The peaceful mountain village of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, was shaken by a controversial incident on the evening of July 5th when sheriff’s deputies fatally shot a black bear that had been wandering through local neighborhoods. The shooting occurred just one day after the town’s Independence Day parade, while many residents were still celebrating with barbecues and summer gatherings.
At around 8 p.m., deputies responded to reports of a bear rummaging through a dumpster on Maple Drive. Typically, these types of calls fall under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF). However, with no conservation officers available that night, local law enforcement was left to handle the situation.
For nearly 45 minutes, deputies tracked the bear through backyards, streets, and wooded areas. They initially believed it to be an animal previously identified for euthanasia after repeated property break-ins. “Game and Fish told us if we get this guy, just put him down,” one deputy was heard saying on body camera footage. But state officials later confirmed this was not the same bear—it had never been relocated or flagged as dangerous before.
A Split-Second Choice
Throughout the pursuit, deputies debated whether to haze the bear back into the forest or use lethal force. One deputy prepared a shotgun with rubber rounds, while another carried an AR-15 rifle, voicing concern about firing live ammunition in a densely populated neighborhood.
Despite efforts to push the bear away, the animal repeatedly climbed fences, moved through yards, and at one point leapt onto a second-story deck where a startled homeowner nearly stepped outside. Deputies warned the man to stay inside.
By 8:47 p.m., the bear had entered a wooded lot. One deputy fired from his rifle, striking it. Moments later, another shot at close range ended the bear’s life.
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The official report later cited public safety as the deciding factor. Deputies argued that leaving the bear could have risked a child, a neighbor taking out trash, or a visitor caught by surprise. “Either way we lose,” one deputy remarked at the scene. Another added, “What people need to understand is to stop feeding bears.”
Game and Fish Response
Sergeant Trevor Nygren of NMDGF later defended the deputies’ decision, saying officers have the authority to act when human safety is a concern. “If there’s a threat to people, they can take whatever appropriate action is needed,” Nygren explained.
Still, many residents were left wondering—would the bear have attacked, or would it have eventually retreated on its own?
Community Reactions and Proposals
The shooting sparked discussions at a subsequent village council meeting. Sergeant Nygren and Corporal Anthony Chavez delivered a presentation on bear safety, emphasizing the need to reduce attractants such as unsecured trash, pet food, or bird feeders.
Trustee Tabitha Foster suggested adopting ordinances similar to Ruidoso’s, which outlaw intentional or negligent feeding of wildlife. That 2019 law defines food, garbage, and even salt licks as bear attractants, while improperly managed bird feeders can also result in violations. Repeat offenders face fines or jail time.
Wildlife regulations at the municipal level are often easier to enforce than relying solely on state agencies stretched thin across rural New Mexico. Vacation rental owners in Cloudcroft have also been encouraged to educate guests about local bear safety practices.
Why Sightings Are Increasing
Though bear encounters are common in the Sacramento Mountains, Cloudcroft has seen a noticeable uptick this year. Home security cameras and neighborhood social media pages have filled with images of black bears strolling across porches, raiding hummingbird feeders, and overturning trash bins.
Experts caution that this doesn’t mean there are suddenly more bears. Instead, it suggests that some are becoming habituated to human food sources. “A fed bear is a dead bear,” Chavez reminded residents, echoing a common saying among conservationists.
Relocated bears often attempt to return to familiar areas, risking death on roadways or resuming nuisance behaviors. New bears will replace them if attractants remain.
A History of Bear Encounters
This was not the first troubling encounter between Cloudcroft residents and black bears. In 2018, a local man was mauled outside his home after admitting he had been feeding wildlife. In another case two years earlier, a homeowner shot a bear during a confrontation involving his dogs.
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Elsewhere in New Mexico, aggressive or nuisance bears have made headlines, including an attack at the Pajarito Ski Area in 2020 and repeated problems at Jordan Hot Springs in the Gila Wilderness.
Living With Bears
NMDGF estimates about 9,000 black bears inhabit New Mexico, with roughly 325 living in the Sacramento Mountains near Cloudcroft. As human development and outdoor recreation expand, encounters are inevitable.
Officials stress prevention as the best solution: never feed bears, secure garbage in bear-proof containers, remove bird feeders during peak bear season, and keep grills clean. Residents are also advised to use deterrents like ammonia or mothballs around homes.
When encountering a bear, experts recommend standing firm, waving your arms slowly, backing away, and never running. If attacked, fight back aggressively.
Cloudcroft’s bear shooting highlights the complex balance between protecting people and preserving wildlife. While some see the deputies’ decision as a necessary act of public safety, others believe more could have been done to avoid a fatal outcome.
What is certain, however, is that bears will continue to roam Cloudcroft’s forests and neighborhoods. How the community chooses to manage that coexistence will shape the future of both its residents and its wildlife.
