New Mexico Wildlife magazine Conserving New Mexico's Wildlife for Future Generations
Growing up in the outdoors from Alaska to New Mexico, I can honestly say the one animal that intrigues me the most is the Coues white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus couesi). Better known as the “Grey Ghost,” this elusive white-tailed deer is not only photogenic, but it can walk behind the …
January, 2021
July, 2020
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29 July
85 years of wearing “the bear head” The origin story of the Department logo
Like many New Mexico Department of Game and Fish personnel before me, I have always been proud to wear the insignia of the Department. And while the exact style of the emblem has changed through the years, the concept has remained the same – a circle-shaped outline with the name …
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29 July
Black bear travels from northern New Mexico to Colorado Springs – and back
Rick Winslow, bear and cougar biologist with the Department of Game and Fish, shares his thoughts on the map and the possible reasons for a black bear to travel so far—and then return to the area where it’s trek began months earlier: While it’s impossible to say exactly why this …
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17 July
What’s in a Name?
Mountain lion, cougar, puma… three names for the same animal. You can see how using common names can be confusing. Two scientists speaking different languages might not be able to determine what particular species they are discussing if its common names differ. To solve this, each species has its own, …
June, 2020
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24 June
Is that selfie with wildlife really worth it?
In short, no, it’s probably not a good idea. Don’t get me wrong, though: I love to take selfies. If I go somewhere, I want to have a photo of myself at that place. My personal photo collection numbers in the six figures. I love to photograph nature and wildlife, …
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24 June
Flower or weed: It’s all about perception
Someone recently asked me what the difference was between a flower and a weed. The answer could be whom is looking at it and where. A very simple definition of a weed is a plant growing where it is unwanted. The term “weed” could be applied to grasses (enjoyed by …
May, 2020
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14 May
Stay bear aware: Protect yourself and bears by removing potential food sources
Human nature can lead us to believe that when we feed wild animals we are helping them. In reality we are causing them more harm than good. In the natural world, bears are very good at finding food sources on their own that help them maintain a balanced diet, without …
April, 2020
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28 April
Critter Camo
Have you ever been startled by walking right up on a rabbit or quail before it bolts out of its hiding spot and surprises you? You didn’t see the animal because it was using camouflage! Camouflage is an animal’s coloration that helps it go unnoticed. This coloration could conceal the …
February, 2020
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26 February
Share with Wildlife –Teaching Science and Leadership Skills
What is a food web? What kind of organisms are at the base of a food chain? How do decomposers fit in? What does the food chain of the gray vireo look like? What kind of management actions could be taken to improve the gray vireo’s status in New Mexico? …
July, 2019
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24 July
Creating a rapport with raptors
Tips for coexisting with urban birds of prey Summer is here and with it comes an increased chance of encountering an urban raptor. Raptors are a category of bird that includes all eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, owls, harriers, osprey and usually vultures. While some of these winged predators are present …