Antler Season is almost here and the Department would like to remind everyone that there are laws protecting the wildlife, laws for trespassing, and negligent fire starting through the Mescalero Tribal Code:
15-8-3 Prohibited Activities:
G. It is a violation of the Code for any person to harass, or drive wildlife by means of a motorized vehicle (ATV & UTV) or aircraft (to include use of drones).
Elk and deer are stressed due to the lack of moisture and food and by chasing them with a vehicle or ATV to get them to drop their antlers may cause them to die. Anyone caught harassing wildlife will be prosecuted through the Tribal Court and may lose hunting privileges on the Reservation. Always practice good sportsmanship and fair chase when hunting for Elk and Deer sheds.
Second,
The Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation is protected from Non-members through Civil Citation from unlawful entry on the reservation. Violators will be prosecuted through Mescalero Apache Tribal Court:
15-8-2. CIVIL TRESPASS; DESTRUCTION OF BOUNDARY MARKERS OR SIGNS.
- Whoever, without lawful authority or permission, intentionally goes upon any land that is held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Mescalero Apache Tribe for the purpose of hunting, trapping or fishing thereon, or for the removal of game peltries or fish therefrom, shall pay damages to the Tribe as established by the Tribal Court.
Tribal Members can have the spouse (affiliate) accompany them if they are legally married (must be able to provide a marriage license) while out looking for Elk/Deer sheds.
Tribal Members bringing unauthorized people on the reservation for any reason, can be cited/charged:
10-13-8 Accompanying Unauthorized Persons: Any tribal member not engaged in tribal business, who accompanies, takes, or transports any unauthorized Non-Tribal member to any area within the Mescalero Apache Reservation for the purpose of hunting or fishing shall be deemed guilty of an offense (this includes hunting for elk/deer antlers).
Please be “Fire wise” when out in the field, check with BIA Branch of Forestry regarding current Fire Danger and Red Flag days at 575-464-4419 or with Mescalero Fire Rescue at 575-464-3473 (FIRE).
Pack a shovel and extra water, make sure campfires or woodstove ashes are completely out (cold to the touch). Violators can be charged under Tribal Code:
Any person who willfully or negligently kindles or causes to be kindled, any fire within the Mescalero Apache Reservation, and leaves it un-quenched or who negligently or carelessly without full precaution to prevent fire from spreading, permits it to spread beyond his control so as to present danger to property or life, or is a party to the foregoing, and whether such fire is kindled on his own land or finding any uncontrollable fire burning, fails to give immediate warning and to make reasonable attempts to quench and control it; or who is guilty of disobedience to the lawful Order of any public official or fireman attempting to control such fire, or who interferes with any such officer in any such case, or who refuses to assist in controlling such fire, or who persuades or attempts to persuade others to do any of the foregoing, shall be deemed guilty of an offense, and upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to labor or imprisonment for a period of not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days or a fine not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or both such imprisonment and fine with costs, in extreme or habitual cases.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER!!!
Always plan for the unexpected, let someone know where you plan to be and when you should be home. Pack extra water, extra jackets, pack extra food, take a GPS and a fire starter (Matches, lighter, magnesium striker, portable first aid kit).
If you become lost or night fall comes across you, remember:
STOP!
Stop
Think
Observe
Plan
Please report any violators to the Mescalero Conservation Office at 575-464-9323 or the BIA OJS Law Enforcement Dispatch at 575-464-4479.
Key information when reporting: Location, Vehicle description, license plate, clothing description and time of incident.