New Mexico Register / Volume XXIX, Issue 9 / May 15, 2018

STATE GAME COMMISSION MEETING AND RULE MAKING NOTICE

The New Mexico State Game Commission (“Commission”) has scheduled a regular meeting and rule hearing for Thursday, June 21, 2018, beginning at 9:00 a.m., at the Raton Convention Center, 901 S 3^rd St., Raton, NM 87740, to hear and consider action as appropriate on the following: Presentation of proposed changes to the Turkey rule.

Synopsis:

The proposal is to adopt a new Turkey rule, 19.31.16 NMAC, which will become effective April 1, 2019. The current Turkey rule is set to expire on March 31, 2019.

The proposed new rule will include adjusting youth season dates so select hunts will coincide with weekends. Date changes will only be made to special seasons including the Youth-Only Over-the-Counter hunt, and the WS Huey WMA Youth-Only draw hunts. We propose opening additional units for fall hunting to include Game Management Units 2B (excluding Carson National Forest) 5A, 39, 51 and 52, and Bluebird Mesa Wildlife Management Area, and for spring hunting to include Game Management Unit 33 and Bluebird Mesa Wildlife Management Area. Additionally, we propose adding an additional draw hunt for youth in GMU 30 on Washington Ranch. A full text of changes will be available on the Department’s website at: www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed changes to the Turkey rule at DGF-Gamebird@state.nm.us; or individuals may submit written comments to the physical address below. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on June 20, 2018. The final proposed rule will be voted on by the Commission during a public meeting on June 21, 2018. Interested persons may also provide data, views or arguments, orally or in writing, at the public rule hearing to be held on June 21, 2018.

Full copies of text of the proposed new rule, technical information related to proposed rule changes, and the agenda can be obtained from the Office of the Director, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507, or from the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/proposals-under-consideration/. This agenda is subject to change up to 72 hours prior to the meeting. Please contact the Director’s Office at (505) 476-8000, or the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us for updated information.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the Department at (505) 476-8000 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the Department at 505-476-8000 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

Legal authority for this rulemaking can be found in the General Powers and Duties of the State Game Commission 17-1-14, et seq. NMSA 1978; Commission’s Power to establish rules and regulations 17-1-26, et seq. NMSA 1978.