The New Mexico State game commission hosted their first meeting of 2026 in Santa Fe on Friday January 9th. The Commission opened by announcing the resignation of former vice-chairwoman Commissioner Sharon Salazar-Hickey. Her resignation creates a second vacancy on the Commission and puts the number of active Commissioners at 5 (just one Commissioner over the quorum requirement). Will Governor Michele Lujan Grisham appoint 2 new commissioners prior to terming out of office at the end of 2026? My crystal ball says it’s not likely, but you never know.

First order of business at every January meeting is to elect a new Chair and Vice-chair. Commissioner Richard Stump was reelected to hold the Chairman position and Commissioner Fernando Clemente took over the Vice-chairman position. The Commission also voted on the dates and locations of subsequent meetings throughout the year. Those dates and locations are as follows:

• Friday, Feb 20th - Roswell
• Friday, March 20th - Albuquerque
• Friday, May 29th - Deming
• Thursday, June 25th - Portales
• Friday, Aug 21st - Las Vegas
• Friday, Nov 13th - Las Cruces

Avid readers may notice that the number of meetings is substantially higher than normal. That is because 2026 is the year that the Commission will be revising each of the Big Game Rules for the next 4-yr cycle (except for Bear and Cougar, which will be revised next year). 2026 is going to be a busy year for everyone involved in the NM hunting industry, so let’s get started!  

As a refresher, each big game rule will be revised over 3 commission meetings. The “initiation” opens the rule so the Dept. can begin taking public comment. At the “subsequent” meeting the Dept. will present the results of public comment and finalize their recommendations to the commission (the Dept. will also host additional public meetings between the initiation and subsequent phase of the process). The “final” hearing is when the rule becomes finalized for the next 4 years. No changes can be made during the “final” rule hearing. Rules are opened in a staggered order. Javelina, Turkey, Migratory Bird, Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Ibex opened during the January meeting. Deer, Elk, and Bighorn Sheep will open in February. And Pronghorn will open in March. All rules will be finalized by the November meeting.

INITIATION OF THE JAVELINA RULE
The Dept. is seeing Javelina populations expand across the state. Biologists are still finalizing population data but are preliminarily proposing to increase the OTC license caps as well as allow the bootheel hunters (GMUs 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, & 27) to hunt the OTC areas. The rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]

INITIATION OF THE TURKEY RULE
Dept. data showed that turkey populations statewide are steady. Season dates continue to be consistent with breeding objectives and success rates from hunters have remained steady over the past decade. The Dept. is still in the process of determining whether they believe hens should continue to be harvested in the fall. They will report back to the Commission with that recommendation at the subsequent rule hearing. The Dept. is beginning a new study with using GPS “backpacks” to mark hens. This will make gathering biological data on turkey both easier and more efficient. Preliminarily the Dept. is proposing to increase Goulds Turkey permits. The Dept. reports that Goulds Turkey are doing exceptionally well (they were delisted from the state threatened and endangered species list in 2022). The population is expanding into Arizona as well as into Mexico. The Turkey Rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]

INITIATION OF THE MIGRATORY RULE
The Dept. provided their initial presentation of proposed changes to the Migratory Bird Rule. The Migratory Bird Rule is updated annually, and season selections and bag limits are determined in conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlife Service working through the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils. The Dept. is still waiting to receive this year’s federal framework. Once the framework is received there is not likely to be many changes to the rule. The rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]

INITIATION OF THE EXOTICS RULE
The Department regulatory framework for Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Ibex is called the Exotics Rule. Because these game species are non-native to New Mexico they are managed under different strategies. The rule is now open for public comment. If you would like to voice your opinion on this rule, please email [email protected]

IBEX
Ibex populations are restricted to the Florida Mountains through an agreement with the BLM. In 2013 the Dept. was under pressure from BLM to significantly reduce the Ibex population. Admittedly the Dept culled too deeply, and population numbers have continued to decline since then for reasons unclear to the Dept. Current Ibex numbers are extremely low and trophy quality of Billies is terrible. Although the Dept. does not believe that hunter harvest is a factor in the current decline, they feel a large reduction in licenses is warranted. NMCOG wholeheartedly agrees and has encouraged the Dept. to reduce license numbers to as few as humanly possible until the population stabilizes. The Dept. plans to conduct a thermal imaging study on the population in March and will present those results to the Commission at the subsequent hearing.  

ORYX
Oryx management is focused on populations located on White Sands Missile Range (where they were first introduced) rather than off-range populations that have established as the on-range population has grown. On-range oryx hunts are offered as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Dept. is considering increasing off-range licenses and they are proposing to require private landowners to register their property and obtain an authorization code for private land oryx licenses. The Dept. believes this will help cut down on people using private land licenses to harvest off-range Oryx on public land. NMCOG also agrees strongly with this idea and is pushing to establish ranch authorizations codes for all private land licenses (just like is already done for OTC elk licenses in the secondary units).

BARBARY SHEEP (more commonly called Aoudad outside of NM)
Barbary Sheep populations seem to thrive in NM and are allowed to flourish in the southeast. The Dept. is trying to discourage the expansion of populations outside of the southeastern region. Barbary Sheep are proven to carry and transmit diseases to bighorn sheep. The Dept. does not want Barbary populations to establish in any Bighorn areas. The Dept. has not determined whether they will increase license numbers for Barbary Sheep. They are interested to hear from hunters.

FINAL APPROVAL OF THE SHED HUNTING RULE
The Commission also finally voted to approve the new shed hunting rule. As part of Senate Bill 5 (which was passed by the NM Legislature in January) the Dept. is obligated (starting in 2026) to charge a non-resident license fee of $200 for “shed hunting”. The legislation also specified that “a shed hunter license shall not be required for shed hunting by a NM resident.” These two additions to the Game and Fish statute required that the Game Commission promulgate a Rule to define “shed hunting.”

The new rule, which was approved, is within the Manner & Method Rule 19.31.10 NMAC. It does not apply to resident shed hunters. Non-residents who collect more than 2 sheds will now be required to purchase a $200 license prior to collecting shed antlers. The rule did not establish a season. Any non-resident who is caught in possession of more than 2 sheds without a shed hunting license will be issued a citation and the antlers will be confiscated. Commissioner Lopez voted against the motion insinuating that he felt the rule should apply to both residents and non-residents.  

ODDS AND ENDS
During the meeting the Commission also adopted the annual resolution to the Open Meetings Act (as they are required to do by statute). The Dept. is also proposing to require that licenses be purchased at least a day prior to the hunt starting. They have seen a recent uptick in the number of people who purchase a license and then immediately use their eTag carcass tag. This indicates that some hunters may be hunting without a license and then purchasing a license if right before (or worse - after) they harvest game. They believe a requirement to purchase the license the day before the hunt will help curb this. NMCOG is in favor of this change.

The New Mexico State game commission hosted a meeting in Los Alamos on Friday, November 7. The meeting was rather short, and the agenda was so routine that we considered not publishing a recap at. However, the Fisheries Rule and the Upland Game Rule were both finalized and the intra-commission drama seemed interesting enough to warrant a summary.

FINAL APPROVAL OF THE FISHERIES RULE
The department provided their final presentation regarding the next 4-year cycle of the Fisheries Rule. NMCOG is extremely frustrated and saddened to report that none of our proposed changes to the San Juan River fishery were accepted in the final rule. Outfitters on the San Juan will no doubt read this and correctly say “I told you so”. And it’s true, the changes proposed by NMCOG (which we thought made perfectly logical sense and would be so easily accepted by the department) were shot down in the end. With the worst part being the way the Department led NMCOG to believe our proposal would be incorporated into the final. Surprise, it wasn’t. Which is a setback but not the end of the fight. We will continue to encourage the Dept. to make management changes on the San Juan River (which do not require Commission approval). And we will continue working with NM State Parks. The silver lining in this story is that NMCOG learned a very valuable lesson. Trust will no longer be afforded to the Department as it relates to any Rule development going forward. 

The commission voted unanimously to approve the following amendments to the rule:

• Clarify the definition of Barbless Lure or Fly to make consistent with the Manner and Method definition 
• Add a definition of “Special Trout Water” 
• Add Jack’s Creek (Pecos), Rio San Antonio (near Lagunitas Lakes), and the  upper Rio Chiquito to the list of Catch and Release, Artificial Fly or Lure Only, and unlimited non-native trout harvest to support the resident Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout populations 
• Remove the reference to Santa Cruz Lake, Bonito Lake, Monastery, and Springer Lake as closed to ice fishing and refers to signage by the specific landowner 
• Clarify the definition of Barbless Lure or Fly to make consistent with the  Fisheries definition described above 
• Remove the reference to Santa Cruz Lake, Bonito Lake and Springer Lake as closed to ice fishing and refer to signage by the specific landowner 
• Clarify language in 19.31.10.14(F) regarding where trotlines can be used by  anglers in the state  
• Prohibiting the use of bait fish in the Bureau of Land Management Overflow  Wetlands to protect Pecos Pupfish from potential introduction of Sheepshead  Minnow 
• Expand Director’s authority to suspend angling limits, methods, and size limits or to close a water due to water shortage, eradication needs, or other management needs. The duration of Director’s authority is proposed to be limited to six months during which the Department could propose an emergency or permanent rule 
• Add Jackson Lake to the list of lakes where electric motors are permitted 
• Make it unlawful to fish from the Texas Hole and Crusher Hole boat ramps located on the San Juan River

FINAL APPROVAL OF THE UPLAND GAME RULE
​The Dept. provided their final presentation regarding possible changes to the next 4-year cycle of the Upland Game Rule. The Commission approved the Rule unanimously. 

• Adjust hunt dates according to calendar shift
• No changes to bag limits for Quail
•  Changes to the Bernardo Youth Pheasant Hunt. See below.
• Add additional special youth pheasant hunt on Jackson Lake WMA
• Open Bluebird and Pine River WMAs for upland hunting during squirrel/grouse season
• Open Double E, L Bar, Navajo, and River Ranch WMAs for upland hunting during Quail season
• Divide Dusky Grouse into North and South zone and set possession limits. North/South divided by Interstate-40
• North - 3 birds/day, 6 in possession
• South - 1 bird/day, 2 in possession
• Pheasant dates as follows:

ODDS, ENDS, AND ENDLESS DRAMA
The Commission also approved the annual depredation report, the annual equipment disposal list, and the addition of a 25% discount on license purchases to NM residents who qualify for SNAP benefits (this was a requirement of Senate Bill 5, which passed in January). However, a vote to increase the vendor fee (also a requirement of SB5) from $1 to $2 was sidelined by Commissioner Lopez who voted against the increase claiming it was his “line in the sand”. Head shaking moments such as this continue to plague the Commission and really have for the entirety of Governor MLG’s term. While nobody got canned before Friday meeting, the Commission continues to be more theatrical than informative.
​
Commissioner Fulfer was, as usual, nowhere to be found. Commissioner Lopez, in addition to his anti-vendor fee rant, railed against outfitters during the discussion of the Fisheries Rule, ridiculously sympathizing with people illegally fishing from the boat ramps because “we all know how much it cost to fish the San Juan”. Commissioner Lopez has become progressively more hateful towards non-resident hunters/anglers or basically anyone with the wealth to hire outfitters. Commissioner Salazar Hickey gave a 15-minute dissertation on her hatred for poachers (specifically nonresident poachers). While we agreed with the sentiment, the rant seemed a bit like preaching to the choir and totally came from left field. After all, the department reviews bad hunter behavior and revocations at literally every meeting. In general, it continues to be unclear which commissioners are allies, and which aren’t. Honestly, they really all seem to dislike each other equally.

The NM State Game Commission hosted a meeting in the far west rural community of Reserve, NM on August 15th in the Reserve High School Gymnasium. The meeting was packed with over 300 community members, advocates, lobbyists, reporters, NM County Commissioners from multiple counties, and several NM Legislators. The meeting was over 10 hours long. However, although there were numerous important topics on the agenda, there was a mass exodus of people after the wolf hearing. Leaving just the same ole, small handful of die-hards in the giant empty venue. It was a glaring reminder that antlers, fish, and small game simply don’t instill nearly the level of passion that predators do.
 
DEPT. OF GAME AND FISH RULE CREATION REVIEW
The Commission heard several “subsequent” updates on open Rules during this meeting. Quick reminder on the process of rule creation: when the Commission opens a rule it is called the “initial discussion”. Between the initial and subsequent discussions, the NMDGF hosts public meetings and formalizes their recommendations to the Commission. The Dept. presents their final recommendations to the Commission at the “subsequent discussion”. The Dept will then post their final recommendations to the Sunshine Portal (the official state register) where it must remain unchanged for 30 days prior to final approval. At the next meeting after the “subsequent discussion” the Commission will hold a “hearing” to approve the Rule. The hearing is just a formality in the process. No changes can be made to the Rule during the hearing (otherwise by law the Rule must go back to the register for an additional 30 days). As a member of the public, your time to make your voice heard is between the initial and subsequent discussions. If your changes have not been incorporated into the Dept’s proposal by the subsequent meeting, they will not be included in the final rule hearing.
 
CATRON COUNTY MEXICAN WOLF UPDATE
The Catron County Commission provided the Game Commission with an update (to the presentation they gave to the Commission in April) related to continued community problems with the Mexican Wolf reintroduction. The County Commissioners gave detailed statements regarding their personal interactions with the wolf. The meeting was extremely well attended. Attendees consisted of roughly equal numbers of ranchers and wolf advocates.
 
Livestock owners voiced concerns that they continue to lose livestock, including horses, to wolf kills every year and they are not being compensated adequately for their losses. Wolf advocates commented on their love for the wolves and made statements about wolves having the right to be on the landscape. The County Commission described various requests they’ve made to the US Fish and Wildlife Service as well as the NM Dept. of Game and Fish in an effort to alleviate wolf pressure. The Game Commission applauded the presentation as well as the public attendance but gave minimal response as it relates to any potential action items. The USFWS attended the meeting but gave just a very broad overview of the program and provided no response to public comment.
 
NMCOG voiced industry concerns that outfitters in the Gila continue to witness decreasing numbers of elk. We expressed concern that the Gila (which used to be the number 1 elk hunting destination in the world) is today struggling to remain in the top 10. Outfitters feel a reduction in the number of trophy quality bulls is to blame and that wolves are likely more than partially responsible, especially on public land and in the wilderness. NMCOG also understands that the Mexican Wolf program is a federal program and that the Game Commission has limited ability to make any changes to the program. However, we requested that the NMDGF do a more thorough job monitoring the elk herds in the Gila so that as wolf numbers continue to increase, we won't be caught off guard by rapid loss in the elk population. Elk herds in NM simply cannot sustain uncontrolled numbers of wolves the way that elk in Montana and Wyoming have.
 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED SHED HUNTING RULE
The Dept. provided their second presentation on the recommendations to establish a Rule regarding Shed Hunting. As part of Senate Bill 5 (which was passed by the NM Legislature in January) the Dept. is obligated (starting in 2026) to charge a non-resident license fee of $200 for “shed hunting”. The legislation also specified that “a shed hunter license shall not be required for shed hunting by a NM resident.” These two additions to the Game and Fish statute require that the Game Commission promulgate a Rule to define “shed hunting.”
 
The Dept. is proposing that Shed Hunting be defined as the “possession of more than 2 obviously shed antlers found in the field”. To clarify, beginning in 2026, any non-resident who comes to New Mexico and collects more than 2 shed antlers would be required to purchase a non-resident shed hunting license or face disciplinary action. The Dept. is proposing that a violation of this Rule would be a penalty assessment which would result in a fee.
 
The NMCOG Board of Directors voted (at our July Annual Meeting) to recommend that the NMDGF also institute a shed hunting season. After hearing from many outfitters in the Gila and in the northwest that commercial shed hunters are having a negative ecological impact (from destruction of habitat and wildlife harassment; shed hunters chasing down deer to make them drop their antlers) it was decided that NMCOG would propose a shed hunting season. We recommended to the Commission that the season begin May 1st and run through December 31st. The NMDGF and the Commission DECLINED our request. The Dept. is not proposing to institute a shed season. The above sentence in bold is what the Commission will be voting to implement at their November meeting.
 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE FISHERIES RULE
The Dept. provided their subsequent presentation regarding possible changes to the next 4-year cycle of the Fisheries Rule. In recent behind closed door discussions with NMCOG the Dept. had expressed a willingness to extend quality water status to the parts of the San Juan River that flow through private land (from Rainbow Lodge down to the boat ramp at Hammond). The Dept. had seemed open to changing the status on that section of river from "regular" to Christmas waters (which is a special trout water designation). However, at their presentation to the Commission this past Friday the Department failed to mention our discussions and the Commission proceeded with "no changes". We also requested the quality water status to extend below the boat ramp at Crusher Hole to help combat the issue of unfortunate interactions between bait fisherman fishing from the boat ramp (which is already illegal) and guides in the process of removing boats from the water. The Dept. also denied our request for this change despite the industry asking politely for solutions to this issue for many years.
 
The Commission needs to hear from the industry so that they understand how important these issues are to the San Juan Fishing community! If the NMDGF is unwilling to work with NMCOG as a representative for the fishing industry, we will force them to listen to each individual voice on the river. The Fisheries Rule will be approved at the November Commission meeting. This is our last Hail Mary attempt to get the Commission and the Dept. to listen to the concerns of the guided fishing industry.
 
Please take 10 minutes to voice your concerns and opinions to the Commission. Draft your own personal email outlining your feelings on these issues. Send your email to the addresses at the bottom of this email.
 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE UPLAND GAME RULE
The Dept. provided their subsequent presentation regarding possible changes to the next 4-year cycle of the Upland Game Rule. The following proposal will be sent to the Sunshine Portal and will be approved by the Commission at their November meeting.

• Adjust hunt dates according to calendar shift
• No changes to bag limits for Quail
• Changes to the Bernardo Youth Pheasant Hunt. See below.
• Add additional special youth pheasant hunt on Jackson Lake WMA
• Open Bluebird and Pine River WMAs for upland hunting during squirrel/grouse season
• Open Double E, L Bar, Navajo, and River Ranch WMAs for upland hunting during Quail season
• Divide Dusky Grouse into North and South zone and set possession limits. North/South divided by Interstate-40
  • North - 3 birds/day, 6 in possession
  • South - 1 bird/day, 2 in possession
• Pheasant dates as follows:  

Future Commission meetings
November 7, 2025 (Friday) – Los Alamos
January 9, 2026 (Friday) – Santa Fe

COMMISSIONER CONTACT INFORMATION
(You're encouraged to contact the Commissioners any time to voice your opinion)
Richard Stump - Chairman
Appointed at-large 
[email protected]

Sharon Salazar Hickey - Vice Chair
District 4: Santa Fe, Taos, Colfax, Union, Mora, Harding, Quay, San Miguel, Guadalupe and Torrance counties
[email protected]

Tirzio Lopez
District 3: San Juan, McKinley, Cibola, Valencia, Sandoval, Los Alamos & Rio Arriba counties
[email protected]

Gregg Fulfer
District 1: Curry, De Baca, Roosevelt, Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, Eddy and Lea counties
[email protected]
​
OPEN
District 2: Catron, Socorro, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra and Dona Ana counties

Fernando Clemente Jr.
Appointed at-large 
[email protected]

Dr. Christopher Witt
District 5: Bernalillo County
[email protected]

​The Game Commission hosted a meeting in Red River last Friday. Surprisingly, there was a fresh face at the Commissioner’s table. Governor Lujan Grisham appointed UNM professor Dr. Christopher Witt to serve as the Commissioner for District 5 (ABQ metro). With Dr. Witt’s appointment we now have a full 7-member Commission for the first time in more than a year.
 
The Commission meeting was long, and the agenda was full of important topics. Let’s jump right in. Several agenda items described below are now open to public comment on the Dept. website. You are encouraged to voice your opinion at Proposals Under Consideration - NMDGF.
 
APPROVAL OF THE STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN (SWAP)
The Commission unanimously approved the State Wildlife Action Plan, better known as the SWAP. The SWAP is a non-regulatory document that is required for the Dept. to receive Federal Government funds used to help conserve Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). The Dept. receives approximately $1 million annually through this State Wildlife Grants Program. The document also allows the Dept. to access an additional $10 million in general fund money authorized by the NM Legislature.
 
To qualify for the program the SWAP document must address eight elements including Identifying SGCN and key habitats (including threats to habitat and conservation actions required) and the document must develop a monitoring plan, coordinate with interested federal, state, and Tribal entities, provide for public participation, and make a schedule for the next comprehensive review. The SWAP is organized into NM’s 6 major ecoregions and uses the National Vegetation Classification System to describe key habitats.
 
Over the drafting process a total of 32 organizations participated in the core team (including organizations across the spectrum from Defenders of Wildlife to NM Cattle Growers Association). The core team met 5 times from December 2023 - February 2025. The core team members reviewed draft versions of the SWAP and submitted a finalized document of 756 pages. The final document includes a list of SGCN, the Conservation Actions, three chapters related to threats, climate change, and regional conservation, and a table regarding SGCN monitoring activities. 
 
The renewal of the SWAP is an important funding source for SGCN conservation which does not require the use of sportsmen licenses dollars. Since the origination of this document in 2006, the SWAP has been instrumental in helping the Dept. prevent federal listing of endangered species (recent examples would be the Rio Grande Chub and Sucker). The document has also helped to facilitate the delisting and downlisting of several NM species. The Gould’s Turkey was recently delisted, and the Dept. is now able to offer hunting opportunities for this species. The Rio Grande and Gila Cutthroat Trout are also examples of conservation success stories under the SWAP.
 
The renewed SWAP goes into effect in the 2027 budget year, with the next revision of the document scheduled to begin sometime around 2033.
 
INITIAL DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED SHED HUNTING RULE
The Dept. provided a presentation on their preliminary recommendations to establish a Rule regarding Shed Hunting. In Senate Bill 5 (which was passed by the NM Legislature in January) the Dept. is obligated (starting in 2026) to charge a non-resident license fee of $200 for “shed hunting”. The legislation also specified that “a shed hunter license shall not be required for shed hunting by a NM resident.” These two additions to the Game and Fish statute require that the Game Commission promulgate a Rule to define “shed hunting.” This presentation was the Dept.’s first stab at creating a Shed Hunting Rule.
 
The Dept. is proposing that Shed Hunting be defined as the “possession of more than 2 obviously shed antlers found in the field”. To clarify, if this proposal is passed by the Commission than beginning in 2026, any non-resident who comes to New Mexico and collects more than 2 shed antlers would be required to purchase a non-resident shed hunting license or face disciplinary action. The Dept. is proposing that a violation of this Rule would result in a penalty assessment in the amount of $325 (there would also be a court option).
 
The current Dept. proposal does not specify any type of shed hunting season. According to the Dept. there is no biological need to institute a season. This proposal is currently open to public comment on the Dept. website. NMCOG will be making official comments regarding the Rule creation, and we would love to have your feedback on the issue. Please send your thoughts regarding this proposal to [email protected].
 
APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL MIGRATORY BIRD RULE
The Commission unanimously approved the Dept.’s proposed changes to the annual cycle of the Migratory Bird Rule. The Rule is amended annually in compliance with federal guidelines proposed by the Central and Pacific Flyways and USFWS. The Commission approved the following changes.

• Change the regular waterfowl season dates
• Change certain season dates to be later in the year because of calendar shift
• Increase sandhill crane permits in MRGV and SW draw hunts by 12 total (which will be distributed throughout existing hunts)
• Increase Northern Pintail bag limit from 1 to 3 per USFWS regulatory framework

You can view the complete changes made to the Rule at 19.31.6 Mig. Game Bird underline strikethrough 2025.docx (bag limit and date changes begin on page 3).
 
RESULTS OF THE CUSTOMER AND COMMUITY SURVEY
In 2025, the Department commissioned ongoing and repeating quantitative research to help inform public relations and hunter/angler recruitment efforts as well as to track progress. The initial phase of research looked at both Dept. customers and non-customers to determine awareness and satisfaction levels, attitudes toward conservation, outdoor participation trends, hunting and fishing trends and customer demographics. Findings were pretty much on par for what you would expect from hunter/angler respondents as well as non-hunter/angler respondents. The Dept. plans to conduct this research on an annual basis. You can read a complete copy of the community survey HERE (report begins on page 2).
 
ODDS AND ENDS
The Dept. additionally provided the Commission with their initial presentation on the Dept.’s mandate (under Senate Bill 5) to establish a 25% discount to their license fee for any NM resident who is eligible for the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. They also presented their proposed changes under SB5 to the Vendor Fee (will increase from $1 to $2). The Commission approved the 2026 entities that will receive the two bull elk licenses reserved for wish granting organizations (United Special Sportsman Alliance & SafariWish). Finally, the Commission approved the Dept.’s 2027-2031 Capital Project Plan. A rather vague list of priorities can be found HERE (starts on page 2).
GENERAL PUBLIC
Although not an official agenda item at this meeting, both NMCOG and Trout Unlimited made comments regarding the Fisheries Rule (which is currently open to public comment). NMCOG sent a preliminary letter to the Commission regarding our proposed changes. You can read NMCOG’s preliminary recommendations letter on our website at Angler Advocacy - NM Outfitters. The Commission will discuss the Fisheries Rule at their August meeting.
 
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Although it was also not on the agenda, the Commission provided a follow up to the Jicarilla Apache Nation’s April presentation regarding mule deer management in GMU 2B. The Commission has decided to accept the Jicarilla’s recommendation and will use the authority under the “Director’s discretion” to reduce November rifle mule deer licenses in GMU 2B by 20% for the 2026 license year (including the November private land hunts). They will also reconsider the Dept.’s mule deer management strategy to move from “opportunity” to “quality” when the Rule opens in March 2026. The Jicarilla Chief of Conservation, Bernard Inez, stated that the Jicarilla would appreciate it if the 20% reduction apply to all GMU 2B rifle hunt codes (not just the November hunt codes). The Jicarilla also invited the Commission to host a special meeting at the Jicarilla Apache Nation sometime soon.
 
EXECUTIVE SESSION
When the Commission returned from their executive session, which is closed to the public, Commissioner Salazar-Hickey proposed a motion that Chairman Stump sign an easement for the energy company NextEra to construct and operate an electric transmission line across the Black Hills Wildlife Management Area in Roosevelt County (part of the Prairie Chicken WMAs). This transmission line construction has been in the works for many years. 

The Game Commission hosted a meeting in Roswell, NM on Friday April 25th. The meeting was well attended by the public. Many of which were members of the Jicarilla Apache Nation who were in attendance to support the Jicarilla Game Department’s presentation regarding mule deer in Unit 2B. The meeting was long but most of the agenda items were for discussion purposes only and will be voted on during future commission meetings.
 
JICARILLA PRESENATION REGARDING MULE DEER MANAGEMENT IN GMU 2B
The Jicarilla Apache Game and Fish Department provided a presentation to the Game Commission regarding their concerns about how NMDGF management of the mule deer population in GMU 2B is impacting the mule deer population on the adjacent Jicarilla Apache reservation. The Jicarilla has experienced a dramatic decline in the migratory mule deer population on their 850,000-acre reservation over the past 10 years. They attribute this decline to being partially due to drought but also partially due to over harvest by hunters in GMU 2B. The Jicarilla are requesting that the NMDGF reduce mule deer licenses in 2B by 20% for the 2026 hunting season and additionally move from an “opportunity” management strategy to a “quality” management strategy when the NMDGF Mule Deer Rule opens next year. NMCOG has heard similar complaints from the outfitting industry over the past few years and drafted a letter of support for the Jicarilla proposal. The Game Commission is considering the proposal and will provide a follow-up presentation at their June meeting. 
 
CATRON COUNTY MEXICAN WOLF UPDATE
The Catron County Commission provided the Game Commission with a presentation related to continued community problems with the Mexican Wolf reintroduction. County Commissioners Buster Green and Audrey McQueen gave detailed statements regarding their personal interactions with the wolf. Livestock owners in Catron County continue to lose livestock, including horses, to wolf kills every year. The County Commission described various requests they’ve made to alleviate wolf pressure which were submitted to the US Fish and Wildlife Service but have been declined or not responded to. They are now requesting that the Game Commission help Catron County by possibly capping the number of cross-fostered wolves as well as by providing additional collaboration to ranchers about where wolves are being released. They are also asking for additional collar information so that ranchers will have better access to real time data regarding the current location of wolves. NMDGF Wildlife Chief Stewart Liley explained to the Commission that the Dept. has very little control over the particulars of the wolf reintroduction because it is a federal program managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Dept. is currently engaged with the USFWS and will continue to do what they are authorized to do under federal authority to help reduce conflict. The Dept. and Commission did agree to pay closer attention to the situation in Catron County and will work with the federal government to push the program towards downlisting as soon as possible so that expanded take provisions can be authorized for livestock owners.
 
INITIAL DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE FISHERIES RULE
The Dept. provided an initial presentation regarding possible changes to the next 4-year cycle of the Fisheries Rule. This is just the first step in the rule making process. Now is the time for anglers to submit comments regarding any changes you would like to see made to the rule. Now is also the time for NMCOG to gather data from our fishing outfitters regarding any problems and potential solutions that could be incorporated into the Fisheries rule. Please email [email protected] with comments regarding the below changes to the Fisheries Rule OR anything else that you would like to see changed in the NM fishing industry. Below is a list of initial proposed changes:

• Clarify the definition of Barbless Lure or Fly to make consistent and to exclude natural or artificial attractor scents from the definition
• Add Jack’s Creek (Pecos), Rio San Antonio (near Lagunitas Lakes), and the upper Rio Chiquito to the list of Catch and Release, Artificial Fly or Lure Only, and unlimited non-native trout harvest to support resident Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout populations
• Remove the reference to Santa Cruz Lake, Bonito Lake and Spring Lake as closed to ice fishing and refer to signage by specific landowners
• Prohibit the use of Bait Fish in the Bureau of Land Management Overflow Wetlands to protect Pecos Pupfish from potential introduction of Sheepshead Minnow
• Expand Director’s authority to suspend angling limits, methods, and size limits or to close a water due to water shortage, eradication needs, or other management needs.
• Add Jackson Lake to the list of lakes where trolling motors are permitted.

 
INITIAL DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE UPLAND GAME RULE
The Dept. provided an initial presentation regarding possible changes to the next 4-year cycle of the Upland Game Rule. This is just the first step in the rule making process. Now is the time for hunters to submit comments regarding any changes you would like to see made to the rule. The Dept. will host a hybrid public meeting on May 21st @ 6pm. The Dept. is currently accepting public comments. Email your comments to [email protected]. Below is a list of initial proposed changes:

• Adjust hunt dates according to calendar shift
• Explore changes to the Bernardo Youth Pheasant Hunt to increase R3 opportunities
• Divide Dusky Grouse into North and South zone and set possession limits
  • North - 3 birds/day, 6 in possession
  • South - 1 bird/day, 2 in possession

 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF CHANGES TO THE MIGRATORY BIRD RULE
The Migratory Bird Rule is amended annually in compliance with federal guidelines proposed by the Central and Pacific Flyways and USFWS. The Dept. is currently accepting public comments but will close soon! Email your comments to [email protected]. This Rule will be approved by the Commission at their June meeting. Proposed changes to the Rule are outlined below:

• Changes to regular waterfowl season dates based on public comments and calendar dates
• Change certain season dates to be later in the year because of calendar shift
• Based on population survey data, increase sandhill crane permits in MRGV and SW draw hunts by 12 total, to be distributed among existing hunts
• Bag limit for northern pintail to increase from 1 to 3 per USFWS regulatory framework

​ODDS AND ENDS
The Dept. additionally provided the Commission with presentations on recent hunter/angler license revocations, their annual financial audit, and a review of the 2025 Legislative Session; including an initial discussion of possible changes resulting from SB5 (which will include the drafting of a Shed Hunting Rule). SB5 will continue to be further discussed by the Commission during future meetings prior to the first effective date of the law (April 1st, 2026).
​
GENERAL PUBLIC AND COMMISSION COMMENTS
During Commissioner comments, Commissioner Pack requested that future Commission official minutes include a written detailed summary of the public comments made during meetings. Previously minutes have referenced the recorded webcast but have not included a text summary. Brandon Wynn was the only general public commenter, and he gave his usual ranting statements against the EPLUS program, as he does at each Commission meeting. 

The NM State Game Commission hosted their first meeting of 2025 on Friday Jan. 10th in Santa Fe. The agenda was mostly routine except for one REALLY BIG change regarding pronghorn in the northeast. If you read nothing else, please read the update on landowner pronghorn hunts in GMUs 41, 47, 56, 57, 58, & 59, written in bold under “Pronghorn License Changes”.
 
AQUATIC SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED (SGCN) INITIATIVES
Fisheries chief Kirk Patten provided the Commission with an update regarding the Department’s conservation work for aquatic species of greatest conservation need. The Dept., in conjunction with other federal, state, tribal, and non-governmental partners, have worked continuously over several decades through longstanding initiatives, to benefit Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, Rio Grande Chub, Rio Grande Sucker, and Pecos Pupfish. Pecos Pupfish (a species that were proposed endangered 25 years ago) were successfully downlisted to threatened in 2024. Chief Patten happily reported that through the successful conservation efforts of NMDGF, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that an ESA designation for Rio Grande Chub and Rio Grande Sucker fish (separate species) is not warranted at this time. The USFWS additionally determined that an ESA designation on Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout is also not warranted. This is due to the overwhelming success of Dept. conservation efforts which have resulted in a 16% expansion of Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout populations statewide over the past 20 years.
 
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD RULE
As is done every year during the first Commission Meeting, the Dept. initiated opening the Migratory Game Bird Rule. This is an annual rule which is amended each year in conjunction with the USFWS recommendations for the pacific and central flyways. Hunting season dates will be adjusted according to the federal framework, which will be released in the coming months. One big change that is anticipated for all flyways but especially for NM is an adjustment to the pintail bag limit, which will allow for more consistent management with less anticipated swings in future bag limits. In collaboration with the USWFS framework, the pintail bag limit will be increased to 3 (from 1). Sandhill crane populations continue to increase in NM. NMDGF will get allocation numbers from the USFWS in mid-April and determine changes in sandhill crane license allocations. This agenda item was for discussion purposes only. The Migratory Bird rule is now open and will soon be available for public comment. The Dept. will be hosting several public meetings across the state in the coming months.
 
HABITAT STAMP PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Dept. provided an update on the Habitat Stamp Program including a summary of the program’s accomplishments since it was reauthorized by the Commission in 2021. The Habitat Stamp Program began in 1986 and was intended to initiate habitat projects across NM on federal lands. The program is authorized under the Sikes Act. Anyone who hunts or fishes on federal land in NM must purchase a $10 habitat stamp. The revenue collected through the program is then used to conserve those habitats. The program is entirely funded by hunters and anglers.
 
The program is guided by a Commission appointed Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). The annual budget of the program is between $1.5 and $2 million. Projects are brought to the CAC (by commissioners and the general public) and the CAC ranks those projects once a year to determine which projects will receive funding priority. Because the program is substantially funded by anglers, at least 50% of the funds must be applied to fishing projects. The Dept. has 4 years to spend the money allocated to any one project. Since 2021, the Dept. has completed 41 habitat projects including 52 miles of fence removal, 62 acres of stream and lake rehabilitation, and over 10,000 acres of habitat have been restored.
 
PRONGHORN LICENSE CHANGES
NMCOG has heard from many concerned outfitters regarding the pronghorn antelope population in northeast NM over the past few years, and with more frequency recently. The good news is that the NMDGF is finally taking our concerns seriously. The Dept. has made some major changes to the number of antelope licenses that will be issued in 2025 in Game Management Units 41, 42, 47, 56, 57, 58, & 59. These changes have already been made and are printed in the 2025 NMDGF Rules and Regulations booklet which was published on the Dept. website last week. The reason that these changes were made without public comment or Game Commission input is that by law the Director has the ability to reduce licenses by 20% if the species is, for any reason, experiencing a rapid decline in population. The Dept. has determined that the situation in the northeast is dire enough to warrant this immediate 20% reduction in hunting licenses.  
 
Wildlife Chief Stewart Liley provided a presentation to the Commission regarding the status of the northeast pronghorn antelope population. Recent ariel surveys indicate that both density and group size continue to decrease. According to Chief Liley, fawn mortality is likely the reason for the loss of the herd in NE. Department data shows that there has not been a substantial decline in buck to doe ratios and it is rather the fawn to doe ratio that is the concern. Fawn to doe ratios have been very low since 2020 with an estimated just 12% of the fawn crop surviving to adulthood. The cause of this mortality is likely due to drought. The northeast has experienced several years of very severe drought which correlates with the Dept.’s data showing a high level of fawn mortality due to abandonment and of “unknown” causes. While the NMDGF believes that hunter harvest has had a minimal impact on the decline, since NM is heavy on buck harvest (we harvest very few female antelope), buck numbers are really the only aspects where the Dept. can even try to help reverse the decline. And therefore, buck licenses are being reduced by 20% for both draw and private land hunts in 2025 (female harvest is also being eliminated). The hope is that this change will help maintain buck to doe ratios and promote maximum breed back and fawn recruitment. But really, only well-timed rain will be the herds savior!
 
While these changes will come as music to the ears of many folks who have been worried about the northeast pronghorn herd for years, the changes won’t come without business model adjustments for outfitters. As part of the 20% reduction in tags, the antelope licenses issued on private land (previously unlimited, over the counter) are now capped. That means that when private land antelope licenses go on sale July 1st there will be an inevitable mad dash by all outfitters (who hunt antelope in the northeast region) to buy every private land license they need for 2025. Once the cap is met, there will be no more private land antelope licenses sold for the northeast hunts (this will additionally eliminate an outfitters ability to sell 2025 antelope hunts after July 1st).  Caps are determined on a GMU basis and are listed below. It is extremely important that outfitters (and their hunter clientele) understand that for the 2025 season when you buy a private land antelope permit in the following GMU’s they are licenses. Meaning, just like draw licenses, these license sales are final! If an outfitter has an antelope client that cancels last minute, their private land antelope license cannot be refunded or exchanged (except for death or hospitalization). I repeat; all private land outfitters in the following GMUs will need to notify their 2025 antelope clientele that once the license is purchased, they are locked in and cancelling their trip after July 1st will be very difficult. This is the first time that the NMDGF has put a cap on license sales over a large geographic region. If you have questions or would like further information, please contact NMCOG at 505-440-5258.
 
GMU 41 – 190 total private land licenses available
GMU 42 – 54 total private land licenses available
GMU 47 - 71 total private land licenses available
GMU 56 - 383 total private land licenses available
GMU 57 – 36 total private land licenses available
GMU 58 – 185 total private land licenses available
GMU 59 – 246 total private land licenses available
 
ODDS, ENDS, & PUBLIC COMMENT
In Executive Session the Commission voted to approve their hunting easement with the NM State Land Office. The agreement remains unchanged as it relates to hunter access to state trust lands. The Commission also heard a lengthy update on the status of wildlife corridors in NM. As directed by statute the NMDGF and NMDOT have collaborated to draft a well thought out plan regarding why and where best for NM to build wildlife corridors. Next step is finding the money to set the plan into motion. Public comment consisted mostly of support for wildlife corridors as well as support for the habitat stamp program. 

The Commission additionally approved the following schedule for their 2025 meetings.
April 25, 2025 (Friday) – Roswell
June 13, 2025 (Friday) – Red River
August 15, 2025 (Friday) - Reserve
November 7, 2025 (Friday) – Los Alamos
January 9, 2026 (Friday) – Santa Fe


COMMISSIONER CONTACT INFORMATION
​(You're encouraged to contact the Commissioners any time to voice your opinion)
Richard Stump - Chairman
Appointed at-large 
[email protected]


Sharon Salazar Hickey - Vice Chair
District 4: Santa Fe, Taos, Colfax, Union, Mora, Harding, Quay, San Miguel, Guadalupe and Torrance counties
[email protected]


Tirzio Lopez
District 3: San Juan, McKinley, Cibola, Valencia, Sandoval, Los Alamos
and Rio Arriba counties
[email protected]


Gregg Fulfer
District 1: Curry, De Baca, Roosevelt, Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, Eddy and Lea counties
[email protected]


Dr. Sabrina Pack
District 2: Catron, Socorro, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra and Dona Ana counties
[email protected]


Fernando Clemente Jr.
Appointed at-large 
[email protected]

​The New Mexico State Game Commission hosted a meeting in Silver City this past Friday to review Department of Game and Fish programs and divisions. This type of learning forum is not uncommon. They take place every few years and especially when there are new Commissioners appointed. However, what was uncommon about Friday’s meeting was an extended public comment segment which allowed for organizations to make 10-minute presentations and allowed individuals to speak for 5 minutes each. Typically, public comment is restricted to 2 minutes regardless of whether the commentor is representing an organization. There were a substantial number of folks signed up to give public comments which led to an extremely long (5 hour) public comment period and resulted in Friday’s Game Commission meeting lasting until well past 7pm (the meeting began at 8:30am). Although the Department presentations to the Commission covered everything from the Dept’s. mission, structure, budget, funding, Mexican Wolf program, fisheries program, and the Elk Private Land Use System (EPLUS); public comment centered around either EPLUS or the Mexican Wolf program.
 
NMCOG is happy to report that despite the NM Wildlife Federation’s email attempts to rally their anti-EPLUS troops, comments in favor of the EPLUS program outnumbered the haters 3:1.  Thanks to all the members of our EPLUS coalition for taking the time to make such eloquent comments in support of EPLUS. We’ve worked hard over the past 2 years to solidify our coalition and produce information that can be used by everyone wishing to learn about the many benefits of this great program. The result of 2 years of hard work conducted by our analyst (thanks Ed – you are a rockstar!) debuted on Friday and our coalition website finally went live. We encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about EPLUS, and why it’s great for NM, to check out home - EPLUS New Mexico (eplusnm.org)…. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t remind you that NMCOG is still in the process of conducting our comprehensive economic impact study, which will provide additional information on the economic benefits of EPLUS! That study will be completed by December 2024.
 
This edition of our Game Commission Recap is going to be a bit out of the ordinary. Given that all agenda items centered around individual Dept. divisions and programs, we felt it best for you to hear the presentations straight from the horse’s mouth. Below is a bullet point outline of the presentations made during Friday’s meeting along with their start times in the webcast. Fast forward to any of the presentations that interest you, but we strongly encourage you to listen to Chief Liley’s presentation on the Elk Private Land Use System…especially if you are someone who is opposed to the program! You might just change your mind. NM State Game Commission Meeting - April 19, 2024 (youtube.com)
 
Agency Mission, Statutory Framework (start time 1:20.45)
​Fisheries Management Division (start time 1:33.46)
Wildlife Management Division (start time 1:36.50)
Information & Education Division (start time 1:42.40)
Field Operations Division - Enforcement (start time 1:48.45)
Administrative Services Division (start time 1:57.17)
Information Systems Division (start time 1:58.39)
Human Resources Manager (start time 2:02.44)
Budget and Funding (start time 2:43.51) Overview of Mexican Wolf Program (start time 3:09.11) Overview of Fisheries Management (start time 5:07.01) Overview of the Elk Private Land Use System (start time 5:34.34) Public Comment Segment (start time 6:39.27)

Next Commission Meeting – May 16, 2024 (Hobbs, NM)
COMMISSIONER CONTACT INFORMATION
(You're encouraged to contact the Commissioners any time to voice your opinion)


Tirzio Lopez - Vice Chairman
District 3: San Juan, McKinley, Cibola, Valencia, Sandoval, Los Alamos
and Rio Arriba counties
[email protected]


Gregg Fulfer
District 1: Curry, De Baca, Roosevelt, Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, Eddy and Lea counties
[email protected]


Dr. Sabrina Pack
District 2: Catron, Socorro, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra and Dona Ana counties
[email protected]


Sharon Salazar Hickey
District 4: Santa Fe, Taos, Colfax, Union, Mora, Harding, Quay, San Miguel, Guadalupe and Torrance counties
[email protected]


Edward Garcia
District 5: Bernalillo county 
[email protected]


Fernando Clemente Jr.
Appointed at-large 
[email protected]


Richard Stump
Appointed at-large 
[email protected]

The New Mexico State Game Commission hosted their first meeting of 2024 in Albuquerque this past Friday. They were supposed to have held a meeting in January, but that meeting was abruptly cancelled to give the Governor time to appoint 2 additional commissioners. The reason for cancellation was a rumor but it appears to have been true considering there were magically 2 new commissioners at the meeting on Friday. The commission is now a full seven-member body for the first time since April 2021. The new commissioners are Richard Stump, a jeweler from Santa Fe who is also a horse trainer, lifelong sportsman, and a former hunting guide. And Sabrina Pack, a businesswoman from Silver City who does not seem to have any direct interests with the NMDGF other than a general love for wildlife.
 
The commission meeting was very routine. The primary agenda items were the annual initiation of the migratory bird rule and the commencement of the biennial review of NMDGF’s list of threatened and endangered species. One item that got punted to the next commission meeting was the election of a chair and vice chair. The commission has lacked a chairperson since the position was vacated by the sudden resignation of Deanna Archuleta during the 2023 legislative session. There are, of course, several rumors floating around as to why the commission hasn’t elected a chair. All rumors include some level of back-room politics. However, the truth of these rumors is of little concern to NMCOG. It makes no difference to us whether Tirzio Lopez becomes chairman or whether Sharon Salazar Hickey resumes the post. Or perhaps the position will be given to someone entirely new. It simply doesn’t matter, NMCOG will work equally diligent to form a relationship with whomever becomes chair.
 
As previously stated, Friday’s meeting was routine. However, you’d never know it from reading the NM Wildlife Federation’s latest work of fiction. Normally NMCOG would not stoop so low as to provide NMWF with any level of PR. However, their latest diatribe was so rot with propagandized misinformation it seems only right to set the record straight. NMWF took a 5-minute commission conversation at the end of the meeting (which was promoted by Commissioner Pack’s innocent desire to learn more about the issues related to the Dept. for which she is now a member of the governing body) and turned it into a 1300-word anti-EPLUS essay. Most egregiously, they used the article as an opportunity to, straight up, libel a good man who happens to be originally from Texas and who happens to own private property. A man whose monetary contributions of the last decade have done more to benefit the riparian ecosystem, the fisheries, and the community of Chama, NM than the NM Wildlife Federation has ever done since the dawn of time.
 
There was absolutely no justifiable reason for the NMWF to publish such mean-spirited blather. And it only highlighted their obvious desperation to misinform resident hunters. Luckily many resident hunters are finally waking up to recognize the NMWF’s true colors…. Now on to what the commission actually discussed in their meeting on Friday.
 
INITIATION OF THE MIGRATORY BIRD RULE
The Migratory Game Bird Rule is amended annually to ensure compliance with Federal Flyway recommendations and guidelines. In New Mexico, season selections and bag limits are determined in conjunction with the Central and Pacific Flyways and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Dept. is at the beginning of the review process for this Rule. Changes to the migratory bird rule will be determined over the next few months and presented to the Commission at a subsequent meeting. Public comment is now open, but NMCOG will wait to formalize our comments until after the Dept. comes out with their official recommendations.

BIENNIAL REVIEW OF STATE LISTED THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
Every other year Department biologists determine for each listed species whether its status should be ‘uplisted’ from threatened to endangered, ‘downlisted’ from endangered to threatened, or remain unchanged from the previous review period. Adding or removing species to or from the state list is a separate process. The biennial review will take several months to complete and will then be open for a 90-day comment period prior to approval.
 
NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) is a volunteer working group that authorizes and prioritizes projects for the Habitat Stamp Program (HSP). The program’s purpose is to plan, develop, and coordinate conservation and rehabilitation projects on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) managed lands that benefit fish and wildlife populations. Each member serves a 5-year term. Newly appointed CAC members are as follows:
 
Lief Ahlm (At large position)
Manuel L’esperance (Farm and Ranch position)
Mark Cadwallader (District 1)
Mark Mattaini (District 3)
Ronald Loehman (At Large position)
 
2024 COMMISSION MEETING DATES AND LOCATIONS
The commission voted on the following schedule of dates and locations for future 2024 Commission meetings. All meetings will continue to be an in-person & virtual hybrid.
 
April 19th – Silver City, NM
May 17th – Hobbs, NM
August 15th – Red River, NM
November 8th – Las Cruces, NM
January 10th, 2025 – Santa Fe, NM
 
ODDS AND ENDS
During the meeting the Commission also heard a presentation from the Nature Niños, they approved the Hunters Education and Fishing License Application Rules (both rules underwent simple language changes), And they heard a presentation on the Dept’s fiscal year 2023 audit (of which there were no significant findings).

 he Game Commission hosted a meeting in Farmington on October 27th. Although a number of department employees and a few members of the public made the, in many cases several hours, trip to attend the meeting in person, only two commissioners were present. The other 3 commissioners attended via Zoom. All game commission meetings in this post-COVID era are “hybrid”. Yes it’s true that certain things have been made easier and more convenient through virtual meeting technology. Members of the public can comment on rule making from basically anywhere in the world. Meetings can have a greater range of participants. And sick days or snow days (sadly) are a thing of the past. However, much of this new found convenience seems to have also come at the expense of professionalism. Perhaps it’s the time consuming virtual snafus (“can you guys hear me okay”… “you’re cutting out”…”you’re on mute”), or that you frequently can’t see faces/body language, or perhaps it’s just the annoying impression that the person doesn’t seem to care enough to attend physically. There is just something more productive about being in the same room at the same time. Shout out to Commissioners Lopez and Clemente for going out of their way to attend the meeting in person.
 
BEAR AND COUGAR RULE APPROVAL
The Commission unanimously approved the next 4-year cycle of the Bear and Cougar Rule. Thankfully the Rule was approved without much protest. There were a handful of comments from the usual suspects (Animal Protection NM and the Sierra Club) voicing their opposition to the Rule and predator hunting in general but definitely not the level that the anti-hunting groups were hoping to generate. The new Bear and Cougar Rule will apply to hunting seasons 2024-2027. The full Rule can be read in its entirety on the NMDGF website. Below is a brief summary of the approved changes. BMZ = Bear Management Zone and CMZ = Cougar Management Zone.

• Increase the harvest limits in BMZ 1 (current: 158; approved: 168)
• Increase the harvest limits in BMZ 10 (current: 146; approved: 197)
• Move GMU 57 from BMZ 7 to BMZ 5, and move GMUs 56 and 58 from BMZ 7 to BMZ 6, thus dissolving BMZ 7.
• Increase the number of permits for bear draw hunts BER-1-103 and BER-1-104.
• Move the season start date for BMZs 12 and 13 from September 1st back to August 16th.
• Decrease the harvest limit in CMZ Q (current: 34; approved: 17)
• Allow licensed deer or elk hunters who draw WMA hunts to harvest a bear or lion during their hunt if the zone is open and if they possess a Bear and/or Cougar license.

 
FURBEARER RULE APPROVAL
The Commission unanimously approved to make the Furbearer Rule a “permanent” rule. Meaning that the Rule will no longer auto-matically come open every 4 years. This is not to say that the Rule will never be re-opened. The Commission can vote to open the Rule at any time. It just means that it will not be opened on a set schedule. The Dept. mentioned several reasons for making this change, the foremost being that NMDGF only allows harvest of a small amount of furbearers (a number further reduced by the 2022 trapping ban). It makes more sense for the rule to be considered permanent and for the Commission to have Dept. biologists provide annual reports, rather than the overly burdensome constraints of a Rule on an official cycle which is subject to a formal hearing. The Dept. further justified the change by explaining that if necessary the Director can reassess bag limits at any time with the concurrence of the Commission Chair.
 
HUNTER EDUCATION BRIEFING
The Department provided the commission with an update on their amendments to the Hunter Education Rule. Clarification is needed to address recent advances in technology which is allowing very young children to apply for the NM Big Game Draw. In 2023 a child as young as 3yrs passed an online hunter safety course and successfully drew (and supposedly harvested) big game. Some states that offer online Hunter Education courses do not set a minimum age and the NMDGF currently accepts a hunter training course of another state to meet the hunter training course requirements in New Mexico. Rule clarification is needed to ensure system integrity and hunter safety. The Dept. is proposing adding new language to the rule that clarifies students utilizing Out-of-State Hunter Education Certifications in New Mexico are restricted to hunters ages 9 and older. This change will help to address age requirements and should also help reduce the likelihood of parents or guardians submitting big game draw applications for very young children in an attempt to illegally hunt themselves on drawn tags. This proposal is currently open for public comment. Email your thoughts to [email protected]
 
ODDS AND ENDS
The commission also approved the annual depredation report, revocations report, and the application fora 157 acre Pheasant and Chukar hunting preserve on a private ranch east of Raton, NM. Also, the commission also approved the Draw application deadlines for 2024.

• Bear and Turkey 2/14/2024
• Big game 3/20/2024
• Crane and Pheasant 8/14/2024

The NM State Game Commission met on Friday July 21st at the Game and Fish office in Albuquerque. The meeting was short and the atmosphere was a bit awkward, which appears to be the way this Commission prefers to roll. 

PUBLIC COMMENT
The Commission started the meeting, as they normally do, with general public comment. Several days prior to the meeting Animal Protection New Mexico (APNM) sent an email to their members requesting they provide public comment in opposition to the Bear and Cougar Rule (which is currently open to public engagement and input on amendments for the next 4yr cycle). The email notice resulted in an abnormally high number of public comments made during the Commission meeting. All comments were in opposition to bear and cougar hunting. Some of the comments recommended that the Commission “lower the quotas”, “ban the use of dogs”, “live and let live”, “create policy that reflects the social values of the majority”, and several commentors mentioned that Bear/Cougar populations are “self-regulating” and therefore hunting is unnecessary. Obviously we disagree with all of these statements whole heartedly, but the point is that right now the anti’s are winning in the arena of public comment. 

It is time for our side to get busy commenting in support of the Department of Game and Fish when it comes to bear and cougar hunting! We may not agree with everything all of the time but in general the NMDGF does a fantastic job managing 
wildlife in the state of NM and they need to know that we support them. Remaining quiet or being constantly critical of every policy decision only plays into the hands of the anti-hunting public. Please provide public comment to the Dept. regarding the Bear/Cougar Rule. Feel free to let them know your true thoughts but lead with the positive and remember to let them know you support the hunting of bear and cougar. Send your comments to [email protected]

MIGRATORY BIRD RULE
The Commission unanimously approved the Migratory Bird Rule for Sept. 1, 2023-March 31st, 2024. This rule is approved annually in conjunction with the federal framework of the Central and Pacific Flyway Council. Amendments to the rule were recommended based on federal framework and public comments. Some public comments were not applicable because they would go against the federal framework. A copy of the newly approved rule can be found on the NMDGF website under Commission “hearing archives” (until Sept. when it will be moved to the hunting tag under “Rules and Penalties”). Approved changes to the rule are as follows:
Hunt dates were amended based on federal framework changes.
No changes were made to sandhill crane or dove 
Federal changes were applied to pintail
Bag limits remain the same for Central and Pacific Flyway birds in most instances. 

FURBEARER RULE 
The Dept. initiated the opening of the Furbearer Rule. The rule is currently on a 4 year cycle but the Dept. is proposing to make the rule “permanent”, meaning the rule remains closed unless specifically opened by the Commission. The Dept. mentioned several 
reasons for the change, the foremost being that NMDGF only allows harvest of a small amount of furbearers as it is and the 2022 trapping ban has only further reduced harvest. It makes more sense for the rule to be considered permanent and for the Commission to have Dept. biologists provide annual reports, rather than the overly burdensome constraints of a rule on an official cycle which is subject to a formal hearing including time requirements, public comment, and Commission action. The Dept. explained that if 
necessary the Director can set bag limits with the concurrence of the Commission Chair. Furbearer populations are currently stable and a recent study showed that even the swift fox population (which was previously a species of concern) was proven to be stable. Potential changes to the Furbearer Rule are open for public comment and will be approved by the Commission later this year. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION
At each meeting the Commission goes into Executive Session which is unavailable to the public and generally relates to ongoing legal matters which the Dept. and Commission are involved in. The only insight that the public is awarded in regards to the Commission Executive Session is a short description of cases discussed provided in the meeting agenda. At the most recent meeting the agenda referenced the NM Trappers Association lawsuit against the NM Attorney General and NMDGF Director Sloane. This means the NM Trappers Association has filed a formal lawsuit against the law passed in 2021 (and in effect April 2022) which banned trapping on all NM public land. NMCOG is anxious to see how the proceedings go and we have agreed to help the NM Trappers Association overturn the trapping ban in the legislature in the event they are able to successfully deem the ban wholly or partially unconstitutional. Like all lawsuits, there definitely won’t be anything quick about this legal process. But this lawsuit is good news and it’s a start...