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, DEC. 17, 2008:

NEW RULES ADOPTED FOR BIG-GAME HUNTING
SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING WILL ADDRESS PRIVATE-LAND ACCESS, POSTING

NEW RULES ADOPTED FOR BIG-GAME HUNTING

SANTA FE -- New Mexico big-game hunters will see significant rule changes for the 2009-2010 seasons that affect the way hunters apply and pay for licenses and permits.

The new rules, adopted Dec. 4 by the State Game Commission, are in the 2009-2010 Big-Game Rules and Information Booklet, now available on the Department of Game and Fish Web site, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. A printed version of the booklet will be available in early January at more than 200 license vendors statewide, and at Department offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Raton, Roswell and Las Cruces.

Rule changes and important dates include:

2009-2010 seasons

• Customer ID number: Beginning in 2009, everyone applying for a public-land license or permit, or purchasing a license via a private land authorization or the Valles Caldera must first obtain a Customer ID Number online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or in person from any Department office. Customer ID numbers will be available in early January. This number must be included on each application, or the application will be rejected.

• Application deadlines: Feb. 4 is the deadline to apply for oryx draw licenses, bear WMA permits, population management hunts, and turkey draw permits. April 8 is the deadline to apply for public deer permits; and elk, pronghorn antelope, ibex, Barbary sheep, javelina, and bighorn sheep draw licenses. Online applications must be made before 5 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline day. Online and paper applications will be available in early January.

• Full fee up-front: Everyone applying for a pronghorn, bighorn sheep, ibex, javelina or Barbary sheep draw license must pay the full license and application fee when applying. Online applicants will be charged for the full license fee, plus the nonrefundable application fee at the time of application. Unsuccessful applicants will receive refunds.

• New application fees: The new nonrefundable application fees are $9 for residents and $12 for nonresidents.

• Youth encouragement elk hunts: These hunts will be made available to youth hunters who applied for big-game hunts and were unsuccessful in the draw. These hunts will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• New unit boundaries: Several Game Management Unit boundaries have changed, including: the elimination of Unit 44 and the creation of a new Unit 59; and boundary adjustments in units 5B, 41, 45, 51, 52, 54 and 55B. 

• No deer application fees for resident disabled veterans: New Mexico resident Disabled American Veteran applicants do not need to submit an application fee when applying for a free deer permit.

2010-2011 seasons

• Every-other-year restrictions: Beginning in license-year 2010-2011, anyone applying for a pronghorn license, or a public-draw Q (quality) or HD (high-demand) elk or deer license, may not have received a license of the same type the previous year.
  

Anyone with questions about the new rules or hunting and fishing in New Mexico is encouraged to call (505) 476-8000.

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SPECIAL GAME COMMISSION MEETING WILL ADDRESS PRIVATE-LAND ACCESS, POSTING

ALBUQUERQUE -- The State Game Commission will have a special meeting in Albuquerque on Saturday, Jan. 10, to hear public comments and discuss proposed rules regarding hunters' and anglers' access to private lands.

The special meeting was called to gather more information from the public about proposed amendments to state hunting and fishing manner-and-method rules, specifically how property is posted against trespass. The proposed amendments also address responsibilities of landowners, hunters and anglers in obtaining or granting permission to hunt or fish on private land.

The meeting will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, in the first-floor multi-purpose room or the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, in Albuquerque.Call (505) 476-8008 for more information.

The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Jim McClintic, Albuquerque; Vice-chair Sandy Buffett, Santa Fe; M.H. “Dutch” Salmon, Silver City; Alfredo Montoya, Alcalde; Leo Sims, Hobbs; Tom Arvas, Albuquerque; and Oscar Simpson, Albuquerque.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Shirley Baker, (505) 476-8030. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.

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