Not sure if this is the right forum but just wanted to some clarification on my end on how state land is treated compared to blm in New Mexico. I’ve hunted it for years and have never had an issue but have had 2 different encounters this year with residents telling me I’m not allowed to be hunting where I am.
In November on a mule deer hunt they left a note on my truck telling me I was trespassing where I was and they were reporting me to fish and game. I contacted the game warden and walked through exactly where I parked and entered and said I was perfectly fine.
2nd incident was a couple days ago quail hunting on state land. Was approached by a rancher (I assume) who said I didn’t have permission to be out here. I politely informed him that I was under the impression I was on state land and didn’t need any specific permission. We just went a separate way as we had a ton of other areas to choose from that we hunted and had no need for an altercation. I tried to contact fish and game but they are closed and can’t get a response via email.
So with all that said am I wrong in any of this. I’m very familiar with big game public land laws in New Mexico but was curious if small game like quail was treated differently. I’ve read through the booklet and can’t find anything to make me think differently, but just wanted to ask around on here to get some confirmation from someone with more bird hunting experience in that area.
In November on a mule deer hunt they left a note on my truck telling me I was trespassing where I was and they were reporting me to fish and game. I contacted the game warden and walked through exactly where I parked and entered and said I was perfectly fine.
2nd incident was a couple days ago quail hunting on state land. Was approached by a rancher (I assume) who said I didn’t have permission to be out here. I politely informed him that I was under the impression I was on state land and didn’t need any specific permission. We just went a separate way as we had a ton of other areas to choose from that we hunted and had no need for an altercation. I tried to contact fish and game but they are closed and can’t get a response via email.
So with all that said am I wrong in any of this. I’m very familiar with big game public land laws in New Mexico but was curious if small game like quail was treated differently. I’ve read through the booklet and can’t find anything to make me think differently, but just wanted to ask around on here to get some confirmation from someone with more bird hunting experience in that area.