Vol 59 #3 – Fall / Winter 2016

As the colors change and the temperature’s drop, hikers and wildlife enthusiasts are spending time outdoors and hunters are getting gear ready for time in the field. All are signs of fall, which also means the days are getting shorter and more vehicles will be on the road at times …

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 …

Those spending time outdoors can help catch poachers. Whether spending time in the field on a hunt, fishing at a favorite lake or simply recreating outdoors, the eyes and ears of the public can be vital in catching those doing wrong. Acts such as illegally stocking goldfish or poaching a …

Finding a needle in a haystack might sound like a difficult, painstaking process, but it pales in comparison to estimating the number of bears on the landscape. Wildlife agencies across the nation face a notoriously difficult challenge trying to estimate bear populations, but new methods offer the ability to more …

Share with Wildlife: Helping youth develop passion for outdoors To help students develop a respect for nature, one northern New Mexico program is trying to close the gap between classroom education and outdoor engagement. The New Mexico Wildlife Center in Española is hoping hands-on science activities will develop a generation …

Fall is a time of year when many people begin to think about charity . . . and hunting. Now, the two can be combined to benefit those in need. The New Mexico Hunters Helping the Hungry program started by the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico, with support from …

It took 240 years, but the United States finally has a national mammal: the bison. Fans of the bald eagle have no need to fear; the national animal since 1782 has not been replaced. Instead, the bison joins other national symbols such as the oak as the national tree and …

As the autumn wind begins to blow, it becomes clear hunting season is near. Those gearing up to hunt begin preparing their equipment and open a map to formulate a plan. For even the most dedicated sportsmen and women, this is where it can get a little complicated. “Exactly where …

We’ve all been there. At least I hope we’ve all been there and I’m not sitting here alone with the memories of the feeblest hunting experience. As the saying goes: Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. This is the category under which my personal hunting exploits would lie. It was …

Sly, adaptable and cunning, the common raccoon (Procyon lotor) likely ranks among the most recognizable animals in the United States. Probably the most distinctive feature is the black mask around a raccoon’s eyes, earning it the nickname “bandit.” This unique characteristic is believed to serve a purpose. “Much like an …