Bear Management Zone 14 in New Mexico is now closed to hunting effective November 3, 2026, after the harvest limit was reached, according to a notice from New Mexico Game and Fish. I read the official announcement on the department’s site, which includes a chart showing which zones remain open. The closure affects all hunters in BMZ 14, one of the state’s designated bear management areas.
Seven zones are now closed: BMZ 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 12, and 14. All other bear management zones remain open for the season, the department said. The agency updates harvest reports and zone status regularly, and hunters are responsible for checking the latest information before heading out.
What this means for homeowners
For homeowners in New Mexico, a closed bear hunting zone does not change how you should handle a bear on your property. Bears remain active in fall as they search for food before winter, and a closed zone means no hunting pressure, but bears may still wander into yards. If you live near a closed zone, secure trash, remove bird feeders, and never approach a bear. The department’s bear safety page offers guidance on preventing conflicts.
If a bear does enter your yard, do not try to scare it away yourself if you are not experienced. Contact New Mexico Game and Fish for assistance. The same caution applies to other wildlife: if you find a snake in a garden shed, follow safe removal steps from a distance. A snake identification chart by state can help you tell venomous species from harmless ones before you act.
The notice is published by New Mexico Game and Fish at wildlife.dgf.nm.gov.
