N.M. Admin. Code § 19.31.10.10 - PERMITS AND LICENSES ISSUED

A. Proof of license: Each licensee or permitee must have a copy of their hunting, fishing or trapping license or their department issued collection permit in their possession while hunting, fishing, trapping or collecting protected species in New Mexico. Licenses or permits may be in electronic or paper format. The authorization number for fishing or game hunting is also valid pursuant to Subsection C of Section 17-3-5 NMSA 1978. The license, authorization or permit must be produced upon request by any law enforcement officer authorized to enforce Chapter 17 NMSA 1978.

B. Permits and licenses, other than hunting, fishing or trapping licenses, which authorize the holder to import, collect, handle, purchase, possess, barter, transfer, transport, sell or offer to sell species listed as group II, III or IV on the directors "species importation list" or any protected species may only be issued by the director or their designee as authorized by Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 and 19.35 NMAC.

C. Permit or license provisions: Specific provisions for applications, conditions, reporting and other stipulations for permits or licenses will be provided by the department with each permit and license.

D. Violation of permit or license provisions or importation/possession of un-permitted wildlife:

(1) It is unlawful for any person receiving any permit or license pursuant to state game commission rule to violate any provision of state game commission rule or any provision listed on the permit or license.

(2) Any violation of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978, state game commission rule or any permit provision shall render that permit or license invalid. If such an invalidated permit or license authorized possession of any species listed as group II, III or IV on the directors "species importation list" or any protected species, the animals shall be subject to seizure by any officer authorized to enforce the provisions of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978.

(3) It is unlawful to import, collect, handle, purchase, possess, barter, transfer, transport, sell or offer to sell any live animal listed as group II, III or IV on the directors "species importation list" or any protected species without a department issued permit or license or contrary to the provisions of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978, state game commission rule or any department issued permit.

(4) Any animal possessed contrary to this section shall be subject to seizure by any officer authorized to enforce the provisions of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978. Any dangerous, venomous, invasive species or any diseased animals may be destroyed to protect human safety, native wildlife populations or livestock.

(5) Any person who has had an animal seized from them shall have no more than 30 days to arrange for the illegal animal to be transported out of New Mexico and pay for the care and transportation rendered. Failure to make these arrangements within 30 days will result in the animal being considered abandoned. Abandoned animals will be disposed of at the discretion of the department.

E. Release of wildlife: It is unlawful for any person or persons to release, intentionally or otherwise; or cause to be released in this state any mammal, bird, fish, reptile or amphibian, except domestic mammals, domestic fowl, or fish from government hatcheries, without first obtaining a permit from the department except department employees while performing their official duties or those individuals working on behalf of the department when directed by a department employee.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 19.31.10.10

19.31.10.10 NMAC - Rp, 19.31.10.10 NMAC, 4-1-2007, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVII, Issue 23, December 15, 2016, eff. 12/15/2016, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXIX, Issue 24, December 27, 2018, eff. 4/1/2019, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXIII, Issue 21, November 8, 2022, eff. 4/1/2023