The southern part of 17 has a good number of bears as well the Gila wilderness. Find fruit or nuts and you will see bears this year as dry as it is.

Thanks Hunting1

Our outfitters in the Gila are telling us the ranchers are begging them to kill some bears they are so many of them right now and they are telling us they are really good size bears too, weight and skull sizes. They hunt units 13, 15, 16a&d ,17. Not sure which of these 5 units are best for bear but I am sure you can find that out easy enough. They are running in the high 90's % on successes. These are rough terrain units so be in shape. The Gila is in what they're calling a 20 year drought so water is a premium for them right now and the water holes are the hot deal. Spot and stalk, but especially hunt any water holes that have fresh bear sign around them.

Thanks

Can,t wait to get back from my Dall Sheep hunt in Alaska, so my son and I can smack a bruin.

MTCop,

Good to see you back on BGH. How is NM treating you?

Hey Hiker..

Hot..very hot. Not used to the heat or the altitude. Did a little fly fishing today though, caught some rainbows....

MtCop, Going from Alaska to New Mexico, especially in the summer would be a challenge. Your blood should thin out soon. Good to hear you went fishing. I didn't draw my Ibex tag so I won't be headed to the Florida Mountains this year. Did you get any of those coveted NM tags, yet?

I have been training for this Aug Sheep hunt. The altitude here should help me while I am hunting, since it will be at around 4000 ft max.

I missed the draw this year, but am going for black bear with my bow down in the Gila forest this fall.

How bout you, you doing any hunting in COl?

MtCop, That area is suppose to hold a few bear.

How did you Brown Bear hunt turn out?

Not good. Seems we were a littel early. Was hiking back to camp one evening and 10 yds in front of me popped out a 9ft Brown Bear. Before I could get my rifle off my shoulder he was gone. Luckily he didn't come at me or I prob would not be here. Some pics.

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