19.31.18 NMAC

TITLE 19 NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE

CHAPTER 31 HUNTING AND FISHING

PART 18 BIG GAME ENHANCEMENT AUTHORIZATION PACKAGES

19.31.18.1 ISSUING AGENCY: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

[19.31.18.1 NMAC - N, 9-28-2007]

19.31.18.2 SCOPE: Big game hunters. Additional requirements may be found in Chapter 17, NMSA 1978, and Chapters 30, 31, 32 and 33 of Title 19.

[19.31.18.2 NMAC - N, 9-28-2007]

19.31.18.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 17-1-14 and 17-1-26 NMSA 1978 provide that the New Mexico state game commission has the authority to establish rules and regulations that it may deem necessary to carry out the purpose of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 and all other acts pertaining to protected mammals, birds, and fish.

[19.31.18.3 NMAC - N, 9-28-2007]

19.31.18.4 DURATION: Permanent.

[19.31.18.4 NMAC - N, 9-28-2007]

19.31.18.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: September 28, 2007, unless later date is cited at the end of individual sections.

[19.31.18.5 NMAC - N, 9-28-2007]

19.31.18.6 OBJECTIVE: To establish and define the procedures and restrictions for the sale, issuance, and use of not more than two big game enhancement authorization packages which will allow for the taking of one each; deer, elk, oryx, ibex, and pronghorn.

[19.31.18.6 NMAC - N, 9-28-2007]

19.31.18.7 DEFINITIONS:

A. “Department” shall mean the New Mexico department of game and fish.

B. “Director” shall mean the director of the New Mexico department of game and fish.

C. “Big game enhancement authorization package,” as used herein, shall mean a package of 5 authorizations, 1 deer, 1 elk, 1 oryx, 1 ibex, and 1 pronghorn antelope that allows for the holder of each authorization to purchase a license to hunt for and take the species listed on each authorization.

D. “MB or mature bull” shall mean a male elk with at least one brow tine extending six or more inches from the main beam or at least one forked antler with both branches six or more inches long.

E. “MB or mature buck pronghorn antelope” shall mean a pronghorn antelope with at least one horn longer than its ears.

F. “FAD or forked antlered deer” shall mean a deer possessing antlers, one of which shall have a definite fork showing two or more distinct points. A burr at the base does not constitute a point or fork.

G. “ES or either sex” shall mean any one animal of the species.

H. “Authorization certificate” shall mean a document issued by the department that authorizes the holder to purchase a license or permit, or participate in the activity as specified on the certificate.

[19.31.18.7 NMAC - N, 9-28-2007]

19.31.18.8 BIG GAME HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM: The director of the department shall collect all proceeds generated through the auction of not more than 2 enhancement authorization packages annually. Money collected shall be deposited into the game protection fund and shall be used exclusively for big game habitat enhancement, conservation, and protection.

[19.31.18.8 NMAC - N, 9-28-2007]

19.31.18.9 REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUANCE, SALE, AND USE:

A. Issuance: The state game commission shall authorize the director of the department to issue not more than 2 big game enhancement authorization packages in any one license year. Each authorization package shall consist of 1 authorization certificate for each of the following species; deer, elk, ibex, oryx, and pronghorn. Each authorization certificate will allow the holder to purchase a license for the species, bag limit, weapon type, season dates, and hunt area defined on the authorization.

B. Sale:

(1) The director shall allow the sale of the two big game enhancement authorization packages through auction to the highest bidder. The auction may be conducted by the department or by an incorporated, nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife.

(2) Selection of an organization to administer the auction of the wildlife enhancement authorization packages shall be pursuant to 1.4.1 NMAC, Sections 31-44 Procurement Code Regulations described in New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC).

C. Use:

(1) Each authorization issued with a package may be transferred through sale, barter, donation, or gift by the successful purchaser of the package to other individuals qualified to purchase a license and hunt.

(2) Hunting licenses that result from the conversion of any big game enhancement authorization pursuant to this rule shall not be considered “once-in-a-lifetime”.

(3) Unless his/her hunting privileges have been revoked pursuant to law, any resident of New Mexico, nonresident, or alien is eligible to submit bids for the big game enhancement authorization packages.

(4) The bag limit for authorizations contained in each package shall be as follows:

(a) deer - FAD or forked antler deer

(b) elk - MB or mature bull

(d) ibex - ES or either sex

(e) pronghorn - MB or mature buck

(5) The season dates for authorizations contained in each package shall be as follows:

(a) deer - September 1 through January 31 each license year.

(b) elk - September 1 through January 31 each license year.

(d) ibex - April 1 through March 31 each license year.

(e) pronghorn - August 1 through November 1 each license year.

(6) The hunt area for authorizations contained in each package shall be as follows:

(a) deer - any legally accessible public lands where hunting is allowed and private land with written permission.

(b) elk - any legally accessible public lands where hunting is allowed and private land with written permission.

(c) oryx - any legally accessible public lands where hunting is allowed and private land with written permission. The holder of an oryx authorization or license must contact the department 2 weeks in advance of proposed hunt start date to schedule access to WSMR and must be accompanied by a badged department employee or a WSMR escort when on WSMR lands.

(d) ibex - any legally accessible public lands where hunting is allowed and private land with written permission.

(e) pronghorn - any legally accessible public lands where hunting is allowed and private land with written permission.

(7) The weapon type for all authorizations in each package shall be “any legal weapon” unless specific weapon restrictions exist pursuant to public land management agency regulations.

(8) The hunt code for authorizations in each package shall be as follows:

(a) deer - DER-1-501

(b) elk - ELK-1-501

(d) ibex - IBX-1-501

(e) pronghorn - ANT-1-501

[19.31.18.9 NMAC - N, 9-28-2007]

HISTORY OF 19.31.18 NMAC: [RESERVED]