44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO GAME MANAGEMENT; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH TO ESTABLISH CARRYING CAPACITIES FOR ELK RANGES IN NEW MEXICO; REQUIRING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR ELK TO BE DEVELOPED THAT REDUCE DEPREDATION AND RIPARIAN DESTRUCTION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. SPECIFIC DUTIES--CARRYING CAPACITY OF ELK RANGE--MANAGEMENT OF ELK.--

A. The department of game and fish shall determine the carrying capacities of all areas in the state where elk populations are found and the number of elk found in each area. The department shall keep the state game commission updated at least annually on populations of elk in each area.

B. The department of game and fish shall develop methods to manage elk and elk habitat in ways that minimize depredation of cattle pasture and destruction of riparian areas because of populations of elk that exceed the carrying capacity of an elk range.

C. In determining the number, location and length of elk hunts and the number of elk licenses to be made available, the state game commission shall take into consideration the carrying capacity of an elk range, the number of elk found on that range and the level of depredation to cattle pasture and damage to riparian areas within the range due to the elk population in addition to other criteria used by the commission. Special hunts to reduce excessive numbers of elk shall be scheduled to control elk populations in areas where depredation and riparian damage can be controlled in no other way.