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List & Links To Gila Wilderness Outfitters & Guides
The Gila Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation

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HUNTERS MAKE THOUGHTS KNOWN ON DEPARTMENT WEB SITE SANTA FE, N.M. - New Mexico's opinion survey of big game hunters will be coming off the Department of Game and Fish web site April 7, but hunters will have another chance to comment on proposed big game hunting regulations for the 2001-2002 seasons in May. Approximately 500 hunters and other interested individuals used the web site to voice their opinions about big game hunting in the state and another 100 filled out paper surveys available at Department offices statewide, reports Darrel Weybright, big game project leader. "The response was great," said Weybright. "Far more people used the web site than attended the public meetings we held in the past." The surveys submitted to the Department will be compared to the responses of 1,000 licensed hunters who were contacted statewide through a telephone survey, Weybright said. "We should have some interesting comparisons between the three groups of respondents." The information gathered will be used to help formulate a draft regulation for the 2001-2002 seasons. Those proposed seasons will be discussed at the State Game Commission meeting June 29-30 in Santa Fe and the public is encouraged to attend. Final action on the regulation is proposed for Aug. 18-19 in Farmington. Public comment periods are held at all Commission meetings.

Hunter Education Is arguably more important now than it ever was. With the trends younger Americans are setting it just feels like Everyone should be in A Hunter Safety Course. Making a Difference... According to statistics compiled by the National Safety Council, accidental firearm fatalities have declined by more than 50% over the past 30 years. Figures for 1996 reveal some 1,300 accidental firearm fatalities, compared to 2,896 in 1967. Fatalities as a result of hunting related shooting incidents totaled 87 for the nation in 1997. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for 43,363 deaths in 1995. Interesting comparisons! When I find out dates & times you'll be sure to know about them.

Four Basic Safety Rules

Treat ALL firearms as if they were loaded.

DO NOT point at or cover anything with the muzzle until ready to shoot.

Keep trigger finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

Be certain of your target and your line of fire.

MORE SAFETY

The Basic Rules of Firearms Safety

Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.

Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

Firearms should be unloaded when not in use.

Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before using.

Be sure of your target before you shoot.

Wear shooting glasses and ear protection when you shoot.

Never climb a tree or fence with a loaded firearm.

Don't shoot at a hard surface or at water.

Never transport a loaded firearm.

Avoid alcoholic beverages or drugs when shooting or handling a gun.

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Conservation
REVISED LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES:

1) Plan Ahead and Prepare

2) Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

3) Dispose of Waste Properly

4) Leave What You Find

5) Minimize Campfire Impacts

6) Respect Wildlife

7) Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Leave No Trace - Is a remarkable partnership between four federal agencies (U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and US Fish and Wildlife Service) and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), a non-profit wilderness skills school. Leave No Trace (LNT) is a management and education program designed to promote responsible use of wildlands by visitors participating in non-motorized recreational activities. Recreational use of America's wildlands flourished during the 1960s and 1970s. Visitor days in wilderness areas grew from 4 million in 1965 to 15 million in 1984, an increase of 275%. Although this trend leveled off during the 1980s, recent data from the US Forest Service indicate that recreational wilderness use has resumed its upward trend. The impact from this increased use is apparent and often dramatic. The scars of campfires, latrines, broken branches used for firewood and refuse are common sights in once pristine areas. And perhaps more importantly, we are jeopardizing the quality of water, soils, and wildlife habitat, as well as our opportunities for solitude and open access to wildlands. Visit Leave No Trace.

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