Tucumcari rancher appointed to State Game Commission

A Tucumcari rancher's appointment to the State Game Commission was unanimously confirmed on March 6 by the New Mexico State Senate.

Courtesy photo

Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, left, visits with Scott Bidegain, center, and Senator Pat Woods after Bidegain's confirmation on March 6 in the Senate.

Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview, sponsored Scott Bidegain's appointment to the seven-member commission for a four-year term.

Woods said he truly believes the commission needs people who make their living off the land, who have first hand knowledge about living with and interacting with wildlife.

Woods said Bidegain would bring a unique aspect to the commission and aid them in understanding the overall picture.

Woods told his Senate colleagues that Bidegain is the epitome of a cowboy, who has close encounters with wildlife.

"If you look up the definition of a cowboy you would have a picture of Scott Bidegain. He is a true American icon," Woods said on the Senate floor. "He is also very close to wildlife as evidenced by the brace on his hand from a mountain lion bite that broke his hand."

Bidegain, 33, said he was rescuing his dogs from a cave on his property when he came upon a mountain lion and the animal bit him. He said he would work towards a balanced approach on the State Game Commission.

"Wildlife comes first, no one else will look out for them," Bidegain said.