ELK – PRIVATE LANDS USE SYSTEM (E-PLUS)

ELK – PRIVATE LANDS USE SYSTEM (E-PLUS)
2015-16 Initial E-PLUS Application
The objective of E-PLUS is to establish an equitable and flexible system that recognizes the contributions of private lands and
landowners to the management of elk and their habitats, while providing for economic benefit and appropriate, biologically sound, and
effective harvest through sport hunting.
To be eligible, properties must contain various elk habitat components that are known to be beneficial to elk, and exhibit physical
evidence that elk are present at least occasionally. For further details, please refer to 19.30.5 NMAC Private Land Elk License
Allocation rule on our website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us
Deadline for Submittal of Application Packet:
 For properties located inside the COER* boundaries:
No later than February 1, 2015
 For properties located outside the COER* boundaries:
No deadline. Ranch-Only allocations and bag limits for Outside the COER properties are based upon elk
management needs of the property as agreed upon by the landowner and the Area Game Manager.
*Core Occupied Elk Range (COER) boundary maps can be found on our website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us on the Hunting Page,
under Maps. If you are unsure if your property falls inside or outside the COER boundaries, please submit your application and the
Department will determine the status.
NEW – If property has never been signed up for E-PLUS, check this box.
See page 2 for the list of required ownership documentation to include in this application packet.
CHANGE / UPDATE TO EXISTING ELK RANCH
Game Mgt Unit: ________ Elk Ranch # ______________
If this is a change or update for a currently participating property, indicate the GMU and Elk Ranch Number if known.
Property is under New Ownership: Name of Previous Owner(s): __________________________________________________________
See page 2 for the list of required ownership documentation to include in this application packet.
Other – please explain: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Authorized Ranch Contact Information:
Ranch Name: _________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
Mailing Address
Ranch Phone
Name
Date of Birth
________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
City
Home Phone
State
Zip Code
Phone Number to be published on Elk
Landowner List: ____________________________
(for hunters to call regarding elk authorizations)
Number of private land acres to be evaluated
for E-PLUS eligibility:
E-mail address: ____________________________
___________________________________
Exact # of acres listed on tax valuation notice
-- do not round off or estimate --
Initial E-PLUS Application & Agreement
Revised Aug 22, 2014
Page 1 of 6
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
The following documentation and proof of ownership is required. Copies must be included in this application
packet. Incomplete applications submitted without the following required documents will be rejected.
1. Initial E-PLUS Application and Agreement
2. Copy of current Recorded Deed(s)
3. Legal description of property and acreage amount
 Include copy of the most recent tax valuation statement received from the County Assessor’s Office if
legal description and acreage is not indicated on the deed.
4. Ranch Location and Boundary Map
 Copy of a map with the deeded and private leased property boundaries outlined, and with township, range
and section indicated. Suggested maps include 1:100,000 scale BLM land status map (easily obtained
from BLM offices) or a USGS map.
 Maps need to indicate nearby towns, landmarks, roads, etc. so property can be easily located. Updated
maps are required whenever the acreage for this enrollment changes (additions or reductions). We
suggest you keep the original map and submit a copy on which you’ve highlighted the new ranch
boundaries.
 If acreage is too small to show realistic ranch boundaries on the location map, also include a map showing
specific property boundaries, such as a survey or plat map.
 Public leased lands are not eligible for enrollment in E-PLUS – do not include them in the acreage or the
map.
5. Written directions to the property
6. Assignment of Authorized Ranch Contact – signature must be notarized
 Page 6 of this Initial Application and Agreement.
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All owners listed on the deed(s) of the properties involved in this enrollment must agree to participate in the E-PLUS
program and appoint a single Authorized Ranch Contact. All owners must complete an Assignment of Authorized
Ranch Contact form as part of the application packet.
Make copies of the Assignment Form for each owner as needed.
If the property is owned by an LLC, corporation, trust, etc., the designated spokesperson serves as the landowner.
Also include official documentation indicating the designated spokesperson.
MAIL APPLICATION PACKET TO:
E-PLUS Coordinator
NM Dept of Game and Fish – WMD
Post Office Box 25112
Santa Fe NM 87504
STREET ADDRESS FOR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:
E-PLUS Coordinator
NM Dept of Game and Fish – WMD
One Wildlife Way
Santa Fe NM 87507
FOR DEPARTMENT USE ONLY:
Date received:
Application Packet complete
Application Packet rejected: postmarked after deadline
Application Packet rejected: incomplete
Documentation Missing:
_________________________________________________________
Initial E-PLUS Application & Agreement
Revised Aug 22, 2014
Page 2 of 6
ELK – PRIVATE LANDS USE SYSTEM (E-PLUS)
2015-16 Initial E-PLUS Agreement
This agreement will not become valid until the property has been evaluated and determined to meet the
minimum requirements for participation in E-PLUS. Notice will be sent to properties that do not meet the
criteria for participation after ranch evaluations are completed.
PLEASE FILL IN ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION
Authorized
Ranch Contact: _____________________________________
Unit/Ranch No:
Initial Signup
Address: ___________________________________________________
Ranch Name:
_______________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Acreage to be Evaluated for Eligibility: _____________________
Select ONE ranch option:
NOTE: In GMUs 4 and 5A or outside COER properties, the RANCH-ONLY option must be chosen because there is no unit-wide option
available in these areas for private land E-PLUS hunting.
RANCH-ONLY OPTION: If the ranch-only option is selected, elk licenses obtained with landowner authorizations will ONLY be valid for
hunting on the deeded property within the ranch boundaries and includes access permission for the property’s properly-licensed hunters and their
companions to scout the ranch up to 2 days prior to start of the hunt.
I understand and agree to the above obligations concerning the RANCH-ONLY option:
Initial here for Ranch-Only Option:
Landowner _______
Ranch Contact _______
Signatures required on page 5
FOR SMALL CONTRIBUTING RANCHES (SCRs) ONLY: If the property is determined to be a Small Contributing Ranch, the successfully drawn
authorization will be issued as “Ranch-Only” if this option is chosen. If successful in the Quadrant or Statewide drawing, the property will remain
designated as Ranch-Only on published landowner lists, but the authorization will be issued as Unit-Wide in the appropriate GMU.
UNIT-WIDE OPTION: If the unit-wide option is selected, elk licenses obtained with landowner authorizations will be valid for use on all unitwide ranches and legally-accessible public lands where hunting is allowed throughout the unit during corresponding public hunt periods with their
sporting arms and bag-limit restrictions. By selecting the unit-wide ranch option, I shall grant free, unrestricted and equal access to the entire ranch,
during each public hunt period, including vehicular access subject to 19.31.10.13(G) NMAC, but excluding camping, for the sole purpose of hunting
elk, to any legally-licensed person holding a valid unit-wide permit and their companions. I understand that my signature on this elk agreement
constitutes permission for these persons to enter the ranch for elk hunting purposes and access permission includes permission for properly-licensed
hunters and their companions to scout the ranch up to 2 days prior to start of their hunt.
This option is NOT AVAILABLE for properties in GMUs 4 & 5A or outside COER properties.
I understand and agree to the above obligations concerning the UNIT-WIDE option:
Initial here for Unit-Wide Option:
Landowner _______
Ranch Contact _______
Signatures required on page 5
FOR SMALL CONTRIBUTING RANCHES (SCRs) ONLY: If the property is determined to be a Small Contributing Ranch, the successfully drawn
GMU authorization will be issued as “Unit-Wide” if this option is chosen.
Initial E-PLUS Application & Agreement
Revised Aug 22, 2014
Page 3 of 6
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into by and between the NM Department of Game and Fish, hereinafter referred to as the “Department”, and
the landowner(s) of this property and assigned ranch contact, hereinafter referred to as “authorized ranch contact”, pursuant to 19.30.5 NMAC, Private
Land Elk License Allocation. This agreement shall be effective for the 2015-16 hunting season and expire on March 31, 2016. The Department
reserves the right to amend this agreement as deemed necessary.
WHEREAS it is the objective of the Elk - Private Lands Use System (E-PLUS) to establish an equitable and flexible system that recognizes the contributions of private lands and landowners to the management of elk and their habitats, while providing for economic benefit and an appropriate,
biologically sound, and effective harvest through sport hunting for private lands within core occupied elk range (COER) that provide meaningful benefit
to elk, on at least an occasional basis; the PARTIES HEREBY AGREE that the ranch currently meets or exceeds the minimum participation requirements as listed under 19.30.5.8(A) and that an allocation will be determined pursuant to 19.30.5.9, 19.30.5.10, 19.30.5.11 or 19.30.5.12, as applicable.
1.
APPEALS: Initial signups are not eligible to appeal COER acreage or the Elk Contribution Rating until the following season. For further
information, please refer to the Elk License Allocation rule 19.30.5.13 NMAC.
2.
Pursuant to 19.30.5.8(B)(2)(d) NMAC, any landowner and Authorized Ranch Contact who misrepresents or permits the false representation of the
property’s deeded acreage or breaches or violates the conditions of any E-PLUS agreement shall be suspended from participation in E-PLUS, APLUS and any other private land program for a period of up to 3 years.
3.
An enrollment for which the landowner or Authorized Ranch Contact’s ownership or legal representation is unclear or disputed by another person
shall be placed on review until such time as rightful ownership or legal representation is determined to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Department.
4.
Unit-Wide Authorizations: Private-land authorizations pursuant to 19.30.5.9 will be issued as unit-wide, unless the ranch-only option is chosen
on the agreement. Ranch-Only Authorizations: All authorizations valid for hunting in Private Land Only Units 4, 5A, (pursuant to 19.30.5.10),
Outside the COER properties (pursuant to 19.30.5.11), and Special Management Properties with Department-approved elk conservation plans
(pursuant to 19.30.5.12) will be issued as ranch-only.
5.
Authorizations converted to licenses in GMUs 4, 5A, 46, 54, 55A, 56, 57, and 58 shall be valid only on the deeded property for which the
authorization was issued or other private land in the GMU if the license holder has written permission from the landowner, or person in control of
the land to hunt the private property, EXCEPT ranch-only authorizations issued pursuant to 19.30.5.12 (Special Management Properties).
6.
A license will be issued to individuals who properly convert an authorization online through their customer account. Authorizations also may be
converted into a license in the Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Raton or Roswell NMDGF offices during normal business hours. Appropriate
license and stamp fees are listed on the website and in the current Big Game Rules & Information Booklet. The hunter must have fulfilled any
harvest reporting requirements from the previous year and not otherwise be ineligible to purchase a hunting license.
7.
By signing this E-PLUS Agreement, the landowner and authorized ranch contact certify that they will not discriminate against those with whom
they negotiate use of the private land authorization on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or sexual orientation.
8.
All Elk Agreements become public knowledge. Name, address and phone number of the authorized ranch contact will be made available to the
public, as well as information on licensee purchasing the license.
9.
Parties recognize that access to the property by Department personnel is necessary to collect biological data, conduct aerial surveys, and enforce
laws and regulations. Therefore, the authorized ranch contact agrees to provide reasonable access by providing keys and/or combinations, if
necessary, to locked gates for Department personnel for the above-mentioned purposes. For more information, call your district officer.
10. The authorized ranch contact is hereby advised that the following regulation applies to all elk hunters and to landowners, managers, lessees or
holders of public licenses:
Title 19, Chapter 31, Part 10, Section 13(G) Vehicle off Established Road: During the seasons established for any protected species, it shall be
unlawful to drive or ride in a motor vehicle which is driven off an established road when the vehicle bears a licensed hunter, fisherman or trapper.
Exceptions: 1) Snowmobilers; 2) To retrieve lawfully taken game not in an area closed to vehicular traffic; 3) All landowners, lessees or their
employees, while on their owned or leased lands in connection with legitimate agricultural activities.
Initial E-PLUS Application & Agreement
Revised Aug 22, 2014
Page 4 of 6
In addition, I hereby understand and agree to the following:
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This Agreement will not become valid until the property has been evaluated by the Department and determined to meet the
minimum requirements for participation in E-PLUS;
I have read the 2015-16 Landowner Agreement for Elk, understand that participation is voluntary, and by signing I agree to abide by
its terms and conditions regarding my responsibilities and obligations for participating;
I am the legal owner, vendee under a real estate contract or have been assigned by the legal owner(s) to act as the authorized
ranch contact to handle this properties enrollment and attest that the ranch information provided on the Initial Elk Application is true
and correct;
I understand that this Initial Application for inside COER properties must be hand-delivered or postmarked by February 1, 2015 in
order to allow for timely and fair evaluation of the property and allow for allocation of available authorizations to participating
properties and that if late, this application will be rejected;
The authorizations will be issued pursuant to the ranch option I have chosen (ranch-only or unit-wide) and the ranch option cannot
be changed for this hunting season once the agreement has been submitted to the Department;
I understand that if I add or reduce the acreage for this enrollment in future years, it will be re-evaluated to see if it meets the
minimum participation requirements for E-PLUS under 19.30.5.8;
I understand that as an Initial Enrollment I am not eligible to appeal COER acreage or the Elk Contribution Rating until the following
season and that I will be responsible for providing documentation to substantiate the appeal;
If the Department determines that this property does not meet the minimum requirements for participation, I have the right to appeal
by providing the Department with proof of eligibility;
I understand that I am obligated to provide proof of continued ownership/legal representation on a periodic basis as required by the
Department and that failure to respond by the required deadline will result in this property being placed on review until the required
documents have been provided; after six months of failure to comply with a Required Update, I understand this property will be
automatically inactivated;
By participating in E-PLUS I am willing to accept elk on the property, and if I accept interventions to reduce or eliminate the
presence of elk on the property in accordance with 19.30.2 NMAC or take action pursuant to 17-2-7.2 NMSA 1978, I understand
this property will no longer be eligible for participation in E-PLUS and all unconverted authorizations will be voided.
X _____________________________________________
Signature of Landowner (required)
Date: ___________________________
X _____________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Ranch Contact (required)
Date: ___________________________
Inside the COER application packets postmarked or hand-delivered after February 1, 2015, or packets missing required documentation
will be rejected. The Department cannot be responsible for postal service delivery delays or lost mail, so please allow sufficient time for
mail service.
Once this initial application/agreement has been received in the Santa Fe office, no changes will be made to the unit-wide or ranch-only
option chosen for this hunting season. Ranch options can be changed on a yearly basis when the annual E-PLUS agreement is mailed
to participating properties in December of each year.
MAIL APPLICATION PACKET TO:
E-PLUS Coordinator
NM Dept of Game and Fish – WMD
Post Office Box 25112
Santa Fe NM 87504
Initial E-PLUS Application & Agreement
STREET ADDRESS FOR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:
E-PLUS Coordinator
NM Dept of Game and Fish – WMD
One Wildlife Way
Santa Fe NM 87507
Revised Aug 22, 2014
Page 5 of 6
ELK – PRIVATE LANDS USE SYSTEM (E-PLUS)
Notarized Assignment of
Authorized Ranch Contact
All owners listed on the deed(s) submitted as part of this enrollment must agree to participate in E-PLUS, appoint a single Authorized
Ranch Contact, and complete this form as part of the application packet. Owner signature must be notarized.
The Authorized Ranch Contact is the landowner or the person assigned in writing by the owner(s) or company officer to act as the
liaison between the ranch and the Department and is legally responsible for reporting ranch changes, signing agreements, handling
appeal matters and receiving landowner authorizations.
Check the appropriate box:
I am the sole owner of this property:
 I have read the Initial E-PLUS Agreement and understand my legal responsibilities and obligations for participation.
 I am assigning the person listed below as the Authorized Ranch Contact.
I am one of the owners of acreage being included in this E-PLUS enrollment:
 I agree to this enrollment
 I have read the Initial E-PLUS Agreement and understand my legal responsibilities and obligations for participation.
 I am assigning the person listed below as the Authorized Ranch Contact.
The property is owned by a company or corporation:
 As company official or officer, I agree to this enrollment
 I have read the Initial E-PLUS Agreement and understand my legal responsibilities and obligations for participation.
 I am assigning the person listed below as the Authorized Ranch Contact.
The Authorized Ranch Contact for this signup will be:
______________________________________________________
Please print
_______________________________________________
__________________________________
_______________________
Mailing Address, City, State and Zip Code of authorized ranch contact
Phone Number of authorized ranch contact
E-mail address
As an owner listed on the enclosed deed(s), I certify that the ranch information I have provided for this application is true and correct. I further
understand that:
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Pursuant to 19.30.5.8(B)(2)(d) NMAC, any landowner and Authorized Ranch Contact who misrepresents or permits the false representation of the
property’s deeded acreage or breaches or violates the conditions of any E-PLUS agreement shall be suspended from participation in E-PLUS, APLUS and any other private land program for a period of up to 3 years.
An enrollment for which the landowner or Authorized Ranch Contact’s ownership or legal representation is unclear or disputed by another person
shall be placed on review until such time as rightful ownership or legal representation is determined to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Department.
X______________________________ Date: __________
Signature of Owner
Printed Name: ________________________________________
STATE OF __________________________
COUNTY OF ________________________
Subscribed and sworn to before me in my presence,
this _______ day of _________________, 20____.
_______________________________________________
Signature
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ________
Initial E-PLUS Application & Agreement
Revised Aug 22, 2014
Page 6 of 6

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