New Mexico Register / Volume XXXIII, Issue 12 / June 21, 2022

STATE GAME COMMISSION MEETING AND RULE MAKING NOTICE

The New Mexico State Game Commission (“Commission”) will be hosting a meeting and rule hearings on Friday July 22, 2022 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, 287 Carrizo Canyon Rd., Mescalero, NM 88340. The purpose of this meeting is to hear and consider action as appropriate on the following: presentation of proposed changes to the Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Persian Ibex Rule.

Synopsis:

The proposal is to amend the Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Persian Ibex Rule 19.31.12 NMAC which will become effective April 1, 2023. The most recent version of the rule will expire on March 31, 2023.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE BARBARY SHEEP, ORYX, AND PERSIAN IBEX RULE:

• Modify the definition of a muzzle-loader under the Manner and Method Rule to include only muzzle-loading firearms that do not have a scope. This will apply to all big game species.

Barbary Sheep

• Increase draw licenses by ~20% due to increased population indices, particularly on McGregor.

• Increase the number of rifle hunts (from 5 to 8) and shorten hunt length to allow for more hunts.

• Include all of GMU 34 in the over-the-counter hunt area.

• Open all GMUs (outside of SE core areas) to OTC license holders.

• Increase draw licenses on McGregor Range from 40 to 190 and create a new F/IM bag limit.

Oryx

• Increase off-range licenses by ~18%.

• Shift season structures and slight increase in some once-in-a-lifetime licenses on WSMR.

• Change the “Iraq/Afghanistan veteran” hunts to allow “any veteran” to be eligible.

• Make WSMR youth licenses available “once-in-a-youth”. The holder of a once-in-a-youth license may apply for once-in-a-lifetime licenses.

• Create new draw hunts for hunters 70 years of age and older (shift 20 licenses from existing hunts on WSMR and 20 from existing hunts off of WSMR).

Persian Ibex

• Decrease licenses to address decrease in ibex population.

• Change the definition of a “female/immature ibex” to be <20 inches (rather than <15 inches).

• Change hunt length for F/IM hunts to 5 days and the muzzle-loader hunt to 7 days.

• Shift hunt dates.

• Similar to other species make youth licenses available “once-in-a-youth”. The successful youths would still qualify to apply for once-in-a-lifetime licenses.

A full text of changes for all rules will be available on the Department’s website at: www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed changes for Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Persian Ibex Rule to DGF-Exotics-Rule@state.nm.us. Individuals may also submit written comments to the physical address below. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on July 21, 2022. The final proposed rules will be voted on by the Commission during a public meeting on July 22, 2022. Interested persons may also provide data, views or arguments, orally or in writing, at the public rule hearings to be held on July 22, 2022.

Full copies of text of the proposed new rules, technical information related to proposed rule changes, and the agenda can be obtained from the Office of the Director, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507, or from the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/proposals-under-consideration/. This agenda is subject to change up to 72 hours prior to the meeting. Please contact the Director’s Office at (505) 476-8000, or the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us for updated information.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the Department at (505) 476-8000 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the Department at 505-476-8000 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

Legal authority for this rulemaking can be found in the General Powers and Duties of the State Game Commission 17-1-14, et seq. NMSA 1978; Commission’s Power to establish rules and regulations 17-1-26, et seq. NMSA 1978.