On September 1, members of the New Mexico Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus joined forces with the New Mexico Conservation Officers Association to celebrate the opening day of dove season.
An annual tradition, legislators from across the state traveled to Roswell where Caucus member Senator Cliff Pirtle hosted participants on his farm. Representatives from Safari Club International, the New Mexico Council of Outfitters and Guides and the Professional Outfitters and Guides of America also attended.
National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council Member Representative Bill Rehm stated, “A big thanks goes out to the New Mexico Conservation Officers Association. Without them, this year’s dove hunt would not have been possible. The hunt also provided us, as legislators, with the opportunity to thank the Conservation Officers for their tireless efforts to enforce our state’s game and fish laws while protecting the state’s natural resources for all New Mexicans.”
“This year’s dove hunt was a great time. The doves were plentiful and so were the missed shots. Thank you to all those who attended,” added Colonel Robert Griego, Past President of the New Mexico Conservation Officers Association.
More than 13,000 hunters pursue doves in New Mexico annually, accounting for approximately 111,000 days in the field each year. These conservationists represent a portion of the 304,000 hunters and anglers that spend $579 million and support 7,695 jobs in New Mexico each year.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
