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NEW MEXICO ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP PERMIT

Currency:USD Category:Hunting Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:NA
NEW MEXICO ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP PERMIT
NEW MEXICO ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP PERMIT
New Mexico Department
of Game & Fish
Wildlife Management Division
Eric Rominger/Caitlin Ruhl
PHONE: 505.476.8045
PHONE: 505.476.8063
Booth# 827
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will auction one Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep permit. As authorized by state law, the Bighorn Sheep Enhancement Program will receive 90% of the proceeds for projects to benefit bighorn sheep with 10% of the proceeds retained by the NGO. Anyone, including previous special permit holders, may submit a bid to obtain the 2016 Rocky Mountain bighorn permit unless their hunting privileges have been revoked. The permit may be transferred by the successful bidder to an individual qualified to hunt. Currently there are 6 Rocky Mountain populations with hunts for the 2016 season. These herds are in both high and low-elevation habitats. The Wheeler Peak Wilderness produced the state record Rocky Mountain bighorn ram in 2005, a 198 4/8 ram. There have been six rams scoring greater than 190 inches taken in Wheeler Peak, and more than 50% of the rams taken from this herd have scored higher than the minimum Boone & Crockett record book score of 180. During the 2015 season 2 rams exceeded 180 B&C in the Pecos Wilderness Unit and a 191 ram was harvested in the newly opened Rio Grande Gorge Unit.

The successful bidder must select by June 1, 2016 one hunt from any unit open for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunting in New Mexico, including: Pecos Wilderness (Unit 45), Latir Wilderness (Unit 53 north of NM 38), Wheeler Peak Wilderness (Unit 53 south of NM 38), Rio Grande Gorge (Units 49, 50, 53), San Francisco River/Turkey Creek (Units 16B, 22, 23, 24), or the Culebres Mountains (100% private in Unit 55). Some restrictions apply on the private land hunts in the Culebres Mountains. Hunt dates run from August 1 through December 31 except in Wheeler Peak where the hunt dates are August 1-10 and September 1 through December 31. For specifics on these hunts contact NMDGF bighorn sheep biologists Eric Rominger 505.476.8045 or Caitlin Ruhl 505.476.8063 or visit them at the NMDGF booth.

PAST AUCTION PRICES:
2011 - $145,000
2012 - $160,000
2013 - $180,000
2014 - $170,000
2015 - $130,000
A 5% buyers premium will be added to the final bid price of this special permit/tag (unless prohibited by statute.) Proceeds will be dedicated to WSF Conservation Initiatives. If the winner of this item refuses to pay the premiums required, the item shall be offered to the next highest bidder for the price he/she bid.