According to the officials, drug violence in Mexico is hampering efforts to attract U. S. hunters to Mexico and crippling local economies that depend on that form of tourism.

The Arizona Republic reported on Monday that Mexico's generous bag limits and extended hunting seasons have long attracted U. S. hunters but travel warnings and reports of drug-related shootings and massacres have reduced business as much as 80 percent during the 2009-2010 season.

The newspaper said that Hunters usually pay $2,000 to $5,000 for a three-day hunting trip, so the loss of income is hitting local hunting business hard.

Javier Plata, an outfitter and vice president of Mexico's En La Mira Hunters and Shooters Association, said, "It's been terrible. It's really fears about the drug violence, not the economy. These hunters are wealthy people, and they can afford the trip."

The Republic further said that hunting is particularly hard hit since 97 percent of the country's hunting preserves are in northern states with the most intense drug violence though overall tourism in Mexico was down in 2009 compared to 2008.

Tom Brown, who does booking for Ojo Caliente Outfitters in Chihuahua state, said, "People see that stuff, and they're just not going to go. We're way off (in bookings), and it's getting worse." (With inputs from Agencies)