Part 4 of this series highlighting the popularity of elk hunting and examining how the resource gets allocated. Today we're discussing NM ePlus program with Kerrie Cox Romero, executive director of the NM Outfitter Association. This is a fun conversation and we tackle some of the grey areas of the landowner tag allocation, outfitter tag allocation and few other "misconceptions." Kerrie does a great job defending her side, her perspective and creates a thoughtful well articulated argument for keeping the ePlus program the way it is.
Contact Kerrie: info@nmoutfitters.com
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2 comments
Thank you for having Kerrie Cox Romero on your podcast. I am a private landowner, hunting guide on our property, avid elk hunter and our ranch has been a participant in the EPlus program in NM for decades. We are in agreement with the position that NMCOG has on this issue which states that the EPlus program is not broke and definitely benefits elk, habitat, water and elk hunting opportunities.
The organizations pushing the change are doing so in a manner that as Kerrie stated gives no room for negotiation or middle ground. It is their way or nothing. Their approach makes us landowners throw up a wall in opposition. The things we hear, and by the way none of these organizations pushing change have ever contacted us landowners, is that the system needs to be changed to give resident hunters unfetterred access to private land to hunt elk. That will not happen. I have a number of resident hunters and I know other landowners do that as well. I have donated hunts to local fund raising groups, 4H clubs, county fair groups and other local individuals who help me with habitat improvements such as water improvements and tree thinning. This never happens on public ground. Our ranch management program has changed over the decades to accommodate not only elk but other wildlife. We love elk and want to see them continue to thrive. The funds we do receive from out of state hunters help provide for habitat improvement projects and keeps us from claiming depredation damages from the State of NM which they could not afford. And by the way depredation hunts that occur are not hunting and are a disgusting way to manage wildlife. I have alot more to say but am happy that Kerrie is speaking out for an honest fair system that benefits elk and elk habitat. Thank you.
Enjoyed your podcast and thought Kerrie did a bankup job. I’ve known Jesse Deubel for many years and Joel Gay for several when he was with NM Wildlife Federation. Both are basically progressive socialist minded so we disagree on most issues. Jesse is an excellent hunter but I feel misguided in his resident hunter only mode. I think Joel turned BHA from a good conservation organization into a socialist entity. Just my views. By the way I am the SW Director for the NM COG. I am an wilderness operator in the Gila Wilderness in NM and the Blue R wilderness in AZ.