In a twist that few expected during the height of hunting season , outdoor enthusiasts in southern New Mexico are facing an unfamiliar obstacle— military occupation of public lands. As the U.S. Department of Defense expands its control over swaths of rugged terrain along the U.S.-Mexico border , longtime hunters like Ray Trejo are asking: “Will I get shot just for carrying a rifle?” This new reality, brought on by an emergency declaration and military land transfer, is sending shockwaves through communities that rely on public land access , not just for sport, but for tradition, sustenance, and identity. 🛡️ From Wildlife to Warzone: A Sudden Shift in Land Management When President Trump declared a national emergency citing an “invasion” of migrants, it wasn’t just a rhetorical shift—it triggered an unprecedented handover of over 100,000 acres from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Defense. The National Defense Area (NDA) created is seven times the size of M...