New Mexico Bear Season 2026
New Mexico bear season dates start with Sep 25-Dec 15, 2026. The table below keeps every listed bear row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
New Mexico's listed 2026 bear season runs Sep 25-Dec 15, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to New Mexico NMDGF.
Bear
Black Bear
General Firearm
Any legal sporting arm seasons vary by zone: Zone 1 Sept. 25-Nov. 15; Zone 2 Sept. 25-Nov. 15; Zone 3 Sept. 25-Nov. 15; Zone 4 Sept. 25-Nov. 30; Zone 5 Sept. 25-Nov. 15; Zone 6 Sept. 25-Nov. 15; Zone 8 Oct. 15-Nov. 15; Zone 9 Sept. 25-Nov. 15; Zone 10 Sept. 25-Dec. 15; Zone 11 Sept. 25-Nov. 30; Zone 12 Sept. 25-Dec. 15; Zone 13 Sept. 25-Nov. 30; Zone 14 Oct. 15-Nov. 15. Dogs allowed during any legal season.
Zone: All management zones statewide (varies by zone)
Black Bear
Draw - WMA/Special Areas
Bear draw permits: Unit 2 youth-only Aug. 1-31; Unit 4 Sargent WMA Aug. 1-31; Unit 4 Humphries WMA Aug. 1-31; Unit 9 Marquez/LBar WMA Aug. 1-31; Units 54/55A WMAs and Valle Vidal Aug. 1-31; Unit 55A Valle Vidal Apr. 15-May 20; Unit 57 Sugarite Canyon State Park bow Aug. 1-31.
Zone: Various WMAs and Valle Vidal
Black Bear
Early Season - Zones 3,4,5,6,9,11,12,13
Early season any legal sporting arm Aug. 16-31 for Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13. Dogs allowed.
Zone: Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13
Black Bear
Archery Only
Bow-only season Sept. 1-24 statewide. Dogs not allowed during bow season. Sandia Ranger District bow only always.
Zone: All management zones statewide
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Nearby bear seasons
New Mexico Bear Season FAQ
When does bear season open in New Mexico?
April 15, 2026 is the earliest listed bear opener in New Mexico — draw - wma/special areas black bear runs Apr 15-Aug 31, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with New Mexico NMDGF.
What are the 2026 bear season dates in New Mexico?
New Mexico lists 4 bear season windows: Draw - WMA/Special Areas Black Bear (Apr 15-Aug 31, 2026); Early Season - Zones 3,4,5,6,9,11,12,13 Black Bear (Aug 16-31, 2026); Archery Only Black Bear (Sep 1-24, 2026); General Firearm Black Bear (Sep 25-Dec 15, 2026). Always verify against New Mexico NMDGF before hunting.
Are there different bear seasons in New Mexico?
Yes — New Mexico lists separate bear seasons for Draw - WMA/Special Areas Black Bear, Early Season - Zones 3,4,5,6,9,11,12,13 Black Bear, Archery Only Black Bear, General Firearm Black Bear. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and New Mexico NMDGF.
Do I need a license to hunt bear in New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and bear hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with New Mexico NMDGF.