Attn: NM trappers

[jkcasey]

If we give a little they will take alot! This will be just the begining. Time to support your state and national trapping associations.

Mexican Wolf Recovery Area Trapping Ban Information







Governor Bill Richardson issued an Executive Order on July 29, 2010, temporarily banning trapping in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area of southwestern New Mexico.



Q: What is the purpose of this Executive Order?
A: Governor Richardson ordered a six-month ban on trapping in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area in an effort to protect the Mexican Gray Wolves that have been reintroduced to the New Mexico portion of the Gila and Apache National Forests.



Q: How long will the ban last?
A: The ban will take effect Nov. 1, 2010, and will be in effect for a minimum of six months or until the Department completes a study. That study will assess the risks to Mexican gray wolves due to trapping and determine if some methods of trapping could be allowed that pose minimal risk of injury to the Mexican gray. Once the study is complete, the Executive Order requires the Department to develop appropriate rules for consideration by the State Game Commission to allow trapping within the Recovery Area only by use of methods that pose minimal risk of harm or injury to the Mexican Gray Wolf.



Q: What is the status of the Mexican Gray Wolf in New Mexico?
A: Mexican Gray Wolves are protected by state and federal laws. The Executive Order is based on requirements in the state’s law related to threatened and endangered species, the Wildlife Conservation Act (Act), which lists the Mexican gray wolf as endangered. The Act makes it unlawful for any person to harass, hunt, capture or kill Mexican Gray Wolves. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s goal was to restore at least 100 free-roaming Mexican Gray Wolves in the Recovery Area by 2005. Population surveys are conducted annually. Based on the January 2010 survey 42 individual Mexican Gray Wolves were confirmed in the wild.

Q: Can people hunt protected furbearer species and nongame animals by methods other than trapping in the recovery area?
A: Yes. Legally licensed hunters may hunt fur-bearing and nongame animals with firearms and bows and arrows, in compliance with rules and other legal requirements.



Q: When will the State Game Commission consider a rule change to implement the closure?
A: The Department will brief the State Game Commission at its Aug. 28, 2010, meeting. The State Game Commission will consider and take action on a prospective rule amendment at its Sept. 30, 2010, meeting.



Q: Does this law prevent a livestock owner from trapping furbearers and nongame animals to protect livestock?
A: No. State law (§17-5-5 NMSA) provides that trapping of furbearing and nongame animals, by a resident in order to protect his livestock or domesticated animals or fowl, shall not be subject to rules and regulations on trapping made pursuant to Section 17-5-4 NMSA 1978 or to licensing requirements. Also, Section 17-5-4 NMSA 1978 states that nothing in Sections 17-5-1 through 17-5-9 NMSA 1978 shall prevent livestock producers from the taking of bobcats that are doing damage to livestock.



Q: Does this executive order prevent the US Fish and Wildlife Service or the USDA-Wildlife Services from using traps while carrying out their official duties.
A: No. The Executive Order specifically states that the Department of Game and Fish and the government of the United States and its agencies are exempted from the trapping ban.



Q: Does this ban apply to traps set on private land?
A: No, the ban is limited to the U.S. Forest Service lands defined as the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area. Those lands are the Gila National Forest and the portion of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in New Mexico.



Q: Where can a copy of the Executive Order be viewed?
A: Governor Richardson’s Executive Order may be viewed by cutting and pasting the following address into your browser: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/orders/ ... 10_029.pdf



Q: Will the draft amended rule to be considered by the State Game Commission be available for public review and comment?
A: Yes. The draft rule may be viewed by cutting and pasting the following address into your browser: http://wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/ ... _29_10.pdf
and comments may be submitted by emailed to ispa@state.nm.us or regular mail to:



Wildlife Management Division
One Wildlife Way
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507