NMDGF Conservation Enforcement

The Department of New Mexico Game and Fish has approximately 90 Conservation Officers (Fish and Game Wardens) who are certified peace officers. Of those, approximately 60 work full-time in the field, patrolling the state’s vast areas of public and private lands, checking hunters and anglers for compliance with fish and wildlife laws, and working with landowners and others who deal with wildlife issues.

  • The great outdoors is your office - NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden)- New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Wilderness on horseback- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Antelope trapping operation- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer - (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • OHV antelope herding- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Wildlife complaints- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Depredation assistance- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Be part of a team- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Cougar relocation- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Off-Highway Vehicle patrol- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Wildlife complaint releases- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Roadblock investigation seizure
  • Hunter education archery training
  • Elk surveys- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Ute Lake walleye spawn- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Officers specialize in wildlife- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • The great outdoors is your office- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Hunting season road block- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Antelope health check- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Confiscated antlers- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Aquatic invasive species boat inspection- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Helicopter elk survey- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Wildfire assistance and cleanup- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Barbary sheep hunt patrol- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Hunter education firearm training- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish
  • Poaching investigation- NMDGF Conservation Enforcement Officer (Game Warden) - New Mexico Game & Fish

Rules & Statutes (External Links)

New Mexico Statutes
Wildlife Administration (Title 19, Chapter 30 NMAC)
Trapping and Furbearers
Wildlife Habitat and Lands
Hunting & Fishing (Title 19, Chapter 31 NMAC)
Endangered and Protected Species
Captive Wildlife Uses

Related Links

Special Use Permits
License & Permit Revocation List
Conservation Officer District Map
N.M. Courts Center & Case Lookup (external)

Operation Game Thief

NMDGF’s Operation Game Thief  pays rewards to citizens who turn in poachers.
⇒ File a secure and anonymous report online.
⇒ View new unsolved and solved case reports.Operation Game Thief 1-800-432-4263 pays rewards for poaching information - New Mexico Game and Fish Conservation Enforcement
Click Here to visit the Operation Game Thief page:

A Message from Colonel Robert Griego

law-enforcement-colonel-robert-griegoPoaching Harms Everyone

Poachers are not hunters. They are thieves stealing your wildlife. Poaching hurts not only our wildlife resources, but also harms the hunting, trapping and fishing way of life. Each year, New Mexico’s game wardens investigate cases in which our majestic big game have been reduced to rotting piles of headless corpses.

Across the New Mexico landscape, our trophy elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope are being poached for the heads only. Trophy poaching has nothing to do with feeding a hungry family. It is purely a criminal activity for profit.

New Mexico’s wildlife belongs to you, and I encourage you to protect it. The active role you play is essential, and if you have information about illegally taken wildlife or fish, contact your local game warden or telephone the hotline listed below.

Operation Game Thief (OGT) is a silent witness program funded by donations from individuals and organizations, not from taxes or license fees. Rewards for information leading to the arrest of poachers vary from $50 for cases involving a warning citation up to $750 for more severe violations.

The telephone hotline operates year-round, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day, and violations also can be reported online. Additional information about Operation Game Thief is available on page 20 of The 2014-15 New Mexico Hunting Rules & Info booklet.

If you are an individual or belong to an organization concerned about poaching and its impact, I also encourage you to consider contributing to this important citizen-based program. Donations are tax deductible and solely used to pay rewards and promote the program.

Operation Game Thief

Report poachers - contact New Mexico Game and Fish Operation Game Thief 1-800-432-42631-800-432-4263
(24 hours, 7 days a week)
www.wildlife.state.nm.us
Learn more about
Operation Game Thief

Thank you in advance for becoming involved and taking the initiative to help prevent poaching, and thank you for promoting protection of New Mexico’s wildlife heritage.

With gratitude and respect,

Robert Griego