Speak out to oppose trapping on public lands

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...

Letter to the Editor: Statewide Traps

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,...
Inconsistency at Game and Fish: After state rejoins wolf recovery program, two pups caught in leghold traps

Inconsistency at Game and Fish: After state rejoins wolf recovery program, two pups caught in leghold traps

In early November, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish formally rejoined the federal Mexican Wolf Recovery Program as a lead agency. The department signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish a framework for...

Wild wolf pup found dragging leghold trap in Gila

Another wolf pup is undergoing treatment as private trapping continues to take a toll on endangered species and public lands RESERVE, NM – An endangered wild wolf pup in the Gila National Forest has more than the usual number of threats to his survival right now. A...

Game Commission ignores public, pushes inadequate trapping rule

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...
Cruel or essential? Map details trapping incidents across New Mexico

Cruel or essential? Map details trapping incidents across New Mexico

Map shows trapping incidents occurred in 22 counties in New Mexico Nogal resident Kathleen McDonald had climbed about 100 yards into the Lincoln National Forest when Jasper, her Golden retriever Jasper suddenly began yelping and crying. “I went running down and...

TrapFree New Mexico releases map cataloguing trapping incidents in New Mexico

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 &...
Interactive map tracks illegal trapping

Interactive map tracks illegal trapping

Just in time for trapping season, a coalition calling itself Trap Free New Mexico is launching a new online interactive map that tracks incidences of illegal trapping and locations where dogs, Mexican gray wolves and even people have been caught in traps. Chris Smith,...

Editorial: Roxy’s case reveals trapping free-for-all; NM needs to ban it

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....

Clock is ticking – stand up against trapping

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...
Editorial: Updated trapping regs just sidestepping gruesome NM reality

Editorial: Updated trapping regs just sidestepping gruesome NM reality

On the face of it, the announcement last month the New Mexico Game and Fish Department is considering banning the use of poison, as well as traps and snares in four high-use areas and at hiking trailheads, sounded good. Because after all, that’s what smoke and mirrors...