New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVI, Issue 18, September 23, 2025

STATE GAME COMMISSION MEETING AND RULE MAKING NOTICE

The New Mexico State Game Commission (“Commission”) will be hosting a meeting and rule hearing on Friday, November 7, 2025 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central Avenue, Los Alamos, NM 87544. For instructions on how to attend this meeting either in person or virtually, visit the Department’s website at https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/commission/meeting-agendas/. The purpose of this meeting is to hear and consider action as appropriate on the following: proposed changes for the Fisheries Rule (19.31.4 NMAC) and proposed changes to the fisheries relevant (Subsection J of 19.31.10.7 NMAC, 19.31.10.14 NMAC, and 19.31.10.17 NMAC) and possession of game animal parts found in the field (Subsection E of 19.31.10.9 NMAC) portions of the Hunting and Fishing Manner and Method of Taking Rule.

Synopsis for the Fisheries Rule and Hunting and Fishing Manner and Method of Taking Rule:

The proposal is to adopt a new Fisheries Rule, 19.31.4 NMAC, which will include changes from the existing rule and will become effective April 1, 2026. There are also fisheries and possession of game animal parts found in the field amendments proposed to the Hunting and Fishing Manner and Method of Taking Rule, 19.31.10 NMAC.

Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Rule will clarify the definition of barbless lure or fly, add a definition of special trout waters, add Jack’s Creek (Pecos), Rio San Antonio (near Lagunitas Lakes) and the upper Rio Chiquito to the list of Catch and Release, artificial fly or lure only, and unlimited non-native trout harvest, remove the reference to Santa Cruz Lake, Bonito Lake, Monastery Lake, and Springer Lake as closed to ice fishing and refer to signage by the specific landowner, and make it unlawful to fish from the boat ramp at the Crusher Hole Day Use Area and Texas Hole Day Use Area located in Navajo Lake State Park.

Proposed amendments to the fisheries relevant portions of the Hunting and Fishing Manner and Method of Taking Rule will clarify the definition of barbless lure or fly remove the reference to Santa Cruz Lake, Bonito Lake, and Springer Lake as closed to ice fishing and refer to signage by the specific landowner, clarify language regarding where trotlines can be used by anglers in the state, prohibit the use of bait fish in the Bureau of Land Management Overflow Wetlands near Roswell, expand the Director’s authority to suspend angling limits, methods, and size limits or to close a water due to water shortage, eradication needs, or other management needs with a duration limited to six months, and add Jackson Lake to the list of lakes where electric motors are permitted.

Proposed amendments to the possession of game animal parts found in the field portion of the Hunting and Fishing Manner and Method of Taking Rule will remove the exception for obviously shed antlers found in the field from not requiring an invoice or permit for non-residents, require a non-resident shed hunter license for a non-resident to possess more than two (2) obviously shed antlers found in the field, and establish that all shed antlers collected by a non-resident without a valid license remain property of the State of New Mexico and shall be seized.

A full text of changes is available on the Department’s website at: https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/. Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed changes for the Fisheries Rule to DGF-FisheriesRule@dgf.nm.gov and proposed changes to the possession of game animal parts found in the field of the Hunting and Fishing Manner and Method of Taking Rule to: DGF-shedhunter@dgf.nm.gov. Individuals may also submit written comments to the physical address below. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on October 27, 2025. The final proposed rules will be voted on by the Commission during a hybrid virtual public meeting on November 7, 2025. Interested persons may also provide data, views or arguments, orally or in writing, at the hybrid virtual public rule hearing to be held November 7, 2025.

Full copies of the 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 https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/commission/meeting-agendas/. 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 https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/ 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.