May 11–CARLSBAD — Sportsmen who dislike the current rules for hunting can voice their opinions and suggestions to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
The state agency is soliciting public comments for every hunted species in advance of the renewal period for hunting regulations. Any changes made this year will last for four consecutive seasons, spanning 2015 to 2019.
A final decision will be discussed and voted on by the Game Commission for the javelina, barbary sheep, oryx and ibex during its May 15 meeting in Albuquerque.
“I really value this input because there’s been a lot of new ways to look at things and the more brainpower we get in from public comment, the better we can manage the future for sportsmen,” said Commissioner Ralph Ramos of Las Cruces.
The Game Commission is considering further limiting the hunt dates for the javelina, among other proposals.
The commission will present proposed rule changes for the first time during the meeting next week for turkey, migratory game birds, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep. The commission next week will also initiate rule development for the two most popular game species, deer and elk, although the rule changes for those two animals won’t be finalized until October.
The public can submit comments and concerns to the Department of Game and Fish by going to its website at http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/documents/Ruledevelopmentforthe2014-2019huntingseasons.htm.
On the page, readers can scroll down and click on a link titled “comment now” to submit concerns to the agency for each individual species proposal. The public can also e-mail the various commissioners, whose contact info can be found on the agency’s website.
Reporter Zack Ponce can be reached at (575) 689-7402.