NMWF Affiliate of the Quarter
DACAS: Years of progress for southern NM Editor’s note: This is the second in a series shining the spotlight on affiliates of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. Any organization that stands for the same basic principles as NMWF – protecting wildlife, habitat and our outdoor way of life – is eligible to become an affiliate and enjoy a wide variety of benefits. Our most recent affiliates are New Mexico Youth Conservation Foundation and River Source – look for stories on them in future issues of the Outdoor Reporter. For more information on becoming an affiliate, contact us at www.nmwildlife.org. Among the many sportsmen’s organizations that have worked to make New Mexico a better place for hunters, anglers and wildlife, some have come and gone without making much of a splash, while others have had a significant and long-lasting impact. Doña Ana County Associated Sportsmen is one of the latter. Known far and wide as “DACAS,” the group has been one of the key allies and strongest affiliates of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation for nearly 60 years. In this issue of the Outdoor Reporter, we honor DACAS as our Affiliate of the Quarter. The group started in the 1950s as a Las Cruces rod and gun club, but the members’ focus soon shifted toward conservation. Around 1958 it adopted its current name, and in 1974 incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)3. Over the years DACAS has provided thoughtful comment on policies and issues as well as boots on the ground when muscle was needed to build water developments or fence sensitive habitat. As an organization and as individuals, DACAS members have volunteered thousands of hours for everything from hunter education to fence construction. DACAS helped lead the way on habitat protection in New Mexico, organizing and working on projects from the Bootheel and the Gila region to the Sacramento Mountains and Otero Mesa since well before the state Habitat Stamp Program began.
The organization has also mobilized efforts to encourage and increase youth hunting opportunities. DACAS members have helped hundreds of kids learn hunter safety, and contributed financially to shooting ranges in southern New Mexico. Last year, DACAS helped a Las Cruces 4H shooting team attend the national competition in Nebraska. The group has also supported the popular Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program. DACAS has worked closely with state and federal wildlife and land management agencies, and its members hold seats on a number of citizen advisory committees, including the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and the International Boundary and Water Commission. The organization and its members have also been a driving force in public lands protection throughout southern New Mexico. A crowning achievement occurred in 2014 when Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument was designated, capping a 20-year local effort by local sportsmen. DACAS President John Cornell said the organization is also proud of is its support of New Mexico State University students. Since the 1970s, DACAS has been
funding scholarships to students in the Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology Department – more than $100,000 in all to students who have gone on to wildlife management careers in New Mexico and beyond. In recognition of DACAS’ many contributions, the organization this spring was honored by the State Game Commission with the Commissioners’ Wildlife Conservation Partnership Award. DACAS President and NMWF Sportsman Organizer John Cornell said he is proud to lead an organization that has done so much for sportsmen and women over the years. “For decades the sportsmen and women of southwest New Mexico have recognized the importance of working to protect all aspects of our outdoor traditions, and DACAS has been leading the way,” he said. “Working with other groups like the New Mexico Wildlife Federation gives us a statewide platform to affect policy and decisions that mean so much to hunters and anglers, such as public land protection. But we have always believed it is crucial to keep our own backyard in order, and we intend to keep working here locally for decades to come.”
“... We have always believed it is crucial to keep our own backyard in order, and we intend to keep working here locally for decades to come.” – John Cornell, President, DACAS
Chef’s Corner By Lane Warner
Special to New Mexico Wildlife Federation
When you get your turkeys this spring (or fall), don’t make the mistake that many hunters do and leave the good stuff behind. Use it all! The turkey carcass is full of great flavor, so rather than tossing it to the coyotes, make a stock and get all that good flavor for yourself. I try to make it a point to skin all the neck, that neck makes awesome stock along with the heart and gizzards. And of course, those drumsticks and thighs will go right into this great green chile stew. Good luck, amigos! Lane Warner is executive chef at La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, and an avid public lands hunter and angler.
Wild Turkey Green Chile Stew
Yield: one gallon 2 lbs. ground wild turkey (or use diced braised legs and thighs) 1 cup Hatch green chile, small diced 1 cup tomato, small diced 1 lb. red potatoes, small diced ½ cupt onion, small dice 1 tbs. garlic minced Kosher salt and black pepper to taste 3 ounces olive oil ½ gal. chicken or turkey broth (see below) Brown ground turkey in half the olive oil, remove and set aside. Add the remaining olive oil and brown the onion, then add the garlic, tomatoes, potatoes and green chile. Add turkey broth, bring to boil and simmer umtil potatoes are done. Adjust seasoning to taste with kosher salt and black pepper. I serve this in a bowl topped with shredded Chihuahua cheese, a little fresh chopped cilantro and a teaspoon of sour cream, with fresh hot flour tortillas on the side.
Lane Warner with a gobbler he took on opening day in Texas this year. Warner hunts turkeys in several states, including New Mexico, in hopes of filling his freezer with delicious meat for tasty meals all year.
Wild Turkey Stock/Broth Gather all the bones from your wild turkey, wash and chop them up into smaller pieces so they fit in your stock pot. Add enough water to cover, then bring to quick boil. Toss out the water along with all the other impurities. Then top again with cold water, add Follow us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/nmwildlife
1 cup each of rough chopped onions, carrots and celery. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 45 minutes. Strain it, cool it and reserve this wonderful stock for stew.
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