House Bill 316, sponsored by Representative Nathan Cote (D-Las Cruces), attacks hunting, field trials, and wildlife management.
The bill would ban “animal-killing contests” which would be defined as any organized or sponsored hunting contest where more than one animal can be killed or where a hunting license is not required.
It would ban field trials where animals are hunted and killed. House Bill 316 would also ban the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish from sponsoring contests that urge hunters to hunt certain species where a prize or incentive is offered.
These types of contests or incentives often encourage sportsmen to hunt animals that are overpopulated and need additional management through hunting. This could include incentives for killing coyotes or other incentives where the Department offers entry into a special tag lottery.
“The bill’s sponsor and the animal rights groups pushing the bill are claiming the bill eliminates ‘unethical hunting,’” said Jeremy Rine U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance In-House Counsel. “We’ve seen this tactic before. It is just a ploy to push an anti-hunting agenda and to chip away at our hunting rights.”
The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee.
Take Action! New Mexico sportsmen should contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and tell them to vote no on House Bill 316.
House Judiciary Committee
Chair Gail Chasey (D-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4412 [email protected]
Vice Chair Georgene Louis (D-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4464 [email protected]
Eliseo Lee Alcon (D-Milan) (505) 986-4844 [email protected]
Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad) (505) 986-4211 [email protected]
Zachary Cook (R-Ruidoso) (505) 986-4452 [email protected]
Brian Egolf, Jr. (D-Santa Fe) (505) 986-4423 [email protected]
Kelly Fajardo (R-Belen) (505) 986-4220 [email protected]
Miguel Garcia (D-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4327 [email protected]
Nate Gentry (R-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4757 [email protected]
Emily Kane (D-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4464 [email protected]
Antonio “Moe” Maestas (D-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4774 [email protected]
Terry McMillan (R-Las Cruces) (505) 986-4450 [email protected]
Paul Pacheco (R-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4214 [email protected]
William “Bill” Rehm (R-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4214 [email protected]
Patricia Roybal Caballero (505) 986-4243 [email protected]
Mimi Stewart (505) 986-4842 [email protected]