Habitat Stamp

Wetland, Waterway, and Riparian Projects
Improvement of wetlands, waterways, and riparian areas enhance habitat for the wildlife that live both in and around wet environments. These improvements include in-stream structures, bank stabilization, riparian plantings, riparian enclosures, invasive species removal, and aquatic monitoring.

Vegetation Projects
Improvement of food, cover, and movement corridors is accomplished through a wide variety of projects, each designed to improve habitat. These projects include prescribed burns, mechanical and hand thinning, chemical application, and seeding.

Water Developments
Providing dependable sources of water benefits all wildlife. Water developments can include earth tanks, seep and spring enhancement, trick tanks and guzzlers, and maintaining existing infrastructure.

Other Related Projects
There are numerous other Habitat Stamp projects being completed that have a more indirect effect on improving the quality of wildlife and habitat. Such projects include wildlife census, species reintroduction, road management, fencing and fence modifications, and law enforcement.

In the 32-years of implementing projects through the HSP, 2,398 wildlife and habitat enhancement projects have been funded at a level of over $49 million. Through this effort, the HSP has contributed over $21 million and federal agencies have reported contributing an additional $24.4 million in the form of labor, materials, planning, fiscal tracking, National Environmental Policy Act compliance, and obtaining archeological/cultural clearances. Since it was tracked in 1999, other organizational and volunteer partners have been reported to contribute $4 million in time and resources to this effort.

The combined agency (USFS and BLM) ratio for matching funds over the life of the program, 1986-2017, is $1.16 for each $1 spent by HSP. The cooperating agencies’ ability to match HSP funding varies from year to year based upon priorities and the level of federal funding available within the agencies’ budgets.

During the life of the program, the HSP funds have been used to improve approximately 849,854 acres of terrestrial habitat; enhance approximately 11,462 acres of riparian habitat; build 801 places for wildlife to obtain water; complete 825 wildlife population, habitat surveys and/or program needs assessments; complete 17 wildlife transplants; improve 88 aquatic habitat/fishing areas; maintain and/or monitor previously built structures 11,100 times; install approximately 805 erosion control structures for watershed improvement; provide habitat and shelter for wildlife; reduce human impacts on wildlife; and improve overall public enjoyment of wildlife.

Habitat Stamp Cost: $5

A Habitat Stamp is required, in addition to the proper license, to fish, hunt, or trap on US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and US Forest Service (USFS) lands and waters in New Mexico. The funds collected are used to improve forests, lakes and streams on public lands as a long-term investment in habitat for fish and wildlife and to help assure our game and fish have a place to live and rear their young. Habitat enhancement projects are submitted through the Habitat Stamp Program, and are reviewed and prioritized by five citizen advisory committees from different parts of the state. Approved projects are then carried out by the BLM and USFS in cooperation with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

The license year runs from April 1st to March 31st and the Habitat Stamp is a one-time, annual purchase. The Habitat Stamp validation expires at the end of a license year. A signed license with a Habitat Stamp validation must be in possession while hunting, fishing or trapping on USFS and BLM lands. If a person has a Habitat Stamp validation on a fishing license, for example, and later purchases a hunting license, they do not need to purchase a second Habitat Stamp. However, it is highly recommended to re-print the current license immediately after the purchase, or prior to the next hunting fishing, or trapping trip on USFS or BLM lands. The re-printed license will have all previous and currently purchased licenses and validations.

The stamp is required on the following federal lands:

•   Carson National Forest
•   Cibola National Forest
•   Coronado National Forest
•   Gila National Forest
•   Lincoln National Forest
•   Santa Fe National Forest
•   Kiowa National Grasslands
•   All BLM properties (except those in Game Unit 28)

The following lists point out some specific public areas where the stamp is required.

The stamp is not required on the following lands:

•   County lakes, streams and properties
•   Indian pueblos and reservations
•   Municipal lakes, streams and properties
•   NM Department of Game and Fish big game and waterfowl areas; and department fishing areas not located on USFS lands
•   NM State School Trust lands
•   Private lands
•   US Army Corps of Engineer lakes and properties
•   US Bureau of Reclamation lakes and properties
•   US Fish and Wildlife Service refuges
•   US military installations

The following lists point out some specific public areas where the stamp is not required.