Computer-assisted hunting, or cyberhunting, is on its way to being outlawed in New Mexico thanks to students participating in the Wild Friends Program. The program, aimed at school-age youth, is a component of the Center for Wildlife Law at the University of New Mexico Institute for Public Law.
Students adopt compelling wildlife issues, initiate legislative bills or memorials, and work to advance them through the legislative process. The students have won a number of awards, including the 2005 Conservation Award from the New Mexico/Arizona Chapter of the Wildlife Society for “outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation.”
Cyberhunting came to the national forefront with news of a Web site in Texas that allowed people with computers to shoot live game via a camera-equipped rifle. Texas has since banned remote game hunting, along with 12 other states.
New Mexico’s State Legislature has passed a similar bill, drafted originally by Wild Friends students and sponsored by Sen. Michael Sanchez (D-Belen), said Wild Friends program director Carolyn Byers. About 400 Wild Friends students accompanied by 60 adults, including parents, teachers, school administrators and volunteers, traveled to Santa Fe during the session to work the bill through the legislature.
The governor has promised to sign the legislation into law, Byers said.
Contact: Laurie Mellas, (505) 277-5915; e-mail: lmellas@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at February 14, 2006 04:47 PM