On Monday, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologists confirmed bear tracks in southern Henderson County. Male bears travel incredible distances throughout the breeding season of June and July, while movements by female bears are generally limited to the highest quality habitat available. Litters are produced every other year and cubs generally weigh only 816 ounces at birth. Kentucky is home to a growing bear population that offers frequent and widespread viewing opportunities in the wild. There is no reason that you should ever be within 150 feet of a bear. If you insist on feeding birds, minimize potential damage by hanging birdfeeders on a pulley system at least 8 feet above the ground. Interactions between humans and bears have increased over the last four years, with more people reporting bears foraging for food and entering homes, city Visitors may spot deer, squirrels, turkeys, raccoons, and black bears. Black bears are powerful, large-bodied animals that grow to 46 feet in length when fully grown. An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. During the spring and summer months, bears in the Southern Appalachians feed primarily on grasses and fruit, suchas blackberries, blueberries, and huckleberries. This way, garbage does not sit out overnight and lure bears into your area. If you do see a black bear, keep a safe distance. Its not just social media, Fugitive wanted in three counties arrested in Knox County. Interactions between humans and bears have increased over the last four years, with more people reporting bears foraging for food and entering homes, city officials said. What to See? A nearby man took care of her for months but did not have the permits to keep her. He says the black bear tracks are likely the same bear spotted in Webster County. Nuisance reports peak in June and July for two reasons. Use solar chargers as a power source if bee yards are left unattended for extended periods. HENDERSON CO., Ky. (WFIE) - Theres been a lot of talk about bear sightings this summer in southern Illinois and southern Indiana, and now reports are surfacing in western Kentucky. Dustin Wilcox is a television production student at Murray State University. It is suspected that growing bear numbers in McCreary County are the likely result of population expansion from the BSF in Tennessee, which was home to an experimental release of 14 female bears from Great Smoky Mountains National Park from 19961997. Black bears are extremely powerful animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. Generally, those behaviors include some form of attractants such as garbage, food scraps, pet food, birdfeeders, livestock feed, or other human-related items. As human development continues and bear numbers increase, however, interactions will be unavoidable. They are excellent climbers and are often seen scaling trees or exploring for food along riverbanks. These graceful creatures are known for their distinctive white tail and reddish-brown coat. Black bears are very curious animals and this should not be confused with aggression. Such dramatic differences in home range area between sexes are due to two things- reproductive condition and season. The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large and iconic game bird that is native to Kentuckys forests and grasslands. Consequently, cubs are born in late January while still in the den and weigh only ounces at birth. Bears will move on after realizing there is no food to be obtained. If you do encounter a bear, keep a safe distance and never approach the bear. "The intent is to show the state that the policies in place are not working for Sierra Madre," City Manager Jose Reynoso said. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. To date, the largest bear handled in Kentucky was a 480-pound adult male that was captured as a research animal during the summer of 2008. Do not leave trash in the back of pick-up trucks as commonly results in damage to the vehicle. Careful maintenance of barbeque grills is an overlooked precaution that will prevent unwanted visits by bears and other wildlife. But these wild animals might be more hungry than the average houseguest. One oftheearliest bears seen herethis yearwas a mother with yearlings(one-year-olds)andan adult male.. Sometimes, the bear pictures and black panther pictures or mountain lion pictures, they get passed around all over the country, Richardson said. The black bear (Ursus americanus) is a large and powerful mammal that is native to Kentuckys forests and mountains. There is almost always a safe escape route when bears enter towns. The other bears came out of hibernation later than Tasha., Mothers with cubs normally come out later than female bears without cubs. Download a technical bulletin entitled Black Bears and Bee Yards. Another bear showed up in Jessamine County. Store livestock feed inside a sturdy, enclosed structure. Kentucky, located in the eastern United States, is home to a diverse range of wildlife species that thrive in its forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Bear sightings in Sierra Madre have increased in recent years, and city officials say they want the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to change its approach to dealing with Bears are very curious animals, however, and this should not be mistaken for aggression. Definitely dont approach in anyway, just give them their space and theyll keep doing what they do.. The results of this work will be published soon. The heaviest wild black bear ever reliably documented was an 880-pound, 10-year old male that was harvested on the coast of North Carolina in the fall of 1998. Long-term monitoring and ongoing research has identified the core population as concentrated along the Pine, Cumberland, and Black Mountain areas within in Harlan, Letcher, and Pike counties. Kentucky Historical Society, View from Tater Knob in Daniel Boone National Forest - Photo by Steven Dobey. To learn more about Bear Hunting in Kentucky, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) is a fascinating reptile that can be found in Kentuckys woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. Females with offspring remain together throughout the second winter, and they again den as a family unit. The parks ranger-led programs and hiking trails provide opportunities to learn about the parks wildlife and observe these animals in their natural habitats. While the core population is concentrated along the Pine, Cumberland, and Black Mountain areas, bears may now be found throughout the eastern portions of the Commonwealth. Watch a video of Hast discussing a bear sighting in Jessamine County. Unlike Kentucky's sighting, wildlife officials haven't confirmed the southern Indiana report as a bear, because the security footage is more grainy. Any sightings of this bear should be immediately reported either to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife by calling 1-800-858-1549 during business hours, or to local law enforcement. Tasha joined three other American Black Bears at the North American Bear Center in Ely, Minnesota. If cornered or threatened, bears may slap the ground, pop their jaws or huff as a warning. Eastern gray squirrels are adaptable and can thrive in a variety of habitats, from dense forests to suburban neighborhoods. This second trait is referred to as habituation to humans, and it is simply a loss of their natural fear of people. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources officials say they have received several reports of bear sightings in western Kentucky over the past week. The KDFWR has trapped bears and moved them 10, 20 even 55 air miles away and they still find their way home. This is just a way for us to verify for people. Located in eastern Kentucky, Daniel Boone National Forest is a sprawling wilderness area that spans over 700,000 acres and offers ample opportunities for wildlife viewing. Hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and camping areas provide ample opportunities to spot these animals in their natural habitats. UTICA, Ind. Hunting season: Summer, Fall, Winter Bears keep to themselves for the most part, except for male bears during mating season. In their travels, young bears may also be lured by the smell of human-related foods. Unfortunately, those sources are almost always a direct byproduct of human-related foods. If that lure is strong enough, and food is successfully obtained, then bears may very likely make it a habit to visit those types of areas for food. WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - A black bear was recently spotted in a Whitley County neighborhood. Getting too close to a bear may cause the bear to see you as a threat. While most bears that wander into western Kentucky come from the eastern Kentucky population, this animal may have come just a little bit further. It was big news because central Kentuckians are not accustomed to seeing bears in their neighborhoods. Kelly says residents of an area where a bear has been spotted should secure their garbage in a garage or other building, not leave pet food or bird feed outside and clean and store barbecue grills. Bears were also spotted last summer in Louisville. When bears are intentionally fed, they learn to associate people with food and lose their natural fear of humans. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. In Kentucky, females typically enter dens from mid-November to December. Interactions between humans and bears have increased over the last four years, with more people reporting bears foraging for food and entering homes, city officials said. Favorite insect items include grubs and underground yellow jacket nests, which bears often dig up to consume this protein-rich food source. This sighting provides an opportunity for Hoosiers in the area to secure outdoor grills, trashcans, or pet and bird food," he said. The breeding season occurs from June to mid-July and males will breed with as many females as possible. 1 talking about this. In addition, people who feed bears are teaching those animals to associate people with food. This quickly promotes the development of exploratory behaviors as bears learn to locate food, find escape cover, and navigate through large territories. Most Loved Cars in Georgia: Exploring the Top Choices for Georgian Drivers, Love is Blind: The Tragic Crash that Delayed the Reunion, The Boston Marathon: One of the Worlds Most Prestigious Races on Patriots Day. While bears may appear very calm and non-threatening, they should be treated with respect as they are wild animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. Immediately report any instances of people feeding bears to the KDFWR by calling 1-800-25ALERT (1-800-252-5378). Store garbage in a closed structure and put it out the morning of garbage pickup, not the night before. Black bears are extremely powerful animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. In many areas of Kentucky, it is fairly common for bears to be near human dwellings during the spring and summer months. Biologists believe this is likely the same bear. Additionally, costs associated with the installation of an electric fence can be minimal when compared to potential losses in money by the destruction of honey and bees. After spring emergence, the mother will run off the yearling bears as she comes into estrus and prepares for the new breeding season. The research focused on nearly 9 million acres of the Big South Fork area of Kentucky and Tennessee, and southeastKentucky and northeast Tennessee, according to Josh Alston, the UT graduate student who led the study. No visual sightings were reported from 19951997. In those instances, bears may have to be trapped, relocated, or even killed. Do not play dead! around them. These attractants typically include garbage, pet food, and birdfeeders. Emerging from dens weighing only 510 pounds, cubs have less than one year to learn the necessary skills to ensure their survival as solitary yearlings. Photos of the bear in Caldwell County, Kentucky were taken over the weekend. This behavior is the same as giving your pet a food reward for successfully completing a repetitive task. You can find more information on bears here. Now, wildlife officials believe a photo taken from a family near Cromwell in Ohio County is for real and Locate calving grounds away form forest edges, and enclose with electric fencing if possible. Get in touch. This is actually for the benefit forher young, as adult males will often kill smaller bears during the breeding season. Some counties saw a 20% growth rate in the number of American black bears last year, Hast says. Slowly back away while facing the bear at all times. Black bears are primarily solitary animals that are skilled at foraging for food, with a diet that includes nuts, berries, insects, and small mammals. In the case of bears, the task is overturning a garbage can or climbing into a dumpster, and the reward is the food that is obtained. The black bear (Ursus americanus) is a large and powerful mammal that is native to Kentuckys forests and mountains. In a recent news release, state biologists confirmed reports of bear tracks in Princeton last Monday, a bear sighting near Dixon on Wednesday and a sighting in Even worse, their new problem is of absolutely no fault of their own but they are stuck with the consequences. of pot during traffic stop, Three people injured in shooting in Centralia, Complete KFVS12, Heartlands CW and Grit Schedules. The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a familiar and charismatic mammal found throughout Kentuckys woodlands and urban areas. Sightings are also rare, even if bears from neighboring states have been spotted throughout Kansas on occasions. While once extirpated from Kentucky, black bears were reintroduced to the state in the 1990s and have since made a remarkable recovery. Currently, black bears are the most abundant and widespread of all eight bear species in the world. Kentucky Black Bear Sightings. In Kentucky, historical accounts indicate that bears were Bury or move dead livestock away from living animals as carcasses will attract bears and other predators., Locate bee yards away from forest edges and riparian areas (river bottoms, creek drainages).. And remember that even one person intentionally or unintentionally feeding bears will cause problems for an entire neighborhood. WebTo date, the largest bear handled in Kentucky was a 480-pound adult male that was captured as a research animal during the summer of 2008. If a person does encounter a bear in the wild, it's best to back away with hands at the hips and leave the bear an open escape route, Rich said. Leave the windows and doors open and let the bear find its way out, she added. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. The department said these sightingsfollow other recent reports in the region. Bears have a bit of built-in physiological magic, according to Hast. Do not store garbage or other potential foods outside as odors will attract bears. Officials with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife have confirmed reports a black bear was spotted in Webster County Wednesday. When the acorns drop this fall, theyll want to be in a naturally wooded area which is what eastern Kentucky has, Hast said. A young male American black bear took a stroll through the University of Kentucky last year and continued his trip into downtown Lexington. This is especially true for chicken coops that may be easily entered by a bear. They want nothing to do with people, which is great, Hast said. 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The department says there are bear populations in both eastern Kentucky and in the Ozarks region of Missouri. Visitors to Land Between the Lakes may encounter white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, eastern box turtles, and various bird species. Food-conditioned bears live considerably shorter lives than wild bears. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The great majority of their time is spent alone and on a seemingly endless quest for food. Resources biologist Tristan Curry checks Non-invasive approaches ( Mowat and Paetkau 2002) have become a preferred empirically based approach to estimate population sizes than less standardized ones (e.g., roadkill surveys). Make your presence known by yelling at the bear and slowly back away without turning your back. Ive had bears eat my chickens, Mayor Edward Garcia said during the council meeting. Bears will often stand upright to obtain a better sense of smell. Indiana residents who spot a bear in the state are encouraged to report those sightings using the DNRs large mammal report form or by calling DNR Law Enforcement at 812-837-9536. (AP) A black bear that's been spotted in northern Kentucky may venture into Indiana by taking a swim across the Ohio River, state wildlife officials say. Lobby your local municipal government for the use of bear-resistant containers. These venomous snakes are known for their distinctive pattern of light and dark bands on their bodies, which provide excellent camouflage in their natural habitats. It's coming directly at you. Officials with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife have confirmed reports a black bear was spotted in Webster County Wednesday. Sierra Madre police responded to 130 calls about black bears making their way into residential areas in 2022, Capt. So, they tend to make a loop and end up where they started. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. Black bears are very curious animals and this should not be confused with aggression. From the rolling hills of the Bluegrass region to the rugged mountains of eastern Kentucky, state parks provide diverse habitats. A black bear was standing right next to So, they tend to make a loop and end up where they started.. Conservation officers and biologists advise the public to never approach or feed a bear. Direct or indirect feeding of black bears is illegal in Kentucky!. Ultimately, relocating bears is not an effective long-term management tool. Without any negative stimuli, that bear will become increasingly conditioned to human food and bolder in its attempts to acquire those items. These situations generate serious public safety concerns, however, when viewers encroach upon bears and leave no obvious path of escape. Photo: KY The rural roads and scenic byways in the state, especially those passing through wooded areas, provide unexpected opportunities for wildlife viewing. You have permission to edit this article. Nuisance behaviors learned as a cub will often stay with that bear for life. This ability is critical to bear survival as climbing is an important adaptation that enables bears to obtain food, locate suitable denning habitats, and escape from predators. The older bears want to fight and the female bears arent interested in them, so they go on these walkabouts.. The site is filled with information about black bearswhich can be black, brown or cinnamon coloredand what to do if you encounter one. Conditioned bears increasingly rely on human-related foods. The remainder of their diet typically consists of insects and any animal material discovered while foraging. Running from a black bear will likely trigger a natural instinct to chase. He says its not unusual in the early summer for young male bears to wander well outside of their established bear range in eastern Kentucky. Sierra Madre plans to release bear-proof trash cans to help deter hungry bears, but not just in high-frequency areas of the city. Rogers said in generalKentucky bearsden up 2 months laterthan those in Minnesota,andKentucky bearsdo not go into such a deep hibernation. Reports have been made of black bear sighting in Caldwell County. He said those calls included 17 incidents in which bears entered homes and caused property damage. Sightings in Kentucky are relatively rare, but they are a thrilling sight for nature enthusiasts who are fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures in the wild. Richardson said mature male bears push smaller ones out of their typical ranges this time of year to encourage them to find their own place to relocate. While variant color phases may exist, bears are typically black with a brown muzzle and may exhibit a white patch on their chest. If you draw a diagonal line from Cumberland County to Lewis County, you will find that these counties have a resident bear population, some sparse and some robust.. They can also be hard to see in tall grass. An online guide called BearWise lists what people can do to minimize the chances of such run-ins. Almost all of these types of problems can be eliminated by simply removing the attractant. In addition, bears have become increasingly common in McCreary and surrounding counties expanding outward from junction of the Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (BSF). Feed outside pets only enough food for one meal at a time. Yeah, this stuff youre seeing on social media the last few days is accurate.. Raccoons are notorious for their mischievous behavior and are a common sight in many parts of Kentucky. Bear sightings in Sierra Madre have increased in recent years, and city officials say they want the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to change its approach to dealing with the wild animals in the foothill community. Copyright 2021 KFVS. It is not unusual in the early summer for young male bears to wander outside of the established bear range in Eastern Kentucky. All, or parts for 47 Kentucky counties, will be open to black bear hunting in 2017, with a harvest quota of 50 bears. These distinctive turtles are known for their hard, dome-shaped shells and colorful patterns. Injuries to pets by black bears are not a common occurrence in Kentucky. fight or actually fight with another bear. Be responsible and help us keep bears wild in Kentucky! Locate and remove the lure that caused the bear to come into town. (cNews) Although black bears are generally secretive towards people, they can become extremely tolerant in the presence of concentrated food sources. The advantage of this reproductive strategy is that females are able to devote all energy reserves towardmilk production at a time when natural foods are practically nonexistent. Many of these young males end up migrating to southern Jessamine and Fayette counties by following along the river. Make sure the bear has a clear escape route. He said, in his opinion, the bear could be from Illinois. Many state parks have designated wildlife viewing areas, nature trails, and interpretive programs that allow visitors to learn about and observe the states wild animals. These bears get pushed out of the Don't Leave! They are known for their excellent sense of smell and are often attracted to human food sources, such as garbage cans and bird feeders. CALDWELL COUNTY, Ky. (KFVS) - Photos show an apparent bear sighting near Princeton, Kentucky. This serves as a proxy for biologists to determine how bear-saturated an area is. If garbage must be left outside, store it in a sturdy building or in a bear-resistant container. The best thing to do is identify the attractant and remove the source. In doing so, they have increased opportunities to encounter human dwellings. He graduated from Hopkinsville High School in 2019. As a result, Kentucky is now home to a resident bear population that is experiencing considerable increases in both numbers and range.
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