Section 17-2-19 - Enforcement of game laws; powers of conservation officers. - New Mexico Statutes

17-2-19. Enforcement of game laws; powers of conservation officers.

A.     The director of the department of game and fish, each conservation officer, each sheriff in his respective county and each member of the New Mexico state police shall enforce Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 and shall:   

(1)     seize any game or fish held in violation of that chapter;   

(2)     with or without warrant, arrest any person whom he knows to be guilty of a violation of that chapter; and   

(3)     open, enter and examine all camps, wagons, cars, tents, packs, boxes, barrels and packages where he has reason to believe any game or fish taken or held in violation of that chapter is to be found, and seize it.   

B.     Any warrant for the arrest of a person shall be issued upon sworn complaint, the same as in other criminal cases, and any search warrant shall issue upon a written showing of probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, describing the places to be searched or the persons or things to be seized.   

C.     Conservation officers may, under the direction of the state game commission and the director of the department of game and fish:   

(1)     establish from time to time, as needed for the proper functioning of the game and fish research and management division, checking stations at points along established roads, or roadblocks, for the purpose of detecting and apprehending persons violating the game and fish laws and the regulations referred to in Section 17-2-10 NMSA 1978;   

(2)     under emergency circumstances and while on official duty only enforce the provisions of the Criminal Code [30-1-1 NMSA 1978] and the Motor Vehicle Code [66-1-1 NMSA 1978]; and   

(3)     while on official duty only, enforce the provisions of:   

(a)     Sections 30-14-1 and 30-14-1.1 NMSA 1978 pertaining to criminal trespass;   

(b)     Section 30-7-4 NMSA 1978 pertaining to negligent use of a deadly weapon;   

(c)     Section 30-15-1 NMSA 1978 pertaining to criminal damage to property;   

(d)     Section 30-22-1 NMSA 1978 pertaining to resisting, evading or obstructing an officer; and   

(e)     Section 72-1-8 NMSA 1978 pertaining to camping next to a manmade water hole.