It is hard to believe the state ⏤ always in need of revenue ⏤ is intentionally acting to decrease its most dependable revenue stream: tourism. This is unimaginable; the state is acting to purposely lose residents and tourists by condoning and actively perpetuating...
By Jan Hayes, Founder, Sandia Mountain Bear Watch The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has recently released its Final Adopted Bear Rule for the next five years, 2020-24, and the news is not good for New Mexico’s bears or for those of us who had hoped for some...
New Mexico has a problem with traps on public lands. The ongoing destruction inflicted by hidden, baited, steel jaw traps is well documented. Users of public lands, companion animals and wildlife, including endangered species, continue to suffer the harm inflicted by...
This letter was published in the Santa Fe New Mexican on December 10, 2019 New Mexico has a problem with traps on public lands. The ongoing destruction inflicted by hidden, baited, steel jaw traps is well-documented. Public lands users, companion animals and wildlife,...
2400 public comments result in zero change to rule proposal ROSWELL, NM—At their November meeting, the New Mexico Game Commission made zero amendments to a set of proposed changes to the trapping rules. Department staff said that approximately 2400 public comments had...
If you are going to end another life, at least end it mercifully. NASHVILLE — Last week, Walden’s Puddle, a nonprofit wildlife rescue organization in a rural area of Nashville, posted a set of photos of a barred owl caught in the jaws of a leg-hold trap. The first...
For Immediate Release November 4, 2019 Contacts: Chris Smith, WildEarth Guardians, 505-395-6177, Mary Katherine Ray, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, 575-772-5655, Laura Bonar, Animal Protection of New Mexico &...
In what world does a man charged with 34 counts of illegal trapping – brought to light by the gruesome strangling of a family pet in a snare as her owner tried in vain to free her – get off scot-free because the state bungled the case? New Mexico, that’s where....
The Game Commission is considering minor changes to the trapping rule: they are inadequate. Another trapping season is looming in New Mexico after last year’s saw at least two dogs killed, a handful of others injured, and untold thousands of native wildlife trapped...
Albuquerque Journal Guest Column by SUZANNE REED Many of us New Mexicans are – or know – people who “fair chase” hunt on our public lands. Our state Department of Game & Fish (DGF) rules give over 80,000 licensed hunters seasonal opportunities to shoot wildlife...
The First Judicial District Attorney’s Office has dropped more than 30 counts of illegal trapping against a Chimayó man after a Magistrate Court judge found the state Game and Fish Department had failed to serve the man with a search warrant and then failed to save...
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A Chimayo man was facing dozens of charges for illegally trapping animals after a family’s dog died in one of his traps. After a judge dismissed the case, animal advocates fear this will send the message that illegal trapping won’t be...
OCT 16, 2019 – SANTA FE – A Santa Fe magistrate judge has dismissed the case against a Chimayó man charged with 34 counts of illegal trapping, on grounds that the New Mexico Game and Fish Department failed to serve the man with a search warrant and failed to preserve...
Despite a valiant effort by La Cañada Flintridge residents and state wildlife officials to rescue a fawn spotted on Sept. 20 with a trap stuck on its leg, the creature died Saturday after being extricated from the likely illegal device. “It’s been so long this poor...
SANTA FE – A dead fox was found in a trap on the eastern outskirts of Santa Fe Wednesday, and a WildEarth Guardians representative says the cage trap may have been illegal. WildEarth’s Christopher Smith said a runner found the trap with the fox about 15 feet off of...
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a measure Wednesday making the state the first to ban fur trapping, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Wildlife Protection Act bars commercial or recreational trapping on both private and public land, according to the...
Defenders of Wildlife has learned that four more Mexican gray wolves were trapped in New Mexico on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service over the last two months. Two of these wolves are from the Prieto Pack an all four trapping incidents occurred in New Mexico. At...
Five lobos have been trapped since Nov. 2018 For immediate release February 13, 2019 Contacts: Christopher Smith, WildEarth Guardians, 505-395-6177, Kelly Nokes, Western Environmental Law Center, 575-613-8051, Jessica...
The death of a Mexican gray wolf and injuries to another prompted environmentalists on Tuesday to call on New Mexico lawmakers to ban trapping on public land. Defenders of Wildlife said four wolves have been caught in traps in New Mexico over the past two months. The...
SANTA FE, N.M. – Supporters and opponents of HB 366, the Wildlife Protection and Public Safety Act, packed into the House committee room at the Roundhouse. The bill would ban trapping wildlife on public land. HB 366 was heard in its first House committee on...