The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish stated that automated “bot” activity prompted it to shut down its online credit/debit card processing for hunting and fishing licenses and permits. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the agency posted at 4:58 p.m. MDT on August 29, 2025, that customers cannot complete card purchases through its online system while it mitigates the incident.
Officials said licenses and permits can still be bought with cash at approved vendor locations statewide, and many vendors can accept cards independently of the state system. Local media reported the department attributed the disruption to a bot-driven cyberattack affecting online license sales. Bot attacks typically involve automated programs that attempt fraud, overload services, or scrape data.
