The head of the New Mexico Game and Fish Department and members of the state Game Commission don't like the idea of turning over management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve to the National Park Service.
They met with representatives from U.S. Sen. Tom Udall's office on Friday to discuss pending federal legislation concerning the 89,000-acre preserve in northern New Mexico.
Udall and retired Sen. Jeff Bingaman first proposed the transfer in 2010 in hopes of getting more consistent funding to preserve the area.
The federal government bought the former cattle ranch just west of Los Alamos in 2000. It's a popular spot for hiking and fishing.
State game and fish representatives say the proposed legislation could negatively affect wildlife management and hunting, fishing and trapping on the preserve.
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