Vol 59 #2 – Summer 2016

Call them what you will: varmints, rodents or pests, but there’s no denying the important role prairie dogs play in the wild. Research, partly funded by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Share with Wildlife program, is being led by Dr. Ana Davidson, a research assistant professor at …

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 …

No need to sell wildlife short. All have special tools to survive. Everyone has heard the saying, “defenseless animal,” but we might want to think twice before accepting that notion, especially when it comes to wildlife. “There’s no such thing as a defenseless animal,” said Stewart Liley, chief of the …

There are certain benefits to working for a wildlife agency, not the least of which is the opportunity to spend time outdoors enjoying what nature has to offer. As the editor of New Mexico Wildlife, I’m afforded many chances to spend time in the field with a diverse group of …

There’s no beep, beep and they certainly can’t outrun a coyote, but the bird made famous by Warner Brothers does share a few traits of its cartoon character. They often are seen running across roadways, and they’re quite fleet afoot, although you won’t catch them racing a car. But the …

To suggest people are passionate about wildlife might be an understatement and attempts to dispel preconceived notions might be considered blasphemy. Such was the case with a man at the New Mexico State Fair. It was mid-September and the state fair was in full swing. I was assigned to work …

New legislation brings changes and challenges to OHV recreation and enforcement. Amendments to state off-highway vehicle laws allow local authorities to designate paved roads where OHV operation is legal under specific conditions. Off-highway vehicle riders and officers tasked with enforcing laws are facing new challenges this year with the enactment …

About 8 a.m. March 12, youths started arriving at the Albuquerque Convention Center in anticipation of the National Archery in Schools Program New Mexico State Championship Tournament. Arriving in waves, 829 participants representing 51 teams walked up to shooting lines for a chance to advance to nationals May 12-14 in …

In recognition of contributions made in the field of wildlife conservation, three New Mexico Department of Game and Fish awards were handed out to deserving recipients at the Governor’s Special Hunt Auction and Banquet in February. Director’s Wildlife Conservation Professional of the Year Heavily involved in a number of high-profile …