Western Hunt Fest

WHF NEW MEXICO 2026 RECAP

Man… this was one of my favorite events we have ever been a part of.

For two days the NRA Whittington Center was filled with hunters, families, competitors, kids, campfires, bugles, and people who genuinely love the hunting community. From the archery and rifle competitions to the elk calling contests, pack-out challenge, seminars, novelty shoots, taco bar, RMEF banquet, and late nights around camp… this one was special.

The best part of WHF will always be the people.

Watching kids shoot bows for the first time. Seeing competitors push themselves on the mountain. Hearing people talk hunting around camp at midnight. Watching complete strangers become friends over one weekend.

That’s what this is all about.

Huge thank you to every competitor, volunteer, sponsor, vendor, instructor, and family that came out to Raton and helped us build something incredible.

Special thanks to: .heilman for setting the atmosphere with some amazing live music!

Kifaru International, OnX Hunt, Vortex Optics, Wilderness Special thanks to our sponsors: Kifaru, Phil Long Toyota, Wilderness Athlete, HHA Sports, Mathews Archery, Archery School of the Rockies, The Bow Hitch, MTS Archery, Puck Outdoors, Speed Broadheads, PACKEMOUT Apparel, Burris Optics, Tricer, LMNT, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Scheels Colorado Springs and many more!

This event reminded us exactly why we started Western Hunt Fest in the first place. We’re building a place where hunters can compete, learn, meet good people, and bring the next generation into the outdoors.

Already fired up for WHF Colorado Springs.

Archery RifleCompetition HuntingCommunity ElkCalling PackOutChallenge HuntLikeAPredator ChaseTheBugle

🔥 LAST CALL FOR WHF NEW MEXICO 🔥
This isn’t just another event… it’s a full blown hunting festival built by hunters, for hunters.

📍 NRA Whittington Center
🏕 Camping on site
🎯 3D archery courses & competitions
🔫 Rifle competition
🦌 Elk calling contest
💪 Pack out challenge
🎶 Live music
🍻 Conservation banquet with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
🎁 Huge giveaways & raffles
📚 Hunting education from some of the best in the game
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids & spectators are welcome!

Whether you’re coming to compete, learn, camp, or just hang around good people who love hunting… WHF New Mexico is something special.

We’ve worked hard to build an event that feels like hunting camp mixed with competition, education, and community. If you’ve been thinking about signing up… this is your sign.

Tag your crew. Load the campers. Bring the bows, rifles, packs, and calls. Let’s kick off the season the right way. 🏹🔥

RifleCompetition ElkCalling PackOutChallenge RMEF NewMexicoHunting HuntingFestival

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms out there. The women raising future generations, holding families together, supporting dreams, sacrificing in silence, and showing unconditional love every single day — we appreciate you more than words can explain.

Today is also for the future mothers who dream of having a family one day, the women still waiting for their moment, and especially those who carry the pain of being unable to have children. We see you, we love you, and you matter deeply within this community. Motherhood comes in many forms, and the strength, love, and compassion you bring into this world deserves to be celebrated too.

At Western Hunt Fest, we want to express huge gratitude for all the women who support this lifestyle, this community, and the people around them. Whether you’re packing camp, cheering on competitors, raising tough kids outdoors, or simply being the backbone of your family — thank you.

Also, I want to apologize to those of you who have competed in WHF and don’t regularly see your photos or videos posted. I received a message yesterday that honestly bothered me deeply and made me realize something important — I only post a very small fraction of the memories and content from past events. I am terrible with technology and usually only use whatever is right there at my fingertips.

If you’ve been part of WHF and haven’t seen your pictures pop up, please don’t ever take it personal. We truly love the entire WHF family, and it’s not just the handful of competitors who are regularly posted online. Every single person who has shown up, competed, supported, volunteered, camped, laughed around the fire, or believed in this grassroots movement means the world to us.

Thank you all for being part of this journey.

Support your friends. Support your community. Support small business.

We see thousands of people show up for the big, well-known events — and that’s awesome. But don’t forget what’s being built right here at home.

Western Hunt Fest is a grassroots movement. It only grows if WE all show up and support it.

Most people don’t realize what it’s taken to build this over the years.

This isn’t corporate. This is early mornings, late nights, personal time, money, and everything in between — all to create something for this community.

So if you believe in it:
👉 Show up
👉 Bring a buddy
👉 Share this post
👉 Tag 2–3 small businesses you support below 👇

Let’s build something real… together. 🤝

🤪😂😜 This one time, while pronghorn hunting this actually happened.

It was unreal, we could’ve taken a 15 yard shot at this little guy!

Day one partners. Still rolling.
Huge shoutout to Kifaru International for continuing as our Pack Out Course sponsor. This journey wouldn’t be the same without them.

The Ship is back.
For the past few years, the world’s best elk callers have stepped onto this stage to battle for the title.
This year it’s even bigger—larger prize packages and CASH on the line.
Who’s brave enough to grab a bugle tube and jump on stage?