NM Wildlife Officer Of The Year

PECOS – Phil Howes, the Department of Game and Fish conservation officer stationed in Pecos, has been named New Mexico Wildlife Officer of the Year, a prestigious award sponsored by the conservation organization Shikar-Safari Club International. Howes, 40, has been a conservation officer in Pecos for nine years, working with the community to promote wildlife management and law enforcement. His day-to-day duties include horseback patrols in the Pecos Wilderness, monitoring the Pecos bighorn sheep herd, and educating the community about coexisting with bears and other wildlife. Shikar-Safari Club International was founded in 1952 by an international group of hunters interested in exchanging ideas about the sport. Each year, the club sponsors an award for the Wildlife Officer of the Year in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces and the territories of both nations. Shikar-Safari is recognized worldwide for its efforts in the protection, enhancement and preservation of wildlife, and has placed particular emphasis on endangered and threatened species through the promotion of enforcement of conservation laws and regulations.

OHV Laws Enforced As Program Moved To Game and Fish

SANTA FE – As of July 1, The Department of Game and Fish became the lead agency for handling the Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program.  An Off-Highway Vehicle is defined as any motorized vehicle designed specifically for off-highway travel, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs, often called four-wheelers), snowmobiles, dirt bikes and go-carts.

State residents are required to register all OHVs through the Motor Vehicle Division if the vehicles will be operated on public lands. Nonresidents can purchase temporary permits from the Department of Game and Fish.

The law prohibits any riders under age 6 from operating an ATV on public land. The law also includes specific regulations for riders younger than age 18. Riders under age 18 must:

>Wear an approved, securely fastened helmet.

>Wear approved, protective eye wear.

>Never carry a passenger, even on OHVs designed for two persons.

>Complete a certified OHV course and obtain a safety permit.

>Be visually supervised when operating an OHV, unless they are:

-Age 13 or older with a valid motorcycle license.

-Age 15 or older with a valid driver’s license.

Department of Game and Fish officers will be assisted by officers with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police and county sheriff’s departments during the statewide OHV education and compliance efforts.

For more information about the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act, please visit www.B4uRide.com. For information about the off-highway motor vehicle program, please call the Department of Game and Fish at (505) 476-8140.

NM Wildlife TV Show Returns

SANTA FE – Tiger muskies, Mexican wolves and fall fishing on the Rio Grande are among the topics being covered in August by New Mexico Wildlife, the video magazine now televised by the Department. Using a name familiar to newspaper and magazine readers for decades, the Department strives to illustrate the great outdoor opportunities available in the state. The program is scheduled to be broadcast at 6:30 a.m. on KASA Fox 2 from now until Dec. 26. In August the program will broadcast the following segments:

Saturday Aug. 1

Learn to identify the state’s four species of quail, survey Bluewater Lake for giant muskies, create “Make Do Green Chili Stew” and explore the Guadalupe Scenic Byway in southeastern New Mexico.

Saturday Aug. 8

Experience fly fishing on the Rio Grande and winter bass fishing at Ute Lake, use mules to pack Mexican wolves into the Gila Wilderness and bake sourdough biscuits in a Dutch oven.

Saturday Aug. 15

Take a guided elk hunt in the Mount Taylor area, bring back the Zuni bluehead sucker from near extinction, absorb the beauty of La Frontera Scenic Byway in northeastern New Mexico and bake a Cowboy Calzone.

Saturday Aug. 22

Trap and relocate Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, hunt quail on opening day in southeastern New Mexico, enjoy an award winning restoration project and learn how to marinate wild game meat.

Saturday Aug. 29

Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day, cast for 18-inch rainbows at Tingley Beach, learn what it takes to restore quail habitat and make some award-winning salsa.

Segments of New Mexico Wildlife also are available 24-7 on Myoutdoortv.com/.

Black Bears Are On The Move Around Los Alamos

LOS ALAMOS – Department officers have already trapped and relocated four bears and continue to respond to many reports of bears running around the Los Alamos community. With very little spring moisture, the bears are moving down into the foothills and bordering communities of Los Alamos in search of food.

Comanche Creek Restocked With Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout

More than 5,000 native Rio Grande cutthroat trout are swimming in Comanche Creek and its tributaries, contributing to a healthy population of New Mexico’s state fish and beckoning anglers to enjoy some of northern New Mexico finest fishing opportunities and scenery. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish stocked the cutthroats into the river July 2 as part of an ongoing effort to restore pure-strain native trout to more than 150 miles of streams and 25 small lakes in the Rio Costilla watershed.

Disabled Veterans Eligible For New, Discounted Hunting And Fishing License

SANTA FE – Starting July 1, service-connected disabled veterans who are New Mexico residents will be eligible to buy an annual combination fishing and small-game hunting license for $10. The license normally costs $33. The special license was approved by the 2009 New Mexico Legislature. It is available to any New Mexico resident service-connected disabled veteran who presents a “Veteran Administration awards letter,” at a Department of Game and Fish office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Las Cruces or Roswell.

Enforcement To Increase For Off-Highway Vehicles Statewide

SANTA FE – New Mexico law enforcement agencies will conduct roadblocks, saturation patrols and safety blitzes statewide in an effort to educate the public and check for compliance with the requirements and safety provisions of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act.

Please Don’t Pick Up Deer Fawns  Or Elk Calves

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish receives numerous calls each year from concerned individuals who find what they think are orphaned or abandoned deer fawns and elk calves. Some people pick up the animals and take them to local veterinarians, zoos or their local Game Department offices. While there is no intention of harming the young animals, people need to realize that picking up these babies greatly decreases their chances of survival.

Tingley Beach Sees New Bag And Possession Limit Changes For Trout

ALBUQUERQUE – The number of anglers using the lakes at Albuquerque’s Conservancy Park (Tingley Beach) has increased considerably since the park’s reconstruction. To more equitably distribute fish among anglers, the State Game Commission, with input from City of Albuquerque, has changed the bag limit from 5 trout to 4 trout and the possession limit from 10 trout to 4 trout for the Children’s and Central Ponds.  The new regulations went into effect June 15, 2009.

Reward Offered For Information On Deer Poaching Near Ft. Sumner

FT. SUMNER – The Department is offering a reward for information about the poaching of a deer southwest of Fort Sumner. The carcass of a mule deer buck was found dumped off the N.M. 20 Bridge over Yeso Creek. The head, backstraps and quarters had been removed. Officers believe the buck was killed and dumped off the bridge sometime over the weekend of June 6-7.

UPCOMING EVENTS…

NM Outdoor Expo

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

AUG. 22 & 23

Shooting Range Park, Albuquerque, NM

Contact NMDGF (505) 222-4731 or (505) 222-4700 or visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us

State Game Commission Meeting

9 a.m. – 5 p.m

AUG. 20

State Bar of New Mexico, 5121 Masthead NE, Albuquerque, NM

Contact NMDGF (505) 476-8008 or visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us

100 year Celebration of Aldo Leopold

Aldo Leopold house in Tres Piedras

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

AUG. 28

Contact: Officer Greg Medina (575) 737-5434 or visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us

Annual C4C Dove Hunt

SEP. 1

Sunrise

Rio Puerco Open Gate Property

Contact: Lance Cherry (505) 620-6883, lance@crosshairsforchrist.com

National Hunting and Fishing Day

SEP. 26

All Day

Fenton Lake State Park

(State Park fees will apply)

Contact: Brian Guzman (505) 231-4375 or visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us

Q&A Distributed By David E. Sharp

Central Flyway Representative

Division of Migratory Bird Management

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Do we have avian flu in New Mexico?

We do not have any avian flu in New Mexico.

Do we have avian flu in the United States?

We do not have any avian flu in the United States.

How would avian flu get here?

The United States might be exposed to avian flu through migratory birds that travel over Alaska into the continental US or through infected poultry that is smuggled into the country.

What’s being done to monitor?

US Customs and US Fish and Wildlife patrol for efforts to smuggle poultry into the country. Migratory birds are already being tested in Alaska. Starting this fall, hunters who kill certain migratory birds in NM will be required to have the birds tested at hunter check stations.

What if I find a dead or sick bird?

Avian Flu will likely sicken or kill large numbers of birds, not just one or two. However, if you are concerned, please call the following numbers:

For wild birds:

NM Department of Game and Fish, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, 505-476-8000

USDA Wildlife Services, www.aphis.usda.gov/ws, 1-866-4-USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297)

For domestic birds:

NM Livestock Board, www.newmexicolivestockboard.com, 505-841-6161

USDA Veterinary Services, www.aphis.usda.gov/vs, 1-866-536-7593

What are the potential routes for a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza to arrive in North America?

Migratory birds usually travel thousands of miles over the same routes in their annual migrations. In the Northern Hemisphere, birds begin moving south during August and September of each year. North American migratory birds that spend the winter in Asia may come into contact with potentially infected domestic or wild birds during the winter months.

In spring, migratory birds will migrate north to their breeding grounds in eastern Russia, Alaska, and Canada. Migratory birds infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 returning from Asia could potentially interact with other North American wild birds as they commingle on the breeding grounds.

Has the HPAI H5N1 virus been detected in the United States?

The HPAI H5N1 virus has not yet been detected in the United States in either wild or domestic birds. Should the HPAI H5N1 virus be detected in the United States, it does not mean the start of a human pandemic.

What is the Service’s role in granting permits for research and control activities and in sampling for the virus?

The Service supports state surveillance efforts by ensuring that state wildlife agencies have authority under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to collect and sample any species of migratory bird.

The Service will be issuing to each state and territorial fish and wildlife agency director a scientific collection permit that will give them the authority to collect and sample wild migratory birds for avian influenza virus.

What if a wild bird infected with HPAI is found on a National Wildlife Refuge?

How we respond will be determined by the facts of the particular situation. Should it be necessary, refuge managers have the authority to close all or part of a refuge when public health and safety is at risk. As with any disease affecting wild birds, the Service and State Fish and Wildlife Agencies will closely monitor the situation with other partners such as the USGS National Wildlife Health Center, the agricultural health community and the public health community.

Should wild birds be culled if they are infected with HPAI?

Neither the World Health Organization, the OIE (international animal health organization) nor wildlife professionals recommend killing wild birds as a viable strategy to stamp out or contain the spread of HPAI. Attempts to shoot or trap wild birds may disperse flocks and spread the virus to new areas.

Who has the responsibility to close migratory bird hunting seasons?

The Fish and Wildlife Service and State fish and wildlife agencies have the legal authority to close the migratory bird hunting season to protect public health in their jurisdictions. Based on what we currently know about the disease, we do not anticipate closing the upcoming waterfowl season.

Should hunters be concerned about avian influenza?

There are no confirmed cases of wild birds transmitting avian influenza to people.

There is currently no indication that waterfowl or other wild birds hunted in the United States carry HPAI H5N1.

While experts believe the risk to hunters is currently low, scientists cannot guarantee that there is no risk. It is always wise to practice good hygiene when handling or cleaning any wild game.

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center, www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/wildlife_health_bulletins/WHB_05_03.jsp,  has issued guidance to follow routine precautions when handling wild birds The Center recommends that people handling wild birds:

Do not handle birds that are obviously sick or birds found dead.

• Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handling and cleaning game, wash hands with soap and water (or with alcohol-based hand products if the hands are not visibly soiled), and thoroughly clean knives, equipment and surfaces that come in contact with game.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling or cleaning birds.
• Cook all game meat thoroughly (155 to 165 degrees) to kill disease organisms and parasites.

Is it safe to feed and/or observe wild birds?

At this time there is no reason to believe that backyard birds are a threat to public health. Highly pathogenic avian influenza has not been detected in North America.

As with handling wild birds, the risk of humans contracting avian influenza from feeding wild birds or visiting wetlands is very low. As a general rule, people should observe wildlife, including wild birds, from a distance. This protects people from possible exposure to diseases and minimizes disturbance to the animal.

As always, common-sense safety and hygiene practices are a good idea when bird watching or handling wild bird feeders or equipment.

As a general rule, the public should observe wildlife—including wild birds—from a distance. This protects you from possible exposure to viruses and minimizes disturbance to the animal.

Avoid touching wildlife. If there is contact with wildlife do not rub eyes, eat, drink, or smoke before washing hands with soap and water.

Use disposable or washable gloves when cleaning or handling backyard feeders, bird baths or other equipment. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

Contact your state, county, tribal or local natural resource agency if a sick or dead animal is found.

To dispose of a dead bird, pick up the bird with an inverted bag or disposable glove, place the bird in another bag, and dispose of it in the trash. Wash hands with soap and water. Trash receptacles should be secured so that children, pets, wild animals do not have access to them.

Thoroughly washing hands with soap and water (or with alcohol-based hand products if the hands are not visibly soiled) is an effective method for inactivating influenza viruses, including HPAI.

Flu viruses are also inactivated with many common disinfectants such as detergents, 10 percent household bleach, alcohol or other commercial disinfectants. While the virus is more difficult to inactivate in organic material such as feces or soil, exposure to heat, direct sunlight and drying kill many types of bird diseases.

Stay informed of the changing status of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza and the risk it poses to people. If the disease is detected in North America stay informed of geographic areas where it has been detected and public health recommendations available at pandemicflu.gov.

For additional information on avian influenza pathology, safety guidelines, and efforts to monitor wild birds, visit the following Web sites:

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC),

Avian Influenza Site, www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/avian_influenza/index.jsp

Homeland Security Council’s National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/nspi.pdf

USDA APHIS Avian Influenza Site: Biosecurity for the Birds, www.usda.gov/birdflu

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