MEXICAN WOLF

Byron Delk, President
Mesilla Valley Sportsman’s Alliance
5493 Verbenia
Las Cruces, NM 88007

Governor Bill Richardson
Office of the Governor
Old Santa Fe Trail Room 400
Santa Fe, NM 87501


Dear Governor Richardson,

My name is Byron Delk. My family ranches in Grant County as well as farms several thousand acres up and down the Mesilla Valley. We also have private property in the Elk Springs area of the Gila National Forest.

I am the President of the Mesilla Valley Sportsman’s Alliance, a group of hunting enthusiasts from the Mesilla Valley in Southern New Mexico. Our membership includes people from all walks of life. Many of our members come from reputation farming families in the Mesilla Valley as well as reputation ranching families in all of New Mexico, and many members are just one generation removed from these lifestyles.

We appreciate your help with the water issues the farmers in the Mesilla Valley are facing. We also recognize your contributions to the ranching industry in New Mexico, specifically this last winter in northeast New Mexico where many head of livestock were rescued and saved due to your actions.

Governor Richardson, now we are in desperate need of your help in the Gila National Forest. We feel the Mexican Gray Wolf Reintroduction Program has been and continues to be very mis-managed. Studies show that many children are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. These kids are witnessing wolf-related encounters that no adult should even have to witness.

Our Elk herd is being decimated at a very high rate in certain units, especially 16C. We know that the wolves are killing a huge number of elk calves today. Ranchers and outfitters are slowly going out if business because of these habituated wolves.

Please, Governor Richardson, we need you to see the truth about the actual impacts these wolves are having on the people who have to live and work in the Gila. We are certain you are only being presented one side of the story.

Please contact Caren Cowan, Executive Director of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association and let her put you in touch with someone who can guide you to the truth.


Thank You,

Byron Delk, President

Mesilla Valley Sportsman's Alliance

cc: Members of the New Mexico State Game Commission
Congressman Steve Pearce
Catron County Commission
Gila Livestock Growers Association
Caren Cowan, Executive Director, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association
Arizona/New Mexico Coalition of Counties
Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, Southwest Regional Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services