Results are out and I was one of the 12 lucky recipients of a draw tag for black bear in the New Mexico drawing. I drew a tag for the Colin Neblett and Elliot Barker Wildlife Management Areas near Cimarron. Season is all of August. Is there anyone on the board that is familiar with these areas and willing to offer some advice to a first time hunter in that area? My primary areas of experience are areas 16 and 17. I live in Clovis and will be up each weekend and during the dark of the moon period to hunt. Since we can’t bait and I am partially handicapped (bad knee so no chasing dogs) I will mainly be glassing in the mornings and hunting water holes in the evening. Any advice/recommendations/tips or info will be greatly appreciated. Plan to scout the areas late July.

thaine, I hunted the area of the Apache reservation (Ruidoso)seven years ago. I found that water is a must and if you can find a small water hole with trees scraped and drooping aroung that water you are in business. My blackie went just south of 500 lbs and missed the all time B&C by 9/16th as he went 20 7/16th. What a rush as I took him at 25 steps while sitting in a brush ground blind. Good luck as I know there are good ones to be had in NM.

I'm not familiar with that area, but in hunting elk over on the Humpheries state wilderness area west of Chama, I was really impressed with the amount of bear sign. Most of it was on oak-scrub slopes where the bears were working the acorns really hard. If the mast crop for acorns is good this year, you might not see anything in the oak-scrub while scouting in July but find loads of them there later in Sept/October.

Dittos for their movements around pinion pine - if there is any of that still alive in New Mexico - and/or whitebark pine if the crops are good.

Anyway, I would scout the developing mast in July and would want to know what was masting well as the summer progresses. Plan on hunting that sort of habitat in the fall. The oak slopes looked to be especially good for glassing opportunities if you are hunting after leaf drop.

Best of luck,
Brent

Hey Clovis! Hows the wind? Just kidding!! I moved up north from clovis in 99. I sure like it up here better. Anyway, I'll get with my hunting partner and get you some info in the next few weeks........wapiti7

Lordy...lucky guy! I hunt right there at an adjoining ranch (for most of my adult life). The head guide is a very good friend of mine and guides in the Colin Neblett and Barker. Great area but somewhat rugged. Make sure you take your camera and snap a few pics of Pallisades Sill in Cimmaron Canyon....rugged rock walls straight up & down...will post a pic for you soon. Good mule deer, elk and bear in the area.

I did a muzzleloader elk hunt on Barker last fall and live in Cimarron. Don't know that I can be much help, but would be glad to do what I can to get you started. You can PM for contact information, or look me up at the Cimarron Inn when you're up scouting.

Bud Sanders

muygrande
Sounds good and kind of what I had planned. Congrats on you Oryx draw! I hunted the North range the 1st hunt after 911. Wound up with a 3/4 day hunt for my lifetime hunt. It was still good! Good luck on yours. Oryx in the freezer is great, in the belly is even better!!!
Brent
Good advice, but the season is August, so what's there in late July will be what I have in early Aug. Thanks
wapiti7
Wind? You mean that ever present gentle breeze that gets up to 70mph on occasion? Never noticed it Appreciate the info.
Hank H.
That's what I remember about the area, I've only been through that part once and didn't really get off the beaten path.
Bud
I'll look you up for sure and will probably be in contact soon. You have a PM

August? That seems mighty early for a good pelt.

Well, now I can see why folks, more knowledgable than me are suggesting that you stake out the water holes.

Best of luck to you.

Brent

Congrats! I put in every year, but always get the NOT! Enjoy and I will be hoping to read your story!

Here ya go.....this is what the territory looks like. Cimmaron Canyon...beautiful! Hope the pic loads.

If you've got a bad knee I'd suggest arranging for horses. You can't camp in the WMA and all of the campgrounds are in the canyon. Both the South and North sides are steep climbs to get out of the canyon and in to hunting areas. If you go to the North side walk in on the roads closest to Apache Creek and hunt the meadows to the East. We used to hunt on the old Allen/Atmore Ranches until they sold. About ten years ago my Dad and I hunted the WMA for muzzy elk and saw 4 bears. All had ear tags and some radio collars, as the Cimmaron area was a bear study area with no hunting then. Good Luck