Hunting Policies and Procedures

ECH Corporation

P. O. Box 675

Las Vegas, NM 87701

The following Hunting Policies and Procedures established by ECH Corporation are current pursuant to the Directors and Shareholders Meetings held at the Harvey Ranch on 5/31/08 and updated on 3/22/10, 6/21/17, 9/7/18 & 10/14/19:

Hunting Policy: hunting is a welcomed activity on ECH’s property, provided hunters have been specifically granted permission to hunt; hunting and weapons’ use are conducted in a safe manner with hunters specifically waiving any and all liability of ECH, its Shareholders, Directors and Officers; and all rules and procedures established by ECH, as well as the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, are observed and followed.

Hunting registration: the Harvey and El Cielo ranches, totaling 733 taxable acres, are located within New Mexico’s “Unit 45”.  Commonly known as the “Harvey Ranch”, the property is registered in the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (hereafter NMDGF) program called “Elk – Private Lands Use System”; its designated Unit/Ranch number is 45-21349, and its Ranch Name is “Harvey (45)”.  For any given hunting season, hunters using Authorization Certificates issued to Harvey (45) by NMDGF, enabling procurement of elk licenses through the Private Lands System must observe “ranch only” hunting and may not use the licenses to hunt on public land.  Tom Ashworth is the registered representative & ECH Hunting Representative to contact for permission to use one or more of the Ranch’s Authorization Certificates to obtain an elk license.  

Elk tag allocation: Currently, the Harvey (45) has a total of 4 elk tags; two (2) “mature bull”, (1) “cow tag”, and (1) “archery tag” Authorization Certificates that it may issue to hunters wishing to apply to NMDGF for an elk license.  

Distribution of these tags will be decided by a lottery system.  Shareholders and interested third parties must submit their name to ECH’s designated hunting representative no later than June 1st of the desired year to be eligible for consideration.  There shall be two separate drawings: the first being for ECH shareholders, and the second for non-ECH shareholders.   Thus, ECH shareholders will be given the first option on the tags.  In the instance there are more shareholders in the lottery than tags, alternates will be designated. The second drawing for non-ECH shareholders will take place to set up alternates or in the instance there are more tags available than there are interested shareholders.  The winner of the shareholder drawing will have the option to purchase up to two tags, if applicable.  The second tag may be purchased for an approved guest/shareholder who will accompany the winning tag holder on the ranch.  The runner(s) up will also have the option of buying up to two tags if they are available after the lottery winner has designated their intent.  If after all interested shareholder interest in available tags is fulfilled, there are still tags available; a second drawing will be conducted for non-ECH shareholders to identify tag allocation.   The ECH Hunting Representative will conduct the lottery on or before July 1st.  Notification of the results will be submitted to all ECH shareholders & outside parties directly involved with the drawing, no later than July 1st of the results of the draw.  All notifications will be in writing (i.e. email).  

Each hunter that is granted a tag by Harvey (45) must declare a “five day hunt” in accordance with the NMDGF guidelines and notify the ECH Hunting Representative of these dates, in writing.   Use of these private tags may be different than the public dates identified in the NMDGF regulations.  Hunters holding licenses for hunting elk on public land may not hunt on Harvey (45) unless they receive specific written permission, in the form of a “Hunting Permit” authorized by ECH Hunting Representative.  

Use and Cost of Elk GUN tags: Harvey (45)’s elk Certificates will be granted on a lottery basis, as identified above.   The price for each Elk tag will be; 

ECH Shareholders Cow or Bull Tag = $400

Non-ECH Shareholders Cow Tag = $600*

Non-ECH Shareholders Bull Tag = $1,200*

Use and Cost of Elk ARCHERY tags: Harvey (45)’s elk Certificates will be granted on a lottery basis, as identified above.   The price for each Elk tag will be; 

ECH Shareholders Archery Tag (Either Sex) = $400

Non-ECH Shareholders Archery Tag (Either Sex) = $600*

Payment for Elk tags: All money shall be paid in full by July 31st of that year.  If payment is not received by July 31st, lottery winner(s) forfeit their right to the tags and the alternates designated at the time of the drawing will have the option to purchase the tags.  After July 31st, money is nonrefundable.  If designated winner(s) renege or advise they will not be using the tags, ECH reserves the right to pursue other parties as well as keep all monies paid.  ECH tags may not be sold on the public market by lottery winners.

Other Game hunting: NMDGF does not issue Authorization Certificates for other game (i.e. Deer) to private land owners.  Any hunters licensed for deer or other game hunting and holding a Hunting Permit issued by Harvey (45) may hunt on both Harvey (45) property and public property during the posted seasons, as identified in the NMDGF guidelines for the current year.  Hunters holding public game licenses may not hunt on Harvey (45) property unless they have been issued a Hunting Permit by Harvey (45).  The “other game fee” for non-shareholders to hunt on ECH property is $200 for big game classification and $50 for small game classification.   These definitions of large and small game will follow the New Mexico Department of Fish and Game definitions.

Priority of Hunting Privileges:   Due to the investment that is required for Elk hunting and the required lottery distribution method for those authorized certificates, the Elk hunters will be given priority in selecting their hunting dates.   These dates must be selected no later than July 31st and communicated in writing to the ECH Hunting Representative.  After which time, person(s) that wish to hunt Deer or any other game in the current year would be able to identify the dates they wish to use the Ranch.   Dates that are selected for deer hunting would need to be communicated in writing to the ECH Hunting Representative no later than August 31st.

In the event that ECH Shareholders elect to participate in any of the “over the counter” draws that are administered by the NMDGF and they obtain tags for Elk, Deer or any other species for any hunting season (year round), it will be the Shareholders responsibility to contact the ECH Hunting Representative to request & reserve time to hunt on the Ranch.   

Cabin use and/or camping: Separate and apart from hunting privileges, shareholders may request time in the cabin during hunting season at the price of $75 per night.  Camping privileges may be requested at $25 per night.  At this time we do not have plans to issue cabin privileges to third parties, but camping privileges may be obtained.  

Escort Requirement: Shareholders who do not meet the criteria for cabin usage as set forth by the ECH Cabin Usage rules, may be required to acquire an “escort” who is approved by ECH’s Board of Directors.  An escort will be required for ECH Shareholders that have not visited the ranch in the previous three (3) calendar years.   An escort is defined as the ECH Board of Directors and the reimbursement or fee for this person to be at the ranch will be established on a per site visit basis.   The escort’s primary function will be to open up the cabin for use, instruct person(s) using the cabin systems, ensure the person(s) using the ranch are aware of the property boundaries, closing up the cabin at the end of the usage period and be available if a medical emergency arises to assist in expediting transportation to a medical facility in Las Vegas, NM.   The escort fee will depend primarily on the length of stay identified in the Ranch Use Permit and will be determined by the ECH Board of Directors. 

NM Hunting License: in addition to paying Harvey (45) for its private elk Certificates and cabin/camping access, approved hunters must hold a valid New Mexico hunting license for the current hunting season.  There is a significant difference in cost for a license between “in-state” and “out-of-state” licenses.  Reference the New Mexico Big Game & Furbearer Rules & Information for the current year --- this can be obtained at the Department’s main or area offices or at its web site (www.wildlife.state.nm.us).

Changes to this Policy:  ECH Board of Directors reserves the write to review and revise this policy at any time.   It is anticipated it will be reviewed at a maximum of once annually and any changes made to the policy will be communicated to all ECH Shareholders promptly, after any modifications are made.

Anyone needing more information should contact the following:

ECH President

Jim Ashworth

Phone: 217-556-1551

Email: jimashworth@cnbil.com

ECH Hunting Representative

Tom Ashworth 

Phone: 303-957-8047

Email: ashworth51@hotmail.com

* = Reference section “Escort Requirement” contained in this document