Plenty of exciting opportunities in 2026!
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Upcoming Events - January 2026
The new year is well under way, and the New Mexico Department of Wildlife is hitting the ground running with lots of exciting opportunities!
You can see all of the Department's upcoming events on our website.
Join us at the Outdoor Adventures Show!
The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is proud to present its annual New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Show, set to take place Feb. 13-15 in the Manuel Luján Building at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque!
Join us for fun educational activities and opportunities to chat with Department experts, as well as duck, turkey and elk calling contests and a variety of outdoor recreation-focused vendors.
The show is open from noon-6 p.m. on Feb. 13, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Feb. 14 and 10 a.m.-5 pm. on Feb. 15. Admission is $5 for adults, and free for youth age 17 and younger or anyone who holds a valid New Mexico hunting and/or fishing license.
Take part in our New Mexico Fish Art Contest!
Submission by Cindy Ye (Grade 10-12 Division, Virginia)
New Mexico students in grades K-12 are invited to take part in the Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest , sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish in conjunction with Wildlife Forever .
Fish are an integral part of New Mexico’s diverse ecosystems, providing vital support to local biodiversity and contributing to the health of rivers, lakes and streams. From the prized native trout of the Rio Grande to the colorful bass that inhabit the state’s reservoirs, fish play an essential role in maintaining the
balance of aquatic environments.
Young artists can vie for first, second and third prizes in four grade categories: K-3; 4-6; 7-9; and 10-12. Additional awards include the Invader Crusader Award, for submissions featuring both invasive and native aquatic species from the student’s local area; the Mighty Minnow Award, which celebrates kindergarten participants; the New Mexico Native Trout Award, for submissions featuring New Mexico’s unique native trout species, the Gila trout or the Rio Grande cutthroat trout; the New Mexico Species of Greatest Conservation Need Award, for artwork that features fish species identified by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish as being most at risk and in need of proactive conservation; and the Outdoor Show Fan Favorite Awards, which will go to one winner in each grade category based on the votes of attendees at the New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Show from Feb. 13-15 in Albuquerque.
Don't forget to take a hunter education course!
If you're under the age of 18 and hoping to apply for this year's Big Game Draw, remember that you are required to complete a hunter education class before you can apply or go hunting in New Mexico. However, these classes can be beneficial for hunters of all ages, so if you haven't taken one before or just
need a refresher, feel free to sign up!
A list of upcoming classes across the state is available on the Department's website .
Online classes are also available for anyone age 9 and older. More information is available here .
State archery champs to be crowned in February
The Department, in conjunction with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), will host the annual state bullseye and 3-D archery championships the first two weekends in February.
The bullseye state championship will take place Feb. 6-7 at the Rio Rancho Events Center, while the 3-D state championship is set for Feb. 13-14 at Expo New Mexico in conjunction with the Department's annual Outdoor Adventures Show. Hundreds of youth archers will compete for boys and girls
state titles in elementary, middle school and high school divisions, with hopes of qualifying for the Western Nationals tournament to take place in Sandy, Utah.
Admission to both tournaments is free for spectators. You can also keep track of live scores on the NASP Tournaments website .
Youth Hunter Education Challenge coming soon!
The 2026 Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) is returning to the world-class NRA Whittington Center near Raton from June 5-7, and all youth hunter education graduates are eligible.
The annual competition between individual and teams allows youth to demonstrate their shooting skills, marksmanship and hunting safety and knowledge in a fun, competitive environment.
“It is a great way for young hunters to get practical hunting experience in an outdoor environment. Hunting is more than just going out and harvesting an animal. YHEC expands the experience into meeting others with the same interests and to work with the New Mexico Department of Wildlife,” said Rick Richardson, assistant director of YHEC.
To join and for more information, visit the New Mexico YHEC website .
Upcoming Events
Jan. 31: ATV Safety Class in Los Lunas; click here for more information
Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Hunter Education at White Sands Missile Range; click here for more information
Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Hunter Education in Mescalero; click here for more information
Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Hunter Education in Portales; click here for more information
Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Hunter Education at Elephant Butte Lake State Park; click here for more information
Feb. 6-7: NASP Bullseye State Tournament at Rio Rancho Events Center
Feb. 7-8: Hunter Education in Mescalero; click here for more information
Feb. 7-8: Hunter Education in Eagle Nest; click here for more information
Feb. 7-8: Hunter Education in Las Vegas; click here for more information
Feb. 7-8: Hunter Education in Quemado; click here for more information
Feb. 7-8: Hunter Education in Bloomfield; click here for more information
Feb. 11: Deadline to apply for bear and turkey draw permits; click here to apply
Feb. 13-15: New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Show at Expo New Mexico
Feb. 13-14: NASP 3-D State Tournament at Expo New Mexico
Feb. 15: Deadline to submit harvest reports for 2025-2026 deer, elk, pronghorn and turkey license holders without late fee; click here to submit
Feb. 18: Draw…