THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH MEETS IN SANTA FE THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 27TH, TO CONSIDER CHANGES TO THE COUGAR AND BEAR RULES IN THE STATE. ON THE AGENDA IS AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF BEARS THAT CAN BE HUNTED AND ALLOWING THE USE OF COUGAR TRAPS.
MARY KATHERINE RAY IS WITH THE SIERRA CLUB, RIO GRANDE CHAPTER. SHE IS OPPOSED TO ANY CHANGE IN THE RULES. SHE SAYS THEY DON’T HAVE A GOOD HANDLE ON THE COUGAR POPULATION NOR A COUGAR MANAGEMENT PLAN. SHE SAYS THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE GOALS ARE, HOW THEY WOULD BE MEASURED, AND WHAT THE OUTCOMES WOULD BE.
SUPPORTERS OF THE CHANGES SAY THE DATA IS THERE TO SUPPORT INCREASED HUNTING QUOTAS FOR BEARS AND COUGARS.
