Dunn: Land closure swaps with private ranches offers access to key acreage for sportsmen

Five southeastern New Mexico landowners have signed agreements with the State Land Office and the Department of Game and Fish to open 11,030 acres of private property to sportsmen in exchange for the closure of 12,904 acres of state trust lands to hunters and anglers. The agreements increase access for sportsmen to public lands normally blocked by private land and help reduce the potential for trespass by sportsmen, State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn said. The closing of trust lands as part of the deal will help the private property owners better manage habitat and game, according to Dunn. The agreements, called unitizations, are good until March 31, 2016. The G.G. Armstrong and Son ranch near Roswell will open 1,880 acres, giving sportsmen access along N.M. 246 to the Capitan Mountains. In exchange, 1,880 acres of trust lands north of the Capitan Mountains will be closed to hunting and fishing. The Stephenson Ranch will open 4,000 acres of the I Bar X ranch during deer season in exchange for the closure of 3,240 acres of state trust land near Carrizozo. The agreement will not be in effect during the regularly scheduled elk season. The ranch will provide access to the Water Canyon Campground during the deer hunts. The L-Bar and Pintosa ranch will open 3,620 acres of private land off U.S. 54 near Corona in exchange for the closure of 3,200 acres of state trust lands. Brent Ward will open 960 acres of the Bettis Stoval ranch in exchange for the closure of 2,200 acres of state trust land off N.M. 219 near Santa Rosa. The Pajarito Ranch will open 570 acres in exchange for the State Land Office closing 304 acres off U.S. 70 near Ruidoso...more