Human food sources a driver of bear encounters

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is warning the public that unsecured food sources such as garbage and fallen or rotten fruit are drawing bears into populated areas during severe drought conditions, leading bears to become accustomed to these food sources and increasing the likelihood of encounters, unsuccessful relocation efforts and possibly the death of these animals.

There has been an increase in the number of bears involved in human-bear conflict throughout New Mexico in 2026. While the increase may indicate a temporary response to a combination of environmental and habitat conditions, current observations indicate that bears are likely moving farther, and in closer proximity to humans, to find food as they prepare for hyperphagia (the period during which bears eat extensively to build up their fat reserves for winter) and to avoid competition for limited resources.

The availability of spring and summer food sources appears to have decreased due to a historically low snowpack, severe drought conditions and higher-than-usual temperatures. Data from GPS-collared bears in northeastern New Mexico corroborates these observations, showing bears are moving more and farther in a pattern typical of movements seen during years with hard and/or soft mast failures.

Hard mast includes nuts and seeds such as acorns and piñon. Soft mast includes berries and fruits such as chokecherries, blueberries and serviceberries, orchard fruits, such as apples, peaches, other stone fruits, as well as grapes, corn and other vegetables. Both types of mast are important food sources for bears, but hard mast is often considered more critical, especially as a pre-winter food source, because it provides a much denser source of calories.

Despite persistent drought conditions the past few years, food conditions for bears have been adequate and do not appear to have had an impact on populations. The bumper crop of piñon that most of the state saw in 2024 benefited bears that fall and the following year. Department monitoring documented good reproduction numbers these past two winters, which provides a good indication of population stability. Good reproduction lends to an increase of younger-aged bears that are more likely to get into conflict with humans if natural food sources are limited.

The Department is particularly concerned about bears finding alternative, human-provided food sources in and around homes and campsites as they look to compensate for the reduction in natural food sources. Bears then associate people and populated areas with food, leading to more sightings and encounters. The Department reminds the public to do their part to minimize human-bear conflict by keeping all attractants (food items, trash, pet food, bird seed, etc.) properly stored and secured at their homes and campsites.

In the past month, the Department has captured several bears in the Albuquerque area that have become habituated to finding food and water in populated areas. The Department continues to look for the best places to relocate these bears. Upon being released, bears tend to travel many miles as they establish their new territory. Recently released bears have traveled over 30 miles in a single week.

Unfortunately, recent relocation attempts have been unsuccessful as habituated bears have found their way into homes and dumpsters looking for food. These bears were euthanized in accordance with Department protocol regarding human-bear conflict and the threat they posed to human safety. The best thing for bears is not providing human food sources and not letting them become habituated in the first place.

A fed bear is a dead bear. Whether intentional or unintentional, providing food and water sources for bears creates a dangerous situation for both people and wildlife. Once a bear learns it can find food in a populated area, it is more likely to return to or remain in the area; rather than moving on to natural food sources. That can ultimately reduce the success rate of relocation efforts and may result in the bear being euthanized.

The public can help keep bears alive and themselves safe by securing their garbage, properly storing pet food and removing potential food sources such as bird feeders and ripe or rotten fruit. People should also thoroughly clean and store barbecue grills.

Statewide, the Department has seen an increase in human-bear conflict associated with male bear activity, which is typical. However, the Department has seen an unusually high number of female bears involved in conflicts in Bear Management Zone 4 this summer.

As a precaution, the Department has reduced the female harvest limit in Bear Management Zone (BMZ) 4 by 20% due to unusually high female mortality in the area this summer. The reduction is intended to account for the combination of severe environmental and habitat conditions and the likely impact on female bear behavior that exposes them to higher human-related mortality rates. This reduction precludes the possibility of any negative impact on the reproductive capacity of the bear population in the area, while still allowing for sustainable hunting opportunities.

Department monitoring indicates that the bear population in BMZ 4 has been stable or increasing over the past two decades. Additionally, the number of bears harvested by hunters has been within sustainable limits. The Department is, and will continue, to evaluate bear populations and will adjust harvest limits as necessary.

Never feed or approach a bear, if you encounter one, stay calm, do not run, slowly back away and never come between a mother and her cubs. Taking these precautions and keeping your neighbors informed about bear activity in your area can help keep you and bears safe.

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