Recreational Opportunities

April, 2017

  • 13 April

    Restoration of Gila trout

    Laurence D'Alessandro, coldwater fisheries biologist, displays a Gila trout during a recent survey conducted at Willow Creek in the Gila National Forest. Cover: NMDGF photo by Jill Wick, New Mexico Wildlife magazine Spring 2017 Vol60, Num1, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

    Restoration of Gila trout opens door for anglers It’s been five years since two massive wildfires roared through the Gila Wilderness and surrounding national forest, destroying years of painstaking native trout restoration work. “I was interviewing for this job while everything was burning up,” said Jill Wick, Gila trout biologist …

  • 13 April

    Time to hunt sheds

    Shed hunting is a family-friendly activity that provides an opportunity to spend quality time outdoors. James Gonzales was out with his parents on a shed hunting expedition that resulted in the discovery of shed elk antlers. Photo by Joe Gonzales, New Mexico Wildlife magazine Spring 2017 Vol60, Num1, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

    Spring is here, it’s time to hunt sheds Spring is a time many hunters put their gear away and begin the painstaking wait for autumn and the arrival of the 2017 hunting season. But hunting season is far from over. For those suffering from cabin fever and ready to enjoy …

  • 13 April

    GAIN and outdoor enthusiasts

    It is easy to get caught up in the moment watching sandhill cranes standing on a frozen pond at the Bernardo Wildlife Management Area with a picturesque mountain background. NMDGF photo by Zen Mocarski, New Mexico Wildlife magazine Spring 2017 Vol60, Num1, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

    GAIN changes benefit outdoor enthusiasts The scene is a bit like Jurassic Park, minus the dinosaurs, with eyes wide open, afraid to blink for fear of missing out on a spectacular experience. Faces pressed against the window of a car or eyes peering through binoculars or the viewfinder of a …

October, 2016

  • 28 October

    Sandhill crane youth hunt

    Braden Finnegan (left) and Ethan Walker stand at the ready in a Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area field. Finnegan harvested one bird and the two families shared a dinner. Photo by Zen Mocarski, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

    Putting food on the table only part of the fun The hours passed for three young hunters who lay stealthily in tall alfalfa, waiting for the moment when time would stand still, the moment when their prey would come within range to strike. Nov. 7, 2015, they were in an …

  • 28 October

    It’s a trophy

    Game and Fish biologist Eric Rominger takes elk antler measurements. While it was a large rack, the measurements came up short of the record book minimum. Photo by Martin Perea, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

    Ask a hunter about the trophy mounted on the wall, sitting on a table or neatly placed in a cabinet, and a story will unfold — of outdoor experiences, an important hunt and deeply held values. The term “trophy” generally refers to a large game animal that has been mounted, …

  • 28 October

    Quail hunting southeast N.M.

    Gambel's quail. Photo by Dan Williams, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

    They’re small, fast, elusive and disappear quickly, but that’s part of what makes quail hunting fun and, occasionally, frustrating. For those who have not been out on a quail hunt recently, it may be time to reconsider. Quail populations are highly dependent on precipitation and, in recent years, New Mexico …

August, 2016

  • 15 August

    Peace and quiet

    Don’t be fooled hiking into Little Creek. Anglers making this journey will walk along a seemingly dry creek bed but find perennial water upstream. Photo by Jill Wick, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

    Seven fishing hot spots off the beaten path Everyone knows the big-ticket names such as Elephant Butte or Fenton and Heron Lakes. But what if you’re looking for a bit of tranquility, a spot that takes a little effort to reach but offers the reward of a quiet angling experience …

March, 2016

  • 1 March

    Top 10 kayak fishing

    Kayak fishing provides an opportunity for anglers looking for some tranquility to reach more remote locations where they can enjoy some time alone. New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF

    Fishing is fishing, but kayak fishing is a whole different experience. Shoreline anglers often are limited by the access points and the distance an individual is willing to hike for solitude. With a kayak, finding the ‘road’ less traveled becomes a more realistic prospect. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish personnel …

  • 1 March

    Spring turkey fever

    Found throughout the west, Merriam’s turkeys are most often associated with ponderosa pines. The over-the-counter license spring season is April 15–May 10 and the youth-only season is April 8–10. New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF

    For hunters planning to chase gobblers this spring, preparation will be a critical element for a prosperous hunt. Being a successful turkey hunter takes time and effort and, if you are fortunate in taking a tom, it can be an exhilarating experience. Taking some time prior to heading into the …

  • 1 March

    Brantley Lake

    Anglers who have abandoned Brantley Lake as a prime fishing destination may want to reconsider in 2016. New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF

    Anglers who have abandoned Brantley Lake as a prime fishing destination may want to reconsider in 2016. Following recent improvements, the lake is shaping up as a hot spot for catfish and bass this spring. “Conditions haven’t been this good in years,” said Shawn Denny, warm water fisheries biologist with …

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