New Mexico House Bill 366, introduced by Rep. Matthew McQueen(R), was tabled in the House and is dead. HB 366 would have banned any person or government agency from trapping on public land with very few exceptions.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance worked with a strong coalition in New Mexico to defeat this bill, which included: Fur Takers of America, New Mexico Trappers Association, New Mexico Farm Bureau, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, New Mexico Wool Growers, New Mexico Council of Outfitters, Desert Dogs, the Masters of Foxhounds Association, as well as the local chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Mule Deer Foundation.
HB 366 was an extremely fast-moving bill due to New Mexico’s short legislative session and intensive lobbying by animal-rights groups. In less than one month, the bill went from being introduced to passing two committees. At the same time, the coalition was making phone calls, visiting legislators, writing letters and recruiting new members to help join the fight. As the deadline to move the bill approached, our coalition was able to ensure that there would not be enough votes for it to pass, and the bill was killed.
HB 366 would have been terrible public policy. It would have removed the management authority of the New Mexico Department of Fish and Game and threatened public safety. Many furbearers can spread diseases, such as rabies, as well as attack pets and even children.
“Science and commonsense seems to have prevailed in New Mexico this time around,” said Bruce Tague, Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president of government affairs. “Unfortunately, New Mexico has become increasingly hostile to sportsmen and gun owners. While sportsmen may have prevailed this round, there will undoubtedly continue to be fights in the future and likely very similar types of attacks next time around.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.