Upcoming Events ~ August 2026

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is getting ready for hunting season, and you can, too! We've got plenty of classes and camps coming up, and our events calendar is regularly updated with more educational opportunities!

New Mexico Wildlife Bulletin

Learn how to hunt waterfowl!

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife, in conjunction with Roadrunner Hunting Retriever Club, will host a beginning adult waterfowl hunting workshop at the Department's Northwest Area Office in Albuquerque on Sunday, Aug. 30.

Participants will learn hunting techniques, waterfowl identification, necessary gear, rules and regulations, locations, dog use and calls. This workshop is open to adults with little or no previous waterfowl hunting experience.

Click here to register. This link will not be active until registration opens at 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10. It will close when the workshop is full. Please only register if you have not previously attended this workshop.

Interested in learning how to hunt small game? Here's your big opportunity!

Hunting Small Game

The Department's Small Game Hunting Camp will take place Sept. 25-27 at the El Caso Forest Service campground near Quemado. During the camp, attendees will learn small game identification, rules and regulations, shotgun shooting, hunting and field dressing techniques.

This camp is open to families who have never hunted at all or who have never hunted small game before. Hunting licenses and stamps are required, and attendees are asked to bring two boxes of shotgun shells. They are also encouraged to bring their own shotguns (12 or 20-gauge), though the Department will have shotguns available for use by participants who don't have their own.

Registration opens at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, and closes when the camp is filled. The link will not be active until registration begins. Please do not register if you previously attended a small game hunting camp.

Hoping to hit the trails? Learn how to stay safe!

Hitting the Trail

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife and the Village of Los Lunas are teaming up to offer several all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and recreational off-highway vehicle (ROV) safety classes over the next few months for riders age 6 and up.

Classes will be offered Sept. 19, Oct. 17 and Nov. 7 at Riverside Park, located at 1601 E. Main Street in Los Lunas. Those who complete the course will receive the OHV Safety Permit required of anyone under the age of 18 operating an off-highway vehicle on public lands, or an ATV or ROV on authorized paved roads in New Mexico. This permit will also allow for dirt-bike operation.

ATVs and safety gear will be available for use during the course, or students may bring their own. All students must register using their own customer account on the Department of Wildlife website.

More information about the Department's safety classes, as well as rules and regulations for OHV use in New Mexico, is available at RideNM.dgf.nm.gov.

Be bear aware this summer!

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is reminding the public to be aware of increased bear activity while enjoying the outdoors this summer.

Officers across the state are seeing an increase in bear activity, including reports of bears entering urban areas and visiting campsites. Seasonal food availability continues to play a major role in bear movement.

Department experts said bears will move around in search for food. Throughout the summer, the food supply improves, but in drought conditions, bears may enter urban areas or campsites where they can find human-provided food sources.

 Be Bear-Aware

"Often times bears show up in neighborhoods and campsites because they're following food smells," Conservation Officer said. "If folks secure their trash, clean their campsites, and never approach a bear, it helps keep everyone safe, including the bears."

Bear awareness will help keep both bears and the public safe. The Department recommends the following steps to avoid human‑bear conflicts:

  • Never feed or approach bears. Feeding—intentional or not—teaches bears to seek food near homes and people.
  • Secure food, garbage and recycling. Unsecured trash is the leading cause of human‑bear conflicts.
  • Clean and store grills. After using an outdoor grill, remove all grease and store grills and smokers in a secure location.

If you see a bear, do not run. Make yourself appear large, use a strong voice to make noise, wave your arms and back away slowly. Never position yourself between a mother bear and her cubs. If attacked, fight back aggressively. Bears typically avoid humans unless provoked or attracted by food sources such as garbage or food scraps.

Homeowners in bear country are encouraged to take the following steps to keep themselves, their property and their pets safe:  

  • Garbage:  Store it in closed, sturdy cans kept inside a secure garage. Do not put out garbage the night before a scheduled pickup. 
  • Pet food:  Feed pets indoors. Store food in secure metal cans inside a sturdy shed or garage. Make sure the garage door is closed at night.
  • Bird feeders:  Set out only enough bird seed to last throughout the day. Hummingbird feeders must be brought inside at night. Hang bird feeders from trees, not on the porch or from house rafters. 
  • Fruit trees:  Plant fruit trees away from your house. Fruit should be picked as it ripens. Spoiled fruit that falls to the ground should be removed, because it will attract bears.  
  • Woodpiles:  Keep woodpiles away from the house. It attracts rodents, which bears eat.
  • Compost piles:  Keep piles away from the house. Do not add melon rinds or other fragrant fruits.  
  • Beehives and chicken pens:  Livestock and beehives should be kept away from your house.  
  • Barbecues:  Clean after each use, and store in a closed sturdy shed or garage.  

Property owners can protect their livestock, as well as beehives and bird feeders, by erecting fencing that keeps bears out of their enclosures. Electric fencing has proven to be an effective deterrent while not causing long-term harm to bears.  

More safety tips for those living or recreating in bear country are available in the Department's brochure, "Keeping Bears Alive and Yourself Safe," accessible on the Department's website and at NMDOW offices statewide.

The public should contact their local Department of Wildlife conservation officer if they encounter a nuisance bear on their property.

Take part in New Mexico Magazine's 26th Annual Photo Awards Contest!

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is proud to team with New Mexico Magazine to sponsor the Wildlife category in the 26th Annual Photo Awards Contest, with submissions being accepted through Sept. 15.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of photography, and New Mexico Magazine has introduced a new Vintage category to celebrate. This category is inspired by the history and artistry of photography. Whether you use a pinhole camera, black-and-white film or darkroom processing, or even modern digital photography with a vintage flair, this may be the category for you! Other categories include People, Landscapes, New Mexico Experience, Mobile, Nightscapes and New Mexico Route 66/Highways and Byways.

More information is available on New Mexico Magazine's website.

Upcoming Events