‘Particularly rough year for bears’; New Mexico sees record-setting year for bear killings

New Mexico wildlife managers have killed 307 black bears this year, more than any full year on record, wildlife officials told state lawmakers on Wednesday. Bear encounters are on the rise, they said, because of hot temperatures and drought conditions forcing bears into human-populated areas in search of food.

By: Matt Mondschein

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: October 1, 2026

Words: 445

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

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New Mexico wildlife managers have killed more black bears this year than any full year on record, wildlife officials told state lawmakers on Wednesday, as hot temperatures and drought conditions force bears into human-populated areas in search of food.

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Since April, game officers or citizens reported killing 307 black bears that posed threats to public safety. An additional 51 bears …

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