Bear -direction?

[eastmont]

With my lack of elk/deer drawing this year, I'd like to still get out and do some hunting/packing for bear. I live in the ABQ area so I'm looking in the Sante Fe NF (Pecos Wilderness). I hear all sorts about hikers running into bears there. Is it worth a shot? Should I be looking in a different direction? Looking for nice pack in with a chance of glassing a bear.

I'm thinking in October maybe nov. when the leaves are off?

 

[eastmont]

* insert cricket chips *

 

[Bonecollector]

Good luck to you eastmont. Unfortunately, many forum members may not frequent this area in order to provide any guidance. NM is a tough draw, thus it doesn't get a lot of repeat traffic from folks.

 

[Wapiti7]

East-NM manages the bear populations by zone (which generally include a handful of game mgmt units). They have increased quotas in the last couple years, but you still oughta check the harvest report (they release it almost daily) as some zones will close by Oct/Nov (one is already closed). If you are hunting up north, I would suggest October as opposed to November. I hear there are tons of bears in the Gila this year. Go in early October, listen to some bugling and mix in a little scouting for future elk hunts.