NM State Game Commission Approves Upland Game, Fisheries Rules

LOS ALAMOS __ The New Mexico State Game Commission on Friday approved a four-year rule setting seasons and bag limits for upland game. Among the changes is a reduction in the bag limit for grouse south of I-40, where some small populations of the birds exist in the Gila.

Under the new rule which takes effect next year, hunters can take only one grouse each day south of I-40 and have no more than two in possession. The limit will remain unchanged in Northern New Mexico at three birds per day, six in possession.

Jesse Deubel, executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, told commissioners that its process of updating the Upland Game Rule failed to give meaningful consideration to public comment.

In written comments earlier this year, the NMWF had asked the game commission to reduce the quail season for nonresident hunters. The NMWF noted that many other states in the West set shorter upland seasons for nonresidents for quail and other species than they allow for their own resident hunters.

The NMWF commented that many nonresident hunters commonly camp out for long periods during the winter months in Southern New Mexico in areas that hold Montezuma Quail. The presence of these hunters reduces access and enjoyment for New Mexico hunters, the federation said. 

Some game commissioners said at their August meeting that they were interested in exploring the NMWF suggestion of setting a shorter season for nonresident hunters. Commissioners said the August meeting was the first time they had heard the federation’s suggestion. Commissioners didn’t discuss the suggestion then after hearing from game department staff that enacting any significant change would require advertising the proposal and getting further public comment.

Deubel on Friday told commissioners that public bodies are legally required to consider public comment in adopting or amending formal rules. He said the federation will watch the process carefully next year when the commission considers rules governing hunting for elk and other species.

Commission Vice Chair Sharon Salazar Hickey, a lawyer, responded that the commission needs to be very mindful of the issues Deubel raised. Commission Chairman Richard Stump said he agreed.

In other commission action, a proposal to increase the fee that vendors who sell hunting and fishing licenses failed to pass. The proposal, which already has been approved by the New Mexico State Legislature, would increase the fee that vendors receive from the current $1 per transaction up to $2 per transaction plus $1 per tag issued.

Commissioner Terzio Lopez of Rio Arriba County spoke against the increase, saying it shouldn’t apply to licenses sold at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish offices. The commission is set to consider the vendor fee increase issue again at its meeting in January.

The commission approved a four-year rule setting fishing regulations that will go into effect next year. Among the changes, the commission approved adding Jack’s Creek (Pecos), Rio San Antonio (near Lagunitas Lakes), and the upper Rio Chiquito to the list of waters where anglers are limited to artificial flies and lures and must release all native cutthroat trout. The harvest of non-native trout will be unlimited to support the cutthroat population.

Also in the Fisheries Rule, the commission prohibited fishing from the Texas Hole and Crusher Hole boat ramps located on the San Juan River.