New Mexico has been a great state to apply for elk due to the zero preference points. The odds may only get harder going forward. URGENT NEW MEXICO ACTION ITEM New Mexico Senate Bill SB196 has recently passed the Senate Conservation Committee and is heading to the Senate Fiscal Committee. Regular non-resident applicants will be limited to 2% of the total number of tags where guided hunters (residents and non-residents) may get 8% of the tags for any given hunt! New Mexico currently allocates permits in the antelope, Mule deer, and elk drawing as follows: 78% to residents, 12% to non-residents contracted with an outfitter, and 10% to regular non-resident applicants. This bill in the New Mexico legislature would eliminate the current allocation to non-residents giving 90% to residents and 8% to non-residents and residents who contract with an outfitter and only 2% to regular non-resident applicants. In addition to the split the bill considers implementing the requirement to purchase a non-refundable hunting license to apply which is estimated at $90 for non-residents as well as other non-refundable application fees. It is our understanding that the changes listed below have strong support and have a great chance to pass: - Permit allocation: 90% to resident, 8% to non-residents and residents with an outfitter, and 2% to regular non-resident applicants. - Add a required $90 non-fundable hunting license to apply (plus regular application fees per species) - Still no point system - Allocation may apply to other species as well (sheep, oryx, and ibex) Bill details: http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/_session.aspx?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=%20196&year=11 Bill amendments/committee report: http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/11%20Regular/bills/senate/SB0196CO1.pdf If this passes it will greatly affect all non-residents opportunity to hunt New Mexico. No matter what your opinion is of these potential changes to New Mexico permit allocation and the application process, we encourage you to voice your thoughts. New Mexico needs to hear from non-residents!
Here is my response to some Senators I for one, have been to New Mexico twice to hunt elk. I personally see no reason to allocate any tags for hunters that decide to hire an outfitter. Why should a person be at a disadvantage statistically because they choose otherwise ? In my two visits, I was never asked to participate in any type of study which would survey my contribution to your local economy, nor have I read or heard about one that was done. One advantage of having 22% non-residents visit your state each year is dollars that are circulated throughout the New Mexico economy. Food, Lodging, Air Transportation, Hunting guides, Hunting/Outdoor Equipment and any preseason scouting trips that may be done prior to the hunting experience. I would ask that during these difficult times in the economy sometimes we need to anaylize the data rather than the emotion. If this bill is passed, it may make people feel better, but what is the 10 year economic impact in doing so or what family businesses will the affect ? For without knowing or having a clear picture, I am not sure this bill should move any further. Thanks for your time Rob M.
Well written Rob.....I really don't think these legislatures consider econonomic impacts or even care about it. It doesn't effect their pocket books directly. I'll bet that if the changes are made that they don't even sell all the tags that they allocate to residents.
I didn't read the entire post, but, wouldn't this be a good thing for New Mexico hunters ? Less out of State hunters ?
New Mexico's population is small enough that they probably actually benefit MORE from the NR hunters than most other states do, with maybe the exception of Wyoming, which also has a very small populous.
I may be the minority but I think scaling back to a 90/10 split is fair.... IF they do away with the outfitter allotment. Otherwise, the bill is bs. I think we overstate our importance economically speaking as non residents. Who benefits NM economy more, a resident spending money there 52 weeks a year AND paying state taxes or a non resident who comes in for a week and drops $1-2 k locally. Bottom line is that there are x amount of tags in NM. They Will all sell regardless if they split em up 99/1, or 50/50. Just a matter of opinion on what that number should be.
I agree, New Mexico has to put priority on its residents first. The most important resource any state has is its residents. It is in there best interest to cater to residents first.
Yes it could mean more tags for residents, but here are some of the changes - $90 non refundable application fee - Still no preference points -10% of tags allocated. No preference if contracted with an outfitter New Mexico has some of the highest tax burdens for both individuals and business in the region and country. If I were a resident I would have to ask could the increase in available resident tags potentially mean a higher tax in the future to offset loss of revenue. Believe me, NR's contribute a tremedous amount to the western economies in the fall and even prior to the hunting experience for summer/early fall scouting trips. On other forums the threads start showing up late July/early August on some of these 3-4 days scouting missions. That's part of the expeerience. Plus we all spend more on vacation then we do in our own neighborhoods, thats a given. When you take into consideration the money spent on air transportation, car rentals, lodging, hunting equipment, food, fuel, etc...each one of these expenses has a state tax and helps the local economies when otherwise people would not be there. A 12% reduction in people per year will have and impact, and with New Mexico's history of fiscal responsibility, these tags may come at a higher cost for everyone.
IMO a NR using an outfitter should not get preferential treatment on receiving tags or better odds than a NR hunting on his own. I do disagree with the non-refundable $90........that borders on robbery.
