Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) –A legal opinion was issued by NM Attorney General Raul Torrez on a long-standing hunting license distribution program, arguing it gives commercial outfitters a lucrative advantage while NM hunters miss out on opportunities. Torrez concluded that the state’s “outfitter set-aside” violates the NM Constitution’s anti-donation clause which prohibits the government from providing valuable benefits to private businesses without adequate compensation. According to state law, at least 84% of big-game licenses distributed through an annual lottery are reserved for NM residents with 6% to nonresidents and another 10% are reserved for hunters who contract with registered outfitters. Data cited in the AG’s opinion indicated more than 90% of the 1584 elk licenses issued through the outfitter pool during the 2022-23 season went to nonresidents. Torrez is calling on legislators to repeal or reform the outfitter allocation during the upcoming legislative session.
