Are you seeing bears in the southwest?

Hi all,
First-time bear hunter trying to figure out where the bears are hanging out in central/southern New Mexico these days. In August, they were up high in the mixed conifer/aspen forests - perhaps eating mushrooms. I bumped two in a 6 mile hike, both along the ridge. 7 weeks later in the same area, I found no bears and no fresh sign.
I assume finding bears this time of year is all about finding what they're eating. Given that I was at the top of the mountain that day, I'm going to try lower this weekend, hoping to find some acorns or pinyons.
So my question in its simplest form is, if you've bumped bears as you're out hunting, what habitat did you find them in? Any other advice is welcome also, I'd love to get one of these guys in the freezer.
Thanks!
A.W.

I have been finding them in acorn patches this time of year.

That's what I suspected. seems there's not many acorns where I was last week. I'll keep looking.
Thanks.

Here is the bear I got in GMU 26 in CO last week. He was a pretty fat boy at somewhere between 250-300lbs. Nice color too!!

That's awesome! Congrats. What habitat did you get it in? What was it eating?

Well done SFC!!

Can't wait to see the rug and skull, but that will be about 9 months or so. For now, the sausage should be ready in the next weekend or so and that will be interesting.

1_pointer said:

Well done SFC!!

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