NEW MEXICO'S BEAR POPULATION IS LARGE … AND RESEARCHERS AT NMSU ARE GETTING READY FOR A SUMMER OF TRYING TO GET A BETTER ESTIMATE ON HOW MANY BEARS ARE IN THE STATE. MEANWHILE, STATE GAME AND FISH OFFICERS THINK THE SHEER SIZE OF THE BEAR POPULATION MEANS HIGH BEAR ACTIVITY AGAIN THIS YEAR.
OFFICER RICK WINSLOW SAYS A LOT OF SOWS WITH CUBS LUMBERED INTO TOWNS LAST YEAR. BUT HE SAYS MAMA BEARS WILL NOW BE KICKING THOSE YOUNG CUBS LOOSE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. WINSLOW SAYS THOSE CUBS HAVE LEARNED FROM THEIR MOTHERS THAT POPULATED AREAS ARE WHERE THEY CAN LOOK FOR FOOD. HE SAYS THEIR FOOD IS ALWAYS SHORT DURING THE HOT MONTHS.
