Last Updated: 6/4/2013

New Mexico Hunter Education Instructor Information

How to become a volunteer Hunter Education Instructor

The Department of Game and Fish is always recruiting new Hunter Education Instructors. Please click here or call a member of the program staff below to find out how to join our team.

Hunter Education Staff

Upcoming Instructor Workshops & Program Events

If you would like to participate in an Instructor workshop please contact one of the Program Staff. This will ensure there is enough space and class material for everyone.

Additional workshops and dates are pending. As soon as confirmations are received, they will be posted here.

Mentored Youth Hunting Program

The Mentored Youth Program (formerly referred to as the "Families Afield" program) is an education and outreach program to help states create hunting opportunities for youth, so that more families may enjoy America's greatest outdoor tradition together. In November 2012, the Game Commission approved a rule change that allows the Mentored Youth Program to work in New Mexico.  The rule change, as well as parameters of the program, will be contained within the 2013-2014 Proclamation.  Please click on the following links to learn more about Mentored Youth hunting and the opportunities it creates for hunter recruitment and retention.

• Game Commission Presentation (Hobbs, Feb 2012)
• Game Commission Presentation (Rio Rancho, Aug. 2012)
• Evaluating Apprentice Licenses as a Recruitment Strategy Report - March 2012
• Families Afield Report
• www.familiesafield.org
• www.nwtf.org/familiesafield.html

Training Tips

The Program will post web links to articles and video that may assist instructors in keeping up with new trends and techniques in hunting and shooting. If you take time to review these videos, please contact the Program office and let us know the date(s) you reviewed the material; this counts toward Continuing Education.

**NEW/UPDATED**

How to Shoot Trap - NSSF Shooting Sportscast. OSP Shooting School's Gil Ash explains how he approaches each station on a trap field. By knowing the proper hold points and focal points for each station you can greatly improve trap shooting. This tutorial also offers tips that can make you more successful at any shotgun sport or while afield. (NSSF Video - 13:51)

Treestand Safety Video.  This video addresses the universal safety requirements instituted by the Treestand Manufacturer's Association and the National Bowhunters Education Foundation, as well as updated information about self-rescue, tower stands, and safety tethers.  It is just under 27 minutes in length. 

Big Game: What Happens Between Shot and Down -Big game that drops instantly to a shot is cause for concern, as Wayne van Zwoll explains in this eye-opening article. (Gun Digest Article)

Understanding Gun Fit - NSSF Sportscast Gil Ash of OSP Shooting Schools explains what the three key measurements gunfitters consider when properly fitting a shotgun. Does your shogun fit? Find out how you can tell. (NSSF Video - 4:55)

Dove Hunting Tips - NSSF Sportscast Join NSSF's Doug Painter on the Dove field for a few pointers that will help ensure your success this season. (NSSF Video - 3:24)

Get Ready for Turkey Season: Tips on Gear and Tactics - NSSF Sportscast Veteran Turkey Hunter and author of "Secrets of the Turkey Pros," Glenn Sapir of the National Shooting Sports Foundation shares his go to gear for a turkey hunt. (NSSF Video-5:32)

Shooting Positions in the Field - NSSF Shooting Sportscast For those times when the prone position is not an option, former Army Ranger sniper team leader Ryan Cleckner discusses alternate shooting positions to make sure you are as stable as possible. (NSSF Video - 7:14)

Shooting at Angles: Rifle Shooting Technique - NSSF Shooting Sportscast When shooting at angles gravity affects your bullet differently. Learn from NSSF's Ryan Cleckner how to apply an angle to correctly compensate for bullet drop when shooting either uphill or down. (NSSF video)

Sight Alignment and Sight Picture -- NSSF Shooting Sportscast Champion Shooter Doug Koenig explains this key fundamental to shooting. Get your sights aligned properly, line them up with the target and pull the trigger with out disturbing them and you'll hit the target. (NSSF Video)

Noteworthy News

2012 OUTDOOR EXPO SETS ATTENDANCE RECORD

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and 3,682 of its closest friends got together at the Department’s Outdoor Expo last weekend at the Albuquerque Shooting Range Park. It was a record crowd for the 10th annual event.

The Expo started Friday, Aug. 17, with 39 students from Albuquerque Public Schools being taken on a tour of the venues. The tour was part of a National Guard outreach program. The Expo venues included firing shotguns, .22-caliber pistols, .22-caliber rifles, muzzleloaders, archery, casting, and fishing for catfish.  

This event also introduced participants to the outdoor skills of kayaking, rock climbing and use of the atlatl -- a hunting tool used in New Mexico during prehistoric times. The Department stressed conservation messages throughout the event, illustrating how money generated by hunting, fishing and trapping license fees was used to re-establish elk, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, bears, cougars and other wildlife in the state. Many populations were depleted before New Mexico became a state in 1912.

Ninety-seven volunteers and 54 Department staff members worked to make the event a success. The Albuquerque Fire Department and the Community Emergency Response Team were available to assist with public or staff emergencies, although there were no injuries or accidents.

“I am very proud of the effort my staff and volunteers put forth to make this event successful,” said Director Jim Lane. “The hunters, trappers and anglers of New Mexico should be proud of the role they play in funding wildlife conservation for all the citizens of this state. The users pay, and everyone benefits.”

Many thanks go out to the following 2012 sponsors: City of Albuquerque, Blake’s Lotaburger, Pepsi, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Dexter National Fish Hatchery, New Mexico National Guard, APS Foundation, New Mexico Hunter Educators Association Inc., Charlie’s Sporting Goods, Del Norte Gun Club, Quality Baits, Sandia Ice, Sandia Crest Bowhunters Association, Aloha RV, Carbon Express and Hornady for their generosity and support.

Instructor Insights (Quarterly Newsletter)

Spring 2013 (pdf) In This Issue: Comments from Director James Lane, Statistics from 2012 Classes, Junior Instructors, Food for Thought, Bowhunter Education, Staying Connected, Memorable Moments, Upcoming Events Calendar.

Winter 2013 (pdf).  In This Issue:  Incentive Hunts, Bulletin Board, Food for Thought, Instructor Training, Staying Connected, Bowhunter Education, Classroom Notes, NM Hunter Ed Association, Memorable Moments, Upcoming Events Calendar.

Summer 2012 (pdf).  In This Issue: Mentored Youth hunting opportunities approved by the Game Commission, new Instructor Certification workshop format, online continuing education opportunities, and Upcoming Events Calendar.

Additional Instructor Information

Field Day Courses

For those current, certified Hunter Education Instructors who wish to conduct the Field Day (formerly referred to as "Home Study") student courses in their community, you must first attend the Field Day Instructor Training Workshop prior to teaching this type of class. So, round up your teammates who are interested and attend the workshop nearest you!

Authorization & Consent for Background Check Form

Volunteer Hunter Education Authorization and Consent for Background Check form available here for download. If you are a volunteer hunter education instructor with the New Mexico Hunter Education Program and have not yet filled this out, please print out and return to the address provided on the bottom of the form. Please do not hesitate to contact the Program Staff if you should have any questions or concerns.

New Mexico Hunter Education Instructor Association

Visit the New Mexico Hunter Education Instructor Association, Inc. at http://www.nmheai.com/ for information about the association and how to become a member.

Spanish Hunter Education Manuals

The Hunter Education Manual is now available in Spanish. Contact the Hunter Education office if you should need a copy.

Hunter Education Instructor Class Forms