Join us in June and spend your summer break outdoors!

Looking for hands-on hunting experience?
The Department is offering some great opportunities!

Have you completed an online hunter education course, but are looking for more hands-on experience? The New Mexico Department of Wildlife has numerous opportunities to apply what you’ve been learning!

The Department is hosting a free Advanced Hunter Education Skills Camp from June 26-28 at Vermejo Park Ranch (near Raton) for

youth ages 10-17. Don’t miss out on this hands-on immersive opportunity to learn more about safe and responsible firearms handling, ethical hunting behaviors, wildlife identification and survival skills. Participants will also get the chance to learn from Department conservation officers about wildlife investigations, decoy operations and working with wildlife. They will also get to test their marksmanship skills with bows and arrows, .22 rifles and shotguns. All equipment will be provided.

Participants can tent camp at Vermejo Park Ranch and meals will be provided.Registration is open now — don’t delay, as slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Department will also host an Advanced Hunter Education Skills Camp from July 17-19 near Navajo Lake State Park.

All participants must be accompanied by a registered adult, and have a Customer Identification Number account with the Department. They must also complete the required assignments before attending.

Give archery your best shot!

The Department of Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service are teaming up to host a 3D archery shoot for archers of all ages and experience levels on June 27 at Apache Creek Campground, located just north of Reserve!

Come join us for this event, which will feature 15 targets

set up around the perimeter of the campground. Participants can bring their own bows and arrows, or they can borrow arrows and recurve bows from the Department. Distances for each target will range from 10-60 yards. Depending on the number of participants, divisions may be set up based on age, gender and equipment and other shooting competitions may be available with prizes awarded.

Click here for more information about this event, or contact Corporal Joshuah Wright at 505-487-0985. Registration will take place on the morning of the archery shoot.

Birders: Don’t forget your quarterly update!

If you’re taking part in the Department’s Birding Big Year Contest this year, don’t forget to submit your quarterly update this month!

All you need to do is visit the Birding Big Year website, click the

“Second Quarterly Update” link and enter your current total number of species (numbers only; we don’t need a species list). Please enter your update by June 30. We will announce our current leaders on our social media channels, as well as on the Birding Big Year website.

Stay safe on the trails!

Warmer days and longer evenings are drawing New Mexicans outdoors to spend time with friends and family in some of our state’s most remote, spectacular wild landscapes. This includes many off-highway vehicle users who will hit the trails. With that in mind, the New Mexico Department of Wildlife encourages anyone riding on or in an OHV, whether as an operator or passenger, to abide by all safety regulations.

“Accident injuries can be greatly reduced when users follow the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines, properly wear DOT-approved helmets, eye protection and use seatbelts,” said Conservation Officer Desi Ortiz, the Department’s OHV program manager. “Other operating guidelines to abide by include being aware of other users and checking trail conditions before you ride. The No. 1 cause of all accidents and fatalities is speed,” Ortiz added. “Slow down and enjoy the Land of Enchantment.”

All OHV operators under the age of 18 are required to take a certified OHV course and carry proof of completion (a “safety permit”) while operating an OHV in the state of New Mexico. They also must wear a securely fastened DOT- or ECE-approved helmet, as well as approved protective eyewear, such as goggles, safety goggles or a helmet with a face shield. Operators under 18 are not allowed to carry passengers, even on OHVs designed for more than one person.

The Department also reminds OHV operators that it is illegal to operate an OHV on public lands:

• Under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
• Recklessly, carelessly or negligently endangering people or property.
• To chase or harass wildlife or domestic animals.
• To harm livestock or interfere with agriculture.
• After dark without a headlight and taillight.
• That makes noise exceeding 96 decibels, that lacks a spark arrester or is not registered.
• Where prohibited by local, state or federal law.
• On paved roads, unless authorized by a local ordinance or resolution, with a New Mexico Paved Road Permit ($7) or out-of-state street registration plate or decal.

A summary of New Mexico’s rules and regulations is included in the video above. More information is also available onRideNM.dgf.nm.gov.

Upcoming dirt bike safety course – Abiquiu area

Get involved in the rulemaking process!

The New Mexico State Game Commission has begun the process of reviewing and evaluating the Department of Wildlife’s proposals for a number of rules regulating hunting opportunities for various big-game species — and you can be involved!

The Commission has three more meetings coming up in 2026: June 25 in Portales; Aug.

21 in Las Vegas; and Nov. 13 in Las Cruces. Each meeting provides opportunities for the public to provide feedback to the Commission and the Department. More information on current rule proposals is available on the Department’s website. You may also view previous Commission meetings on the Department’s YouTube channel.