More bear, cougar hunting for NM

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish proposes to increase the number of bears and cougars that can be killed by hunters.

The department plans public hearings starting next week on proposed rules changes for hunting bears, cougars, antelope and deer. The agency will make final recommendations to the Game Commission on Aug. 28.

The department proposes to reduce the bear population because of "high levels of nuisance and human safety risks" in some parts of the state.

The agency says it wants to increase cougar hunting opportunities and address complaints of cougars preying on other wildlife such as desert bighorn sheep.

Proposed hunting changes are available on the department's website.

Comments can be mailed to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Wildlife Management Division, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or e-mailed to nmdept.ofgameandfish@state.nm.us.

 

Public meetings:

 

Northwest Area

 

• Aug. 3: Tierra Amarilla, Rio Arriba County Complex, Building 149, Commission Chambers, N.M. 531 and N.M. 162, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Aug. 4: Farmington, Farmington Civic Center, 200 W. Arrington St., 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Aug. 4: Estancia, Torrance County Administrative Building, Commission Room, 205 Ninth St, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Aug. 5: Albuquerque, Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place NE, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Northeast Area

 

• Aug. 3: Raton, Department of Game and Fish office, 215 York Canyon Road, 6-9 p.m.
• Aug. 5: Clayton, National Guard Armory, 323 S. Third St., 6-9 p.m.
• Aug. 10: Roy, Harding County Community Center, 557 Wagon Mound Highway, 6-9 p.m.
• Aug. 12: Taos, Juan Gonzales Agricultural Center, 202 Chamisa Road, 6-9 p.m.
• Aug. 17: Tucumcari, Convention Center, Liberty Room, 1500 W. Route 66 Blvd., 6-9 p.m.
• Aug. 19: Las Vegas, Highlands University, Leveo Sanchez Lecture Hall, 6-9 p.m.

 

Southwest Area

 

• Aug. 14: Las Cruces, Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Dr., 1-4 p.m.
• Aug. 16: Silver City, Grant County Business & Conference Center (old Wal-Mart), U.S. 180 and 32nd St., 6-9 p.m.
• Aug. 17: Socorro, City Council Chambers, 111 School of Mines Road, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Southeast Area

 

• Aug. 2: Carlsbad, U.S. Bureau of Land Management office, 620 Greene St., 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 3: Ruidoso, U.S. Forest Service district office, 901 Mechem, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 5: Roswell, Department of Game and Fish office, 1912 W. Second St., 5:30-7:30 p.m.