Upcoming Events – Dec. 2025

Winter is almost here, and the Department has plenty of opportunities for you to get outside! Check out these upcoming events to get involved.

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

Take part in our Fish Art Contest!

Aspiring young artists: here’s your chance to show off your skills! The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is excited to announce the Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, in partnership with Wildlife Forever.

The contest is open to youth in grades K-12, and submissions are being accepted through Jan. 31. Awards will be given for the top three submissions in grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. More information regarding the contest, including submission requirements, is available on the Department’s website.

Hunter education classes now available

With the new year and the opening of draw applications right around the corner, it’s time to start planning for the 2026-2027 hunting season. That includes registering for a hunter education class, which is required for hunters under the age of 18 in New Mexico before they can submit a draw application or go hunting.

The Department has scheduled upcoming hunter education classes in Farmington, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Portales, Clovis and Sandia Park. The list of upcoming classes is available on the Department’s website and is regularly updated.

Online classes are available for anyone age 9 and older. More information is available here.

Women’s Duck Hunting Camp

The Department, in conjunction with Safari Club International Foundation, will host a duck-hunting camp for women age 18 and older at Caballo Lake State Park on Jan. 16-18, 2026. Participants will learn duck identification, rules and regulations, hunter safety, clay-target shooting and how to field dress a duck, with hunting on the Rio Grande and camping at Caballo Lake. Guest instructors Dr. Ryan Luna, Mia Anstine and George Oberstadt will be on hand. A video of the 2024 camp is available here.

Registration will be available beginning at 8 a.m. Dec. 29. A mandatory orientation will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 12 via Zoom.

Save the Date: Outdoor Adventures Show

The Department’s annual Outdoor Adventures Show returns to Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque Feb. 13-15, 2026, at the Manuel Lujan Building. The show features vendors, outdoor gear and interactive activities for all ages. More information is available here.

Upcoming Events

• Dec. 20-21 — Hunter Education class in Farmington; click here to register
• Dec. 20-21 — Hunter Education class in Santa Fe; click here to register
• Jan. 9 — State Game Commission meeting in Santa Fe; click here for more information
• Jan. 16-18 — Women’s Duck Hunting Camp at Caballo Lake State Park; click here for more information
• Jan. 17-18 — Hunter Education class in Albuquerque; click here to register
• Jan. 31-Feb. 1 — Hunter Education class in Portales; click here to register
• Jan. 31 — Fish Art Contest submission deadline; click here for more information
• Jan. 31 — ATV safety class in Los Lunas; click here for more information
• Feb. 6-7 — NASP Bullseye State Tournament, Rio Rancho; click here for more information
• Feb. 13-15 — Outdoor Adventures Show, Albuquerque; click here for more information
• Feb. 21 — ATV safety class in Los Lunas; click here for more information
• Feb. 27-March 1 — Hunter Education class in Clovis; click here to register
• Feb. 28-March 1 — Hunter Education class in Sandia Park; click here to register