The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment about agreements that would open some private lands to public hunting in exchange for closing some areas of State Trust land.
The “unitization” agreements among the State Land Office, the department and several landowners are designed to benefit sportsmen and landowners. Under the agreements, some areas of State Trust land would be treated as private property and would be closed to hunting.
The private lands covered under the agreements then would be open to public hunters.
Unitization agreements give hunters access to private land while providing landowners greater flexibility in maintaining ranching operations on often-landlocked State Trust lands. The agreements must be reviewed and renewed annually.
The following ranches have been proposed for unitization agreements in southeastern New Mexico:
• Bettis Stoval Ranch, Unit 39, Guadalupe County
• Pajarito Ranch, Units 32 and 36, Lincoln County
• I Bar X Ranch, Unit 36, Lincoln County
• Armstrong Ranch, Unit 37, Lincoln County
• L Bar and Pentosa Ranch, Unit 38, Lincoln County
General unitization agreement information and maps of the proposed ranches can be found on the department website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/home/public-comment. Anyone with comments or concerns about the Department and the State Land Office entering into agreement with these landowners may send comments to Mike Perry at mike.perry@state.nm.us. All comments received will be forwarded to the Department of Game and Fish Director and the State Land Commissioner.
