New Mexico's wolf population primarily inhabits the Gila National Forest and nearby wilderness areas in southern New Mexico and Arizona. Commissioner Sabrina Pack, residing near this region in Silver City, expressed gratitude to the audience after a comment session, noting that public input aids commissioners in balancing facts and "hopefully come up with constructive solutions, strengthening our work."

The commission gathered feedback on the state's wolf management strategy but is not currently considering any formal policy changes. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish collaborates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona's state wildlife agency, and other entities to raise pups for release into wild wolf dens.

Conservation groups urged the game commission to permit entire wolf families' release, arguing that fully bonded families possess superior genetics compared to the wild population. They also advocated for allowing wolves to extend their range north of Interstate 40, a boundary set by game managers.

Chris Smith, wildlife program director with Wild Earth Guardians, stated that New Mexico should stop capturing wolves that venture into Northern New Mexico. "Wild animals should be allowed to roam," he said.

In spring 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported a minimum count of 257 wolves from its annual census—144 in New Mexico and 113 in Arizona—reflecting a 6% increase over 2022's figures. This marks the eighth consecutive year of growth since recovery efforts began.

The Mexican wolf was extirpated in the United States by the mid-1900s. Today's population descends from seven animals collected by USFWS in the 1970s: five wild wolves from Mexico and two from a zoo. Restoration efforts have aimed at breeding genetically diverse wolves since releasing them into the wild started in 1998.

Larry Reagan, president of the NM Farm and Livestock Bureau, reiterated his organization's longstanding opposition to wolf introduction. He mentioned members oppose any increase in wolf numbers due to perceived unfair burdens on producers.

Ranchers and industry officials voiced opposition against current policies prohibiting wildlife agencies from informing ranchers about wolf pack locations. They also criticized recent policy changes affecting how livestock losses attributed to wolf predation are claimed.

Additionally, the game commission approved transferring Laguna del Campo (Burns Lake) to Tierra Amarilla Land Grant. A joint resolution passed by the Legislature in 2019 authorized this transfer of water rights and over 20 acres of land north of Tierra Amarilla to this government subdivision.