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

Vol 59 #2 – Summer 2016

Hummingbirds are unique

Editions: Recent, Vol 59 #2 - Summer 2016, Wildlife Conservation Education

Rufous hummingbird. Photo by Dan Williams, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF

Among the benefits of living in the United States, and in particular the Southwest, is the visibility of some of the most beloved and photographed birds on the planet . . . hummingbirds. Native to the Americas, the largest number of species of these diminutive birds occurs in the tropical …

Photographing wildlife

Editions: Recent, In the Field, Vol 59 #2 - Summer 2016

Master the basics to harvest the best images. For those who photograph wildlife, hunting season never ends. Whether you are looking through a rifle scope or viewfinder, hunting and photography have similar challenges. Both activities share a few common terms, such as the word “shoot” in its various conjugations. Whether …

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 …

Birding hot spots

Editions: Recent, Vol 59 #2 - Summer 2016, Wildlife Conservation Education

New guide provides public with birding hot spots. Finding the best spots to locate birds in northern New Mexico got easier this past year with the publication of “Birding Hot Spots of Santa Fe, Taos, and northern New Mexico” by Judy Lidell and Barbara Hussey and printed by Texas A&M University Press. …

Getting youths outside

Editions: Recent, Vol 59 #2 - Summer 2016, Wildlife Conservation Education

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 …

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 …

Peace and quiet

Editions: Recent, Recreational Opportunities, Vol 59 #2 - Summer 2016

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 …

Trout of Southeastern NM

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

In 2015, The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish worked with the Village of Ruidoso to open Alto Reservoir to stocking and anglers. Located about 4½ miles north of Ruidoso, Alto Lake has been stocked with channel catfish and rainbow trout. Photo by Mark Madsen, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

Don’t overlook southeastern waters when seeking some fabulous trout fishing. Many southeastern New Mexico anglers limit their efforts to hook a trout to the winter months when rainbows are stocked in small urban lakes. But, for those willing to take a drive into the mountains, yearlong opportunities exist to wet …

Pike numbers at bay

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

Following the discovery of northern pike at Eagle Nest Lake, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologists became concerned about the potential impacts this aggressive predatory fish might have on rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. Photo by Dan Williams, New Mexico Wildlife magazine, NMDGF.

Efforts at Eagle Nest Lake seem to be keeping pike numbers at bay. Five years after rules were put into place to protect this northeastern lake, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologists are reporting what appears to be positive results. Following the 2010 discovery of northern pike in Eagle …

Modern conservation

Editions: Recent, Vol 59 #2 - Summer 2016, Wildlife & Habitat Conservation – #SaveOurSpecies

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 …

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