Allocation has been a “sticky” issue in NM for years. The State has to look at what is the best allocation and number of tags to support the resource while maintaining hunt quality and opportunity. What we do not want here is to have a hunter behind every tree like in some other states. Yet, hunting opportunity has to remain to be a cardinal issue. New Mexico is known as a “quality” elk hunting state. I don’t think anyone wants that to change.
Federal lands are owned by the public so there should be a number of tags available to non-residents. Robertson Pittman funds are available to the states, but New Mexicans pay a huge amount of money to support the management of the elk on public lands. If you want changes to tag allocation, then the best way is to contact a large organization like the Rocky Mountain Elk foundation or some other large lobby. Those organizations actually hire resource managers and scientists who develop management plans and datasets that are presented to the state game commissions.
Outfitters play a role and also have a stake in the management of the resource. They have their own lobby as well. Personally, I would like to see more tags go to disabled military veterans across the board. I think New Mexico does well with youth hunting opportunity, but could do more for the disabled and senior citizens in general. I don’t expect any major changes to the system any time soon. Maybe that is a good thing, I don’t know. Good luck to everyone....I’ll put my money on a week from today.
