LAST EDITED ON Mar-10-14 AT 06:10AM (MST)[p]#1. We all recognize and even the outfitters, that the landowner authorization allocation program needs a huge modification and you are very right many of the smaller landowners are getting valuable tags that other wise could go to the resident drawing pool. I have stated this on at least two or three occasions on my last 100 posts on MM. I and our board are working with the Game Dept to make this happen and working with the Pres. of the NMBH on this issue. I am working with our local Game Warden on some ideas and as stated earlier we think the SCR landowners would be based on not occasional use by elk but by estimated AUM of grazing including water, riparian, crop land and etc.
We are working on this issue as we speak. You are right, the landowner program is a big business to many of the bigger ranchers and the outfitters they lease to or hire to outfit their land. It could also mean many more tags to go back into the public drawing pool. I do not use the landowner system only on rare occasion as I am a public lands wilderness type hunter and hate the roads and the ATV's.
Now to the public draw system.
Were you there Mr. smarty pants Buzz? Hell no!
I was there during all negotiations the very first time and the last time with SB. 196. If I and my compatriots don't look after our businesses no one else will/ So guess what we go there well organized and with our allies to help us get the best possible deal we can for not only our selves but to get the maximum number of tags for non-residents.
Oh, and the Taulman AZ suit. All of us NM outfitters advised George not to do it but he didn't listen to me in a personal conversation with him and he didn't listen to anyone. I told George it would do more harm than good and it darn sure turned out that way. Things are just now getting back to normal in AZ for non-resident hunters.
I have been involved from the get go. When we (NM outfitters)decided to try and clean up our industry (very small at the time) by becoming regulated the NMGFD didn't want to handle or deal with it. Anyway between the State Legislators and finally the NMGFD they decide to regulate outfitters and guides. We went to NM Legislature that winter and went through a big round of negotiations between all interested parties.
The outfitters used as our goal of 30% flat out (no outfitter preference) to NR and 70% to residents.
We knew that wasn't going to happen but we used that as a starting point.
In the intense negotiations the opposition wanted and were stuck on 15%. No body would budge.
As the session went on the fireworks got lit and in the intense negotiations we said fine if is going to be a low ball percentage then we think maybe they should be all outfitted.
This was our game plan and you take it or leave it as I can get affidavits from several outfitters and others whom were there. When we proposed this the word got out and the phones absolutely rang off the hook to the NMGFD and the state legislators. It didn't take along for the other side to cave in to a 22% total 10% to DIY NR and 12% into the outfitted non-resident pool.
Does all of this make the New Mexico outfitters a bunch of low life no goods as some of you want other to believe. Heck no. Believe you me, there are a few lowlife no good outfitters operating out there though.
We proved beyond a doubt to the NM State Legislators how much our industry brings into the state of New Mexico and it is tremendous. We go to shows, advertise and bring in outside sportsmen along with their money that is vital and necessary for our local economies and also our state coffers with the 5.625% gross receipts tax we pay.
Am I a bad guy for wanting to see my local businesses prosper? I bring in much needed revenue to my state and my community.
I am not in the business to make lots of money and if I break even every year I am happy. I offer a wilderness experience and provide a service to mainly non-resident sportsmen but some residents as well. I offer one of the best horseback/mule pactrip wall tent hunts of anywhere in the western US and my good reputation speaks for it self Go to
www.huntinginnewmexico to see some of what I do.
I am a proud man and take pride in my business and my conservative associations. I however fight hard against the liberal conservation movement.
I do not want to hear that all of this and everything I bring to this forum is BS and don't know what I am doing crap, Buzz, Piper, 4100, Topgun. You guys probably will never be conservative in your thinking so it is like for me to be talking to a brick wall with you.
The truth really hurts doens't it guys. You can't defend your beloved WF's and other liberal greenie conservation groups whom are doing the hunters more harm than good.