New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
dan.williams@state.nm.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 15, 2009:

OBSERVE FIRE RESTRICTIONS, BE BEAR AWARE

SANTA FE -- Fishing, hiking and camping season is upon us, and the Department of Game and Fish is reminding everyone to be aware of fire restrictions and bears.

Anglers, campers and hikers who use state Wildlife Areas are urged to check restrictions before they travel. Wildlife areas observe the same fire restrictions in place by the New Mexico Forestry Division, or in adjoining national forests, Bureau of Land Management and State Trust lands. Fireworks are banned on all 99 Wildlife Areas that the Department either owns or leases around the state.

Campers are urged to avoid unpleasant encounters with bears by properly disposing of trash and using "bear-aware" camping practices while in the outdoors. That includes keeping food and garbage securely stored, never storing food in tents, never cooking near where you sleep, and changing clothing that could hold odors before sleeping.

For more information about fire restrictions statewide, please visit the Public Lands Information Center Web site, www.publiclands.org/firenews/NM.php, or the New Mexico Forestry Division Web site, www.emnrd.state.nm.us/FD/.

Information about bears can be found on the Department Web site,  www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

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