By Ben Neary
NMWF Conservation Director
ALBUQUERQUE _ The New Mexico Wildlife Federation encourages all hunters in the state to comment in support of pending federal proposals to expand hunting opportunities at the Bosque del Apache and Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuges.
The proposals at the New Mexico refuges are part of a national effort by the U.S. Department of Interior to expand hunting and fishing opportunities nationwide across more than 2.3 million acres at 97 national wildlife refuges and 9 national fish hatcheries.
Jesse Deubel, NMWF executive director, filed comments on behalf of the federation with both of the New Mexico refuges on Thursday encouraging them to move ahead with the hunting expansion proposals. Public comments are due by June 8.
The Bosque del Apache, on the Rio Grande south of Socorro, and Bitter Lake, on the Pecos River near Roswell, are both vitally important areas for waterfowl and other wildlife populations.
“It’s critical that hunters speak up,” Deubel said. “Both of these refuges were established generations ago using federal duck stamp revenues. Hunters continue to pay the freight to operate them as well as supporting international waterfowl propagation efforts.”
(For a look back at the role of the duck stamp program in conservation, check out this 1947 federal publication: Historic Duck Stamp Publication)
Yet despite the critical role that hunters have played in creation and maintenance of the refuges, Deubel said that all too often these days, hunters are made to feel as though they don’t belong.
“The Bosque del Apache, in particular, has become a world-renowned spot for bird-watching, and that’s great,” Deubel said. “Many of the federation’s members are avid bird-watchers and we take pride in the success of the refuge in providing critical habitat for such a wide range of species.
“Yet, it’s important for the public and bird-watchers in particular to understand the important role that hunters have played not only in the creation of the refuges, but in the support of bird populations internationally,” Deubel said. “Hunters have paid their dues for generations to develop these areas, and we have the right to use them with no apologies.”
Indeed, Congress for decades has recognized that hunting is an appropriate activity on federal wildlife refuges.
“The future of hunting in our state depends on average New Mexico families having a place to go,” Deubel said. “Increasingly, we’ve seen both public and private lands closed to waterfowl hunting in particular. The New Mexico Wildlife Federation encourages hunters and anglers to make themselves heard to preserve our state’s hunting and conservation heritage.”
To review and comment on the hunt plans, click on these links: