Panel Report and Recommendations
The State's Public Policy Process Failure
Introduction, Background, and History
Outcome of the People's Forum on Public Lands Trapping
Public Attitudes, Survey, and Comments 2005 Survey
The Special Case of Mexican Wolves
New Mexico's Regulatory and Statutory Scheme
Appendix 1: 2005 Survey Results
Appendix 2: Biological Overview
Download the Report [205 KB PDF]
Panel Members
Hon. Judge Peggy Nelson (ret.)
Links
Animal Protection of New Mexico
Panel Report Released
![People's Forum Panel Report on Public Lands Trapping in New Mexico [205 KB PDF] People's Forum Panel Report on Public Lands Trapping in New Mexico [205 KB PDF]](images/report-200.jpg)
Download the Report
[205 KB PDF]
The People’s Forum Panel Report on Public Lands Trapping
in New Mexico Executive Summary:
The New Mexico Legislature should ban trapping on public lands in New Mexico because traps harm people, animal companions, and whole populations of wildlife including rare species. Most New Mexican voters believe that trapping is cruel and unnecessary. The State’s 2011 administrative rule-making process relative to trapping was marred by special interest politics and undemocratic.
People's Forum on Public Lands Trapping
On September 14, 2011 in Albuquerque, NM, the People’s Forum on Public Lands Trapping was held as an opportunity for the entire New Mexican public to add their voice to the debate over public lands trapping in New Mexico. This event featured a citizen panel, presided over by the Honorable Judge Peggy Nelson, that listened to public commentary and presentations from WildEarth Guardians, the New Mexico chapter of the Sierra Club, Animal Protection New Mexico, wildlife biologist Dr. Robert Harrison, Ph.D., and educational materials from TrapFreeNM. An audio recording was made of the proceedings of this public hearing.
Background
During the summer of 2011, New Mexico citizens submitted more than 12,000 comments to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish requesting a trap ban on public lands. The New Mexico Game Commission ignored this appeal. On July 21, 2011 the NM Game Commission voted unanimously to expand trapping across New Mexico, and lifted the trapping closure in the range of the endangered Mexican wolf.
Traps on Public Lands: Hidden, Dangerous, Destructive
- Since 2002, 15 endangered Mexican wolves have been caught in non-governmental traps. Two died. Five more sustained injuries, while three required amputation surgeries (two wolves had entire limbs removed). In the wild, lobos number less than 50 individuals; yet, over 20% of that number have been trapped.
- In the last decade, New Mexico supplied over 23,000 bobcat pelts to the world’s fur markets and unknown numbers of foxes, weasels, and other species because they go uncounted by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
- Traps can be placed as close as 25 yards from any trail with no warning signs in New Mexico. As a result, many people and pets have had negative injurious encounters. Dogs have lost limbs from trap injuries. People have been injured while helping their dogs.
Panelists
- The Honorable Judge Peggy Nelson (ret.), Panel Chair
- Nathan Cote, Former State Representative
- Kathleen Holian, Santa Fe County Commissioner
- Martha Marks, Republicans for Environmental Protection
- Kathy Sedlacek, New Mexico Mountain Club
- Oscar Simpson, former Game Commissioner and hunter
- Peggy Weigle, Executive Director, Animal Humane New Mexico
Audio Recordings from the People's Forum
Welcome and Introduction 11:09 min | download mp3
Welcome and Introduction
- Welcome by Wendy Keefover, Director of Carnivore Protection, WildEarth Guardians
- Introductions by the Honorable Judge Peggy Nelson and panel members Oscar Simpson, Martha Marks, Kathy Sedlacek, Peggy Weigle, Kathleen Holian, and Nathan Cote
Presentation by Mary Katherine Ray 7:48 min | download mp3
Presentation by Mary Katherine Ray, Wildlife Chair, Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club
- Mary Katherine Ray, Wildlife Chair, Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club
Presentation by Phil Carter 9:06 min | download mp3
Presentation by Phil Carter, Wildlife Campaign Manager, Animal Protection of New Mexico
- Phil Carter, Wildlife Campaign Manager, Animal Protection of New Mexico
Presentation by Monica Engebretson 5:15 min | download mp3
Presentation by Monica Engebretson, Senior Program Associate, Born Free USA
- Monica Engebretson, Senior Program Associate, Born Free USA
Presentation by Wendy Keefover 6:02 min | download mp3
Presentation by Wendy Keefover, Director of Carnivore Protection, WildEarth Guardians
- Wendy Keefover, Director of Carnivore Protection, WildEarth Guardians
Presentation by Dr. Robert Harrison 13:59 min | download mp3
Presentation by Dr. Robert Harrison, Associate Research Professor, University of New Mexico
- Dr. Robert Harrison, Research Assistant Professor, Biology Department, University of New Mexico
New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 1 20:26 min | download mp3
New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 1
- New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 1
New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 2 18:05 min | download mp3
New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 2
- New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 2
New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 3 23:27 min | download mp3
New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 3
- New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 3
New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 4 20:43 min | download mp3
New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 4
- New Mexico Citizen Comments, part 4
Final Comments and Conclusion 17:32 min | download mp3
Final Comments and Panel Conclusion
- Cat Cannon, WildEarth Guardians, and Concluding Panel Comments