New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
dan.williams@state.nm.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 17, 2009:

LEARN TO SHOOT, HUNT AND FISH AUG. 22-23 AT FREE OUTDOOR EXPO

ALBUQUERQUE -- If you've always had a hankering to shoot a muzzleloader, try your hand at archery or learn a thing or two about hunting and fishing, don't miss the eighth annual New Mexico Outdoor Expo, a free family event Aug. 22-23 at the Albuquerque Shooting Range Park.

Education and fun are the objectives of Expo, which was moved from May to August this year to take advantage of New Mexico's fabulous early fall weather. Activities will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

"This is an excellent opportunity for families learn some fun activities that will take them outdoors," said  
Jennifer Morgan of the Department of Game and Fish Hunter Education Program. "It's also a chance for us to show people how to safely enjoy the lifetime sports of hunting, shooting and fishing."

Certified instructors will staff ranges for .22-caliber rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders and archery, providing one-on-one instructions to participants of all ages. Young shooters are especially welcome. Other activities include a fishing pool loaded with hungry, live fish for youngsters to catch and release; a climbing wall; and numerous demonstrations to help people polish their hunting and fishing skills.

This year's Expo will include special demonstrations and training sessions for off-highway vehicle riders about how to safely enjoy their sport while complying with new state laws for OHV use on public lands.

To get to the Albuquerque Shooting Range Park from Albuquerque, take Interstate 40 west to the top of Nine-mile Hill, exit and drive 4.2 miles north on Paseo del Volcan, turn left at the park sign and drive 2.6 miles to the shooting range.

For more information about New Mexico Outdoor Expo, please call (505) 222-4731.

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