Concerns about crowding and overallocation of authorized use for hunting guides
Silver City, NM, Aug. 20, 2025—Gila National Forest is issuing a moratorium on new Special Use Permits for guided hunting, for an indefinite period. Altogether, the Gila National Forest oversees 120 Special Use Permits for hunting, backpacking, environmental education, horse/trail rides, jeep tours, packing services, and rafting/kayaking. Of those 120 permits, 103 are for hunting outfitter guides.
Permitted outfitters and private hunters have reported crowding conflicts with guided hunts, impacting hunting clients' and other forest visitors' experiences. This moratorium on new permits is expected to promote safe, high-quality recreational experiences for all users, as well as viable business opportunities for permitted commercial hunting guides.
The forest has an obligation to actively monitor the Special Use Permits it authorizes. The number of permits issued and the amount of use authorized under each permit currently exceed the forest's capacity to effectively monitor the permit activities.
The forest is not proposing to eliminate or close out any existing hunting permits but will reduce the level of use over time through attrition as permits are relinquished or expired with no application for renewal. Once the targeted use level is achieved, the forest will announce an open application period. If unable to meet the targeted use level through attrition within 5 years, the forest may consider other methods to reduce authorized use.
