NMGuy
Well-known member
Just saw the following from the 4/11/22 Game Commission Meeting:
I would hope the change to 34 is a temporary measure, maybe to reduce the size of the herd for some reason. Wouldn't increasing tags or adding hunts achieve the same result? Moving to a secondary zone would end the unit-wide tags, so it might reduce some of the pressure on public land?
Changing 36 MB tags to ES is an interesting approach to reducing the bull/cow ratio. Wouldn't that just make more people shoot a cow instead of going home empty handed at the end of a hunt?
I can appreciate the muzzleloader proposal.
-Guy
- All of GMU 34 would go to unlimited over-the-counter private land licenses for elk if the Commission agrees to redesignate the unit as Secondary Management Zone. In addition, NMDGF wants to further increase the GMU 34 cow harvest, either with more tags or an additional hunt;
- In GMU 36, biologists may propose more mature bull tags or changing MB hunts to either sex. The unit currently has the highest bull/cow ratio in the state and biologists want to bring that ratio down;
- Because modern muzzleloader hunters are now taking shots up to 1,000 yards, Liley said muzzleloader sights could be prohibited to reduce their overall efficiency for elk, ibex and perhaps other species. Otherwise, he said, the department is likely to propose fewer licenses or other limits like lumping muzzleloader tags in with rifle tags. Any changes regarding sights would have to be done by amending the Manner and Method Rule, which is separate from the Big Game Rules;
- NMDGF wants to gradually increase bull size in GMUs 16B, 16C and 16E and is likely to propose lower bull tag numbers in those units;
- There may also be changes in the Youth Encouragement hunts, including giving hunters over the age of 65 an earlier shot at the tags.
I would hope the change to 34 is a temporary measure, maybe to reduce the size of the herd for some reason. Wouldn't increasing tags or adding hunts achieve the same result? Moving to a secondary zone would end the unit-wide tags, so it might reduce some of the pressure on public land?
Changing 36 MB tags to ES is an interesting approach to reducing the bull/cow ratio. Wouldn't that just make more people shoot a cow instead of going home empty handed at the end of a hunt?
I can appreciate the muzzleloader proposal.
-Guy