New Mexico must release applicants data
Elk
Contributors to this thread:
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 19, 2020:
Courts Order Department To Release Customer Names, Email, Addresses Today SANTA FE – A First Judicial District Court judge has ordered the New Mexico
Department of Game and Fish to turn over the names and addresses of all successful big-game applicants for the years 2015 through April 23, 2019 to Los Alamos County resident James Whitehead. Additionally, the New Mexico Court of Appeals ordered the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to turn over the email addresses of individuals who applied for state hunting licenses for the years 2015 through 2016 to former Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn. Both decisions conclude that information collected from the public in connection with the administration of its public duties falls within the meaning of public records and are subject to disclosure.
In 2017, Dunn requested the names and email addresses of more than 300,000 applicants for New Mexico hunting licenses. Whitehead requested the detailed draw results, names and addresses of all successful applicants, units applied for and units drawn. The Department provided names to Dunn, but denied the additional requests by both parties.
As a result, both parties filed lawsuits pursuant to the state Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA). “The Department argued against the release, but ultimately lost,” said Director Michael Sloane. “We value the privacy of our customers’ personal information but recognize that is the courts' interpretation of the current IPRA law.”
The Department will release the requested information today and wants to make their customers aware. Individuals who believe they are being harassed by solicitors or similar as a result of this release should call toll-free (844) 255-9210 or file a complaint online at www.nmag.gov/file-a-complaint.aspx. ###
Other than emails that data is available with a public info request from almost every western state. Not sure why they thought they were different.
Just got that email as well. I assume this was driven by an outfitter who wanted access to successful applicants' contact information? Will be interesting to see how much the soliciting calls and emails will increase now...
It comes from lawsuits filed against the NMF&G about tag allocations. Guys think the state is issuing more tags to non residents and outfitters then they are supposed to. Has nothing to do with outfitters wanting contact information. It started last year after the draw when someone figured out numbers didn't add up.
The other private request is from a guy who believes NMGF employees and family have priority in the draw. Which is why he only requested successful applicants.
I'm told "he has hunters best interest in mind", but I don't see our personal info being more accessible as a good thing. Guess we'll see what he finds.
So, what happens when a group of wacko anti-hunters get the list that shows addresses...?
And we didn’t even get Mr. Whiteheads email address in return????
That was my thought as well, HDE. Unnecessary legal battle for years to get everyone's info to probably find out there is no collusion. Then have the info be accessible to anyone.
People have been posting his info up on other sites.
No reason to post a residence. State, sure, maybe. But not a physical address. Because, what this has also done, is exposed the full identification of minors. A huge no-no!
The judge that ruled to release all information should be questioned on their legitimacy of understanding the law and the importance to the right to some, if not most, privacy. A lawsuit is definitely warranted...
This is the Socialist Republic of New Mexico. What do you expect? Our legislature can't do anything that actually helps it's residents. Supposedly the law in question allows for this information to be available. Our entire judiciary is filled with political activists, so it's hard to tell if this is actually the law or one judges abuse of it.
Until it affects the far left in a negative way, nothing will be done.
This is a symptom of decades of single party rule. If we didn't have a Republican Governor now and then, we would be a total shit hole.
HDE I would bet with just what little I know about you from this website I could find your likely address.
Don't really know why the draw info is public anyway,a citizen should have the right whether they want any info released.You do with almost any other company.USO started it all and then threatened to sue Kansas and then went back to NM and threatened to sue them.Maybe Kansas should be able to give NM residents that apply a 4 % chance of getting a tag but we know they wouldn't do that.
LINK, I know you can. But you would have to make the effort. This ruling has made it easy.
I'd hate to think what a sexual predator could do with this information. Some things just aren't any of the public's business. Also, the common crook now knows a really good timeframe for you to be gone...
I imagine a sexual predator would have no use for this info. Or are sexual predators mostly interested in old giys with guns?
Seriously, every state I knew of considered this public information. I don't understand he uproar.
Hunters are killing a public resource, should be transparency.
Maybe I'm missing something but I don't know any other state that releases the personal info of applicants. Several state's app process asks you to check a box if you would like to choose to specifically authorize them to release your contact information. That
should be the way it is done in NM too. Hard to imagine that this ruling would withstand a higher court challenge.
I can get draw history and mailing address in OR for about $25, it costs me zero to get a draw database for WY. I haven’t done AZ but there are reports generally used by outfitters there as well. Usually the address is only used by those trying to sell you something.
Although I don't agree with it, I think some are making a big to do over nothing. I was talking with a friend of mine, and he tells me that the DMV is guilty of selling all kinds of personal information. I'd be more concerned about Facebook...........
Typically states can charge a reasonable administrative fee to release such info. I would think $10 a person would be reasonable. If hes got the $3 million bucks let him have the names and emails!