New Mexico Council of
Outfitters and Guides
NMCOG NEWSLETTER
January 2016
Volume 4, Issue 1
Guide Corner
Excerpt From “Making The Experience Worthwhile”
Written By Jordan Hall—NMCOG Guide Director
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
January 2016
Volume 4, Issue 1
Read the entire article in the 2016 edition of New Mexico Outdoors magazine
The opportunity to assist so many wonderful people in pursuing their own hunts of a lifetime, and having the pleasure of being allowed
to be a part of that experience, is the sole reason I got into this industry. Many people come to our wonderful state of New Mexico to pursue
a lifelong dream of harvesting a magnificent animal, whether it be a bull elk, a mule deer, bighorn sheep, antelope, or so many of the other
unique opportunities we have here in the land of enchantment. Being able to be a pivotal part in the experience that so many people seek is
extremely rewarding, and a feeling of satisfaction that cannot easily be replaced.
The most rewarding part of this experience is often not based in the harvest of the animal. So often it includes all of the factors leading
up to that moment. Sitting around a cedar campfire with the iridescent glow of a lantern illuminating the inside of a wall tent and listening to
the magical sounds of elk bugling in the distance is an experience that is hard to trump even with the harvest of a trophy bull. Likewise, sitting
on a ridge watching a NM sunset, as you glass, is extremely satisfying. One could also argue that the experiences that seem the worst also
add to these great memories. For instance, sitting on a hill, getting
dominated by rain, hail, and everything else mother nature can
throw at you for an entire day just hoping it will clear enough that
you can glass is the thing of nightmares, yet ultimately the experience that you remember more then any trophy.
So many of the reasons I chose to guide for a living are the
same as why many people choose to hunt. It is not just to kill an animal. Instead the passion is rooted in the experiences that take you
to that moment, and the friendships and memories that paved the
path to success. As I think about the last several years of committing
myself to a full time guide this thought process has defined how I
view many things both in my industry, and ultimately life. So when
you are on your next hunt, or simply enjoying a weekend in the outdoors, remember its not a race to the end, but embracing as much as
you can along the way and remembering those small things that
made the whole experience worthwhile.
NMCOG
51 Bogan Rd
Stanley, NM 87056
Director’s Column
After nearly 3 full years of working in the hunting industry I decided to make the leap to becoming an actual huntress. As
I’ve mentioned in the past, I came to this job with nothing more than a hunter husband and a love of the great outdoors. Since Jan.
2013 I’ve learned an enormous amount about the policy and politics that regulate the hunting/fishing industry. I’ve learned all
about the threats to our industry from anti-hunting and other extreme organizations, and I’ve learned that my “outsider looking in”
perspective can be very useful in positively persuading those unfamiliar with the industry. However, up until now, I’ve had no applied knowledge of what it actually takes to be a Sportsman.
Back in Feb. 2015 my husband (after 10 years of continuous pressuring) finally convinced me to enter the NM Big Game
Draw. We decided a cow elk hunt was the best place to start. Low and behold I drew a permit! My cow elk hunt would be in Unit 34
in early December. Many women might be apprehensive of their first hunting experience being in the winter but not me, winter is
my favorite season so I was hopeful there would be plenty of snow. I definitely got my wish.
The Friday before my hunt we (myself, Peter-my husband, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law; who also had a tag) headed
to our camping spot near Mayhill. Early Saturday morning we headed out. It was dry and overcast. It seemed the wildlife was out in
full force all day long. We saw several groups of elk (on private land), over 150 wild turkey, and multiple groups of deer (both mule
deer and white tail deer; which I had never seen in the wilds of New Mexico). Neither myself nor my sister-in-law was able to get a
shot that first day but the opportunity to see so many wild creatures active in their natural habitat was well worth it.
A storm blew in Saturday afternoon and, although we woke up to a mere dusting at our camp Sunday morning, there was
well over 10” of snow on the back roads southeast of Cloudcroft, and it was still snowing. Being an avid skier I am well prepared to
operate in deep snow. I was decked out in Kamik snow boots and my white North Face ski pants, which seemed silly to everyone at
first but turned out to be the perfect camo for the weather.
Around 11am it was game time. My sister-in-law already had one down across the canyon and the herd was making no real
attempt to leave the area (which was surprising to me). I got set up and, having subconsciously closed my eyes, missed my first shot
completely. I reloaded, took a deep breath, reminded myself to keep my eyes open, and killed my first cow elk with one bullet at
260yrds (thanks to a solid tri-pod and an accurately sighted-in 7mm Mag rifle).
Next came the 4 hour pack out to retrieve our 2 cow elk which were a half mile down and back up the side of a canyon off
West Side Rd. Several hunters have told me that they would have passed up that shot because of the tough pack out but I wouldn't
have it any other way. The sense of pride and accomplishment that came with the hard work of retrieving my harvest off the side of
a steep canyon was my favorite part. And makes for a great first, of what I think will be many, of my very own “hunting stories”!
NMCOG NEWSLETTER
January 2016
NMCOG NEWSLETTER
Volume 4, Issue 1
2015 In Review
Written By Jim Welles—NMCOG Board President
2015 ended with a number of industry accomplishments made by the New Mexico Council of Outfitters and
Guides. Back in January the Council played a key role in the passage of stream access legislation. After many hours
of diligently lobbying the NM State Legislature, the stream access bill passed both the House and Senate and was
signed into law by Gov. Martinez in April. The bill solidified a 30 year old game and fish regulation that stated one
must have the landowners permission to fish in waters that are located entirely on private property.
Using the momentum we’d gained during the first part of the year, in June, we educated the Department of
Tourism on the economic contributions that hunting and fishing bring into NM and specifically the importance of
non-resident hunters and anglers. Although the Dept. of Tourism still does not recognize hunting as a recreational
activity under their “True Outdoors” campaigns, we encouraged them to remember to include our industry when
marketing the state of NM.
The Council was also instrumental in encouraging SCI to file a law suit challenging the USFWS Mexican wolf
rule. Our Board of Directors voted to support the continuance of the NMDGF sportsmen access lease of NM State
Trust Lands. And finally, we initiated discussions with the Regional USFS manager in an effort to simplify the issuance of outfitter special use permits.
With all of the accomplishments mentioned above, this year did have its setbacks. In August our Outfitter
and Guide Registrar of 14years, Matt Seidel, accepted a promotion within the NMDGF. This was a big loss for us
because Mr. Seidel had a good understanding of our industry and its challenges. He was our best contact, within
the Dept. to voice our industry’s concerns. We wish him well in his position and look forward to meeting our new
liaison, Leticia Mee.
We were also unsuccessful in re-establishing a spring bear hunt in conjunction with the passage of new Dept.
regulations for predator hunting. Now we will have to wait 4 years to re-address this issue with NMDGF. Additionally , our industry is always faced with attacks from both the anti-hunting and anti-gun lobbies, as well as issues
related to the Endangered Species Act.
We also continue to fight the rogue segment of our own industry. This segment operates without ethics,
does not comply with laws, and has poor business practices. These folks give our industry a bad rap and erode the
reputation of ethical outfitters. NMCOG is fully committed to promoting a high level of professionalism and integrity within the outfitting industry in New Mexico.
The Council continues to be pro-active in working with both the landowner organizations and NM Taxation
and Revenue regarding the gross receipts tax on landowner hunting permits situation. The landowner organizations are currently working on legislation to introduce during the 2016 session (starts Jan. 19th) which will hopefully clear up the confusion that was created by TRD when they mailed hundreds of landowners letters requesting
managed audits on GRT paid on hunting permits. Although the date to submit the audits has passed (Dec. 31st,
2015) we continue to recommend that Outfitters be prepared to issue Non-taxable Transaction Certificates to the
landowners that they purchase permits from. If you are still having trouble getting qualified to issue NTTC’s please
call Laura Therrien, with TRD, at 575-627-2905.
As usual, we will kick off 2016 with the NM State Legislative Session. This year is a 30 day session devoted
mostly to bills dealing with budget appropriation, which usually means a quiet year for wildlife issues. Our magazine prints the second week of January and you will be receiving your copy via postal mail in the next few weeks.
Then it’s off to the Sheep Show and Safari Club Convention where we will be displaying our new trade-show booth.
NMCOG is anxious to see what the coming year has in store and we are excited for the chance to continue to further the success of the Outfitting industry.
January 2016
Volume 4, Issue 1
November 19, 2015 - Game Commission Re-cap (Read the full report on our website)
The State Game Commission held their last meeting of the year in Roswell at the Pearson Auditorium, on the NMMI campus, on Nov.
19, 2015. The meeting was well attended by approximately 50 members of the public as well as State Representative Candy Ezzell.
State Land Easement Agreement
The Department provided a presentation regarding the ongoing negotiations with the Sate Land Office to secure an agreement to
provide sportsman access for the 2016-2017 season. The most recent variables that have been agreed upon by the Dept. and the
SLO include a fee of $1,000,000 to be paid by the Dept. with an agreement from the SLO to increase camping opportunities
(locations and time frame) and designate vehicular access points on state lands through GPS waypoints to be posted on both the SLO
and NMDGF websites. Additionally the “scouting” period of 7 days will be maintained in the agreement, and up to three guests may
accompany each hunter, angler, or trapper on state trust lands.
Public comment centered primarily on sportsman feeling that the actions taken by the SLO in initiating this access fee increase were
unfair and unnecessarily pointed towards sportsman. People urged the Dept. to pay the SLO mandated fee of $1 million but argued
they empathize that the Dept. is between a rock and a hard place. Most comments recommended the fee be paid this year but reassessed for subsequent years. Although no representatives from the State Land Office attended the meeting, the Commission voted 71 to approve (but with expressed reservations) the current easement negotiations. Commissioner Ramos voted against the motion.
Oryx and Pronghorn Hunt Date Changes 2016-2019
The Dept. provided a presentation to discuss that the NMDGF public draw oryx and pronghorn hunts conflict with the White Sands
Missile Range trinity site tours. The Dept. is proposing to move the hunts out to one week later for the next rule cycle dated 20162019. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the date change.
Valles Caldera Management Strategies for Fishing
The Department has been working with the National Park Service to determine the direction of fishing on the Valles Caldera National
Preserve. Fishing on the preserve has historically been considered quality waters however the NPS wanted a little more flexibility for
anglers. The Dept. is proposing restricted fishing on the Caldera with a 2 fish limit and bate & fly restrictions. The Dept. will also be
creating a special season for fishing on the preserve. The Commission voted to approve the Dept. proposals.
Hunt Draw Deadlines
The Dept. presented their proposal for the 2016 deadline to enter the Big Game Draw. Applicants for the primary big game draw will
have until March 23, 2016 to get their applications in. The deadline for Bear and Turkey draw hunts will be February 10, 2016 and
upland game and waterfowl hunters will have until August 24, 2016.
General Public Comments – Landowner Permit Gross Receipts Tax
During the public comment segment of the meeting Representative Ezzell provided the Commission with some commentary in regards to landowners being pursued by NM Taxation and Revenue for back pay of gross receipts taxes on landowner hunting permits.
Rep. Ezzell was very displeased with this recent turn of events and mentioned that it was possible that she would no longer be allowing hunters to access her property under the permit program. The general comment period is not a two way line of communication
with the Commission so no response was given to Rep. Ezzell’s comments.
Next Game Commission meeting is Thursday January 14, 2016 in Santa Fe, NM.