New Mexico Wildlife magazine Conserving New Mexico's Wildlife for Future Generations
For more than 120 years, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has worked tirelessly to manage our state’s diverse wildlife. Our work with game species—any animals that are hunted, fished or trapped—always attracts the (mountain) lion’s share of attention. But managing game species is just one aspect of …
October, 2024
-
24 October
Though ‘spineless,’ Texas hornshell key to N.M.’s biodiversity
The following is just a taste of our work with invertebrate SGCN. Invertebrates are creatures that lack (“in-”) backbones (“vertebra”). The Texas hornshell is one of the few river mussels that are native to New Mexico. Although “spineless,” this mussel has proven robust in its fight to survive. Read on …
-
24 October
Biologist experiences threats to cuckoos firsthand
Erin Duvuvuei has managed a lot during her conservation career. She’s our non-game avian biologist who recently participated in a comprehensive survey of yellow-billed cuckoos in 11 western states. Erin’s encounter during a recent survey allowed her to experience the threats that can be faced by this bird first hand. …
-
24 October
Department, partners study razorback suckers in San Juan River
The DGF is collaborating with American Southwest Ichthyological Researchers to try something new in the San Juan River. Through technology, we’ve developed Passive Integrated Transponder tag antennas (PIT tags for short). A PIT tag is a small device that uses radio frequencies to communicate a unique code from an antenna …
-
24 October
River otters thrive in upper Rio Grande
The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), a member of the weasel family (Mustelidae), is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent. Originally native to New Mexico’s Gila River, the Rio Grande and the Canadian River, this species has been sadly absent from the Southwest since the 1950s. …
-
18 October
Gila monster license plates available for purchase
SANTA FE — Each year, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program supports efforts to address the many conservation-related needs of our Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The program funds innovative research and habitat enhancement and education projects conducted by universities and non-profit organizations and supports …
December, 2023
-
20 December
Saving our Species Youth Coloring Activity
Zia Bear wants you to learn about some of the special wild animals we have in New Mexico with the “Saving our Species” youth coloring activity! Please print and color your favorite coloring page from the list below. Want to show off your work? You are encouraged to mail …
November, 2022
-
2 November
Stewart Meadows: a sanctuary for wildlife
In the dry, arid environment of New Mexico, the sight and sound of a meandering stream is both a beautiful and quite-rare sight to behold. In 1973, the Carson National Forest acquired Stewart Meadows using funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Stewart Meadows is a 600-acre parcel of …
-
2 November
Hybrid striped bass introduced into Caballo Lake
After years of planning, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has successfully released over 43,000 striped bass hybrids, also known as “wipers,” as a pilot project at Caballo Lake in southern New Mexico. The introduction of these special hybrids provides a new sport fishing opportunity for anglers. Wipers …
June, 2022
-
23 June
Department adapts management of Eagle Nest trout fishery
Eagle Nest Lake has long been known as an angler’s paradise, particularly when it comes to rainbow trout. However, the introduction of non-native northern pike to the lake has led the Department to seek solutions that will allow both pike and trout to thrive, preserving the fishery for generations of …