Fish and Game Violations

New Mexico regulates hunting and fishing. Doing so helps ensure stable wildlife populations and limits the nuisance that hunting and fishing generate for the general public. Most residents and tourists recognize that a hunting permit is necessary when pursuing big...

Fishing is a popular pastime for many people in New Mexico. It is a profession or a means of feeding a family for others. Like many activities that involve public lands and resources, fishing generally requires a state-issued license. Most people intending to fish in...

Elk are popular trophy animals. Their massive stature and large antlers make them animals that many hunters dream of taking down some day. People sometimes travel from all over the country for an opportunity to hunt elk in New Mexico. For others, elk are nearly a...

People in New Mexico hunt for sport, for food and/or for the safety of their livestock or families. For example, farmers may want to eliminate the javelinas that have damaged their fences and stolen food from their livestock. Others may want to go on a trophy hunt and...

No matter what time of year it is, you need to be sure that you are only hunting or fishing the specific animals allowed by law. There are restrictions on the animals you can hunt to help them propagate appropriately, and there are restrictions on how many animals you...

If you plan to hunt in New Mexico this year, it’s very important to know exactly which hunting season it is and what weapons or methods you are allowed to use. The type of firearm is just as important as the type of game.  For instance, when just considering deer...

In New Mexico, many people enjoy hunting wild game for sport and food. However, people who hunt without a license or out of season might be charged with poaching. If they hunt trophy animals for the sole purpose of taking the horns and leave the rest of the animals...

If you are planning to go hunting in New Mexico, it is important to understand the legalities. For example, it is necessary to have a license to hunt, and if you do not have one, you could be fined. Penalties for hunting without a license The penalty for hunting small...

Mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes are largely a product of the no-holds-barred approach to law enforcement of the past. The idea was to make the prospect of a severe sentence so unappealing that people would think twice before they crossed any legal...

You didn’t mean to do anything wrong. You weren’t even aware that you might be breaking the law the last time you went hunting. Just the same, there’s a citation from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) sitting in your mailbox. Your buddy told you that...