Bear Management Zone 1 in New Mexico closed to hunting on October 16, 2026, after the zone reached its harvest limit, the state Department of Game and Fish announced. I checked the agency’s online notice, which shows that BMZ 1 is now listed as closed alongside zones 2, 3, 9, 10 and 12 in the current harvest report. The closure applies to all bear hunting in that management area for the remainder of the season.
What the closure means
The department sets annual harvest quotas for each bear management zone across the state, and once hunters take the allowed number of bears in a zone, that area closes immediately. The New Mexico Game and Fish page updates the chart regularly so hunters can check which zones remain open before heading out. Hunters who had planned to hunt in BMZ 1 must choose another open zone or wait until the next season.
For homeowners in New Mexico, the closure means that bear activity in that zone may change now that hunting pressure ends. Bears that were pushed into deeper cover by hunters may begin moving back into lower elevations or areas near homes as they search for food before winter. The state’s bear season runs through late fall, and zones that still show green on the harvest chart remain open.
If you live in or near a closed bear management zone, it is smart to take steps to avoid attracting bears onto your property. You can use the state’s guide to bear-resistant practices, and many homeowners also benefit from the Snake Identification Chart by State to tell harmless snakes from venomous ones they might encounter while clearing brush. Residents who see a bear behaving aggressively or entering a home should contact the local Game and Fish office.
The primary source for this update is the New Mexico Game and Fish notice posted on October 16, 2026.
The notice is published by New Mexico Game and Fish at wildlife.dgf.nm.gov.
