Rio Grande Valley Broadband • Entered by Linda Starr on August 16, 2019
Public comment on proposed NMG&F revisions to NM Bear and Cougar Rules
August 13, 2019
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | 1 |
| Post Admin hours | |
| Activity Hours | 1.5 |
| Participants | 3 |
| Total Hours | 5.5 |
Key Issue: Wildlife Protection
Activity Type: Advocacy (rallies, lobbying, meeting decision makers, letters/calls/emails)
Key Partners: Sierra Club, NM Wildlife Federation, Black Bear Bureau
Short Description of Activity
The New Mexico Game and Fish rules dictate if and how bears and cougars can be “harvested” (killed) in New Mexico. NMDGF is taking steps to walk back the damaging 2015 rule changes under a former NM administration.
Reflection/Evaluation
This public comment meeting was not very well attended. The audience was less than 20 individuals. During question and answer period, environmental organization participants questioned the use of the word “harvest” as applying to plants and the Department rules should tell it like it is (sport and trophy hunting and killing of bears and cougars). It was remarked that Cabellas (sports warehouse dealer) sold bear & cougar traps. NM regulations prohibit traps. The state should bar sales of traps. The department was criticized for not decreasing the limit on “harvest.” Also the bear group said that the current size for harvesting bear cubs is 1 year. The Department should raise the size of taking bears to 2-year-olds who are thoroughly independent from mothers. This was all new territory for me, so I was mainly there to listen. However Susan Ostlie asked a question re trapping. Their answer was fairly noncommittal.