Black Bears

[denjac]

They will be in Phils cleaning stations soon! lol.

Missourians need to be bear prepared

Black bears seldom bother humans, but attacks do happen.

Follow these tips to help avoid or repel aggressive bears.

JEFFERSON CITY–What would you do if you rounded a bend in a trail and came face to face with a bear? The Missouri Department of Conservation has advice about what to do in that scenario and, even better, how to avoid it.

Missouri is home to a small number of black bears, the only bear species found here. The statewide population is estimated at only 300 to 500 bears. However, the number is growing slowly, thanks to natural reproduction and immigration from Arkansas.

One of the most useful things for avoiding bear confrontations is knowing where you are likely to see a bear. The Conservation Department has confirmed bear sightings in 61 of the state’s 114 counties. However, 90 percent of the state’s bears live south of Interstate Highway 44.

“You could see a bear in the northern two-thirds of the state,” said Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer. “Atchison, Worth and Lewis counties have recorded at least one sighting. But the odds decrease sharply the farther north you go. For the most part, this is still an Ozarks phenomenon.”

Beringer, the Conservation Department’s bear specialist, said Ozark County leads the state, with 102 documented bear sightings since the agency began keeping records in 1987. Adjoining Howell and Douglas counties are second and third with 60 and 51 sightings, respectively. Counties with 40 or more sightings include Carter, Christian, Iron, Reynolds, Shannon, Stone and Taney.

The cluster of bear sightings in and around Reynolds County extends north as far as Crawford, Franklin and Washington counties, each of which has produced more than 30 verified reports since 1987.

Missouri’s top bear counties also happen to contain the Ozark Trail and many of the state’s other popular hiking and camping destinations. While bear sightings remain relatively rare, Beringer said Missourians need to begin making bear awareness part of their outdoor skill set.

“A few years ago, the chances of a backpacker or a mushroom hunter stumbling across a bear were pretty close to zero. That isn’t true today. Anyone who spends time outdoors should know how to avoid run-ins with bears and what to do if they do encounter one.”

Beringer said chance encounters with bears usually are brief, ending when the bear realizes a human is near and retreats. Bears have a natural fear of humans. However, accidental bear meetings can be dangerous if the bear is startled or cornered or if a person gets between a sow and her cubs.

“Black bears are much more powerful for their size than the average person realizes,” he said. “They are unpredictable and extremely dangerous when they feel threatened. They are nothing to mess with.”

Bears are keenly aware of their surroundings, so Beringer said one effective way of avoiding surprise meetings is to make noise. Talking with companions works well. So does whistling, singing or fastening a cowbell to your backpack or clothing.

Bears’ hearing and sense of smell are excellent, but their eyesight is poor. They sometimes do not recognize humans, even at close range, if the wind is blowing the people’s scent away from them. At such times, a bear often rears up on its hind legs. This is not a threat, but an attempt to use its eyes and nose to best advantage.

Beringer said people who see bear that have not seen them yet should leave the area quickly and quietly. If the bear is aware of your presence, Beringer recommends avoiding eye contact, which bears perceive as aggressive behavior. The best thing in this situation is to look down and walk away while speaking in a normal voice.

A bear on a narrow trail may feel cornered. The best strategy here is to step off the trail on the downhill side and leave the area quietly. Do not make sudden movements or run.

When threatened or defending cubs, black bears often make huffing sounds, pop their jaws or beat the ground with their front paws. This is a warning that you are too close. Black bears also make mock charges, rushing at intruders, stopping and then retreating. People who take the hint and withdraw immediately after a mock charge almost always avoid further trouble.

Although attacks by black bears are rare, they do occur. Black bears can run much faster than humans can, and they are excellent climbers. Consequently, fleeing or climbing a tree is pointless. The most effective strategy is to fight back with whatever you have – a knife, a rock, a stick or any other weapon. Black bear attacks have been repelled by people using nothing more than their fists. Striking a bear around the face is most effective. Pepper spray also can stop a bear attack.

Aggressive bears usually are those that have become accustomed to human presence. This most often occurs through intentional feeding. Beringer cautioned against deliberately feeding bears or allowing bears to raid trash, livestock feeders or other human food sources. This puts both people and bears at risk.

If you encounter an aggressive bear, contact conservation office or your local sheriff’s department immediately. The Conservation Department has specially trained employees to deal with problem or aggressive bears.

For more information about living with bears, visit mdc.mo.gov/landown/wild/nuisance/bear/info/.

Caption for All Outdoors photo

Black bears are naturally shy and seldom aggressive toward humans. However, they can be dangerous when hunger overcomes their fear of people or when they feel threatened. Knowing how to react in a bear encounter can avert or stop an attack. For more information about living with bears, visit mdc.mo.gov/landown/wild/nuisance/bear/info/.

(Missouri Department of Conservation photo

[ozark trout fisher]

They will be in Phils cleaning stations soon! lol.

Missourians need to be bear prepared

Black bears seldom bother humans, but attacks do happen.

Follow these tips to help avoid or repel aggressive bears.

JEFFERSON CITY–What would you do if you rounded a bend in a trail and came face to face with a bear? The Missouri Department of Conservation has advice about what to do in that scenario and, even better, how to avoid it.

Missouri is home to a small number of black bears, the only bear species found here. The statewide population is estimated at only 300 to 500 bears. However, the number is growing slowly, thanks to natural reproduction and immigration from Arkansas.

One of the most useful things for avoiding bear confrontations is knowing where you are likely to see a bear. The Conservation Department has confirmed bear sightings in 61 of the state’s 114 counties. However, 90 percent of the state’s bears live south of Interstate Highway 44.

“You could see a bear in the northern two-thirds of the state,” said Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer. “Atchison, Worth and Lewis counties have recorded at least one sighting. But the odds decrease sharply the farther north you go. For the most part, this is still an Ozarks phenomenon.”

Beringer, the Conservation Department’s bear specialist, said Ozark County leads the state, with 102 documented bear sightings since the agency began keeping records in 1987. Adjoining Howell and Douglas counties are second and third with 60 and 51 sightings, respectively. Counties with 40 or more sightings include Carter, Christian, Iron, Reynolds, Shannon, Stone and Taney.

The cluster of bear sightings in and around Reynolds County extends north as far as Crawford, Franklin and Washington counties, each of which has produced more than 30 verified reports since 1987.

Missouri’s top bear counties also happen to contain the Ozark Trail and many of the state’s other popular hiking and camping destinations. While bear sightings remain relatively rare, Beringer said Missourians need to begin making bear awareness part of their outdoor skill set.

“A few years ago, the chances of a backpacker or a mushroom hunter stumbling across a bear were pretty close to zero. That isn’t true today. Anyone who spends time outdoors should know how to avoid run-ins with bears and what to do if they do encounter one.”

Beringer said chance encounters with bears usually are brief, ending when the bear realizes a human is near and retreats. Bears have a natural fear of humans. However, accidental bear meetings can be dangerous if the bear is startled or cornered or if a person gets between a sow and her cubs.

“Black bears are much more powerful for their size than the average person realizes,” he said. “They are unpredictable and extremely dangerous when they feel threatened. They are nothing to mess with.”

Bears are keenly aware of their surroundings, so Beringer said one effective way of avoiding surprise meetings is to make noise. Talking with companions works well. So does whistling, singing or fastening a cowbell to your backpack or clothing.

Bears’ hearing and sense of smell are excellent, but their eyesight is poor. They sometimes do not recognize humans, even at close range, if the wind is blowing the people’s scent away from them. At such times, a bear often rears up on its hind legs. This is not a threat, but an attempt to use its eyes and nose to best advantage.

Beringer said people who see bear that have not seen them yet should leave the area quickly and quietly. If the bear is aware of your presence, Beringer recommends avoiding eye contact, which bears perceive as aggressive behavior. The best thing in this situation is to look down and walk away while speaking in a normal voice.

A bear on a narrow trail may feel cornered. The best strategy here is to step off the trail on the downhill side and leave the area quietly. Do not make sudden movements or run.

When threatened or defending cubs, black bears often make huffing sounds, pop their jaws or beat the ground with their front paws. This is a warning that you are too close. Black bears also make mock charges, rushing at intruders, stopping and then retreating. People who take the hint and withdraw immediately after a mock charge almost always avoid further trouble.

Although attacks by black bears are rare, they do occur. Black bears can run much faster than humans can, and they are excellent climbers. Consequently, fleeing or climbing a tree is pointless. The most effective strategy is to fight back with whatever you have – a knife, a rock, a stick or any other weapon. Black bear attacks have been repelled by people using nothing more than their fists. Striking a bear around the face is most effective. Pepper spray also can stop a bear attack.

Aggressive bears usually are those that have become accustomed to human presence. This most often occurs through intentional feeding. Beringer cautioned against deliberately feeding bears or allowing bears to raid trash, livestock feeders or other human food sources. This puts both people and bears at risk.

If you encounter an aggressive bear, contact conservation office or your local sheriff’s department immediately. The Conservation Department has specially trained employees to deal with problem or aggressive bears.

For more information about living with bears, visit mdc.mo.gov/landown/wild/nuisance/bear/info/.

Caption for All Outdoors photo

Black bears are naturally shy and seldom aggressive toward humans. However, they can be dangerous when hunger overcomes their fear of people or when they feel threatened. Knowing how to react in a bear encounter can avert or stop an attack. For more information about living with bears, visit mdc.mo.gov/landown/wild/nuisance/bear/info/.

(Missouri Department of Conservation photo

It's really exciting to have black bears back in Missouri. I hope they can become more and more established. One more native species is coming back to our woods, and that's always welcome. They are a beautiful part of the ecosystem in the Rockies and Appalachians, and I'm unbelievably excited to have them here in Missouri in sustainable numbers.

The area that I deer hunt in southern Missouri is known to have bears. There has been a video submitted to the MDC from a tree stand just a few miles from my favorite stand site, and I have seen tracks, scat, and other sign. Very cool.

[jdmidwest]

Just like the otters. They are so cute and furry and clean all of the fish out of the streams.

I am so glad they are back. I sure hope we traded some rattlesnakes for them.......

[Buzz]

If I recall, there were a couple of sightings south of Joplin last year.

[eric1978]

Just like the otters. They are so cute and furry and clean all of the fish out of the streams.

You act like the bears pose some kind of problem. Black bears are the least carnivorous of the bear species, so I don't think you need to worry about them eating all your fish.

[ollie]

Your right Buzz, but I haven't heard anything more since then. Makes you wonder.

[jdmidwest]

You act like the bears pose some kind of problem. Black bears are the least carnivorous of the bear species, so I don't think you need to worry about them eating all your fish.

I don't have to worry about the fish, but a few bee keeper friends are worried and people that own livestock. I know they are the least agressive bear, but there is a reason the MDC is making a fuss about being "Bear Aware". The do pose a problem, they are drawn to livestock, dog, and bird feeders for the free food. Much like Welfare, you get them hooked and can't get rid of them after.

[ozark trout fisher]

I don't have to worry about the fish, but a few bee keeper friends are worried and people that own livestock. I know they are the least agressive bear, but there is a reason the MDC is making a fuss about being "Bear Aware". The do pose a problem, they are drawn to livestock, dog, and bird feeders for the free food. Much like Welfare, you get them hooked and can't get rid of them after.

The fact remains that Black Bears belong here. They were here first, humans eliminated their Missouri population, and so it's kind of our job to help re-establish the population. And is there any fish and game in say, western Colorado, where Black bears are so common?

You have to love it when someone is a catch and release fisherman and yet doesn't seem to want an important native species to be re-established. That seems pretty contradictory.

[denjac]

I don't have to worry about the fish, but a few bee keeper friends are worried and people that own livestock. I know they are the least agressive bear, but there is a reason the MDC is making a fuss about being "Bear Aware". The do pose a problem, they are drawn to livestock, dog, and bird feeders for the free food. Much like Welfare, you get them hooked and can't get rid of them after.

I had a black bear encounter in Northern Minn. I was coon hunting close to cass lake and the start of the Mississippi. It was about 2 am and I was cutting across a bog on a game trail that ran through it. If you have ever been on a bog thats scary enough. Happen to look up with my wheat light and saw eyes about 2- 3ft off the ground. He was about 20 ft ahead of me. When we both discovered what we were we both whirled around and ran. They were two piles of scat 20 ft apart.

[eric1978]

I don't have to worry about the fish, but a few bee keeper friends are worried and people that own livestock. I know they are the least agressive bear, but there is a reason the MDC is making a fuss about being "Bear Aware". The do pose a problem, they are drawn to livestock, dog, and bird feeders for the free food. Much like Welfare, you get them hooked and can't get rid of them after.

The rabbits nibble on my exotic plants. I say let's get rid of them.

Squirrels collecting acorns on my roof drive me nuts. Let's get rid of them, too.

A family of opossums live under my front porch. I hate that. Let's kill all the opossums.

A pesky raccoon tries to get into my trash on occasion. I could do without that. We should kill them all.

My neighbor's cat leaves pawprints on the hood of my truck. Someone should shoot him.

My other neighbor's dog never shuts up. Think I'll take care of him myself.

Skunks stink when we run over them. We should work on eradicating skunks.

Some snakes are venomous. No need for them.

A deer almost killed my wife on her way to work once. Why not wipe them out?

Birds poop on everything. Let's eliminate birds.

I hate getting stung by bees. Let's wipe out the bees.

I'm sick of dried up worms on my driveway after it rains. Any way to get rid of all the worms?

Oaks and maples clog up my gutters. Let's cut them all down.

Poison ivy itches. We should spray the forests.

People fall off bluffs hiking sometimes. We should put fences up there, or level the mountains...too dangerous.

People drown in lakes and rivers. We should drain them.