Discover the Largest Bear Ever Harvested in New Mexico 

New Mexico is a southwestern state in the southern Rocky Mountains of the United States. Its mountainous and forested landscapes provide the ideal habitat for bears. As a result of laws protecting its big game animals, the state is in a position to allow controlled bear hunting within its borders. Read on to discover the largest bear ever harvested in New Mexico!

The Largest Bear Ever Harvested in New Mexico

How Records Are Calculated

In 1887, with growing concerns over the possibility of losing hunting privileges and wildlife populations such as bison and elk being hunted to the brink of extinction, Theodore Roosevelt and others founded the Boone and Crockett Club for the purposes of conservation and wildlife management. This group also sets guidelines for and maintains trophy hunting records for big game animals, including the black bear.

So, when it comes to determining what garners a trophy record for black bears, the focus is not on the body size or weight of the animal but rather on its skull size. Scores are tallied based on the greatest length and greatest width of the skull measured to the nearest 1/16 of an inch and then added together; there is no reduction of fractions. A score above 21 for the black bear is in all-time record territory.

The score chart for the black bears states the following:

• Greatest length is measured between perpendiculars parallel to the long axis of the skull, without the lower jaw and excluding malformations
• Greatest width is measured between perpendiculars at right angles to the long axis

Consequently, hunters do not always report an animal’s weight as it is not a factor taken into account by Boone & Crockett for the organization’s trophy hunting records.

The Largest Black Bear Ever Harvested in New Mexico

Boone & Crockett’s New Mexico record belongs to Gene S. Adams who was hunting in Catron County in 2011 when he bagged a black bear that scored 22-3/16, overtaking the previous record by 4/16. That record was set just four years earlier in 2007 when Robert J. Seeds harvested his black bear in Rio Arriba County. The skull scored 21-15/16.

New Mexico Bear Types and Appearance

The only bear species currently inhabiting New Mexico is the black bear (Ursus americanus), specifically the New Mexico black bear subspecies (Ursus americanus amblyceps). At one time, grizzly bears were also common in the state’s grasslands and forests. However, their aggressive nature led settlers to hunt them to the point of extirpation. Recognizing their dwindling numbers, the state declared grizzlies a protected species in 1927. Unfortunately, it was too late. In 1931, the last recorded grizzly bear was killed.

An adult male New Mexico black bear typically weighs up to 400 pounds, although a weight of around 250 pounds is more common. Females are significantly smaller, weighing between 150 and 180 pounds. Black bears in the state also come in a range of colors, most commonly cinnamon. However, they also come in black, brown, reddish, and blonde phases.

Black Bear Habitat

Black bears in New Mexico occupy all forested areas in the state and are especially common in mountainous regions. Males have the largest home ranges, roaming an area between 25 and 50 square miles. Low-quality habitats tend to result in larger ranges. Male ranges typically overlap with those of several different females for breeding purposes. The ranges of females are much smaller, covering only five to seven square miles. Occasionally, black bears in search of food cross into human-populated areas, causing potential conflict.

How Many Black Bears Are There in New Mexico?

Approximately 5,000 to 6,000 black bears currently inhabit New Mexico. Hunters legally kill between 250 and 300 black bears every year, which is currently not enough to threaten their overall numbers. Rather, fragmentation and habitat loss are the biggest threats to black bears in the state. Connected populations allow for greater genetic diversity and therefore healthier future populations.

Is It Legal to Hunt Black Bears in New Mexico?

It is legal to hunt black bears in New Mexico with a license. In 1927, the state added black bears to the list of protected big game mammals. In accordance with this law, the state maintains strict hunting regulations to prevent hunters from overharvesting black bears and threatening their populations. At the same time, controlled hunting prevents bear populations from getting out of control.

For more information on bear hunting in the state, including regulations and seasons, see the hunting section of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website.

Are Black Bears Dangerous?

Black bears are usually shy and elusive, preferring to flee humans rather than engage them. However, the presence of food can cause these predators to be unpredictable and possibly aggressive. It is never a good idea to approach or feed a wild bear. Aside from the immediate danger of engaging with a wild animal in close quarters, it also carries the risk of habituating the bear, removing its natural fear of humans. When this happens, wildlife officials may have no choice but to kill the bear to prevent future aggression.

The best way to prevent bears from encroaching on your property is to remove all accessible sources of food. Black bears have an incredibly keen sense of smell and will track the scent of food to its source from great distances. They also have excellent memories and will return over and over again to a reliable food source.

Conclusion

For more tips on safely coexisting with bears in New Mexico, see this BearWise information sheet from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.