2021 Regs

Phantom Hunter · Jan 1, 2021

Will the new proclamation and regs be posted today?

BradA · Jan 2, 2021

If they are post the Link.

5yearcoueshunter · Jan 11, 2021

They're UP!

http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/publications/rib/2021/hunting/2021_2022-New-Mexico-Hunting-Rules-and-Info.pdf

Servehim · Jan 15, 2021

Any idea when hardcopy hits the rack ?

NMPaul · Jan 15, 2021

Servehim said:
Any idea when hardcopy hits the rack ?

I think they are trying to wean us off the hard copy. I sure like having it though.

cosmic_cowboy · Jan 15, 2021

NMPaul said:
I think they are trying to wean us off the hard copy. I sure like having it though.

Your local Game Warden will have a box full before Walmart gets them.

toklat · Jan 15, 2021

I sent G and F an e-mail inquiry several days ago concerning the same. Let you all know IF and when I hear back.

RioHuntNutt! · Jan 15, 2021

The commission voted on a habitat increase today , they will go to the printer next week , vendors should receive them late Jan /early February.. Draw 1 & 2 is now open tho..

ELKMAN · Jan 18, 2021

What year is this on the five year season structure? Is it number four?

toklat · Jan 19, 2021

FWIW, Heard back from NM G and F today. Hard copy proclamations should be available at vendors early February!

Sierra · Jan 19, 2021

ELKMAN said:
What year is this on the five year season structure? Is it number four?

I didn’t realize that NM had a five-year structure. Does it cover tag numbers and season dates?

ELKMAN · Jan 20, 2021

I think the commission meets to approve hunts every five years. They tweak a few things every year, but it basically stays the same. The dates just change.

live4muleys · Jan 20, 2021

The four year rule. This will be the 3rd year of the 4 year cycle.

cosmic_cowboy · Jan 20, 2021

Nothing major will change, they base their decisions on pseudo science. It is always about money and always will be. 100 times more Deer tags in some units that the population can handle. Now the Elk herd is in bad shape in the north, but they will keep cow tags to the max...... SAD. But never anything about predator control, that's just not on the table because it's not politically correct. The good old days will never return.

garneroutlaw · Jan 20, 2021

cosmic_cowboy said:
Nothing major will change, they base their decisions on pseudo science. It is always about money and always will be. 100 times more Deer tags in some units that the population can handle. Now the Elk herd is in bad shape in the north, but they will keep cow tags to the max...... SAD. But never anything about predator control, that's just not on the table because it's not politically correct. The good old days will never return.

I just pulled my cams out of the Gila, and I got more cats, coyotes, and wolves than deer. During my muzzle hunt, I witnessed a pack of coyotes attack a small herd of deer. I'm no expert, but how can you say that this is a healthy balance of prey vs. predator? I mentioned last year during my 52 hunt, I witnessed multiple elk with their throats ripped out. Cougar populations have to be very high right now, and I don't see anyone getting out there to hunt them. Owning dogs is just too damn expensive in today's economy. Making a trip down there is a $100 investment for me to hunt coyotes. I forgot to mention all the friggin horses eating deer and elk forage. Everywhere I go in GMU 16 I find feral donkeys and horses outnumber the deer. These wolves do not look skinny! Another thing too is these wolves are way out of their core area as listed on the FWS website.

ELKMAN · Jan 20, 2021

Speaking of cow tags, 2300 or so hunters in unit 34 can shoot a cow with their tag!

smarba · Jan 21, 2021

No kidding ELKMAN! The change to ES for all rifle tags in 34 has to put a HUGE dent in the elk population...

cosmic_cowboy · Jan 21, 2021

smarba said:
No kidding ELKMAN! The change to ES for all rifle tags in 34 has to put a HUGE dent in the elk population...

Hope it stops and doesn't go the way of unit 9

ELKMAN · Jan 21, 2021

I hear that unit 9 used to be my stomping grounds. Now I don’t even consider it as a choice.

elkfanatic · Jan 22, 2021

ELKMAN said:
Speaking of cow tags, 2300 or so hunters in unit 34 can shoot a cow with their tag!

I'm not completely sure why they're doing that; however, many people I have talked to, scientists included, see the deer numbers differently than they used to be. They also have said the large increase in elk population has boosted lion numbers which in turn lowered the deer population. That is part of my thoughts on why they have flooded that unit with cow tags to knock the elk population back. However, this opinion and things I've heard did not come from anyone in Game and Fish themselves. I'm sure the CWD positivity in unit 34 has something to do with the amount of tags.

Reuben_Soady · Jan 22, 2021

That last sentence contains a spooky lesson for infectious disease control in uncooperative populations. Good thing people aren't animals, right?

OCHO · Jan 22, 2021

Was disappointed to see the youth oryx tags for down by more than half for off range. If anyone should get some of these tags it’s them especially when the success rates are pretty low and it’s such a fun hunt for the kids.

joesikora · Jan 24, 2021

Phantom Hunter said:
Will the new proclamation and regs be posted today?

yes

Servehim · Feb 11, 2021

toklat said:
FWIW, Heard back from NM G and F today. Hard copy proclamations should be available at vendors early February!

Still not out as of 2/10 , I called G/F today , after @ 20 minute wait I got a live body that seemed frustrated telling me ...hopefully next week . I've got out of state buddies that tell me our NMGF folks won't mail them a hard-copy , begging me to grab extras and send a real proclamation to them. Something is not right , not sure where the weak link is, but hey, we continue to claim our rank of 49th or 50th place. Come on guys !! I will give kudos to a quick application to draw process.

roadrunner · Feb 11, 2021

OCHO said:
Was disappointed to see the youth oryx tags for down by more than half for off range. If anyone should get some of these tags it’s them especially when the success rates are pretty low and it’s such a fun hunt for the kids.

I would think you'd want youth tags to be a higher success rate to keep them interested. Afterall, they are Stage 1 of the 4 Stages of hunting...

RioHuntNutt! · Feb 11, 2021

Servehim said:
Still not out as of 2/10 , I called G/F today , after @ 20 minute wait I got a live body that seemed frustrated telling me ...hopefully next week . I've got out of state buddies that tell me our NMGF folks won't mail them a hard-copy , begging me to grab extras and send a real proclamation to them. Something is not right , not sure where the weak link is, but hey, we continue to claim our rank of 49th or 50th place. Come on guys !! I will give kudos to a quick application to draw process.

The NMDGF will mail out any and all customers up to 4 RIBS , and do not say NO when requested. Have your out of state friends call ,1-888-248-6866 and request a RIB to be mailed. This year the order of printed has been reduced to covid and offices being closed etc, but the department will always mail printed copies. Regards..

RoughCountry · Feb 11, 2021

Hey it’s New Mexico would you expect anything else ? I’ve applied in 3 other states already, have their proc books and paid in full. NM books will come out late then if you go to Walmart to get one the sporting section will be closed and the books are in the back of the store so that’s another week or two there trying to hit Walmart just right. Just get your mind right that in NM that’s just the norm for about everything. Don’t think I’d rate them as high as 49th.

OCHO · Feb 11, 2021

roadrunner said:
I would think you'd want youth tags to be a higher success rate to keep them interested. Afterall, they are Stage 1 of the 4 Stages of hunting...

No other hunt you actually see the game your pursing as much and for a full month. That’s more than half the fun. I don’t measure success of a hunt on taking an animal although it can be a bonus. Is that your definition of a successful hunt?

roadrunner · Feb 11, 2021

OCHO said:
No other hunt you actually see the game your pursing as much and for a full month. That’s more than half the fun. I don’t measure success of a hunt on taking an animal although it can be a bonus. Is that your definition of a successful hunt?

You'd be surprised at how the definition for a youth on a successful hunt is either filling a tag or certainly having the opportunity to.

Remember, it's not up to an adult to decide what is a success for a youth hunter...

OCHO · Feb 11, 2021

roadrunner said:
You'd be surprised at how the definition for a youth on a successful hunt is either filling a tag or certainly having the opportunity to.

Remember, it's not up to an adult to decide what is a success for a youth hunter...

Its a joint decision IMO. It very easy for us to get caught up both kids and adults on what went wrong and miss what went right.

My wife drew antelope archery in 17 one year and got 8 shots in a day and was so mad and swore it was the worst day. I told her she had a better antelope hunt in one day than some people have in multiple years. Perspective is powerful, we are just on the wrong side of it at times.

Hope all the kids get a tag this year!

roadrunner · Feb 11, 2021

^^^ me too

Servehim · Feb 12, 2021

RioHuntNutt said:
The NMDGF will mail out any and all customers up to 4 RIBS , and do not say NO when requested. Have your out of state friends call ,1-888-248-6866 and request a RIB to be mailed. This year the order of printed has been reduced to covid and offices being closed etc, but the department will always mail printed copies. Regards..

Thanks Rio, I promise that I just repeated what I was told by my friend who is guide and big time landowner in Colorado. He called me stating someone he spoke with at NMGF told him go on line ,no hardcopy is available. I know you are correct in what your saying.

toklat · Feb 12, 2021

Called G and F yesterday. They are NOT mailing out publications. Was told to go on-line or wait until available at vendors!

RioHuntNutt! · Feb 15, 2021

toklat said:
Called G and F yesterday. They are NOT mailing out publications. Was told to go on-line or wait until available at vendors!

Id like to know who is telling customers NO. If you all call back ask , to whom your speaking too. Because of covid 19 the order number was reduced , but under no reason are should customers be told no a RIB wont be mailed. The department did not have them until the end of last week , so staff could say that RIBS can't be mailed if they are not available, but once they are in office it is regular procedure to mail especially to out of state and rural area customers.Im sorry you have not been taken care of..

toklat · Feb 15, 2021

Rio, I did not think to get any names. Last time I inquired, I contacted them via their e-mail address. To date, I have not found any publications at any vendors either which tracks with your information. They were pretty adamant that they were not going to be mailed out and makes no sense especially for non-residents?