Big Split on Proposal To Combine Hunting Units

The state Game and Fish Department has completed its survey of hunters, landowners and other stakeholders concerning the combination of Big Game Hunting Units 6A and 6C in the Jemez Mountains.

“(The Department) distributed 2,405 surveys and received a 38 percent response,” state Game and Fish Commission Chairman Jim McClintic said. “Of those 454 were against combining the Units and 404 were in favor of it.”

The closeness of the vote means that a decision on the combining of the two Units will require further public discussion, according to McClintic

“Having 38 percent respond was a little frustrating,” McClintic said. “Whatever change we make we want to be sure everyone understands.”

Prior to 2001, both Units were part of Unit 6, which encompassed the entire Jemez Mountains range. In 2001, the Unit was split because some landowners, as well as the Los Alamos National Laboratory and Bandelier National Monument, wanted the elk herd reduced due to the damage they were causing. Because the majority of those who wanted the elk herd reduced were on the east side of the Jemez, while those who wished to see the herd increased and the quality of hunting improved were on the west side, the Unit was divided into Units 6C, 6B and 6A, according to Stewart Liley, Elk Programs Coordinator for the Department.

Unit 6C was on the east side and was to be managed to reduce the elk herd, while 6A on the west side was to be managed to increase the herd and the quality of hunting. Unit 6B is the Valles Caldera National Preserve, which manages its herd separately.

Since that time, the hunting in 6C has declined, while the hunting in 6A has improved, according to WHO.

The difference in the quality of hunting between the two Units is why Liley is against combining the two Units. Liley, a biologist, feels that the pressure in Unit 6A would increase and affect the way the Department manages the herd.

“If we were to dissolve the boundary between the two Units, the fear is if we kept the number of licenses the same a lot of hunters would go over to 6A,” Liley said. “We would have to reduce the number of licenses.”

Liley said that 85 percent of Units 6A and 6C is public land, while only 15 percent is private. Therefore when determining the number of licenses, 85 percent go to the public.

Landowners in 6C have complained that the elk license permits they receive are not worth as much as those landowners in 6A receive because the quality of elk hunting has declined, yet elk are still damaging their property. The permit system, called E-Plus, awards hunting permits to landowners but was not designed as a way to compensate landowners for damage.

“The authorizations are not given as compensation, but we see them as compensation,” Chris Lovato, rancher and outfitter in Unit 6c, said. “Right now, our permits are worthless.”

Lovato farms 204 acres near Gallina. His acreage is irrigated, which makes it more attractive to elk. He argues that the E-Plus system, which is driven by acreage, rewards large landowners who may have marginal elk habitat, while small landowners may suffer more damage but receive fewer permits.

Rio Arriba County Commissioner Alfredo Montoya, a member of the state Game Commission, agrees that small landowners may not be treated fairly by the present system.

“Small landowners tend to have land in the valleys where hay is grown,” Montoya said. “Large ranches like USA Ranch and (the Abiquiú Cooperative Livestock Association) are different and tend to be on top of the mountain where the pasture is less. Small landowners have a very valid complaint that their properties contribute more than the larger ranches.”

USA Ranch covers 3,344 acres in Unit 6C and in 2008-2009 received 42 authorizations, while the Abiquiú Co-op covers 6,000 acres and received 74. In comparison, Lovato received one permit.

“All we want is equality,” said Art Martinez, an outfitter from Farmington who represents landowners in 6C, including Lovato.

Martinez met with Liley, Northwest Area Department chief Brian Gleadale, Northwest area game manager Bill Taylor and outfitter Bob Atwood of the New Mexico Guide and Outfitters Association June 25 at the Department offices in Santa Fe.

Martinez again said that the Department needs to go in and inspect the damage done by elk to small landowners.

“We only have 60 officers in the entire state,” Gleadle said. “We can’t inspect 300 properties in 6C.”

Liley offered an alternative where small landowners would be given the option of shooting the elk. With the exception of calving season (May to June), landowners could harvest an elk during the time of year they were causing the most damage. Many landowners complain that elk damage their crops in June, July and August and that when hunting seasons begin in September, the elk leave the area to the sanctuary of the Valles Caldera (Unit 6B).

Another alternative that was discussed was splitting the Units in a different direction, but Martinez left the meeting frustrated.

“They still come up with reasons not to do things,” he said.

Montoya said that the Commission is giving the Department time to hold more public meetings and get more input before making a decision. He had said in April that a decision would be reached in July, but now expects a decision in October.

The Commission will hold a public meeting Thursday (7/2) beginning at 9 a.m. at Heron Lake State Park Visitor’s Center. Although the management of Unit 6c and 6A is not on the agenda, McClintic expects the issue to come up during the portion of the meeting set aside for General Public Comments.

“I expect a packed house,” McClintic said. “A lot of people are angry about this issue and whatever decision we make we need to have feedback from everybody.”