New Mexico Outdoor Adventures 2026 Show Opens Feb. 13 in Albuquerque

Outdoor vendors, two presentation stages and a popular calling contest drew visitors to Expo New Mexico’s Manuel Lujan Building when the New Mexico Outdoor Adventures 2026 Show opened Feb. 13 and ran through Feb. 15. The event was staged over three days with family-focused programming, vendor booths and Department-led education aimed at Northern New Mexico audiences.

Admission for the weekend was $5 for adults, with free entry for youth age 17 and younger and exemptions for people holding New Mexico hunting and fishing credentials. Ladailypost’s NMDW News reported the policy as free to “anyone who holds a valid New Mexico hunting and fishing license,” while the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish calendar listed the exemption for “anyone with a valid New Mexico hunting and/or fishing license.” Daily hours at the Manuel Lujan Building were noon–6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday.

Programming emphasized hands-on experiences for children and outreach by Department staff. Ladailypost listed kids’ activities including hands-on nature exhibits, a wildlife scavenger hunt, an interactive OHV activity and beginner-friendly archery, plus wildlife education led by Department conservation officers. Presentations ran on two stages Saturday and Sunday with sessions on shed hunting with dogs, wildlife photography, hiking tips, fishing techniques, safe firearms handling and “how to become an officer with the Department of Wildlife,” according to Ladailypost.

Special events included calling contests, a feature Ladailypost described as “popular” and “once again part of this year’s Outdoor Adventures Show.” As Ladailypost put it, “Callers of all ages and skill levels are invited to show off their calling abilities.” The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish calendar also announced the show, saying, “The New Mexico Department of Wildlife will host its annual Outdoor Adventures Show from Feb. 13-15 in the Manuel Luján Building at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque! Come join us for fun educational activities, a calling contest, presentations and outdoor recreation-based vendors.”

Sponsors named by Ladailypost included Ram Motors RV & Truck Center, Hit or Miss Archery, Hanseatic Management Services, Inc. and Waypoint Vehicle Upfitters. Vendor booths featured outdoor gear, kayaks, archery, boats, off-highway vehicles and related equipment, offering New Mexicans gear access and hands-on demonstrations that can lower barriers to outdoor participation for families and youth who might otherwise face cost or knowledge gaps.

For Los Alamos County residents and neighboring communities, the event’s mix of free youth admission, Department-led safety sessions and recruitment outreach carries public health and community-safety implications. Beginner-friendly archery and safe firearms handling presentations aim to reduce injury risk through education, while the recruitment session on becoming a Department officer connects workforce pathways to rural conservation staffing needs. The Original Report noted the show was “promoted to Northern New Mexico audiences,” an outreach frame that intersects with equity by targeting regional participation.

Visitors looking for additional resources would have found the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish event page offering a “Digital Tools” section with items listed as “hunting rib 2026-2027,” “2025-2026 New Mexico Fishing Rules and Info,” “New Mexico Conservation Information System,” “New Mexico Road Runner License Plate” and “Operation Game and Thief,” alongside calendar navigation and related event headings. Ladailypost published the event announcement under “NMDW News” with a “Courtesy photo” credit and a prompt to “Click here to see the full schedule.”