Bear Encounters Are Up In New Mexico. Here's Why.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico is home to an estimated 9,000 black bears. This year, more of them are crossing paths with people. By early August, the New Mexico Department of Wildlife had received 230 bear reports, up from 159 in 2025. So what's driving the increase? A dry winter and an unusually dry, [...]