ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A federal judge has granted part of a request by outfitters from four Western states who complained their constitutional rights to conduct business in New Mexico were being upended by changes to the state’s hunting draw.
The outfitters had asked U.S. District Judge Christina Armijo to issue an injunction and temporary restraining order to keep New Mexico’s law from taking effect.
The outfitters were challenging language that specified 10 percent of hunting tags awarded through New Mexico’s annual big game draw would go to those hunters who hired New Mexico-based outfitters.
Before the law was changed last year, an outfitter’s location didn’t matter.
Armijo ruled Thursday that out-of-state outfitters who operate as individuals or sole proprietors would be eligible for the 10 percent pool. Those operating as corporations would not be.
