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. 6, 2010:

ANTELOPE HUNTING RULES ON GAME COMMISSION AGENDA

CLOVIS – The State Game Commission will adopt New Mexico’s antelope hunt strategy for 2011 and A-PLUS, the state’s system of allocating private-land antelope hunting licenses, at its meeting Thursday, Dec. 9, in Clovis.

The commission initially adopted a rule changing the way the state allocates private-land antelope licenses during its Oct. 28 meeting in Ruidoso, but then voted to set the original motion aside and to reconsider the issue Dec. 9. 

An equitable distribution of antelope licenses in New Mexico is contentious because much of the state’s antelope habitat is private land, while wildlife is a resource held in trust for all the public.

Thursday’s meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Town Hall Room 154 of Clovis Community College, 417 Schepps Blvd., in Clovis. The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or by calling (505) 476-8008. Details of proposed hunting rules and opportunities to comment about them also are available on the website.

Other agenda items include:

• A presentation of planned habitat improvement projects for lesser prairie chickens in southeastern New Mexico.
  
  
• A proposal to open the state trapping and furbearer rules for review.
  
  
• Appointment of citizen advisors statewide to help review and prioritize future projects funded by the state Habitat Stamp Program; and an update on future procedures to identify Habitat Stamp Program projects.

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, Vice-chairwoman Sandy Buffett, Tom Arvas, Gary Fonay, Kent Salazar, M.H. “Dutch” Salmon, and Thomas "Dick" Salopek.

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 Sonya Quintana, (505) 476-8030. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.

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