New Mexico fall black bear, non resident 2022

[Penick.Cameron]

I somehow lucked out this year and drew an early fall (August) New Mexico bear tag as a non resident. This will be my first bear hunt as well as my first time to hunt New Mexico. The 2 units available are 54 and 55A in zone 5 at the northeastern corner of the state just west of Raton. No baiting allowed so it will be a spot and stalk. My plan as of now is to make a trip up there within the next couple months to scout the area and gain as much info as I can before I start organizing and packing up for the hunt.

If anyone has hunted this area or has any general info on access or strategy, feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[180ls1]

Sitting water may very well be your best bet, especially in August.

 

[dtrkyman]

Water and Acorns, should be a fair amount of bears in those units! I should have a biologists info I can get you, let me look for it.

Raton is a beautiful area, the Cimarron flows near there, amazing place, bring a fly rod.

 

[Austin_Smedley]

Is it really baiting if you just happen to bring your lunch in a picnic basket?

 

[Penick.Cameron]

Is it really baiting if you just happen to bring your lunch in a picnic basket?

I’m not a rule breaker but I like what you’re saying here.

 

[Penick.Cameron]

Water and Acorns, should be a fair amount of bears in those units! I should have a biologists info I can get you, let me look for it.

Raton is a beautiful area, the Cimarron flows near there, amazing place, bring a fly rod.

Thanks! I sent an email to a Rick

Water and Acorns, should be a fair amount of bears in those units! I should have a biologists info I can get you, let me look for it.

Raton is a beautiful area, the Cimarron flows near there, amazing place, bring a fly rod.

Thanks for the heads up! I sent an email to a Rick Winslow who I believe is the bear and cougar biologist for NMDGF. Waiting for a reply but if you’re happen to have another contact, I’d gladly put it to use. According to gohunt, I’ll be limited to the 3 WMAs in units 54 and 55A. Urraca, E.S. Barker and Collin Neblett as well as Valle Vidal. I’ve seen a couple comments saying it’s not worth drawing the tag if you’re not going with hounds or a guide. I guess we’ll see!

 

[dtrkyman]

Not finding my contact info, but I'm sure it was Rick.

 

[swampokie]

Howd ur valle vidal hunt go?

 

[Penick.Cameron]

Well, I’ll have to tell you in a couple weeks. I’m headed there the 18th. Just e scouting till then

 

[dtrkyman]

Valle Vidal is worth a trip bear or not. Pure Rio Grande cutthroats for a bonus! If they got the moisture over there we have then there should be plenty of acorns.

Keep scoping that oak brush and you should turn up a bear I would think.

 

[devildog.34]

You are not confined to those units. Your license is good on any BMZ that is open. You drew an entry permit that allows to to hunt those draw units.

 

[dtrkyman]

Water may be a tough go at this point, tons of rain lately!

 

[180ls1]

Any updates?

 

[Penick.Cameron]

Any updates?

Unfortunately, the only bear I saw the whole 8 days I was there was a cub that darted across the road at sundown within the first 15 minutes I was in the unit. I scouted several different areas, found some tracks, scat and bone piles but I never could put eyes on another one.

 

[180ls1]

Unfortunately, the only bear I saw the whole 8 days I was there was a cub that darted across the road at sundown within the first 15 minutes I was in the unit. I scouted several different areas, found some tracks, scat and bone piles but I never could put eyes on another one.

Bummer. I am sure the country was beautiful at least!

 

[Mojave]

I saw a 300 pounder on Oscura Peak on WSMR a couple weeks ago. I wish we could hunt bears on WSMR.

 

[Penick.Cameron]

Bummer. I am sure the country was beautiful at least!

It was amazing! I didn’t see anyone for 30 miles on either side of me until the last day I was there. There were some guys that came in to the campground I was at with their horses since a few of the spots had corrals.