The New Mexico legislature ignored testimony by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other wildlife management interests and passed a controversial bill that bans trapping on all public lands statewide.
RMEF opposed the effort by environmentalists and others, citing it will frustrate wildlife management efforts.
“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.
(Photo source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)