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. 14, 2011:

WATCH GAME COMMISSION MEETING LIVE FROM GOVERNOR’S WEBSITE

SANTA FE – Thursday’s meeting of the New Mexico Game Commission will be broadcast live over the internet. Webcasting the meeting aligns with Gov. Susana Martinez’s initiative to make state government more accessible and transparent.

The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at the University of New Mexico Continuing Education Conference Center, 1634 University Blvd. NE, in Albuquerque. The public can access the live webcast from the Governor’s website, http://www.governor.state.nm.us/Webcast.aspx. Information about how to view the streaming video is available on the website.

Video from Thursday’s meeting, as well as future meetings will be posted in the website archives.   

The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings, and other information about Thursday’s meeting are available on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, or by calling (505) 476-8008. Details of proposed rules, along with the opportunity to comment on proposals, are available on the Department website.

Agenda items include:

• A proposal to allow unlimited take of northern pike from Eagle Nest Lake, which addresses the aggressive species’ threat to the lake’s trout and salmon fishery.

• Discussion with private landowners regarding proposed agreements that would give public hunters access to private land to hunt bighorn sheep in the Fra Cristobal and Culebras mountains in 2012. The agreements would allow the Department of Game and Fish to offer the first public hunting opportunities for bighorn sheep on private land. The agreements would give landowners reciprocal hunting opportunities.

• Proposed amendments to elk hunting rules that would modify eligibility requirements for the Youth Encouragement Elk Hunts, and increase hunting opportunities.

• Discussion of options for future allocations of Habitat Stamp Program funds that would provide for wildlife habitat improvements on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.

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-chairman Thomas “Dick” Salopek, Tom Arvas, Bill Montoya, Scott Bidegain, Robert Hoffman and Robert Espinoza Sr.

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