I gotta bad feeling

[bullwidgeon]

I have a pretty bad feeling about my odds of drawing anything both in NM and AZ so am trying to make backup plans. Have any of you NM guys spotted and stalked bears over there on the early August hunt? I know some areas over there that have bears in them and I am pretty confident I could find one or two but wanted to know things like how bad is the hunting pressure and do some of the locked up ranches open their gates for bear/predator hunters? Lately the early bear hunts over here can get down right crowded in areas. I am only considering units 15/23/21, but I guess I could go explore other areas if need be. I don't need, want or expect any specific spots, as I don't mind scouting a bunch and trying to find my own areas, but unit numbers wouldn't hurt . I was thinking about the Burro area of 23, I have never been to the Burros but always been intrigued by the stories I hear about whopper coues, how is the Burro bear population? Do the hound guys hammer the pine covered areas over there as much as they do here? Anyways, thanks for any info you have.

 

Bret M.

[Benbrown]

I don't have any specific information about bears in the Burros, but I know that bears are much more common in the southern mountains (Burros, Animas and Peloncillos) than is generally believed. The Animas are all private, so that leaves the Burros and Peloncillos. There aren't that many houndsmen left in southwestern New Mexico and most bears are shot opportunistically by deer hunters.

 

The Peloncillos (Unit 27) have a fair number of bears and the best access is in the southern end where most of the bears are. I have encountered bears while driving the Geronimo Trail, and it is not uncommon to see them while horseback in the higher elevations. Access through private land on the New Mexico side is tough if you don't know someone, but some of the ranchers on the Arizona side will permit access to the adjacent national forest if you ask politely.

 

Good luck!

[fatfootdoc]

Bret,

I have seen quite a few bears and bear sign in 16b, there are some good rugged canyons in there and have had some buddies call some in with predator calls. THere was a cinnamon brown working one of the canyons I was in on an elk hunt up in there. Was a real pretty color phase. Be prepared to face some rugged country!. AG

[Kevin]

Bret,

 

Depending on the moisture and what the bear have to eat will make a big difference in where the bears are in August. I've seen as many as 9 in one day in unit 22! 16a,b,c, and d all have good bear numbers, 21, 23, and 24 do as well. I've seen a few bears in the Burros but not as many as other areas of the unit. I'll be doing some bear hunting in August while elk scouting (hopefully). Maybe we can hook up for a day?

 

Kevin

[Kevin]

Bret,

After reading the other thread about where you applied I don't think you have anyting to worry about. I think the whitetail tags over here will be much easier to draw than most of us coues hunters think as long as your not applying for the Burros or 27. Of course, thats all conjecture and I could be wrong as you know what!

 

Kevin

[crazyaboutcoues]

Brett shoot me an e-mail, i'll give you a couple of good areas.

 

gilawildernesshunts@hotmail.com

[bullwidgeon]

Thanks alot guys. Exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Tommy I will shoot you an email after the draw results if I get skinked and decide to go over there.

Thanks again.

 

Bret M.

[CouesSlayer]

Bullwidgeon, Do you know Eric Kern? He could put you on some bear deer or elk.

[.270]

hey bullwidgeon, shoot me an email. i'll tell ya where to go too. Lark. ps. what is a widgeon? is like romanian for feces?

[25-06]

Good one Lark

[Red Rabbit]

Brett,

Chatter on MM is saying that NM is hitting the credit cards.

I hope that bad feeling is like a dream that passes with the night. Several years ago, I had a dream the night I sent in my applications, that I was canoeing across Canyon lake to go sheep hunting . I awoke the next morning with hope, but never did get to wet the canoe as the pink slip from G&F had no adhesive backing. So much for my dreams . Guess I'll never be used to solve a crime, either.

 

Doug

[JimmyHat]

Bears in the Pelloncillos? I hadn't heard of any bears around that area. That's good to hear. I put in for a tag there this year for the first time. Of course I didn't draw so I'm gonna have to wait quite awhile to check out that bear population.