I hunted bear here for the first time last year (late September). Went for opening rifle but got there to scout the last couple of days of archery elk 2nd season. I didn't see a single sign of bear but saw and heard more elk than I could throw a stick at. Go figure. All the elk I saw, and heard, were within 1/2 a mile of the road. And as previously mentioned, you can't go very far without hitting a road so truck camping is more likely. I was in 2WD Tahoe and didn't have a problem, but wasn't trying to get too adventurous. The roads I came across were well maintained. I stayed mobile and hit up 4 locations, 3 of the 4 had elk (NO BEAR SIGN, UGH). Found it difficult to glass anywhere because surrounding mountain tops (probably considered more of a hilltop to most but I'm a flat lander) were all the same elevation. Can't comment on the hunting pressure as it was at the end of the archery season and not many elk hunters out there the last couple days. Water was scarce except for a couple springs which all tended to be on private land. Most watering holes I came across were dry. Willing to share some locations, especially if you know some bear spots or at least know where the damn acorns are. Hopefully the oaks produce this year as there were none last year. I saw an absolute monster, maybe 500 yards as the crow flies from a main road. He was running 15-20 cows. It was an amazing sight. Could of done without the skunk paralleling me up the ridge line but thankfully he could tell I already smelled bad enough.
I'm headed to NM next week for OTC Bear and reached out to NMGF as to whether or not I need to quarantine since I'll be by myself. As a government employee he gave me the expected answer, however (wink, wink), this officer also added that the NMGF does not have the authority to ask if you have quarantined for 14 days. You can now get tested within 72 hours of being in NM and not have to quarantine but that is another expense. Hopefully I don't run into Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane who is just looking for a revenue stream but I'm just gonna take my chances.
4 years ago
New Mexico Big Game Unit 34I hunted bear here for the first time last year (late September). Went for opening rifle but got there to scout the last couple of days of archery elk 2nd season. I didn't see a single sign of bear but saw and heard more elk than I could throw a stick at. Go figure. All the elk I saw, and heard, were within 1/2 a mile of the road. And as previously mentioned, you can't go very far without hitting a road so truck camping is more likely. I was in 2WD Tahoe and didn't have a problem, but wasn't trying to get too adventurous. The roads I came across were well maintained. I stayed mobile and hit up 4 locations, 3 of the 4 had elk (NO BEAR SIGN, UGH). Found it difficult to glass anywhere because surrounding mountain tops (probably considered more of a hilltop to most but I'm a flat lander) were all the same elevation. Can't comment on the hunting pressure as it was at the end of the archery season and not many elk hunters out there the last couple days. Water was scarce except for a couple springs which all tended to be on private land. Most watering holes I came across were dry. Willing to share some locations, especially if you know some bear spots or at least know where the damn acorns are. Hopefully the oaks produce this year as there were none last year. I saw an absolute monster, maybe 500 yards as the crow flies from a main road. He was running 15-20 cows. It was an amazing sight. Could of done without the skunk paralleling me up the ridge line but thankfully he could tell I already smelled bad enough.
5 years ago
14-day quarantine required for nonresident New Mexico huntersI'm headed to NM next week for OTC Bear and reached out to NMGF as to whether or not I need to quarantine since I'll be by myself. As a government employee he gave me the expected answer, however (wink, wink), this officer also added that the NMGF does not have the authority to ask if you have quarantined for 14 days. You can now get tested within 72 hours of being in NM and not have to quarantine but that is another expense. Hopefully I don't run into Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane who is just looking for a revenue stream but I'm just gonna take my chances.