Retrieving Game

I recently had someone tell me that it was ok to drive a vehicle off road across BLM to retrieve downed game. Is this true? I tried to look up a regulation that said this was legal but couldn't find anything. I've heard of other states that have this rule, but I want to say there's a mile limit or something like that. Anyone have any concrete information on this? Personally, I'm not a fan of this rule if it does exist, but I can't confirm ether way.

http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/dow...2017_18-New-Mexico-Hunting-Rules-and-Info.pdf

Page 38

"You may drive vehicles off established roads on certain public lands (excluding State Trust Land) and private land to retrieve legally taken big-game carcasses ? provided that state or federal regulations do not prohibit such use. "

Yeah but define "certain public lands"

Yeah that is very vague.

I know there are some blm lands that are designated study area's that you cannot drive off the road. You have to know where you are at to be safe.

LAST EDITED ON Sep-29-17 AT 04:02PM (MST)[p]He said he couldn't find anything in the regulations... I posted what I found.


But what I see:

Page 28: Open gate properties.
"Some properties may have special rules for certain activities. these rules will be posted on the property. It is the responsibility of the individual using the property to know and obey posted rules."

Page 29: Federal land
"Some properties may have special rules for certain activities. these rules will be posted on the property. It is the responsibility of the individual using the property to know and obey posted rules."

Page 33: State trust land
"However you must:
? Drive only on established roads and close gates."

"And you must not:
? Drive off -road for any reason.
? Use private roads or cross private lands without prior written permission from the landowner."


Page 34: NM state trust land
"? Vehicles may not be operated off- established roads or on closed roads."


Reading the regulations and page 38, I feel like they wrote the
"You may drive vehicles off established roads on certain public lands (excluding State Trust Land) and private land to retrieve legally taken big-game carcasses ? provided that state or federal regulations do not prohibit such use. " as a catch all. Some land owners may authorize it, others may not. Also, I know that certain areas and hunts authorize retrieval of game after a kill like some of the oryx hunts.



When in doubt, ask Game and Fish

Call the BLM office and ask them.

Yeah, I saw that, but the question is what are "certain public lands"? Does that refer to the mobility impaired hunts? It's just not very clear. If I can hike 7 miles in and shoot a bull and don't have to pack him out, then I'd think that's a game changer for everyone. Not a fan of the rule if that's the case. And to be quite honest, I don't trust the BLM to provide the correct answer if I were to just call them up. Had a few experiences with them lately that make me question how they got in those positions in the first place with the information they've provided. That's why I was looking for a regulation or statute that clearly defined the rule, but couldn't find it.

"certain public lands"Unit 52 is a motor restricted area.Not just the wilderness.Animals must be removed by hoof or cart and boot leather.