News & Updates

Letter to the Editor: Statewide Traps

Dec 10, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Letter to the Editor, NM Department of Game and Fish, NM State Game Commission, Public Lands, Public Opinion, Public Safety, Trapping is Torture, Trapping on Public Lands, Waste, Wildlife, Wildlife Management

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

Dec 10, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Cruelty, Endangered Species, Illegal Trapping, Legislation, Mexican wolf, NM Department of Game and Fish, NM State Game Commission, Public Lands, Public Opinion, Public Safety, Trap Injuries, Trapping Incidents Map, Trapping is Torture, Trapping on Public Lands, Trapping Regulations, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Management

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

Nov 27, 2019 | Mexican wolf, Public Lands, Trap Injuries, Trapping Incidents Map, Trapping is Torture, Trapping on Public Lands, Trapping Regulations, Wildlife, Wildlife Management

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...

Queen Elizabeth II Will Go Fur Free

Nov 26, 2019 | Banned Fur Sales, Bear, Cruelty, Fur Free Fashion, Public Opinion, Uncategorized, Wildlife

She has sat next to Anna Wintour at London Fashion Week and awarded Stella McCartney the Order of the British Empire. Now Queen Elizabeth II is building on her fashion-forward reputation: The 93-year-old monarch will stop buying clothing made with real fur, the...

New Mexico panel opts to end recreational cougar trapping

Nov 25, 2019 | Cougar, NM Department of Game and Fish, NM State Game Commission, Roxy's Law

New Mexico regulators have adopted new rules that will prohibit trapping or snaring cougars for sport, marking a small victory for animal protection groups that have been fighting for a broader ban of the practice on public lands across the state. The state Game...

Game Commission ignores public, pushes inadequate trapping rule

Nov 22, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, NM State Game Commission, Outdoor Recreation Industry, Press Release, Public Lands, Public Opinion, Trapping Regulations, Waste, Wildlife, Wildlife Management

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...

How Not to Kill an Animal

Nov 18, 2019 | Coyote, Cruelty, Fur Trade, Illegal Trapping, Owl, Trap Injuries, Trapping is Torture, Waste, Wildlife

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...

Cruel or essential? Map details trapping incidents across New Mexico

Nov 17, 2019 | Coyote, Dog, National Forest, Public Safety, Roxy's Law, Trap Victim Story, Trapping Incidents Map, Trapping on Public Lands, Trapping Regulations, Uncategorized, Wildlife

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 he was...

Coalition unveils interactive map of illegal trapping in New Mexico

Nov 5, 2019 | Illegal Trapping, Trapping Incidents Map, Trapping on Public Lands

 Click above to play video ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)- Several New Mexico animal rights and conservation groups are behind an online map pinpointing illegal trapping incidents in the state. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the TrapFree New Mexico map is up and running....

Coalition puts out online map of illegal trapping in N.M.

Nov 5, 2019 | Companion Animal, Dog, Illegal Trapping, Legislation, Mexican wolf, Roxy's Law, Trapping Incidents Map, Trapping on Public Lands

A coalition of conservation and animal protection groups has created an online map of illegal trapping incidents in 22 New Mexico counties. The TrapFree New Mexico map, unveiled Monday, includes 23 documented incidents of trapping violations between 2015 and 2018, and...

TrapFree New Mexico releases map cataloguing trapping incidents in New Mexico

Nov 4, 2019 | Dog, Illegal Trapping, Mexican wolf, NM Department of Game and Fish, Outdoor Recreation Industry, Press Release, Public Lands, Public Opinion, Public Safety, Roxy's Law, Trap Victim Story, Trapping Incidents Map, Trapping on Public Lands, Trapping Regulations, Waste, Wildlife, Wildlife Management

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

Nov 3, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Bobcat, Coyote, Dog, Endangered Species, Fox, Illegal Trapping, Mexican wolf, NM Department of Game and Fish, Outdoor Recreation Industry, Public Lands, Public Safety, Roxy's Law, Trap Victim Story, Trapping on Public Lands, Wildlife, Wildlife Management

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

Oct 28, 2019 | Dog, Editorial, Illegal Trapping, National Forest, NM Department of Game and Fish, NM State Game Commission, Outdoor Recreation Industry, Public Lands, Public Opinion, Public Safety, Roxy's Law, Trap Victim Story, Trapping on Public Lands, Waste, Wildlife, Wildlife Management

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....

ACTION ALERT: Demand trap-free public lands in New Mexico

Oct 24, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Public Lands, Public Safety, Trapping on Public Lands, Trapping Regulations, Waste, Wildlife

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...

Editorial: It’s time to end animal trapping in N.M.

Oct 24, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Editorial, Public Lands, Public Opinion, Trapping on Public Lands

Despite overwhelming support from New Mexicans to eliminate cruel trapping practices — some 69 percent of voters disapprove of the use of traps or snares on our public lands — the rules currently being considered by the State Game Commission do not go far enough. The...

Clock is ticking – stand up against trapping

Oct 20, 2019 | Bobcat, Coyote, Cruelty, Deer, Fair Chase Hunting, Fox, Illegal Trapping, NM State Game Commission, Public Lands, Public Safety, Trapping on Public Lands, Trapping Regulations, Waste, Wildlife

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...

Evidence mishandling leads to dismissal in trapping case

Oct 17, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Cruelty, Dog, Illegal Trapping, Legislation, Outdoor Recreation Industry, Public Lands, Public Safety, Roxy's Law, Trap Victim Story, Trapping on Public Lands, Waste, Wildlife Management

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...

KRQE: Animal advocates call for change after dismissal of illegal trapping case

Oct 17, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Dog, Illegal Trapping, Public Lands, Public Safety, Roxy's Law, Trap Victim Story, Trapping on Public Lands, Waste

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...

Case against trapper of Roxy the dog dismissed

Oct 16, 2019 | Dog, Illegal Trapping, National Forest, Outdoor Recreation Industry, Public Lands, Public Safety, Roxy's Law, Trapping on Public Lands, Waste

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...

Hobbled fawn is rescued but dies after illegal trap removed by officials

Oct 16, 2019 | Cruelty, Deer, Illegal Trapping, Trap Injuries, Trapping is Torture, Waste, Wildlife

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...

California bans fur trapping for recreation, commerce

Oct 15, 2019 | Banned Fur Sales, Banned Fur Trapping, Legislation

California on Wednesday became the first state to ban commercial fur trapping, ending the practice nearly 200 years after animals like beavers and otters introduced the American West to international trade. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he had signed a...

California bans the sale of fur

Oct 13, 2019 | Banned Fur Sales, Commercial Fur Sales, Cruelty, Extreme Animal Cruelty, Fur Trade

California has made history today by becoming the first U.S. State to ban the sale of animal fur. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 44 into law, banning all new fur sales and manufacturing in California. The law, which comes into effect in January 2023, has...

Fox died in trap that may have been illegal

Oct 3, 2019 | Fox, Illegal Trapping, Public Lands, Trapping on Public Lands, Uncategorized, Waste, Wildlife

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...

Editorial: Updated trapping regs just sidestepping gruesome NM reality

Sep 16, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Cruelty, Economic Analysis, Editorial, NM Department of Game and Fish, NM State Game Commission, Public Lands, Public Opinion, Public Safety, Roxy's Law, Trapping on Public Lands, Wildlife, Wildlife Management

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...

The Troubles with Public Lands Trapping

Sep 10, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Cruelty, Public Lands, Public Safety, Wildlife

Trapping is cruel: trapped animals endure stress, dehydration, starvation, broken bones, dislocations, predation, and even self-amputation. Trapping is indiscriminate: unlike hunting, traps maim and kill non-target animals. Endangered species and companion animals are...

Why is there still trapping on public lands in New Mexico?

Sep 9, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Mexican wolf, NM State Game Commission, Outdoor Recreation Industry, Public Lands, Wildlife

It may still come as a surprise that today, in 2019, it is still legal in New Mexico to set a steel-jawed leg-hold trap or strangling wire snare in order to catch any one of 16 kinds of native wild animal that includes bobcats, foxes and badgers, for fun and profit....

New Game Commission acting against most New Mexicans

Sep 9, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Bobcat, NM State Game Commission, Outdoor Recreation Industry, Public Lands, Public Opinion, Wildlife

In the waning days of the Susana Martinez administration, the Department of Game and Fish and the state Game Commission entertained marginal changes to state trapping regulations. It was, in the words of former Game Commission Chair Paul Kienzle, “play(ing) some...

California Just Became the First State to Ban Fur Trapping

Sep 6, 2019 | Banned Fur Sales, Banned Fur Trapping, Bobcat, Fur Trade, Trapping on Public Lands

Wildlife advocates celebrate new law, look ahead to possible statewide ban on sale of fur. California just became the first state in the country to ban fur trapping, solidifying its position as a trailblazer on wildlife issues. The Wildlife Protection Act of 2019,...

California becomes the first state to ban fur trapping

Sep 5, 2019 | Banned Fur Trapping, Legislation, Public Opinion, Trapping is Torture, Waste, Wildlife

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...

New Mexico Game Commission considering paltry changes to trapping rules

Aug 23, 2019 | NM State Game Commission, Nutria, Public Lands, Public Opinion, Raccoon, Trapping on Public Lands, Wildlife Management

For immediate release August 22, 2019 Contacts: Chris Smith, WildEarth Guardians, 505-395-6177, Jessica Johnson, Animal Protection of New Mexico & Animal Protection Voters, 505-220-6656, Mary Katherine Ray, Sierra...

Proposed trapping changes by NM Game and Fish Dept

Aug 19, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, NM Department of Game and Fish, NM State Game Commission, Public Lands, Trapping on Public Lands

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is proposing to the State Game Commission changes to the trapping rules. These proposals are inadequate to protect people, pets, and wildlife. Please attend the Santa Fe meeting of the NM State Game Commission and share your...

Prada to go fur-free in 2020

May 22, 2019 | Fur Free Fashion

Prada joins other high-fashion brands like Gucci, Versace, Armani, Chanel, Michael Kors, Burberry and Coach, all companies that have abandoned fur in recent years. Prada has announced it will stop using fur in its products and design beginning in February 2020. The...

2019 Legislative Session Conclusion and HB 366 “Roxy’s Law”

Mar 21, 2019 | 2019 Legislative Session, Ban Traps on Public Lands, HB 366, Roxy's Law, Wildlife Management

Dear TrapFree NM Friends, The 60-day legislative session has now come to a close and we know you want to know what happened to HB 366, Roxy's Law, to ban traps and poisons from NM public lands. We regret that it did not pass, and that news is as disappointing for us...

Long overdue

Mar 12, 2019 | 2019 Legislative Session, Ban Traps on Public Lands, Dog, Endangered Species, HB 366, Legislation, Letter to the Editor, Mexican wolf, Public Lands, Public Opinion, Roxy's Law, Trap Injuries, Trapping on Public Lands

Traps and snares are a threat to public land users, their dogs and wildlife, including endangered Mexican wolves, who are caught, maimed and killed by these indiscriminate devices. Steel jaw traps have been banned in over 100 countries and our neighboring states of...

TrapFree NM response to March 2, 2019 NBC News.com article

Mar 4, 2019 | Ban Traps on Public Lands, Cougar, Coyote, Dog, Endangered Species, Mexican wolf, Natural rodent control, NM State Game Commission, Public Lands, Trapping on Public Lands, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Management

Dear Mr. McCausland, Thank you so much for shining some light on trapping in the US and in particular in New Mexico in your recent article. I noticed that you embedded in it a video of how to remove a dog from a trap produced by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game....

Farmers and trappers say limiting animal trapping threatens a way of life

Mar 4, 2019 | 2019 Legislative Session, Fur Trade, HB 366, Illegal Trapping, Public Lands, Roxy's Law, Trap Victim Story, Trapping Regulations, Uncategorized, Wildlife

NBCNews.com March 2, 2019 By Phil McCausland "I just think the tide has turned. There are too many people out there on those public lands, and it’s like we’re walking through a mine field,” said a New Mexico man whose dog died in a trap. An illegally-set steel cable...