Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Wildlife and Fisheries Enterprises

Plan Goal

Provide ranchers, farmers, and the ecotourism industry with the information needed to utilize wildlife and fisheries resources as a means for primary or supplemental income in New Mexico.

Situation Statement

Utilizing wildlife and fisheries resources as a means for primary or supplemental income is a growing activity for landowners in the United States. New Mexico has not yet experienced the full economic potential of activities such as fee hunting, fee fishing, aquaculture or ecotourism. Knowledge of wildlife/fisheries management principles and techniques are needed to successfully manage these types of enterprises. Charging a fee to hunt or fish on private land is a viable method of increasing income on farms, ranches and nonagricultural lands. Fee hunting and fee fishing has succeeded in neighboring states and many New Mexico farms and ranches are attempting to add these enterprises to their agricultural operations. Little information is available to guide them in their endeavors. Information dealing with issues such as legal constraints, marketing schemes, contracts as well as other enterprise development considerations are necessary for these endeavors to be successful. Extension information is available to New Mexicans interested in creating or enhancing a fee hunting, fee fishing, ecotourism or aquaculture operation. Educational programs have provided assistance to individuals implementing or enhancing a fishery or wildlife enterprise.

Target Audience and Actions

The target audience is composed of ranchers, farmers, and the ecotourism industry. Information will be distributed through extension publications, published scientific studies, workshops, presentations and individual verbal communication with anyone interested in creating or enhancing a wildlife or fishery enterprise. Assistance will be provided through individual verbal communication and/or site inspection of the area being considered for management. Additionally, management recommendations will be incorporated into Extension publications, event proceedings, and popular press.

Short-Term Objectives

• At least 50 landowners will gain knowledge about development and management of wildlife and fisheries enterprises.
• Twenty of these landowners will adopt management practices learned to develop or expand their wildlife enterprises over the next five years as a means of supplemental income.

Medium-Term Objectives

• Improve decision-making skills of 50 livestock producers and county Extension agents through educational programs and seminars such that they are more confident in using wildlife and fisheries resources as a means for primary or supplemental income.

Long-Term Objectives

• Improve profitability of agricultural operations by utilizing wildlife and fisheries resources.
• Improve knowledge level of county Extension agents regarding wildlife and fisheries enterprises through in-service trainings.

Evaluation Plan

Evaluation of this program will be accomplished by verbal and written responses from clientele concerning the recommendations made by the Extension Wildlife Office. The number of acres improved in terrestrial and aquatic habitats will also be a good index of the skills learned and the practices adopted. Increases in the level of profit for enterprises as well as a reduction of problems associated with the various wildlife/fishery ventures can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of our program.