Elk NetworkRMEF Opposes New Mexico Trapping Bill

General | February 12, 2021

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation opposes a bill in the New Mexico legislature that would frustrate successful wildlife management. Senate Bill 32 would prohibit trapping on public lands statewide.

“Trappers are essential for managing human-wildlife conflicts such as livestock depredation, property damage, public health and safety. Many wildlife species cannot be managed through hunting or other means,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “Studies have shown that regulated trapping, like hunting, is a highly effective tool for managing furbearers and other wildlife.”

Hunting and trapping are essential tools used by the New Mexico Game and Fish Department to successfully manage wildlife populations. Additionally, RMEF supports the North American Wildlife Conservation Model and state-based wildlife management.

RMEF has a long history of carrying out conservation work in New Mexico. Since 1987, RMEF and its partners completed 434 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in the state with a combined value of more than $45.5 million. These projects protected or enhanced more than 500,000 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 110,110 acres.

RMEF encourages citizens in New Mexico to support science-based wildlife management and retain legal trapping policies by contacting their representatives to express concern.

(Photo credit:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)