The Department and our partners have completed the final stages of an over 40-year project restoring Rio Grande cutthroat trout, our state fish, to approximately 120 miles of stream, 10 lakes, and one reservoir near Costilla, New Mexico. This project ensures the long-term persistence of New Mexico’s state fish on the landscape in the face of our changing climate and will provide exceptional outdoor recreation for New Mexico anglers and tourism opportunities now and into the future.
On Saturday, July 1, 2023, we will be teaming up with our partners at the U.S. Forest Service, various non-profit organizations and area private landowners to host a “grand reveal” event to officially welcome the public to their improved recreation area. The event will begin at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring speeches from project partners and elected officials to welcome attendees and media to the event and to share information about the project and its benefits.
Following this introduction, the Department will be stocking additional catchable-size Rio Grande cutthroat trout along the Rio Costilla and Comanche Creek to boost fishing opportunity for this event and the Fourth of July weekend. The partners will simultaneously host a youth and family angler-education expo at the adjacent Shuree Ponds. The expo will include youth angler education with live fishing, informational booths and exhibits running until 5 p.m.
The media is invited to attend this event. For media questions, please contact Darren Vaughan, communications director, at 505-476-8027 or by email at Darren.Vaughan@dgf.nm.gov. The general public is also encouraged to contact the NMDGF Information Center at 888-248-6866 with any questions.
This workshop is required to become a certified hunter education instructor and will certify the individual to teach both the Traditional and the Field Day Hunter Education student courses.
This workshop also provides a New Mexico Hunter Education certification to new instructors who need a required New Mexico hunter education number.
All participants must register prior to attending. Please see registration details below.
Registration Details:
Interested applicants need to first become a certified NMDGF volunteer. Below are the steps to become a certified volunteer:
1. Create a Customer Identification Account (CIN) with the Department at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/
2. Contact Conservation Education Manager Storm Usrey at stormw.usrey@dgf.nm.gov to obtain necessary volunteer paperwork.
3.Once all paperwork is approved, certified volunteers can sign-up for the hunter education workshop through their CIN account
This workshop is required to become a certified hunter education instructor and will certify the individual to teach both the Traditional and the Field Day Hunter Education student courses.
This workshop also provides a New Mexico Hunter Education certification to new instructors who need a required New Mexico hunter education number.
All participants must register prior to attending. Please see registration details below.
Registration Details:
Interested applicants need to first become a certified NMDGF volunteer. Below are the steps to become a certified volunteer:
1. Create a Customer Identification Account (CIN) with the Department at https://onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us/
2. Contact Conservation Education Manager Storm Usrey at stormw.usrey@dgf.nm.gov to obtain necessary volunteer paperwork.
3.Once the application is approved, certified volunteers can sign-up for the hunter education workshop through their CIN account
The NMDGF Aquatic Education program will be fishing with 30 youth, ages 12 – 17 from Jemez Pueblo as part of thier Youth Development Day Program. Adult chaperones and Jemez tribal police will be assisting. The NMDGF Aquatic Education staff will be on hand to teach the kids how to tie a fishing knot, set up a fishing rig and practice casting skills before fishing.
This will be a 3D archery shoot competition where youth will compete for prizes such as belt buckles and bows. There will also be a team (duo) competition where an adult and a youth pair up and compete against other teams for belt buckles. Archery equipment will be provided. Individuals can use their own equipment for fun but in order to compete for prizes they have to use our equipment. Food and drinks will be provided.
No registration. Need to finish shooting by 11 a.m.
Youth archers will shoot a 10-target, walking, 3-D range utilizing a Genesis bow. Equipment will be provided if needed.
Registration Details:
80 Total – Registration is limited to students with prior NASP experience. Contact Bruce Atencio at Bruce.Atencio@dgf.nm.gov to register.
This workshop is for certification as a Basic Archery Instructor for participation in the National Archery in the Schools Program. The workshop follows a hybrid-learning model with both online and in-person instruction. All equipment is provide for training purposes. Register online at www.naspbai.org.
NMDGF Con Ed program will be assisting with an elk calling demonstration at Lava Rock Brewery. Please contact the location for more information.