Unmoved: Game Commission, despite thousands of letters and e-mails, allows trapping on N.M. public land

By Mary Katherine Ray,Chapter Wildlife Chair

In July, the New Mexico State Game Commission made a final decision on trapping rules. After waiting two years for the rules to be opened to review and not having been examined since 2006, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish held the Commission meeting at which the decision was made in Clayton, a tiny town as far from any major population center in New Mexico as the map would allow, limiting public participation. This foretold the action to come.

Through document requests we had evidence that the Department met with pro-trapping groups but has refused to share what was discussed. At least one department employee circulated a petition supporting traps among his co-workers. No one in the department met with those of us who wish to end trapping on New Mexico public lands. Nor was our petition circulated among them, though they had a copy.

In all, more than 12,000 signatures, e-mails and letters were sent to Game and Fish and commissioners opposing traps on public land, including the Gila, where endangered wolves have not only been injured but killed by traps. This outnumbered the trappers’ support by a ratio of over 6 to 1. (Many thanks to Sierra Club members for your wonderful responses!)
Yet the only concession to public safety made by the State Game Commission was to increase the setback from campgrounds and picnic areas from ¼ mile to ½ mile. Traps can still be ¼ mile from your house! They can still be 25 yards from roads and trails. And if the trap is set for “unprotected” species like coyotes, it can be anywhere. The Commission failed to own responsibility for coyote traps, creating enormous loopholes. Of course coyote traps are capable of capturing many other animals, including and probably especially wolves, which are also canines, which the trapper won’t know about until it is too late. By failing to regulate coyote traps, trapping is now essentially expanded into previously closed areas like the Valle Vidal.

In its decision, this Commission has shown that it is not beholden to the public at large; the legions of wildlife watchers and hikers who generate hundreds of millions of dollars yearly to the state economy were ignored in favor of a small number of trappers who pay so little for a license they have to be subsidized by other programs. Game commissioners are appointed by the Governor. Elections matter.