Rep. Yanira Gurrola House District 16 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
Eight conservation organizations, part of the TrapFree New Mexico coalition, have called on state game commissioners to reject a proposed cougar trapping season by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The coalition argues that traps pose risks to outdoor enthusiasts, non-target animals, and pets. An incident last month involved a dog caught in a trap in the Sandia Mountains foothills.
Mary Katherine Ray from the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club stated, "Allowing traps for cougars in addition to all the traps that are now allowed to be scattered across public land for other species would be irresponsible." She emphasized the potential danger these larger traps could pose to hikers' dogs and other non-target animals.
The New Mexico Game Commission had previously increased the cougar bag limit to two, allowing year-round hunting. Despite this, there is a push for further increases in cougar killing without scientific knowledge of their population status. Bethany Cotton from WildEarth Guardians criticized trapping as "an incredibly cruel, archaic practice."
Phil Carter from Animal Protection of New Mexico highlighted differences between trapping and hunting: “Moreover, trapping is not like hunting. It is not possible to identify the target before the trap slams shut — the trapper isn’t even present.”
Michael Robinson from the Center for Biological Diversity pointed out that cougars naturally regulate their populations through territorial behavior. Kevin Bixby from Southwest Environmental Center warned that excessive killing could disrupt cougar social structures.
Judy Paulsen from Project Coyote expressed concern about increasing cougar killings with indiscriminate traps. Texas remains the only state allowing recreational cougar trapping.
Public opposition to trapping is significant; a 2005 poll showed New Mexican voters oppose it by a 3:1 margin. However, legislative efforts to ban traps and poisons on public land have been stalled by those protecting livestock and hunting interests.
The State Game Commission will discuss this proposal at its May 7 meeting in Farmington at 9 a.m., with five public meetings scheduled by the Department of Game and Fish.
