interested in giving herping a try, New Mexico is a great place to start. The Land of Enchantment ranks …

Page 1 of 212 »