New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: Information Center (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
State Land Office
Contact: Emily Strickler, (505) 827-3650
estrickler@slo.state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Feb. 5, 2016:
Comments sought on public-private land-swap hunting access agreements
SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments about agreements that would open some private lands to public hunting in exchange for closing some areas of State Trust land.
The “unitization” agreements among the State Land Office, the department and several landowners are designed to benefit sportsmen and landowners. Under the agreements, some areas of State Trust land would be treated as private property and would be closed to hunting.
The private lands covered under the agreements then would be open to public hunters.
Unitization agreements give hunters access to private land while providing landowners greater flexibility in maintaining ranching operations on often-landlocked State Trust lands. The agreements must be reviewed and renewed annually.
The following ranches have been proposed for unitization agreements in southeastern New Mexico:
| Ranch Name | Game Management Unit(s) | County |
|---|---|---|
| Bettis Stoval | 39 | Guadalupe |
| Pajarito | 32, 36 | Lincoln |
| I Bar X | 36 | Lincoln |
| Armstrong | 37 | Lincoln |
| L Bar and Pentosa | 38 | Lincoln |
General unitization agreement information and maps of the proposed ranches can be found on the department website at http://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/home/public-comment/. Anyone with comments or concerns about the Department and the State Land Office entering into agreement with these landowners may send comments to Mike Perry at mike.perry@state.nm.us. All comments received will be forwarded to the Department of Game and Fish Director and the State Land Commissioner.