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Every year, leg-hold and body-crushing traps are hidden throughout New Mexico's public lands by trappers hoping to exterminate certain wildlife species or simply make money from furs.
These are the same public lands where New Mexicans and tourists go to enjoy the great outdoors with their children, their friends, and companion animals. The last thing they want to see is their child, their dog, or a beautiful wild animal caught—or killed—in cruel and outdated traps.
photo credit: Trap Free New Mexico
The State Game Commission, which oversees the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, is considering mild changes to trapping regulations. But the changes proposed are far too weak to make any meaningful difference to the safety of our public lands and the integrity of our ecosystem—in fact, they could actually make trapping worse—and they don't address the serious animal cruelty issues inherent in trapping.
Animal Protection of New Mexico opposes trapping on public lands—except when absolutely necessary, such as immediate public safety risks or when critical scientific research is warranted, and then conducted only by qualified professionals. The Game Commission's proposed rule changes do not adequately address the significant animal cruelty, environmental destruction, and public safety problems associated with public land trapping.
Use this form to call for serious, significant changes to state trapping rules—ones that will stop profit-driven private trapping on public lands, and keep our communities safe. We will make sure your comments reach the State Game Commission.
Here are the proposed changes the State Game Commission has shared so far—and why, though not necessarily harmful, these changes are not nearly enough:
Remember, your voice matters. There are several other opportunities for you to be heard on this issue. Here's what you can do:
Thank you for being a voice on this important issue.
But please forward and share the action page via email and social media so your connections in New Mexico can take action.