Enforcement

A. Antelope (Pronghorn) = $2000-$8000:

(1) A 14-inch buck is valued at two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
(2) A Buck scoring 70.0 points – 75.9 points is valued at four thousand dollars ($4,000.00).
(3) A Buck scoring of 76.0 points – 79.9 points is valued at six thousand dollars ($6,000.00).
(4) A Buck scoring of 80.0 points or greater is valued at eight thousand dollars ($8,000.00).

B. Barbary sheep = $2000-$6000:

(1) A Ram with at least one of two horns that is 25.0 inches to 26.99 inches in length is valued at two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
(2) A Ram with at least one of two horns that is 27.0 inches to 28.99 inches in length is valued at four thousand dollars ($4,000.00).
(3) A Ram with a least one of two horns that is 29.0 inches or greater in length is valued at six thousand dollars ($6,000.00).

C. Bighorn or mountain sheep = $5000-$10,000 (or greater if determined by Director):

(1) Any one ram, below the scoring of 150 points is valued at five thousand dollars ($5,000.00).
(2) Any one ram that has a total scoring of 150 points – 180 points is valued at ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).

D. Deer =$2000-$10,000 (or greater if determined by Director):

(1) A mule deer buck with an inside antler spread that measures at least 20 inches is valued at two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
(2) A mule deer buck that has a total scoring of 150.0 points – 174.9 points is valued at four thousand dollars ($4,000.00).
(3) A mule deer buck that has a total scoring of 175.0 points – 199.9 points is valued at six thousand dollars ($6,000.00).
(4) A mule deer buck that has a total scoring of 200.0 points – 214.9 points is valued at ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).
(5) A Texas white-tailed deer buck (not Coues spp.) with an inside antler spread that measures at least 16 inches is valued at two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
(6) A Texas white-tailed deer buck (not Coues spp.) that has a total scoring of 125.0 points – 144.9 points is valued at four thousand dollars ($4,000.00).
(7) A Texas white-tailed deer buck (not Coues spp.) that has a total scoring of 145.0 points – 164.9 points is valued at six thousand dollars ($6,000.00).
(8) A Texas white-tailed deer buck (not Coues spp.) that has a total scoring of 165.0 points – 199.9 points is valued at ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).
(9) A Coues white-tailed deer buck with an inside antler spread that measures at least 10 inches is valued at two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
(10) A Coues white-tailed deer buck that has a total scoring of 85.0 points – 99.9 points is valued at four thousand dollars ($4,000.00).
(11) A Coues white-tailed deer buck that has a total scoring of 100.0 points – 114.9 points is valued at six thousand dollars ($6,000.00).
(12) A Coues white-tailed deer buck that has a total scoring of 115.0 points – 129.9 points is valued at ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).

E. Elk =$2000-$10,000 (or greater if determined by Director):

(1) A bull with at least six antlered points on one of two sides is valued at two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
(2) A bull that has a total scoring of 280.0 points – 299.9 points is valued at four thousand dollars ($4,000.00).
(3) A bull that has a total scoring of 300.0 points – 319.9 points is valued at six thousand dollars ($6,000.00).
(4) A bull that has a total scoring of 320.0 points – 349.9 points is valued at eight thousand dollars ($8,000.00).
(5) A bull that has a total scoring of 350.0 points – 399.9 points is valued at ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).

F. Ibex = $2000 – $10,000:

(1) A billy with at least one of two horns that is 35.0 inches in length is valued at two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
(2) A billy that has a total scoring of 70.0 points – 79.9 points is valued at four thousand dollars ($4,000.00).
(3) A billy that has a total scoring of 80.0 points – 89.9 points is valued at six thousand dollars ($6,000.00).
(4) A billy that has a total scoring of 90.0 points – 99.9 points is valued at eight thousand dollars ($8,000.00).
(5) A billy that has a total scoring of 100.0 points or more is valued at ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).

G. Oryx = $2000-$10,000:

(1) A oryx with one of two horns at least 34 inches in length is valued at two thousand dollars ($2,000.00).
(2) A oryx that has a total scoring of 84.0 points – 89.9 points is valued at four thousand dollars ($4,000.00).
(3) A oryx that has a total scoring of 90.0 points – 100.9 points is valued at six thousand dollars ($6,000.00).
(4) A oryx that has a total scoring of 101.0 or greater is valued at ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).

H. Headless game animal: Any one game animal designated in 19.30.11.10 shall be valued at their minimum trophy amount as set forth above.

I. Turkey = $500:

(1) A tom that has at least a 10 inch or longer beard is valued at five hundred dollars ($500.00).
(2) A tom that has at least one foot-spur that is 1 inch or greater in length is valued at five hundred dollars ($500.00).

J. Wild Salmonidae = $150:

(1) A 1 trout or salmon that has a total length of at least 20 inches is valued at one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).

Every person who illegally wounds, kills or possesses a protected species owes civil restitution to the department for the loss of the state’s wildlife. This restitution is separate from any criminal fines that may have been assessed by the courts and is not dependent on a criminal conviction. Civil restitution amounts vary based on the species killed and the type of crime committed. State statute 17-2-26 NMSA 1978 sets the restitution amounts by species for common violations. Civil restitution can be collected through a voluntary agreement with the violator or when necessary the department will civilly sue individuals for the restitution owed. Individuals who owe civil restitution cannot purchase or hold any license to hunt, fish, trap, guide or outfit while they owe civil restitution.
17-2-26. Civil liability.

A. The director of the department of game and fish, or any other officer charged with enforcement of the laws relating to game and fish if so directed by the director, may bring a civil action in the name of the state against any person unlawfully wounding or killing, or unlawfully in possession of, any game quadruped, bird or fish, or part thereof and recover judgment for the following minimum sums as damages for the taking, killing or injuring:
for each elk $ 500.00
for each deer 250.00
for each antelope 250.00
for each mountain sheep 1,000.00
for each Barbary sheep 250.00
for each black bear 500.00
for each cougar 500.00
for each bison 600.00
for each ibex 1,000.00
for each oryx 1,000.00
for each javelina 100.00
for each beaver 65.00
for each bird 20.00
for each fish 5.00
for each endangered species 500.00
for each raptor 200.00
for each turkey 150.00
for each jaguar 2,000.00.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this section, the state game commission shall establish damages recoverable by civil judgment on a game animal, bird or fish designated to be a trophy animal by commission rule.

C. Damages recovered pursuant to this section are intended to compensate the state for the loss of unique public resources and shall not be limited or reduced by the extent of fines assessed pursuant to any criminal statute. The department of game and fish shall not award or issue a license, permit or certificate to a debtor owing damages pursuant to this section until the judgment has been paid in full to the department.

D. No verdict or judgment recovered by the state in an action shall be for less than the sum fixed in this section. The action for damages may be joined with an action for possession, and recovery may be had for the possession as well as the damages.

E. The pendency or determination of an action for damages or payment of a judgment, or the pendency or determination of a criminal prosecution for the same taking, wounding, killing or possession, is not a bar to the other, nor does either affect the right of seizure under any other provision of the laws relating to game and fish.

F. The provisions of this section shall not be interpreted to prevent, constrain or penalize a Native American for engaging in activities for religious purposes, as provided in Section 17-2-14 or 17-2-41 NMSA 1978.

G. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a landowner or lessee, or employee of either, who kills an animal, on private land in which the person has an ownership or leasehold interest, that is threatening human life or damaging or destroying property, including crops; provided, however, that the killing is reported to the department of game and fish within twenty-four hours and before the removal of the carcass of the animal killed; and provided further that all actions authorized in this subsection are carried out according to rules of the department.

Paragraph B authorizes the State Game Commission to collect increased amounts for animals defined as a “trophy”. Game Commission rule 19.30.11 NMAC establishes the criteria for what a “trophy” is and the circumstances in which a trophy animal is subject to increased civil restitution. Trophy scores are determined using the Safari Club International scoring system.
19.30.11.9 NMAC

A. Game animal and game bird: The director or any officer may file a civil action in any court of jurisdiction for the trophy value of a game animal or bird providing that evidence and information indicate that the game was killed or possessed out of season, taken with the aid of artificial light, taken without a proper license, exceeded the bag limit or resulted in waste of game.

B. Game fish: The director or any officer may file a civil action in any court of jurisdiction for the trophy value of a game fish providing that evidence and information indicate that the game fish was killed, taken or possessed exceeding the bag limit