Free family fun at Outdoor Expo Aug. 20-21

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact: Karl Moffatt: (505) 476-8007
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 16, 2016:

Free family fun at Outdoor Expo Aug. 20-21

ALBUQUERQUE – If you’ve wanted to learn to shoot a firearm, catch a fish, try archery or paddle a kayak, visit the Department of Game and Fish’s annual New Mexico Outdoor Expo, a free family event at the City of Albuquerque Shooting Range Park, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 20 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 21.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for families to learn and enjoy outdoor activities together,” says Alexa Sandoval, director of the Department of Game and Fish. “We’ll teach folks some basic skills that can lead to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment.”

All equipment for use during the event is provided free.

Shooting ranges staffed by certified instructors await participants wanting to learn or polish skills at .22-caliber rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzleloader or archery events. Inside air-conditioned tents, department wildlife biologists will be available to answer questions about wildlife species, hunting and fishing opportunities and more.

Those interested in fishing will find helpful staff and volunteers on hand to teach the basics of casting, knot and fly tying and the use of bait and lures. Visitors can experience the thrill of catching and releasing a live fish from artificial ponds. A 5,000-gallon aquarium full of sport fish will provide spectators the opportunity to see how they react to lures trailed through the water.

Guests can experience the thrill of duck hunting from a blind, try rock climbing or kayaking and can throw an atlatl at three-dimensional animal targets.

Exhibit halls will feature a variety of display exhibits by sporting and conservation organizations and information booths staffed by several state and federal conservation agencies.

Guests should bring cash as there will be plenty of great food and beverages to buy from vendors. A map of the event can be downloaded at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

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, turn left at the park sign and drive 2.6 miles to the shooting range.

For more information about the event, please visit the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

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