Silver City, NM, June 2, 2020 -For Immediate Release. The Gila National Forest received a report of a bear encounter in a dispersed camping area near the CDT trail off Forest Road 150. Wherever you are on the forest, you are sharing space with a variety of wildlife; including bears, mountain lions, deer, elk and many other species.
As grasses and water sources dry out, prey animals, such as deer and elk, move from the higher elevations to lower levels searching for forage and water, and this brings large predators looking for food and water as well. Your safety, and the welfare of the wildlife population, are important to the Gila National Forest and to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF).
Reminders while visiting the Gila NF:
- While hiking be aware of your surroundings and carry bear spray.
- Keep a clean camp. Keep your food and food-related items inside a closed, hard-sided vehicle or special bear-resistant container except when preparing or eating. Ice chests, coolers, boxes, cans, tents, and soft sided campers are not bear-resistant!
- Change your clothes before going to bed—do not sleep in the clothes you cook in.
- Store deodorants, toothpaste, soap, and lotions with food. Keeping these items in your tent may attract bears.
- Keep your pet on a leash when visiting the forest. Pets can chase and harass wildlife, and could be harmed by predators.
NMDGF has several publications which are available online and at the Gila NF's ranger stations - "Living with Large Predators In New Mexico" and "Keeping Bears Alive and Yourself Safe."
For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.