Susana Martinez has become the second New Mexico governor in a row to exploit the state's most famous gunslinger, William Bonney, aka Henry Antrim, aka Henry McCarty, aka Billy the Kid.

On behalf of the state Tourism Department, Martinez is touting a new contest, one that will feature a $10,000 prize for the winner.

"Others may have considered pardoning Billy the Kid," Martinez said, referring to her predecessor, Bill Richardson, who got the state — and himself — untold reams of publicity with his dalliance with the idea of a Bill the Kid pardon.

Richardson — in the first year of his first term, then later in the final months of his last term — masterfully milked the idea of a Billy pardon. On his very last day in office, Richardson announced on ABC's Good Morning America that there would be no pardon for the Kid.

"But, we're not letting (Billy the Kid) off the hook," Martinez said in a news release. "This effort should provide New Mexicans and others with not only a chance to interact with one of our state's most infamous historical characters, but a wonderful opportunity to enjoy all of the diverse and exciting wonders that exist in every corner of New Mexico."

The Tourism Department has created a website where those wanting to compete can create a profile. There will be locations around the state that will have clues that lead to Billy's New Mexico "hideout." (Most historians believe he's been "hiding out" in a grave at Fort Sumner for the past 131 years.)

"The more clues that are collected, the more information will become available as to where, when, and how the Kid can be captured," Martinez's news release says. "People can download the 'Catch the Kid' smart phone application to play along, or they can play by taking pictures next to clue posters in each location throughout the state and uploading them to their profile page."

The first to present Billy the Kid with an arrest warrant will win the $10,000.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com Read his political blog at roundhouseroundup.com.

On the Web: www.CatchTheKid.com