For Immediate Release: 

10/12/26  

Contact:  Kyle Klain - newmexico@backcountryhunters.org 

Attorney General Opinion Sparks Calls for Reform of New Mexico's Big Game Tag Quota Law 

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers urgers lawmakers to remedy the AG’s finding that the current quota law and associated outfitter pool violate the anti-donation clause 

Santa Fe, NEW MEXICO — Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is calling on New Mexico lawmakers to review and reform the state's big game tag quota law following a legal opinion from Attorney General Raul Torrez concluding that portions of the current framework may violate the Anti-Donation Clause of the New Mexico Constitution. 

The opinion addresses the statute mandating allocation of special draw licenses (17.3.16 NMSA 1978), specifically the 10% of tags that are reserved for resident or non-resident hunters that must hire an outfitter prior to application. While the opinion does not immediately change the quota law, it does provide a critical opportunity for legislators to examine whether New Mexico's wildlife allocation policies are serving the public interest as intended, and what reform is needed in the future to align the quota law with the laws of the state. 

Many of the licenses affected by this issue are used to hunt wildlife on public lands owned by all Americans. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers believes hunting opportunity on those lands should be allocated through a fair, transparent, and publicly accountable process—not a pay-to-play model. "We recognize the value that reputable outfitters bring to New Mexico's economy," said Katie De Lorenzo, Western Field Director for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. "We also don't believe that hiring one should be a requirement to gain access to tags or hunt on public lands." 

BHA underscores its support for outfitters and their contributions to passing on our hunting traditions but is committed to ensuring wildlife allocation policies remain consistent with the principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which holds that wildlife is a public trust and must be managed for the benefit of all citizens rather than for-profit industries. 

When a portion of public hunting opportunity is being carved out as a subsidy to private industry, it raises important questions about fairness, transparency, and whether the public trust is being properly stewarded. BHA is encouraging lawmakers to use the upcoming legislative session to review the current allocation framework and pursue reforms that address those concerns while strengthening public confidence in wildlife management.* 

*The quota law is one piece of a much larger privatization picture in New Mexico. While this AG opinion does not impact the Elk Private Land Use System (EPLUS), BHA has submitted several IPRA requests to the Department of Wildlife and will continue pressing for transparency and reform through the State Game Commission. 

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Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. To learn more about issues important to BHA’s membership, visit https://www.backcountryhunters.org/get-involved/issues