Upcoming Events – April 2025

Love to get out? Now is the time to make plans and check boxes in preparing for your next adventure.

Check out these upcoming events to get involved.

You can see all of the Department’supcoming events on our website.

Help us stock some trout!

The Department continues to work to boost the population of New Mexico’s state fish, the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, and now you have a chance to play a part! On April 25, the Department, along with its partners with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Trout Unlimited, will work to stock 5,000 fingerlings into the Rio Grande Gorge, as well as at Eagle Rock Lake in the Carson National Forest. All you have to do to take part in this event is

fill out this questionnaire and let us know you’re coming. Check out the event flyer for more information. We hope to see you there!

Turkey Hunt Camp in Bloomfield

Are you new to turkey hunting and eager to learn? The Department is teaming with the National Wild Turkey Foundation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Conservation Investment and Safari Club International to host a free, three-day hunt camp in Bloomfield for first-time turkey hunters age 18 and over. Participants will learn rules and regulations, turkey calling, hunter safety, identification, turkey hunting techniques, how to pattern a shotgun

and how to field dress a turkey. All meals and two days of camping at Florez Riverview Park and Campground is provided. Registration begins at 8 a.m. April 14 and will remain open until all spots are filled – click here to register. More information is available here.

Beginner Warm-Water Fishing Workshop

Have you always wanted to go fishing, but you aren’t quite sure how to get started? The Department has just the workshop for you! From 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 4, the Department and its partners with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Conservation Investment will host a warm-water fishing workshop for adults with limited fishing experience. This free workshop will take place at the Department’s Southeast Area office, located at 1615 W. College Blvd. in Roswell.

Attendees will learn about casting, fish identification, techniques, equipment and gear, knot tying and rules and regulations. Registration begins at 8 a.m. April 14 and will remain open until all spots are filled — click here to register. More information is available here.

Advanced Hunter Education Skills Camp

Youth age 10-17 have the opportunity to take part in an advanced Hunter Education skills camp May 9-11 at Vermejo Park Ranch near Raton. Participants will learn safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, conservation, wildlife identification and basic survival skills. Department conservation officers will also be on hand to teach participants about their jobs, and participants can test their marksmanship skills with bows, .22 rifles and shotguns. Registration opened April 1 and slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis — click here to register.

Hunter Education Instructor Training Workshop

Looking to help teach the next generation of New Mexico hunters? The Department of Game and Fish is always looking for instructors, and is happy to help you get started. The next Hunter Education Instructor Training Workshop is scheduled for April 26 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Department’s Northwest Area office, located at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW in Albuquerque. Click here for more information. To take part, make sure you have an active CIN account with the Department — if you

don’t, click here to create one. Then, using your CIN account, click on the Hunter Education tab and then click on Register for Workshops.

You will also need to register as a volunteer with the Department. To do so, email Conservation Education Manager Storm Usrey to request your volunteer education form.

Bowhunter Skills Camp in Mountainair

The Department is hosting a skills camp for participants of all ages who would like to learn more about archery and bowhunting on May 17 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Manzano Mountain State Park in Mountainair. Come join us and learn all about archery basics and safety, how to choose equipment, proper shot placement while hunting, outdoor preparedness and more! All archery equipment will be provided. Registration begins at 9 a.m. April 7 — click here to register. More

information is available here.

Upcoming Events

• April 19 — Hunter Education class in Belen; click here to register
• April 25 — Rio Grande cutthroat stocking at Eagle Rock Lake and Rio Grande Gorge; click here for more information
• April 25 — State Game Commission meeting in Roswell; click here for more information
• April 26 — Hunter Education Instructor Training Workshop in Albuquerque; click here for more information
• May 2 — Turkey hunt camp in Bloomfield; click here for more information
• May 2-3 — Smokey Bear Days in Capitan; click here for more information
• May 4 — Beginner warm-water fishing workshop in Roswell; click here for more information
• May 9-11 — Advanced Hunter Education Skills Camp at Vermejo Park Ranch; click here to register
• May 10 — ATV safety class in Los Lunas; click here for more information
• May 17 — Bowhunter skills camp in Mountainair; click here for more information