Have you been paying attention to your local public lands? Sierra, Otero, and Catron counties recently passed anti-public lands resolutions, and now Luna County is next. The attack on our public lands comes in many forms, and these county-level efforts to undermine conservation deserve scrutiny from hunters and anglers.

The Luna County Commission is looking to pass a resolution opposing “the designation of lands as national monuments, wilderness, wilderness study areas, wildlife preserves, open space, or other conservation land, thereby restricting public access to such lands and preventing the development and productive use of the resources on or within such lands.” These moves threaten to strip protections from public lands, prioritizing extractive industries over conservation, recreation, and wildlife, and while they are purely messaging vehicles that have no enforcement capacity, they are emblematic of a broader push to privatize and transfer public lands across the West. If you live in Luna County, join the meeting on April 3rd at 6pm (in person or on zoom) to push back against this anti-conservation resolution. 

In contrast, the Comidos Unidos Rally (aka Camo at the Capitol) at the Roundhouse brought together advocates, outdoor enthusiasts, and conservation organizations, including BHA, to highlight the importance of protecting New Mexico’s public lands. Speakers emphasized the role of public lands in recreation, wildlife conservation, and local economies. BHA was proud to stand in support and grateful for all who attended to advocate for access, sustainable management, and long-term stewardship of these cherished landscapes.

Finally, SB 5 has cleared the House and Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature. The New Mexico Chapter of BHA has been working with partners and sponsors on this bill, which reforms the State Game Commission, updates wildlife management policies, and adjusts license fees. The chapter supports SB 5 and recognizes the positive changes this brings to the commission as well as funding for the department, but we also know the work is far from finished. If the governor signs the bill into law, we must stay engaged in the nomination process and ensure our hunting and fishing traditions are strongly represented in the commission.

Now’s the time to stand tall. NM BHA will keep fighting for our public lands, for the right to hunt and fish, and for the generations yet to come. These landscapes don’t have a voice—we have to be theirs. Stay sharp, stay engaged, and don’t let the slow creep of indifference chip away at what belongs to all of us. The wild places need defenders. Let’s be them.

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