ABQjournal: Larger Game Parks Approved in Senate By Barry Massey, The Associated Press

SANTA FE? Larger private game parks could be established in New Mexico under a measure approved Monday by the Senate.

The bill, (SB 337), would allow ranchers or others to operate game parks of up to 15,000 acres? about 23 square miles. Currently, the limit is 3,200 acres.

At a game park, people pay a fee to hunt animals, such as elk. The game park must be enclosed by a fence.

The Senate passed the bill on a 32-8 vote and sent it to the House for consideration.

The measure’s sponsor, Sen. Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, said game parks were “another type of economic development to be used to increase the return that has been dwindling from agricultural properties in New Mexico.”

“There are becoming fewer and fewer family farms, family ranches. This gives them another opportunity for a crop,” said Jennings.

Sen. Leonard Tsosie, D-Crownpoint, expressed concerns that fencing in large areas of private land could affect free-ranging and migratory wildlife.

“These are wildlife that belong to the state of New Mexico that would end up being captured by these game parks,” said Tsosie.

Voting against the measure were Tsosie and Sens. Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque; Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque; Michael Sanchez, D-Belen; John Grubesic, D-Santa Fe; Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque; Sue Wilson Beffort, R-Sandia Park; and Phil Griego, D-San Jose.
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Track SB337
INCREASE GAME & FISH PARKS MAXIMUM ACREAGE
Sponsor: Timothy Z. Jennings
Current Location: House Intro