Press Release: Game commission may change deer draw dates

The State Game Commission will meet July 2 at Heron Lake State Park to consider changing the date of the annual application deadline and drawing for deer hunting licenses, and to set season dates and bag limits for 2009-10 small game and waterfowl seasons.

The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at the visitor center of Heron Lake State Park, approximately 13 miles south of Chama on N.M. 95, three miles off U.S. 84. The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish Web site, www.wildlife.state.nm.us or by calling (505) 476-8008. The Commission will consider moving the application deadline for deer licenses from April to February to give hunters who are successful in the draw the opportunity to buy discounted licenses including junior, senior and combination licenses, which are available after March 31 annually. In addition, the Commission will consider a proposal to simplify the deer licensing process by eliminating the deer hunting permit. Successful applicants would be issued a deer license, similar to the way elk, antelope and other big-game licenses currently are issued. If approved, the hunting license drawings would be: •www.wildlife.state.nm.us or by calling (505) 476-8008.

The Commission will consider moving the application deadline for deer licenses from April to February to give hunters who are successful in the draw the opportunity to buy discounted licenses including junior, senior and combination licenses, which are available after March 31 annually. In addition, the Commission will consider a proposal to simplify the deer licensing process by eliminating the deer hunting permit. Successful applicants would be issued a deer license, similar to the way elk, antelope and other big-game licenses currently are issued.

If approved, the hunting license drawings would be:

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