Skills Camps

The Department of Game and Fish will offer hunting, fishing or shooting camps throughout the state of New Mexico to assist in the R-3 (recruit, retain, and reactivate) mission. Camps will be year round, overnight or day camps, for families and those new to hunting, fishing, and shooting. A positive learning environment will be created to learn and pass along the hunting, angling and shooting heritage.

Archery can be fun and safe for all ages of youth and adults. Public Information Specialist Jeremy Lane coaches this group of youth as they shoot archery for the first time.
There are more to the skills camp than just shooting firearms. Public Information Specialist Ross Morgan helps this group learn what to do after you shoot an animal.
At the skills camp, Department staff will teach you skills so you can be successful on the water.
What do you do if you are not drawn in New Mexico’s Big Game Draw. You go fishing.
Learning to shoot Muzzleloaders can be a bit challenging, but Department staff and volunteers, can help break it down so it’s easier to understand.
Powder. Patch. Ball. Muzzleloader may seem like an older style gun, and they are, but they are also a great tool if you are looking to hunt in New Mexico, typically these hunts are a bit easier to draw.
In New Mexico, many people like to recreate using an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV). OHV Law Enforcement Coordinator Desi Ortiz shows this young man the best ways to be safe while on the trails.
Shooting a shotgun at a moving target can be a lot of fun, we will help you learn the proper stance and form for shotgun shooting.
Shooting a shotgun is very popular during turkey season. Patterning your shotgun is just as important as sighting in your rifle, we can teach you how to pattern your shotgun.
Skills Camps offer a wide variety of skills to be learned, but also many targets to shoot.
Look out. There are wildlife all over the place, learn tips and tricks to see wildlife more often.

General

Online Hunter Education graduates and their families and outdoor enthusiasts looking to expand their skill set will get an introductory course in various firearms, archery, angling and other outdoor skills in a safe, positive environment.

Ladies Social Hour

Updated 8-13-2022

Join us for our next Ladies Social Hour scheduled for Aug. 16, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. Fall hunts have started! – Aug. 2022 Ladies Social Hour: As the fall hunting seasons are kicking off, we hope you have or are developing plans to go afield. This is a great opportunity to take someone new into the field with you. Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry we have you covered! Join us on Aug. 16, 2022, starting at 5:30 p.m.; we will cover everything to help you prepare to take your family or friend into the field.

Register in advance for this meeting.

For this session, we are bringing in a strong female voice that promotes women’s hunting opportunities: Jana Waller. Jana Waller is the Host and Executive Producer of “Skull Bound Chronicles,” a hunting and conservation series, currently in its fourth season on CarbonTV. Previously she produced and hosted Skull Bound TV for nine years on The Sportsman Channel where she received a Golden Moose Award for Best In Conservation in 2018. She’s been a lifelong hunter and ardent conservationist belonging to numerous conservation organizations for which she’s raised over $82,000 with her skull artwork.

Jana was awarded the Communicator Of The Year award in 2015 by the National Wild Turkey Federation as well as received an Alumni Award in 2016 from her alma mater, the University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater, for “promoting women in the outdoors” with the use of her public relations degree. She was also awarded the Carbon TV Fan Favorite award for best host in 2019 and in 2020. Jana lives in the Bitterroot Valley where she was appointed as a Montana Wildlife Commissioner by Governor Greg Gianforte in the fall of 2021.

While this event is focused on ladies, we invite everyone to join us.

Make sure to bring all of your questions. This is an excellent opportunity to learn everything you need to know. Send your questions in advance to Jennifer, Tristanna, Colleen and/or Stephanie, or bring them to the session.

Register in advance for this meeting.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Please visit the Department’s YouTube page to view any previous social hours.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqce2uqjMqHdWOQFI6boeMPzw593pY4Tbr

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

You can also view previous social hours on the department’s YouTube page.

Hunting

New and inexperienced hunters will gather for a weekend of hunting with mentors. Participants will learn tracking, stalking, shooting, processing, and cooking skills. Youth 17 and under must have a valid Hunter Education certificate or a Mentored Youth certificate (See Hunter Education for more information). These camps will most likely be overnight camping.

Fishing

New and inexperienced anglers will gather for a weekend of fishing with mentors. Participants will learn the basics of tackle, gear, baiting a hook, casting, catching, and cooking the catch.

Shooting

New and inexperienced shooters will gather for a weekend of discipline specific training, for example learning the game of skeet.

Dec. 17, 2022:
Bowhunter Skills Camp – Interested in learning about archery and bowhunting? Click on the flyer for more details!

Bowhunter Skills Camp Dec 2022

Bowhunter Skills Camp Registration Form Dec 2022

Skills Camps Contact

Cody Johnston
Shooting Program Coordinator
505- 575-291-2138
gary.johnston@state.nm.us