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Phew! So much to get into this week during Part 2 of our discussion with New Mexico Wildlife Federation Executive Director Jesse Deubel. While we won’t see eye to eye on some issues, (like his stance on predator hunting contests on public land) we certainly are in the same camp when it comes to stream access. Sadly, New Mexico has been fighting a battle with private land owners who insist they own the public water way that flows through their property. Jesse goes into great detail on the political gamesmanship that is being played. Corruption I find quite unnerving to be frank.

We also discuss why Jesse and the Federation pushed the bill that ultimately banned predator hunting contests on New Mexico public lands. How does he justify a pro hunting organization taking that kind of stance? I can’t say I agree, but I do understand why he feels the way he does on the issue.

Next, we dive into tethering bills being introduced on the state level by anti hunting/animal rights groups. New Mexico is currently facing a bill that would make it a crime to leave a dog tethered for more than 3 hours. Not only is that a direct attempt to neuter houndsmen, Jesse explains how it would affect his back country big game hunts with his 4 legged blood tracking companion. Make no mistake, the anti hunting groups don’t come out and say these types of bills are aimed at sportsmen and sporting breeds, but the average pet owner doesn’t typically tether their pets to begin with…so connecting the dots is pretty simple.

We wrap things up by discussing a bill that Jesse and the Federation brought to the table regarding wanton waste. Specifically, the bill would require hunters to remove the edible portions of mountain lion, black bear and javelina from the field. Current New Mexico statutes don’t require the removal. Does Jesse really care if hunters eat their mountain lion, or is there more to this bill? And why would anti hunting groups not publicly support a bill that requires the removal of edible parts? Pretty eye opening stuff regarding the games both sides are playing. It’s sad that we as a hunting community have to wade into this at all, but Jesse makes good points as to why he’s trying to be proactive on this.