Public Lands Trapping Prohibition Sent to New Mexico Governor

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Public Lands Trapping Prohibition Sent to New Mexico Governor Mar 22, 2021 08:31 ET Original: Public Lands Trapping Prohibition Sent to New Mexico Governor [Reprinted from original] New Mexico Senate Bill 32 passed the House by a vote of 35-34 with one representative not voting. The ill-conceived bill pushed by Animal Protection Voters of New Mexico bans trapping on all public lands in the state with few exceptions. If Gov. Grisham signs the legislation, it will become law. TAKE ACTION NOW New Mexico members and sportsmen should contact Gov. Grisham and urge her to reject Senate Bill 32. Sportsmen can submit comments using this link: Governor.state.nm.us “This entire process has been a sham from the very start. It’s lacked transparency, democratic debate and the input of those most impacted by the legislation – trappers and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish who will have to enforce and deal with its consequences,” said Jacob Hupp, associate director of state services of government affairs for the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “The fact that this is public land is a slap in the face to the sportsmen who have funded the purchase and upkeep of these lands for a century.” SB 32 was originally introduced by Sen. Robert Gonzalez, who deferred all questions to Jessica Johnson of the Animal Protection Voters of New Mexico. With a monopoly on the floor, Johnson was able to answer committee members’ questions with emotional rhetoric devoid of scientific evidence unchallenged. As SB 32 made its way through senate and house committee hearings and floor votes, the public was given very little opportunity to even register to testify, much less actually voice their opinion on the shortcomings, threats and financial effects of the bill. “Regardless of where you stand on SB 32, every New Mexican should have grave concerns with how this bill was pushed through the system with the citizens most impacted by it removed from the discussion,” said Hupp. “Hopefully, Gov. Grisham has paid attention to this process and will veto the bill and protect those most financially impacted by this, not the lease of which is her own game department who will have to assume budget for the duties sportsmen pay to participate in now.” While SB 32 prohibits trapping on public lands, exceptions exist in the event of human-wildlife conflict and ecosystem management, both of which must be conducted by a state or federal agency using live traps. Enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or pueblo can also continue to trap on public lands. About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Public Lands Trapping Prohibition Sent to New Mexico Governor Mar 22, 2021 08:31 ET Original: Public Lands Trapping Prohibition Sent to New Mexico Governor [Reprinted from original] New Mexico Senate Bill 32 passed the House by a vote of 35-34 with one representative not voting. The ill-conceived bill pushed by Animal Protection Voters of New Mexico bans trapping on all public lands in the state with few exceptions. If Gov. Grisham signs the legislation, it will become law. TAKE ACTION NOW New Mexico members and sportsmen should contact Gov. Grisham and urge her to reject Senate Bill 32. Sportsmen can submit comments using this link: Governor.state.nm.us “This entire process has been a sham from the very start. It’s lacked transparency, democratic debate and the input of those most impacted by the legislation – trappers and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish who will have to enforce and deal with its consequences,” said Jacob Hupp, associate director of state services of government affairs for the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “The fact that this is public land is a slap in the face to the sportsmen who have funded the purchase and upkeep of these lands for a century.” SB 32 was originally introduced by Sen. Robert Gonzalez, who deferred all questions to Jessica Johnson of the Animal Protection Voters of New Mexico. With a monopoly on the floor, Johnson was able to answer committee members’ questions with emotional rhetoric devoid of scientific evidence unchallenged. As SB 32 made its way through senate and house committee hearings and floor votes, the public was given very little opportunity to even register to testify, much less actually voice their opinion on the shortcomings, threats and financial effects of the bill. “Regardless of where you stand on SB 32, every New Mexican should have grave concerns with how this bill was pushed through the system with the citizens most impacted by it removed from the discussion,” said Hupp. “Hopefully, Gov. Grisham has paid attention to this process and will veto the bill and protect those most financially impacted by this, not the lease of which is her own game department who will have to assume budget for the duties sportsmen pay to participate in now.” While SB 32 prohibits trapping on public lands, exceptions exist in the event of human-wildlife conflict and ecosystem management, both of which must be conducted by a state or federal agency using live traps. Enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or pueblo can also continue to trap on public lands. About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.