Couesmagnet,
I agree with you on many of your points and that is exactly what we are trying to do is cut out the chaff from the wheat and bring more tags back into the public draw.
As far as big ranches in 16: Elk Occupied Acreage, Farr Ranch 16E 36,369 Los Adobes,16C, 38,065 Ake Ranch 16E, 10,580 Bob Salvo, 16D, 9340 Blair Ranch 16D, 6340 Harriet Ranch, 16E, 11,840 Los Adobes,16E, 7803 Luera Ranch 16E, 7368 Bull Run Ranch 16E, 6555 ##### Welborn 16E, 7686 John Hand 16E, 6500
Some of these ranches are UW such as the huge Adobe Ranch and many are RO.
We want to tighten up those ranches also as there are some huge inequities on some of these ranches, i.e. are all of "elk occupied acres" actually providing much benefit to the elk herds.
NM has twice as many elk as AZ and a much different land pattern with probably more crop land being affected here than over there and is like comparing apples to oranges I think. I know both states pretty well and AZ is the hardest place for a resident or non resident alike to get an elk tag. Most years all of you guys set around and twiddle your thumbs, or bite the bullet and come to NM , the land of opportunity for all.