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 gail@gailchasey.com
Vice Chair Georgene Louis (D-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4464 georgene.louis@nmlegis.gov
Eliseo Lee Alcon (D-Milan) (505) 986-4844 eliseo.alcon@nmlegis.gov
Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad) (505) 986-4211 c.brown.nm55@gmail.com
Zachary Cook (R-Ruidoso) (505) 986-4452 zachary.cook@nmlegis.gov
Brian Egolf, Jr. (D-Santa Fe) (505) 986-4423 brian.egolf@nmlegis.gov
Kelly Fajardo (R-Belen) (505) 986-4220 kelly.fajardo@nmlegis.gov
Miguel Garcia (D-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4327 miguel.garcia@nmlegis.gov
Nate Gentry (R-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4757 natefornm@gmail.com
Emily Kane (D-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4464 emilykane4nm@gmail.com
Antonio “Moe” Maestas (D-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4774 antonio.maestas@nmlegis.gov
Terry McMillan (R-Las Cruces) (505) 986-4450 docmcmillan@gmail.com
Paul Pacheco (R-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4214 paul.pacheco@nmlegis.gov
William “Bill” Rehm (R-Albuquerque) (505) 986-4214 bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov
Patricia Roybal Caballero (505) 986-4243 pat.roybalcaballero@nmlegis.gov
Mimi Stewart (505) 986-4842 mimi.stewart@nmlegis.gov
