New Mexico Anti-Hunting Bill Passes Committee, Heads for a Vote

Posted on February 21, 2013

New Mexico House Bill 316, sponsored by Representative Nathan Cote (D-Las Cruces) which would ban many common hunting activities, passed out of the House Judiciary Committee yesterday.  It could be voted on by the full House of Representatives as early as this weekend.  Sportsmen must call their Representatives today in opposition to HB 316!

As originally written, the bill would have banned “animal killing contests” meaning any organized or sponsored hunting contest where more than one animal can be killed or where a hunting license is not required.

Before being passed, the bill was amended by the Committee.  However, the Committee has yet to publicly release the specific amendment language.  It is expected that the new language will be limited to prohibiting “coyote killing contests.”   Even if that is the case, the bill would still ban many common hunting activities like coyote field trials and contests or incentives by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for hunting overpopulated coyotes.

“This bill continues to be nothing but bad news for sportsmen,” said Jeremy Rine, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance in-house counsel.  “Sportsmen should be very concerned that the legislature is not releasing the details of the amendment.  Sportsmen should call their state representatives and tell them to vote no on the bill.”

Take Action!  New Mexico sportsmen should contact their state representative and ask them to oppose House Bill 316.  Visit USSA’s Legislative Action Center to find your state representative’s contact information.

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