REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL FOR NEW MEXICO TO JOIN WITH OTHER STATES IN THE WILDLIFE VIOLATOR COMPACT.

WHEREAS, wildlife resources are valuable without regard to political boundaries, and every person should be required to comply with wildlife laws; and

WHEREAS, the protection of the state's wildlife resources is materially affected by the degree of compliance with state statutes, laws, regulations and rules relating to the management of such natural resources; and

WHEREAS, violation of wildlife laws interferes with the management of wildlife resources and may endanger the safety of persons and property; and

WHEREAS, crossing state lines offers refuge for wildlife violators wishing to continue their illegal desecration of wildlife, and it is important for New Mexico to cooperate with other states to catch illegal poachers, especially commercial poachers; and

WHEREAS, the Wildlife Violator Compact is an agreement that so far has been signed by ten states, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming, to help one another identify and catch poachers, and the international association of fish and wildlife agencies is encouraging all fifty states to join this compact; and

WHEREAS, the Wildlife Violator Compact helps eliminate the illegal sale and possession of animal parts used in the black market; and

WHEREAS, by joining the Wildlife Violator Compact the New Mexico department of game and fish would have access to information from participating states about previous wildlife violations by persons who are applying for hunting and fishing licenses in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, by joining the Wildlife Violator Compact New Mexico would be able to recognize the suspension of hunting and fishing license privileges of persons whose licenses have been suspended by another participating state; and

WHEREAS, the mobility of many wildlife law violators necessitates the maintenance of channels of communication among the various states, and Wildlife Violator Compact member states can enforce wildlife laws to stop poachers from trying to avoid being caught by crossing state lines; and

WHEREAS, joining the Wildlife Violator Compact would help provide protection for game species as well as threatened and endangered species in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, people are making too much money, up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) per year, from the illegal taking of wildlife, and poachers give hunters a bad name; and

WHEREAS, poaching of wildlife is unethical; and

WHEREAS, a relationship has been found by the department of game and fish between poaching of wildlife and drug trafficking, and the Wildlife Violator Compact helps combat poaching; and

WHEREAS, wildlife resources are managed in trust by the respective states for the benefit of all residents and visitors and joining the Wildlife Violator Compact would benefit all New Mexico residents and visitors because violation of wildlife laws interferes with the management of wildlife, which contributes immeasurably to the aesthetic, recreational and economic aspects of our state; and

WHEREAS, for the sake of our children and future generations wildlife should be protected from poaching, especially commercial poaching;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate interim committee of the legislature to study the potential for New Mexico to join with other states in the Wildlife Violator Compact; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that wild friends students participating in the writing of this memorial have an opportunity to participate in the legislative committee hearing by offering their testimonials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to members of the New Mexico legislative council.