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. 19, 2011:

LEARN TO HUNT, FISH, SHOOT AT FREE OUTDOOR EXPO

ALBUQUERQUE – Anyone with a hankering to fire a muzzleloader, tie a fishing fly, shoot a bow and arrow or learn dozens of other outdoor skills is invited to a free weekend of family fun Saturday and Sunday at the annual New Mexico Outdoor Expo at the Albuquerque Shooting Range Park.

The 10th annual event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the park just east of Albuquerque. Activities will focus on education and safe family outdoor fun with hands-on experience and one-on-one expert instruction in shooting, fishing and more. Dozens of organizations, sporting clubs and other groups will be on hand to promote outdoor recreation and conservation.

“This is a great opportunity for the Department of Game and Fish, our volunteers and partners to show people how to safely enjoy the lifetime sports of hunting, fishing and shooting,” said Jennifer Morgan, the Department’s Hunter Education Program Coordinator. “We’re hoping families will come out and learn new ways to enjoy the outdoors.”

Certified instructors will show participants of all ages how to safely shoot .22 rifles and pistols, shotguns and muzzleloaders. Expert archers will provide hands-on instruction with bows and arrows, and experienced anglers will teach fly and spin casting, and show how to tie fishing flies that really catch fish. Other activities include a climbing wall, a fishing pool loaded with lunker catfish, and fishing demonstrations in a huge aquarium filled with New Mexico game fish.

Thinking of taking an off-highway vehicle out for a spin this year? Learn the rules of the road and how to safely operate an OHV on the Department’s OHV simulator.

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 Atrisco Vista Boulevard (formerly Paseo del Volcan), turn left at the park sign and drive 2.6 miles to the shooting range.

For more information about the Expo, please call (505) 222-4731.

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Tune in to New Mexico Game and Fish TV:
“New Mexico Wildlife”
6:30 a.m. Saturdays on KASA Channel 2, Albuquerque
6:30 p.m. Sundays on KENW, Portales
7:30 p.m. Thursdays on KRWG, Las Cruces