Recreational Opportunities

August, 2022

  • 3 August

    Wildlife viewing in New Mexico: Get out and enjoy what New Mexico has to offer

    New Mexico has a rich wildlife heritage and a wide diversity of wildlife that can be seen and photographed by people seeking to connect with the outdoors. New Mexico also has an array of habitats, from alpine tundra, forested mountains, grasslands, rivers and lakes, to sandstone canyons and the Chihuahuan …

June, 2022

  • 23 June

    Birding in New Mexico

    Birding is an amazing way for people to enjoy the outdoors and see the many different species of birds, and other wildlife, in New Mexico. There are over 2,000 bird species in North America and just under 550 of those can be found in our state. From the greater roadrunner …

  • 23 June

    Four valuable tools to help you have a successful fishing trip

    Growing up, weekends were for the mountains, especially in the summer. My family was camping, going for a trail ride, hiking or fishing. Sure, some summer weekends were filled with soccer or baseball games, family commitments or chores around the house, but most of my weekend memories come from the …

January, 2022

  • 28 January

    Javelina, what are they, and where can you see one?

    Javelina, also known as the collared peccary because of the white collar around their neck, stand anywhere from 20-24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh anywhere from 35-60 pounds. Although javelina have very poor eyesight, that doesn’t mean it will be easy to walk up on one to get …

December, 2021

  • 21 December

    Kicking off the 2022-2023 Big Game Hunting Season

    The leaves have changed and fallen to the ground. The elk and pronghorn ruts are in the distance and the deer rut is nearing its end. Miles have been put on boots. Shots have been taken. Wear and tear on bodies and equipment have happened. Wildlife has been seen. Memories …

November, 2021

  • 12 November

    The Conservation Heirloom and Mr. Griggs’ Pronghorn

    “Conserving New Mexico’s wildlife for future generations” — this small slogan of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) has a large meaning. It speaks to the importance of wildlife in people’s lives, and to the impact that wildlife and nature can have in shaping who we are …

September, 2021

  • 8 September

    Keep your hunting and shooting skills in check by hunting small game

    When it comes to staying sharp and proficient at big-game hunting, most hunters spend their time practicing at the range. However, one way to keep sharp and sighted in and put some extra meat in the freezer is hunting small game. Small game can be anything from a squirrel to …

  • 8 September

    Some final thoughts before the big day

    The time has come for a few, and for others, it’s only a fraction of months that remain. That time, of course, is hunting season in New Mexico. With the weather continuing to cool down, we know that fall is right on track. For some, it’s the excitement of the …

August, 2021

  • 24 August

    Fishing in New Mexico: Are you up for a challenge?

    There’s no refuting that New Mexico has some of the best fishing opportunities in the lower 48 states. Anglers in New Mexico can catch anything from a Rio Grande cutthroat trout in the high mountain streams of the Pecos wilderness to a spotted bass in the southern desert landscape of …

  • 24 August

    Teach your kids how to read the water in a river

    Fishing a river does not require much gear and can easily be done from the bank or wading. Children should use shorter rods and smaller, lighter reels. Five-and-a-half-foot rod-and-reel combos are inexpensive and are great for kids ages 7-12. Teaching kids how to fish takes time. I recommend fishing for …