Upcoming Events – October 2024

Free Fishing Weekend

Memories made out on the water with your friends and family will last a lifetime! Check out the video above to learn how youth who fish have greater confidence, self-esteem and resilience than their peers. However, girls stop fishing at an 11% higher rate than boys. Let’s get them back on the water! We have online resources to help you plan the perfect outing. With weekly fishing reports, an interactive fishing map, and fishing conditions by water body and species at your fingertips, a great fishing trip for you and your family awaits!

Sept. 28-29, is National Hunting and Fishing Day…but here in New Mexico, it is also Free Fishing WEEKEND! Don’t miss this free opportunity to get your family on the water. 

On this special weekend, New Mexico residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a license at public waters statewide. All other fishing rules apply.

For more information about places to fish, check out the weekly Fishing

and Stocking Report, available on the department website.

Learn to Fish – Trout and Salmon

Ever wanted to fish, but never had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs? New Mexico Game and Fish is offering a class for adults (over 18) who have never fished. Learn fish identification, fishing techniques, equipment and gear, knot tying, casting, and rules and regulations. We won’t be fishing but you’ll have the opportunity to learn everything

necessary to catch trout and salmon. See the attached flyer for more information.

Click here to register (opens on Sept. 30 at 8 a.m.).

School Programs

The Department offers many programs to help schools get involved in conservation and outdoor recreation. Two of our programs are ramping up right now, including 3-D and target archery and hunter education.

3-D and Target Archery

The Department offers fantastic in-school and after-school initiatives that brings the sport of archery to the youth of New Mexico, fostering discipline, focus and a sense of community. Archers have numerous opportunities to compete throughout the year, including over 13 tournaments across New Mexico and cumulating with our two state

tournaments, which showcase the hard work and skill of over 1,200 youth archers. Contact the Department’s Archery Education Coordinator atBruce.Atencio@dgf.nm.gov.

Hunter Education in Schools

The Department’s Hunter Education Program offers a comprehensive program designed specifically for students ages 10-18 (grades 5-12). This program aims to instill essential skills and knowledge in wildlife conservation, safe and responsible

firearms handling, outdoor ethics, and ethical hunting practices. The program allows schools to apply for grant funding to reimburse school faculty to offer hunter education as an online or in-person after-school program. Another option allows for schools to offer hunter education as an elective or part of a semester learning program.

Contact the Hunter Education Office at dgf-he@dgf.nm.gov for more information.

Upcoming Events

• Sept. 21 – Latino Conservation Week Fiesta in the Park – The Department will have a booth with information on wildlife and conservation.
• Sept. 21 – ATV Safety Class in Santa Fe, registration is currently open.
• Sept. 28 – Village of Pecos Free Fishing Day Derby – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Aquatic Education program will be working the Village of Pecos Free Fishing Day Derby. The Department will be loaning fishing gear, tackle and bait to participants who do not have equipment.
• Sept. 28-29 – Free Fishing Weekend.
• Sept. 28-29 – Hunter Education class in Mescalero, registration is currently open.
• Oct. 5 – 3-D Archery Shoot in Santa Fe, registration is currently open.
• Oct. 5-6 – Hunter Education class in Clovis, registration is currently open.
• Oct. 7 – Basic Archery Instructor Certification, registration is currently open.
• Oct. 9 – Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta – The Department will have a booth with information on wildlife and safely recreating in bear and mountain lion country.
• Oct. 12 – ATV Safety Class in Los Lunas, registration is currently open.
• Oct. 12-13 – Hunter Education class in Mescalero, registration is currently open.
• Oct. 19 – Fall Career Fest at UNM Taos. The Department will have a booth with information on careers as wildlife biologists, game wardens and conservation educators.
• Oct. 20 – Beginners’ Cold Water Fishing Class in Albuquerque – Registration opens Sept. 30.