Bears in the back yard

Ah, summer. The air is clear, the plants are in bloom and a young male’s thoughts turn toward garbage cans, barbecue grills and bird feeders. A young male black bear that is.

In recent weeks, residents of Rolla and Salem have been treated to an unexpected sight –black bears visiting back yards and city parks. The sightings alarmed some residents and excited others. By all indications, reports of bear sightings will likely continue and probably increase in coming years.

Spring and summer are prime migration times for young black bears who have worn out their welcome in their mother’s dens. Young males, especially, are prone to wander in search of new feeding grounds. All too often, they find fertile territory among the food-rich environments where people live.

The Conservation Department estimates that Missouri is home to about 300 black bear, or Ursus americanus, the smallest of three bear species common in North America. While black bear can weigh as much as 500 pounds, most of Missouri’s resident bears tend to be smaller. The brown-furred black bear spotted near Salem was estimated to weigh about 200 pounds and stand about five feet on its hind legs.

At one time, bears were abundant in Missouri, but market hunting and habitat depletion all but eliminated them from the state. From the 1920s until at least the early 1960s, black bear were assumed to no longer exist in the Show-Me State. The only bears to be found in Missouri adorned our state seal. That began to change as Arkansas began reintroducing bears in the 1960s. Black bear sightings have steadily increased in Missouri ever since.

In 2010, the Conservation Department launched the Missouri Black Bear Project to study the growth of the state’s bear population. Since then, the department has marked more than 145 bears and placed tracking collars on at least 90. A map published on the department’s website records every reported bear sighting in the state. Most sightings have been in the southern part of Missouri, usually south of Interstate 44.

As a general rule, black bears are not aggressive and will not attack a human unless they feel threatened. A mother bear will protect her young, however, so extra caution is warranted anytime you see bear cubs. Never approach a black bear. If you see one, remain calm and give the animal plenty of space to escape. Back away slowly, with your arms raised. Speak in a calm, loud voice. Do not turn your back on a bear and do not run.

Bears are scavengers by nature. Although they prefer plants, fruits and nuts, they also eat fish and small mammals. Given the opportunity, they’ll also eat whatever you leave out for them, including your pet’s food and the refuse in your garbage can. Once bears see humans as a food source they can become aggressive and dangerous. Do not feed bears and avoid providing anything that attracts bears to your home or campsite. Bring anything that smells like food indoors. When camping in bear country, stow food in your vehicle or hang it high, strung between trees.

If you do spot a black bear in the wild – or in a city park, as happened in Rolla recently – the Conservation Department asks that you share details of the sighting. The Report Wildlife Sightings page on the https://nature.mdc.mo.gov website includes a form where you can record details and location of the encounter, and even upload a photograph of the bear (there are separate pages for sightings of feral hogs or mountain lions).

Currently, hunting black bears is prohibited in Missouri. House Bill 260, which passed during the 2019 session, imposes a minimum $10,000 fine for poaching a black bear. As bear numbers increase, we may again see bear hunting in Missouri. The Conservation Department anticipates a limited season once the native population rises to about 500 bears.

The return of black bears to Missouri is welcome by many outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts. It is certainly not cause for alarm. By following a few basic guidelines, Missouri residents can coexist with these majestic animals and enjoy the resurgence of a native species in the state.