April 2022

The New Mexico State Game Commission hosted a meeting in Santa Fe on April 11th. Agenda items included the “subsequent discussion” for the Pronghorn, Javelina, Migratory Bird, and Bighorn Rules as well as the “initial discussion” for the Elk, Deer, Turkey, and Exotics Rule. Meaning, that public comment will be closing soon for the Rules in subsequent discussion and public comment has opened for the Rules in initial discussion. The Game Commission meetings that take place during 2022 are arguably the most important to the hunting industry. Policies approved for Rules opened in 2022 will apply to the next 4-year rule cycle. Please read the below recap carefully and voice your opinion by providing comment to the links provided in each segment…or forever hold your peace (at least for the next 4 years).

The Dept. will be hosting the following public meetings regarding the Deer, Elk, and Exotics Rule:

• May 10, 2022: Las Cruces 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Attend in person at 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NM
  Register in advance to attend virtually
• May 11, 2022: Roswell 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Attend in person at 1615 West College Boulevard, Roswell, NM
  Register in advance to attend virtually
• May 12, 2022: Raton 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Attend in person at 215 York Canyon Road, Raton, NM
  Register in advance to attend virtually
• May 16, 2022: Albuquerque 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM
  Register in advance to attend virtually

​SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION BIGHORN SHEEP RULE 
The Dept. provided their subsequent presentation of proposed changes to the Bighorn Sheep Rule. You can read a copy of the full presentation HERE. This Rule is currently open for public comment. Please voice your opinion by sending an email to [email protected]. The Dept. is proposing the following changes to the Rule:

• Adjusting season dates where necessary. For example, shifting start dates to maintain hunts beginning on Saturday or adjusting to calendar day starts for consistency.
• Adding hunts or splitting season dates to accommodate more hunters or a better-quality hunt.
• Opening the Jemez population to ram hunting.
• Separating the Hatchets hunt to spread hunters across the mountain range.
• Adding another ram hunt window in the Rio Grande Gorge.

PLEASE NOTE: Resident preference advocacy groups continue to push the NM Game Commission to eliminate the 7 nonresident bighorn sheep permits in the draw (yes there are just 7-that is how petty NMWF, and BHA have gotten).

Even after the NM Attorney General wrote a detailed letter regarding the legality of the NMDGF allocation process which was followed by a failed commission vote to extend the public comment period; the Commission announced yesterday that they will host a special meeting to take place on May 9th (in Albuquerque) to further discuss the matter and revote to extend the public comment period. This fiasco is completely out of line with the typical rulemaking process established by the NM legislature. An extension of the comment period for bighorn sheep is unnecessary.

According to the NMDGF presentation provided to the Commission on April 11th, the Dept. received only a handful of comments related to the allocation process and the bulk were in favor (only one was opposed). The bighorn sheep permit allocation process is widely accepted by the vast majority of resident hunters. There is no disputing that nonresident hunters fund over 90% of the Bighorn Sheep conservation program. This issue is a molehill which the NMWF and BHA are trying desperately to turn into a mountain.

If you outfit bighorn sheep hunters or if you are a resident bighorn sheep hunter and appreciate the enormous contributions of nonresidents to the conservation of all species, please send an email to the below addresses TODAY! Tell the Commission you are in favor of the Dept.'s proposed allocation method for bighorn sheep permits and that there is no need to extend the public comment period.

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected] 
[email protected]

SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION PRONGHORN RULE 
The Dept. provided their subsequent presentation of proposed changes to the Pronghorn Rule. You can read a copy of the full presentation HERE. This Rule is currently open for public comment. Please voice your opinion by sending an email to [email protected]. This exact proposal is what the Commission will approve in June UNLESS there is a substantial amount of public comment in opposition to any of the below bullet points. Some of you have already provided your public comment to NMCOG which we forwarded to NMDGF. However, our comments were counted as one single comment rather than multiple. It would be better if you all would be willing to resend your concerns directly to the comment portal linked above. The Dept. is proposing the following changes to the Rule:

• Shift hunt structure to begin later in August and have some hunts begin in September and October (see hunt table below for proposed dates). This recommendation is to address significant public feedback that pronghorn hunts occur too early and ambient temperatures are too hot.
• Create a pronghorn hunt on Melrose Air Force Range in GMU 32. The Department has been working with Melrose AFR to offer a limited and unique hunting opportunity on Range.
• Due to low pronghorn numbers in the Northwestern quadrant of the state, the Department recommends decreasing license numbers in the combined hunts in GMUs 2, 7, 9, 10 from 15 bow licenses down to 10 and from 15 any sporting arm licenses down to 5.
• To avoid having a conflict of the Department flying elk helicopter surveys over pronghorn hunters in GMUs 15 and 16, we recommend the following:
  • GMU 15: eliminate the 2nd any legal sporting arm hunt but reallocate the 5 licenses to the first any legal sporting arm hunt.
  • GMU 16: eliminate the 2nd any legal sporting arm hunt but reallocate the 10 licenses to the remaining hunts (this would increase 2 hunts by 5 licenses each).
• Because of limited access to public land in GMU 57, the Department recommends decreasing each hunt by 5 licenses each and moving these licenses to adjacent GMU 58 that has more public access.
• Change the weapon type of the last pronghorn hunt in GMUs 4/50/52 from muzzleloader to any sporting arm (this would include the use of rifles).

SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION JAVELINA RULE 
The Dept. provided their subsequent presentation of proposed changes to the Javelina Rule. You can read a copy of the full presentation HERE. This Rule is currently open for public comment. Please voice your opinion by sending an email to [email protected]. This exact proposal is what the Commission will approve in June UNLESS there is a substantial amount of public comment in opposition to any of the below bullet points. The Dept. is proposing the following changes to the Rule:

• The Department is proposing to include a population management hunt option in the javelina rule. The Department includes these population management hunts in other hunting rules and uses it as a management tool to address management goals in certain areas. Hunters would be able to select a 5th choice “population management” option on their application and be included on a list to be called if hunts are developed.
• The Department proposes to expand the Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) where javelina will be hunted. This includes, but is not limited to, the Double E, River Ranch, and Red Rock properties. These WMAs will be open for hunters that hold a valid license for that GMU.
• Hunter success rates for javelina have been increasing through time, but success on the statewide hunt has increased at a higher rate. The Department recommends increasing the bootheel licenses by 10% and increasing the statewide licenses by 20%.
• The Department recommends the following season dates to be implemented for both the bootheel and the statewide hunts:
  • Archery: January 1-31 annually
  • Any legal sporting arm: February 1-March 31 annually
• The demand for javelina licenses appears to be increasing based on applications received, so the Department recommends removing the ability to hunt javelina during a deer or elk hunt.

 
SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION OF MIGRATORY BIRD RULE 
The Dept. provided their subsequent presentation of proposed changes to the Migratory Bird Rule. You can read a copy of the full presentation HERE. This Rule is currently open for public comment. Please voice your opinion by sending an email to [email protected]. This exact proposal is what the Commission will approve in June UNLESS there is a substantial amount of public comment in opposition to any of the below bullet points. The Dept. is proposing the following changes to the Rule:

• Changes to regular waterfowl season dates based on public comment and calendar dates
• Based on population survey data, possible increase to sandhill crane permits in MRGV, to be distributed among existing hunts.
• Bag limit for northern pintail to remain at 1 per USFWS regulatory framework

 
INITIAL DISCUSSION TURKEY RULE & GOULD’S TURKEY DESLISTING 
The Dept. provided their initial presentation of proposed changes to the Turkey Rule. You can read a copy of the full presentation HERE. This Rule is currently open for public comment. The Dept. is proposing the following changes to the Rule:

• Extend the spring season, including Entry Permit hunts, to close on May 15
• Adjust hunt dates by calendar date
• Evaluate the potential to open certain closed GMUs based on turkey population status
• Add a once-in-a-lifetime Entry Permit hunt for Gould’s Turkey in GMU 26 and 27 (Assuming Commission approval of the Gould’s turkey delisting proposal).
• Remove W.S. Huey WMA youth hunt due to low turkey numbers
• Define dates and permit numbers for the Washington Ranch Youth Hunt and add BLM Black River Management Area to the hunt area

In conjunction with the Turkey Rule the Dept. is proposing to delist of Gould’s Turkey and hopefully provide limited hunter opportunity.  Gould’s turkey was listed as threatened in 1974. It has never, even prior to listing, been known to be absent from the state, and in the ensuing 47 years the population has persisted, is demonstrably secure, and has likely increased in size. Read the full delisting recommendation HERE. Please voice your opinion on both the Turkey Rule as well as the Gould’s delisting by sending an email to [email protected]. The Dept. will be hosting 2 hybrid public meetings regarding turkey. Meeting information is as follows (zoom link information can be found on HERE):
July 12, 2022 (hybrid) – Albuquerque Game & Fish Office, 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, 6:30 pm
July 13, 2022 (hybrid) – Las Cruces Game & Fish Office, 2715 E Northrise Dr., 6:30 pm
July 14, 2022 (in-person only) – Animas High School, #1 Panther Blvd., 6:00 pm
 
INITIAL DISCUSSION ELK RULE 
The Dept. provided their initial presentation of proposed changes to the Elk Rule. NMCOG encourages everyone who hunts elk to WATCH the Dept. presentation. The presentation begins at minute 12:48 and is approximately 1 hour in length. Yes, the video is long, but it is extremely informative for any outfitter who earns a livelihood selling elk hunts. This Rule is currently open for public comment. Please voice your opinion by sending an email to [email protected]. The Dept. is proposing the following changes to the Rule:

• Modify the definition of a muzzle-loader to include those muzzle-loading firearms that do not have a scope (for all big game species).
• GMU 10: shift late season antlerless elk hunt dates in to begin earlier in December to address limited access due to a road closure.
• GMU 13: expand the Primary Management Zone boundary in the northwest section of GMU.
• GMUs 16E, 17, 21B: potentially expand the Primary Management Zone boundary to reflect herd use.
• GMUs 16B, 16C, 16E: Decrease the number of MB licenses based on biological and hunter harvest data.
• GMU 23: establish an antlerless only hunt, south of NM highway 78.
• GMU 24: shift muzzleloader and any legal weapon hunts to later dates to allow hunters a higher likelihood of encountering elk during their hunt.
• GMU 30: increase antlerless and mature bull licenses to reflect the increasing elk population in the area.
• GMU 34: increase antlerless, possibly add additional hunt periods, and shift from Primary Management Zone to Secondary Management Zone. Elk population size in the Sacramento herd (GMU 34) continues to increase.
• GMU 36: shift designation of ‘mature bull’ licenses to ‘either sex’ licenses and consider increasing both antlerless and either sex licenses to align with the meta-population of the productive Ruidoso-Sacramento herd (GMUs 34 & 36).
• GMU 48: re-distribute a portion of licenses from archery to any legal weapon to alleviate hunter density issues during archery seasons. This change may decrease overall license numbers as the success for any legal weapon is higher than archery.
• GMU 46: shift from Special Management Zone to Secondary Management Zone.
• GMU 50: re-distribute Youth Encouragement licenses from GMU 50 to GMU 51 to address late season elk densities.
• GMU 53: remove antlerless only hunt North of Sunshine Valley road as winter elk concentration issues do not seem to be occurring in recent years (based on low hunter success rates).
• GMU 57/58: establish archery hunts within the combined GMU 57/58. Increasing elk presence in this area offers increased opportunity for archery hunts.
• Re-defining “Encouragement hunts” to be available to resident youth who did not draw a big game hunt in the draw for the first 14-days of availability, then offer to any youth after the first 14-days. Currently it is only available to resident youth and seniors. This recommendation would remove the ability for seniors to purchase the encouragement hunt

INITIAL DISCUSSION DEER RULE 
The Dept. provided their initial presentation of proposed changes to the Deer Rule. NMCOG encourages everyone who hunts deer to WATCH the Dept. presentation. The presentation begins at minute 1:29:50 and is approximately 10 minutes in length. This Rule is currently open for public comment. Please voice your opinion by sending an email to [email protected]. The Dept. is proposing the following changes to the Rule: 

• Modify the definition of a muzzle-loader to include only those muzzle-loading firearms that do not have a scope (for all big game species).
  
• Adjusting season dates. For example, if a hunt normally starts on a Saturday, this date shift would be maintained throughout the rule so the hunts continue to start on a Saturday.
  
• Adjust some hunts to minimize overlap of weapons used or species hunted.
  
• Adjust draw license numbers based on biological data and management goals.
  
• The Department is recommending reducing licenses in GMU 2B, 34, and potentially other southeastern GMUs.
  
• Create an October youth hunt in GMUs 2A and 2B; move most of the youth licenses from November to October.
  
• Create a January archery hunt in GMUs 7 and 9.
  
• Designate GMU 8 as a Quality Unit.
  
• Add a second hunt code for White Sands Missile Range.
  
• Create new hunts where deer populations have increased a. FAWTD rifle hunts in GMUs 16, 21, 22, 26 b. September FAMD and FAWTD archery hunts in GMU 27
  
• Open River Ranch, Double E, and Pipkin Ranch WMAs to deer hunting. 12) Remove language “Excluding Fort Stanton” for the GMU 36 deer hunts.
  
• Add an ESWTD hunt in GMU 55A, 55B. 

INITIAL DISCUSSION EXOTICS RULE
The Dept. provided their initial presentation of proposed changes to the Exotics Rule. NMCOG encourages everyone who hunts exotics to WATCH the Dept. presentation. The presentation begins at minute 2:00:38 and is approximately 30 minutes in length. This Rule is currently open for public comment. Please voice your opinion by sending an email to [email protected]. The Dept. is proposing the following changes to the Rule:
 
BARBARY SHEEP

• Changing the season dates and hunt structure to allow hunters to find Barbary sheep more effectively on the landscape.
• Opening some GMUs where Barbary sheep are not hunted.
• Moving the entirety of GMU 34 into the over-the-counter hunt to address hunter confusion on the boundary.
• Increasing draw hunts for Barbary sheep on McGregor.
• Adjusting season dates where necessary. For example, shifting start dates to maintain hunts beginning on Saturday or adjusting to calendar day starts for consistency.
• Combine units 29, 30, 32, 36, & 37 into one.
• Open all GMUs outside of SE core to OTC hunts.

ORYX

• Increasing off-range hunts.
• Possible shifts in season dates for some hunts on WSMR.
• Considering increasing some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
• Adjusting season dates where necessary. For example, shifting start dates to maintain hunts beginning on Saturday or adjusting to calendar day starts for consistency.
• Change youth hunt designation to be once-in-a-youth

IBEX

• Shifting season dates to occur earlier in the season.
• Significantly decreasing licenses to account for a smaller ibex population.
• Change F/IM definition to be <20 inches on billys
• Change youth hunt designation to be once-in-a-youth

​MUZZLELOADER DISCUSSION 
The Dept. also initiated a conversation on the problem with muzzleloaders. Muzzleloader success rates in the last five years are equal to rifle success rates. This presents a major problem as muzzleloader hunts were historically designed for primitive weapon hunting. Today muzzleloaders are accurate out to 800yards. The Dept. is considering the removal of scopes on muzzleloaders to generate a more primitive weapon hunting experience. This proposal is not yet official but will be further discussed over the next several months. 

Next Commission Meeting – June 3, 2022 (Eagle Nest, NM)

COMMISSIONER CONTACT INFORMATION
(You're encouraged to contact the Commissioners any time to voice your opinion)

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

OPEN
District 5: Bernalillo County

Roberta Salazar-Henry
District 2: Catron, Socorro, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra and Doña Ana counties
[email protected]

Deanna Archuleta
At - Large Position
[email protected] 

Tirzio Lopez
Appointed - Agriculture Position
[email protected]
​
OPEN
District 3: San Juan, Rio Arriba, McKinley, Sandoval, Cibola, & Valencia counties
OPEN
District 1: Curry, De Baca, Roosevelt, Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, Eddy and Lea counties