NEW MEXICANS WHO SERVED IN IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN ELIGIBLE FOR FREE DEER LICENSE
SANTA FE – New Mexico members of the U.S. armed forces who were called up for active duty in – New Mexico members of the U.S. armed forces who were called up for active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan are eligible to receive a free general hunting and fi shing license, including a free deer license if they are successful in the drawings for public hunts or if they prefer to hunt on private land in 2005. About 87 men and women have received the free licenses since the New Mexico Legislature approved them in 2003. The one-time free licenses are available upon the armed services member’s return from active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. The offer includes all active duty military personnel, including members of the National Guard and Reserve. Returning military who wish to hunt deer on New Mexico’s public lands in 2005 will receive a free license if they are successful in the public drawing system started this year by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Those with permission to hunt on private land also will receive a free license, said Luke Shelby, the Department’s assistant director for resources programs and area operations. “And of course, these men and women of our military can still receive a free license even if they don’t hunt deer,” Shelby said. “The general license is also valid for small game hunting and fi shing.” The free licenses are available only through Department offi ces in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Roswell, Las Cruces and Raton. For more information, call (505) 476-8096. Bell.
