Friend, Cougars and Black bears are archetypal symbols of the Western spirit, and rightfully so. They possess strength, adaptability, and charisma. Sadly, New Mexico’s wildlife policy towards these wild icons does not respect the animals or the ecosystems they inhabit. Since 2020, the NM Department of Game and Fish has had irresponsible hunting rules in place which willfully ignore the most recent and valid ecological data, and allow trophy hunters to harvest far more animals annually than the population can sustain. However, NMDGF's will soon vote on the game rules that will be in place for the next four years. Currently, their plan is to raise harvest amounts (kill quotas) for bears, and not reduce the quotas for cougars. If this occurs, it will be devastating for the populations of these animals.
APNM is involved in an ongoing fight to change the policies of the NM Department of Game and Fish to protect the cougar and Black bear populations in our state. New Mexico’s wildlife policies should reflect the following truths. First, given the uncertainty of habitat and population estimates of both cougars and bears, the quotas for both should be reduced, not raised. Second, both animals are now known to be extremely important to the integrity of our ecosystems, and each species can self-regulate their own numbers. Lastly, New Mexico has recently experienced severe drought, extreme heat, and wildfires; all of which, will almost certainly continue and intensify into the next four years. Our climate trends weigh in favor of lowering kill quotas, not raising them.
If we, as residents and admirers of New Mexico, want to continue to see cougars and bears roam our mountains and canyons then it is imperative we band together and oppose the reckless wildlife management practices of NM Game and Fish. |
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Wildlife conservation is at stake. Tell officials at the Department of Game and Fish you oppose their bear and cougar quotas and long trophy hunting seasons. We've prepared talking points on the issue for download below. Ask that kill quotas be significantly reduced to protect our valuable wildlife. Email public comments at DGF-Bear-Cougar-Rules@state.nm.us |
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