New Mexico Attorney General Rules Hunting License Program Unconstitutional
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has declared the state's outfitter set-aside program for hunting licenses unconstitutional, citing a violation of the state's anti-donation clause and creating pressure for legislative changes in how hunting opportunities are allocated.
Albuquerque Santa Fe, NM, October 11, 2026 — The state of New Mexico faces potential changes to its hunting license allocation system following a recent declaration by Attorney General Raúl Torrez. Torrez has ruled that the state’s outfitter set-aside program for hunting licenses is unconstitutional.
The Attorney General’s office cited a violation of New Mexico’s anti-donation clause as the basis for its ruling. This clause generally prohibits the state from making donations or gifts of public resources to private individuals or entities without a clear public purpose or adequate consideration.
The outfitter set-aside program, as described, allowed a portion of hunting licenses to be reserved for outfitters. Details regarding the specific number of licenses affected, the duration of the program, or the specific entities involved were not immediately available. The ruling by Attorney General Torrez places pressure on the state legislature to review and potentially revise the methods by which hunting opportunities are distributed.
The declaration means that the current system, which has been in place to benefit outfitters, may no longer be legally tenable. This situation is expected to prompt legislative discussions and actions aimed at reforming how hunting licenses are managed in New Mexico, ensuring compliance with constitutional requirements.
Story summarized from the original created by Jonathan Fjeld on www.kob.com, see more information here.
