The NM draft regs are on-line and the Dept of Game and Fish website. There are lots of changes beginning 2005. If you have questions on the pros/cons of the changes shoot me an e-mail or use the contact form on my site at www.newmexicobiggamehunting.com. There are point restrictions for both deer and elk. Public deer hunting is on a draw. The antelope unit preference on the application is removed and more. Best of all the deadline for application is moved up as is the date the results are out.
New Mexico "Draft" Regs
- Thread starter JFWRC
- Start date
Just curious why NMG&F did away with the unit preference for antelope? I imagine it had to do with guys being upset when they drew units that weren't their preference? I think NM has one of the weirdest antelope draws in the entire country! What other state do you apply for a tag and have no idea where you'll be hunting?
I have a question for you JFWRC....what advantage is there for having a draw system where the public has no idea where they will be hunting and there aren't any rifle tags available to hunt public land in a particular unit that is drawn?
I have a question for you JFWRC....what advantage is there for having a draw system where the public has no idea where they will be hunting and there aren't any rifle tags available to hunt public land in a particular unit that is drawn?
jims-
Remember-under the "any weapon type" hunt codes, you are assigned a specific ranch to hunt and in most cases you will be able to harvest an antelope and sometime a very good one. Our success rate in rifle hunts is very high.
The hunt code you apply for will dictate the region where, if you draw, your assigned ranch will be. I think your right as to the preference, the game managers were probably not able to fulfill the requests.
If you hunt other weapon types, bow or muzzle, you will be assigned to unit you applied for.
With regard to the second part of your question, the hunt code you applied for dictates the weapon type. They are not going to assign you a place you cannot hunt your choosen weapon type. Remember you are assigned to a ranch(regardless of land mix) if you choose "any weapon type," e.g., rifle. In NM's case the ranch you are assigned to will most assuredly have a chunk of private of which you as assigned hunter, have full access to.
I don't know if that answered your question or not. I tried.
Remember-under the "any weapon type" hunt codes, you are assigned a specific ranch to hunt and in most cases you will be able to harvest an antelope and sometime a very good one. Our success rate in rifle hunts is very high.
The hunt code you apply for will dictate the region where, if you draw, your assigned ranch will be. I think your right as to the preference, the game managers were probably not able to fulfill the requests.
If you hunt other weapon types, bow or muzzle, you will be assigned to unit you applied for.
With regard to the second part of your question, the hunt code you applied for dictates the weapon type. They are not going to assign you a place you cannot hunt your choosen weapon type. Remember you are assigned to a ranch(regardless of land mix) if you choose "any weapon type," e.g., rifle. In NM's case the ranch you are assigned to will most assuredly have a chunk of private of which you as assigned hunter, have full access to.
I don't know if that answered your question or not. I tried.
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Bucky
Guest
I had heard that these new regs. were coming. I hunt muzzleloader mule deer in Unit 37, and have been hunting the Capitans (public land) the last 6 years. I'm from Texas, and I have always enjoyed my New Mexico hunts, and I thought the OTC tags were great. Now, I'll be in the draw, and being an unguided hunter, I'll have a 10% chance of getting a tag. Looks like my hunts could be over. Their are only giving out 200 total restricted muzzleloader tags in Unit 37, which means their will only be 20 from non-res. unguided. So, do you know of any links to private land in the Unit 37 area. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Bucky
Bucky
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Bucky
Guest
I couldn't get the e-mail thing to work, so if possible, could you please e-mail me at [email protected].
Thanks,
Bucky
Thanks,
Bucky
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nmhs
Guest
Next thing you know is that USO is going to be suing the NMDGF for the same reason they sued in Arizona.
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bootsncoots
Guest
I can understand why NM needs to control the number of licenses available, mainly due to small deer herds. I believe too many hunters kill anything with horns. I also believe that the new 3 point restriction will have an un-intended consequences, what I mean by that is that some hunters will shoot first and then walk over to their deer and then count points. I have witnessed hunters shoot a doe, because they thought the white tips on their ears were really horns. No kidding, I had to show the game-warden where this happened year before last.
What I don't understand is, why the blatant discrimination against out of state hunters. I don't know how NMGF can rationalize their license control over Federal land (i.e. BLM). Their control over State land is one thing, but Federal land belongs to all of us. Our out of state hunting group, has hunted area 33 for the past nine years mainly on private land, but some BLM land is mixed in with the private stuff. NMGF, now has decided that only 300 permits will be issued for area 33 per season with 12% to outfitters (36 permits) and only 10% or 30 permits to out of state, that is ridiculous. I don't know for certain, but I bet that outfitters sell more to out of state hunters than not. This huge area of unit 33 has more BLM land than state land so how can they justify this? Its very hard for anyone to know when private land changes over to BLM and vise versa. When your out walking its almost impossible. BLM fences are easy to recognize, but with the vast open country in this particular area, you may not even see a fence.
This just my opinion, as these permits will have minimal affect on our hunting group as we have access to a very large private ranch and will be able to go hunting anyway. My concern is for the other hunters that want to hunt and enjoy the great outdoors of federal land.
Boots
What I don't understand is, why the blatant discrimination against out of state hunters. I don't know how NMGF can rationalize their license control over Federal land (i.e. BLM). Their control over State land is one thing, but Federal land belongs to all of us. Our out of state hunting group, has hunted area 33 for the past nine years mainly on private land, but some BLM land is mixed in with the private stuff. NMGF, now has decided that only 300 permits will be issued for area 33 per season with 12% to outfitters (36 permits) and only 10% or 30 permits to out of state, that is ridiculous. I don't know for certain, but I bet that outfitters sell more to out of state hunters than not. This huge area of unit 33 has more BLM land than state land so how can they justify this? Its very hard for anyone to know when private land changes over to BLM and vise versa. When your out walking its almost impossible. BLM fences are easy to recognize, but with the vast open country in this particular area, you may not even see a fence.
This just my opinion, as these permits will have minimal affect on our hunting group as we have access to a very large private ranch and will be able to go hunting anyway. My concern is for the other hunters that want to hunt and enjoy the great outdoors of federal land.
Boots
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DonV
Guest
Boots I hunt NM for elk as a NR (Ohio) and I love there NR tags. I never draw and save all year and fork over the $$$ for a LO tag.
First NM gives 22% of tags to NR. Very very few states give over 10%, some less. Sure 12% go to those with guides BUT I, as you, apply unguided and we DO NO have to compete with guided hunters for tags, - so this increases our odds dramatically - often times half the NR apps are guided. Imagine competing for 10% of tags with all NR like most states do. On top of that LO tags cost a lot and you can bet a vast majority are bought by NR. Suffice to say that probably about 1:3 elk tags goes to a NR.
That is great.
Again I could be upset since I have never drawn (also buy my dads elk tag too) but I have just not been lucky. I have applied for 5 years and often add deer, orynx, sheep etc.
Compare similiar quality hunts on other states and NM has far better odds most times.
Just my thoughts.
My only complaint is the CC apps, you can bet your odds got cut in half this year because of them, there were twice as many NR apps for this year - because of CC.
DonV
First NM gives 22% of tags to NR. Very very few states give over 10%, some less. Sure 12% go to those with guides BUT I, as you, apply unguided and we DO NO have to compete with guided hunters for tags, - so this increases our odds dramatically - often times half the NR apps are guided. Imagine competing for 10% of tags with all NR like most states do. On top of that LO tags cost a lot and you can bet a vast majority are bought by NR. Suffice to say that probably about 1:3 elk tags goes to a NR.
That is great.
Again I could be upset since I have never drawn (also buy my dads elk tag too) but I have just not been lucky. I have applied for 5 years and often add deer, orynx, sheep etc.
Compare similiar quality hunts on other states and NM has far better odds most times.
Just my thoughts.
My only complaint is the CC apps, you can bet your odds got cut in half this year because of them, there were twice as many NR apps for this year - because of CC.
DonV
