In an effort to reach its congressionally mandated self-sufficiency of the Valles Caldera Preserve in New Mexico by 2015, managers of the preserve are considering a substantial increase in access fees for about 25 percent of elk tags, according to the Wildlife Management Institute. Currently, bull elk permits are $25 and cow tags are $15. Under the proposal being discussed with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, access fees could jump to $5,000 to $7,000.

The natural resource coordinator for the Preserve, Marie Rodriguez, says that only a small percentage of the permits would be available for the "deluxe" hunts. Hunters could apply for either the regular-priced hunt or the more expensive hunt packages, which would include meals and lodging. But local conservation organizations are concerned that the proposal would restrict access only to wealthy people and set a precedent for hunting on public lands in other areas.

When the Valles Caldera Preserve was created in 2000, New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici included a provision requiring that the property be financially self-sufficient within 15 years. Current operating expenses average $3.5 million per year and income from access fees ranges from $600,000 to $750,000; fees from the preserve's hunting program contribute about half of that income. (jas)