NM Wildlife Bulletin 031126

 Upcoming Events - 
March 2026

Welcome to March — spring is just around the corner, and the Department of Wildlife is excited to offer several educational activities.

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

Last chance to enter our Birding Big Year Contest!

Registration for the New Mexico Department of Wildlife's Birding Big Year Contest closes on April 1. The contest encourages birders of all experience levels to try to identify as many bird species as possible in New Mexico through the end of the calendar year.

The friendly competition features age groups for youth (ages 13-17), adults (ages 18-64) and seniors (ages 65 and up). Participants in the adult and senior age groups can compete in separate novice, intermediate and advanced categories. 

New Mexico is home to more than 550 bird species, including mourning doves and black-chinned hummingbirds, which are common in backyards; New Mexico's state bird, the greater roadrunner; and less-common species such as the pinyon jay, white-tailed ptarmigan and burrowing owl. See how many you can spot between now and the end of December!

Check out the Department's website for more information on this opportunity!

Check out our women's shotgun class!

If you're new to shooting a shotgun or just want a little more instruction, the Department has just the event for you! 

On March 24, the Department will host a free adult women's

beginner shotgun class at the Clovis Wing Shooting Complex and Archery Range in Clovis from 10 a.m-4 p.m. Participants will learn the basics of shotguns and their operations from certified instructors, and will also get the opportunity to take part in live shooting at clays in the afternoon. 

 All equipment and ammunition will be provided free of charge.

 Click here to register. Space is limited, so after you register, you will be contacted if there is still space available.

Want to hunt turkeys? We can show you how!

Have you wanted to learn how to hunt turkeys? The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is hosting a free Adult Turkey Hunting Workshop on March 15 at its Northwest Area office in Albuquerque! 

Join us to learn about turkey biology, how to identify turkeys by subspecies, gender, how to call, shot placement , hunting safety, outdoor survival, rules and regulations, decoys and field dressing.

 Registration is currently open for men and women age 18 and over. Click here to register.

Learn how to fish for warmwater species!

Is fishing more your thing? If you've always wanted to learn how to fish and don't know where to start, the Department of Wildlife will also host free Beginner Warmwater Fishing Workshops in April.

The first will take place on April 19 at the Northwest Area office in Albuquerque, and the second on April 26 at the Southwest Area office in Las Cruces. Participants will learn fishing techniques, fish identification, the necessary gear, the rules and regulations, terminal tackle, knot tying and casting.

These workshops are open to adults aged 18 and older with little or no warmwater fishing experience. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. March 30. Click here to register(link is inactive until registration begins).

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.