New Mexico Register / Volume XXXV, Issue 12 / June 25, 2024

STATE GAME COMMISSION MEETING AND RULE MAKING NOTICE

The New Mexico State Game Commission (“Commission”) will be hosting a meeting and rule hearing on Friday August 9, 2024 beginning at 9:00 a.m. in Taos, NM. The exact location will be posted on the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/meeting-agendas. The purpose of this meeting is to hear and consider action as appropriate on the following: 1) presentation of proposed changes to the Migratory Game Bird Rule; and 2) presentation of proposed changes to the Bighorn Sheep Rule.

Synopsis:

Migratory Game Bird Rule

The proposal is to amend the Migratory Game Bird Rule 19.31.6 NMAC which will become effective September 1, 2024. The most recent version of the rule expired on March 31, 2024.

· Changes to regular waterfowl season dates based on public comment and calendar dates

· Change certain season dates to be later in the year because of calendar shift

· Based on population survey data, increase sandhill crane permits in MRGV and SW draw hunts by 35 total, to be distributed among existing hunts

· Bag limit for northern pintail to remain at 1 per USFWS regulatory framework

· Central Flyway scaup limit to decrease from 3 to 1 per USFWS regulatory frameworks

· Open Bernardo Unit D to handicap accessible waterfowl hunting during the regular season

· Open Bernardo Unit D to handicap accessible hunting for the Light Goose Conservation Order on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday during the hours of ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset

· Open Bernardo Ponds Unit for the Light Goose Conservation Order on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday during the hours of ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset

Bighorn Sheep Rule

The proposal is to amend the Bighorn Sheep Rule 19.31.17 NMAC which will become effective April 1, 2025. The current rule will expire on March 31, 2025.

· Extend the bighorn sheep rule for two more years. This extension would align the Bighorn Rule with the expiration of the other Big Game rules and future rule development.

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 the Migratory Game Bird Rule to DGF-waterfowl@state.nm.us. Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed changes for the Bighorn Sheep Rule to DGF-Bighorn-Rule@state.nm.us. Individuals may also submit written comments to the physical address below. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on August 7, 2024. The final proposed rules will be voted on by the Commission during a public meeting on August 9, 2024. Interested persons may also provide data, views or arguments, orally or in writing, at the public rule hearings to be held on August 9, 2024.

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.