Big-game conservation efforts in New Mexico picked up an extra $568,000 at recent auctions for special licenses and permits, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will triple that amount with federal matching funds for habitat restoration and big-game enhancement projects statewide.

A hunter from Washington made this year’s highest bid of $172,000 for a package of hunts — deer, elk, pronghorn, oryx and ibex. The hunt package sold at the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation National Convention in Reno and was one of two made available for the first time this year. The other package sold for $145,000 to a hunter from California at the Mule Deer Foundation Convention in Salt Lake City.

More info www.wildlife.state.nm.us

Posted: 03|1|08 at 12:41 am. Filed under: US News.