1. As we transition into North Central Montana’s Region 4, we have far less contiguous elk habitat than we had in Western Montana’s Regions 1, 2 and 3.  Many of the units are nearly devoid of el.
2. This will be on the Western Hunter Blog but. If you have been tracking the entire Big-Game Draw in New Mexico you have probably gathered that there have been a few changes. Some major and some that have flown under the radar. Well, it looks like my radar caught another, non-documented change.

This article is written by Chris Denham of Western Hunter Blog. To read more from Chris Denham visit The Western Hunter Blog. No product category has evolved more in the last five years than riflescopes. Not long ago, a 3-9x scope.

These are important.. We need to be part of the process rather than the peanut gallery after the fact.

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New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
dan.williams@state.nm.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 28, 2013:

Meetings will address proposed fishing rule changes

Westernhunter.net/super

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is accepting comments and will conduct public meetings from July 1-9 in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Roswell and Raton to discuss several proposed changes to state fishing regulations.

Proposed changes include:

• Close McKenna Creek and the portion of Iron Creek from the fish barrier upstream to headwaters to all fishing. This proposed change also would remove the Special Trout Water designation on Iron Creek. Both of these creeks contain genetically pure populations of Gila trout that are vital to the long-term sustainability of the species, and the closure will conserve these populations during post-fire recovery of the watersheds.
• Allow licensed anglers and individuals younger than age 12 to take game fish by bow and arrow (bow fishing). All daily bag, possession and size limits would apply. Bow fishing for game species would not be allowed within Special Trout Waters. This proposal would expand recreational angling opportunity.
• Update all regulations to replace outdated language referring to individuals with disabilities.
• Reduce the statewide striped bass daily bag limit from 2 to 1. This proposed change would not affect the unlimited daily bag and possession limit of striped bass in San Juan County. Based upon surveys, the Elephant Butte Lake striped bass population has shown a decreasing trend. A reduced harvest would help sustain this population.
• Remove the “Youth Only” designation and allow licensed anglers ages 12 years or older (including adults) to fish at Young Pond in Las Cruces. Because of extreme drought conditions, angling opportunity has become very limited in Dona Ana County. Allowing all licensed anglers to fish at Young Pond will expand angling opportunity. Young Pond currently is restricted to anglers younger than 12 years of age.
• Reduce the channel catfish daily bag limit from 15 to 2 on the following waters: Ned Houk, Harry McAdams, Young Pond, Roswell Kids Pond, Perch Lake and Blue Hole Park Pond. Most of these waters are stocked with catchable channel catfish and a reduced daily bag limit would prolong the availability of catfish to anglers.

Department staff will be at the following meetings to discuss and accept public comments about the proposed changes:

• Albuquerque: July 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m., New Mexico Game and Fish Office, 3841 Midway Place NE.
• Las Cruces: July 1, 6-8 p.m., New Mexico Game and Fish Office, 2715 Northrise Drive.
• Roswell: July 9, 6-8 p.m., New Mexico Game and Fish Office, 1912 West Second Street.
• Raton: July 9, 6-8 p.m., New Mexico Game and Fish Office, 215 York Canyon Road.

Comments about the proposed changes also can be expressed by contacting Fisheries Management Division by telephone at (505) 476-8055 or by email at nmdept.ofgameandfish@state.nm.us.

Introduction

If you are anything like me (and you probably wouldn’t be on this blog if you weren’t) the longest days of the year are during the off season of hunting. I have an avid passion for adventuring in the west in my endless pursuit for priceless experiences and moments in nature. I rarely hunt with a guide because I enjoy the do it yourself aspect of the hunt, the researching, planning, scouting, packing and prep work. If you are one of those hunters that find themselves spending hours studying maps or getting lost on Google Earth all winter then we have something in common. And if you are like me than the anticipation you have for summer to arrive, so you can take those first few steps into the high mountain basins, that you have day dreamed about for months, can be hard to express to friends, coworkers and sometimes even your wife.

The purpose of this blog is to be my outlet for both you and me but also to keep me from lying in bed dreaming of past and future adventures above tree line all winter long. I have a hunger for the backpack style of hunting that drives me to the point of testing any and all new gear on the market. I find myself on an endless pursuit to find ways to shave mere ounces off of my pack weight. I have been called a ‘gear whore’ by my wife on more than once occasion due to the constant amount of boxes full of equipment that show up on my doorstep all year round. I am always in search of the best possible gear I can throw in my pack during fall and will use this site to post extensive, in-depth reviews of all the new and old products that I encounter.

So if you don’t mind the thin air above tree line in the Rocky Mountains, come share a journey or two with me and share yours as well because the best things I have ever learned are from fellow hunters like you.

Western Hunter Pack