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February 2019 Newsletter NMWF

By NM Wildlife Federation 
The New Mexico Wildlife Federation is hosting the Governor’s Special Hunt Auction and Banquet on Feb. 16 in Albuquerque.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will be auctioning over a dozen premier hunting and fishing packages to benefit the state’s Game Protection Fund.
Keynote speaker at the auction event will be Ryan Callaghan of Bozeman, Mont. Callaghan is a frequent contributor to the popular Netflix hunting show “MeatEater.”
The day before the auction, Callaghan will be appearing at a free storytelling session from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fri., Feb. 15, at the Marble Heights Brewery & Tap Room at 9904 Montgomery Blvd NE, in Albuquerque.
The auction event starts at 5 p.m., Feb. 16 at the Creative Arts Building at Expo New Mexico, on the State Fair Grounds at 300 San Pedro, N.E. The auction offers the chance to bid on hunts, including elk, ibex, oryx, mule deer, coues deer, pronghorn, turkey, upland game and premier fishing trips.
There will be many other items in the auction including raffles and games. Proceeds benefit the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. Tickets for the event are $500 for a reserved table for 10, $110 per couple and $60 for a single. Buy tickets here.
2019 Public Lands Rally:
The New Mexico Wildlife Federation is holding its annual Public Lands Rally on from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 20, at the state Capitol in Santa Fe. State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has been invited to speak.
For years, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation has been a leading voice in calling for the preservation of public lands. New Mexico has about 9 million acres of national forests and 13 million acres of Bureau of Land Management land. Those lands, owned and used by all Americans, support some of the finest hunting and fishing opportunities in the United States yet some politicians and others continue to push to transfer them from the federal government to the state or elsewhere.
Please join your fellow hunters, anglers and other public lands users at the Roundhouse on Feb. 20 and tell our elected officials to KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY PUBLIC LANDS!
2019 Legislative Session:
The ongoing 2019 New Mexico Legislature is considering several bills that could affect hunting, fishing and wildlife in the state. The New Mexico Wildlife Federation has been active in testifying and lobbying on bills that would affect hunting, fishing and wildlife.
_ The NMWF is encouraging its membership to support a pending bill, SB382, that would increase hunting and fishing license fees for the first time in more than a decade. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas, is pending in the Senate Conservation committee.
_ The NMWF has testified against a bill, HB366, that would ban commercial and recreational trapping on public lands. Federal Executive Director Jesse Deubel testified at a House committee hearing that the NM State Game Commission should set wildlife regulations.
_ The NMWF supports HB263 to give the NM State Game Commission more political autonomy. The bill would change the current law that allows governors to appoint all seven members of the game commission and instead allow the governor to appoint three while legislative leaders would appoint four members. It would establish that commissioners would serve staggered terms and could only be removed from office for cause.
_ The NMWF supports SB462, which would create an office of outdoor recreation within the state Economic Development Department. The office would recruit outdoor businesses to the state, assist with recreation infrastructure proposals, and promote educational initiatives and collaborative programs with Native American tribes.
New Staff Members:
Thomas Gomez, Online Media Director.
A native New Mexican, Thomas grew up on a farm in Tome. Thomas has spent the last decade at work both in the healthcare industry, as an analyst, and the outdoor industry, as a writer, photographer, and consultant. In his free time, Thomas ranches, farms, hikes, hunts, fly-fishes, and devotes time to his family. Thomas has a master’s degree in business administration from Western New Mexico University.
Kamilia Elsisie, Communications and Education Outreach Coordinator.
Kamilia, of Albuquerque, enjoys working to preserve public lands, water and wildlife for future generations. Kamilia was born in Wyoming and grew up in New Mexico. Her passion for the outdoors was sparked by early experiences including rafting the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, pack trips in the Gila Wilderness and fishing and canoeing in the Arctic Circle in Alaska. Kamilia went on her first waterfowl hunt four years ago and that was all it took for her to fall in love with hunting. Since then, she has hunted big game, small game and upland game birds in several states, all on public land. Her hunting has increased her interest in conservation, education and public policy. She has worked as an EMT and her educational credentials include a master of public health degree from San Jose State University.
New Board Member:
Cody Lujan, board member.
Cody was born and raised in northwestern Colorado and moved to central New Mexico later in his youth. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Carleton College and his law degree from the University of New Mexico. Cody is fluent in Spanish and studied political history in Argentina. A former fly-fishing guide, Cody is a passionate big game hunter, and wing shooter. He resides in the Colorado’s Yampa Valley with his wife and two young children.
Harvest Report Deadline:
Hunters have until Feb. 15 to submit free harvest reports for most species of big game as well as turkey. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish requires the reports for everyone who held a license, even if they didn’t hunt. After Feb. 15, the department will impose an $8 fee for filing those harvest reports. Reports for barbary sheep, ibex, oryx, javelina and trappers are due on or before April 7. Failure to submit reports will make hunters ineligible for the big game license draw this year.
Turkey Pelts Wanted:
Many Native American communities use turkey feathers, tails and pelts for ceremonial practices. The NMWF is asking hunters to consider donating the entire pelt from their spring harvest. Both the tails and the pelts can be salted lightly with table salt to protect the oils or grease from spreading. Wrap with either paper towel or clean cloth, pack in a box and mail to:
New Mexico Wildlife Federation

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