Kentucky is home to a growing bear population that offers frequent and widespread viewing opportunities in the wild. Chief Communications Officer Kevin Kelly tells the News Edge the bear was sighted near Dixon after biologists confirmed bear tracks in southern Henderson County earlier this week. At that point the safety of other people becomes a concern because they may have absolutely no interest in having a bear in their yard. John Hast, bear program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, says with a little luck, you can see a bear on the Little Shepherd Trail, a winding mountain roadway that runs from Whitesburg to Kingdom Come State Park. Bears may wander for several weeks or more in pursuit of a good habitat and prospective mates before returning to the mountains. This is especially true for chicken coops that may be easily entered by a bear. Do not leave trash in the back of pick-up trucks as commonly results in damage to the vehicle. Following these guidelines will significantly reduce the potential for human-bear conflicts at your residence. As oak forests matured after extensive logging efforts in the early 1900s, bears recolonized these habitats from our neighboring states of West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee. There is no reason that you should ever be within 150 feet of a bear. The threat is possible, however, and simple precautions can eliminate this unnecessary problem. Photo: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. If you do encounter a bear, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife urges you to keep a safe distance and never approach the bear. On Monday, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologists confirmed bear tracks in southern Henderson County. Following these simple guidelines will enable you to minimize human-bear conflicts and help the KDFWR better manage our growing bear population. Best in Kentucky Destination Highlight Great Outdoors Kentucky Eats Worth The Trip, Byron Crawford Commonwealths Gadgets & Gizmos Kentucky Kids Smart Health Uniquely Kentucky, Incentives & Rebates Business Spotlight Co-op Community Co-Operations Co-ops Care Cutting Cost Energy Guides KAEC CEO Our Power Safety Moment. During poor mast years, however, bears den later as it takes longer to acquire enough to make through the 34 month denning period in which bears do not eat, drink, urinate, or defecate. However, it also offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. Watch a video of Hast discussing a bear sighting in Jessamine County. Make sure the bear has a clear escape route. Black bears are extremely powerful animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. The black bear (Ursus americanus) is a large and powerful mammal that is native to Kentuckys forests and mountains. April 14, 2023 4:25 PM. Wildlife viewing drives, hiking trails, and camping areas offer excellent opportunities to observe these animals in their natural environments. Do not toss food scraps outside to feed pets; this is a strong lure for bears. As a result, Kentucky is now home to a resident bear population that is experiencing considerable increases in both numbers and range. David Oppenheimer was relaxing in a chair outside his home when he turned to see something startling. Biologists believe this is likely the same bear. In addition to contributing to the likely death of that bear, you are also breaking the law. The activity pattern of black bears is generally crepuscular, meaning active during the early morning and late evening hours. 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. "They're very good at kind of taking advantage of what we call those unsecured attractants," she said about unattended food. In Kentucky, females typically enter dens from mid-November to December. A black bear was standing right next to Black bears have a natural fear of people and adverse encounters with people are extremely rare.". A black bear was standing right next to him, just feet away. Currently, black bears are the most abundant and widespread of all eight bear species in the world. Photo: Kentucky If a bear is close enough that you feel uncomfortable, slowly back away, continuing to yell while watching the bear at all times. He points out these bears get pushed out of the area by older, dominant males, and may wander up to several weeks or more into unfamiliar territory in search of good habitat and prospective mates before they return to the mountains where they were raised. Females give birth to one to five cubs, with an average litter size of two. As author Linda Masterson says in Living with Bears: With the black bear population healthy or growing across much of the continent, and people populations on the increase as well, people and black bears are encountering each other more often. Access to garbage annually accounts for approximately 70% of all nuisance complaints received by the KDFWR. Keep in mind the following notes if you see people feeding bears: It is important to remember that bears are powerful animals and their behavior can be unpredictable. Stay connected with Kentucky Living between magazine issues! Its not just social media, Fugitive wanted in three counties arrested in Knox County. They can also be hard to see in tall grass. Yearlings can weigh anywhere from 20100 pounds, depending upon food availability, as they strike out to establish their own new territory. But these wild animals might be more hungry than the average houseguest. Conservation officers and biologists advise the public to never approach or feed a bear. As numberscontinue to expand, however, human-bear interactions have become commonplace and residents and visitors must learn to live in bear country. Bear activity is on the rise across central Kentucky. Watch a video of Hast discussing a bear sighting in Jessamine County. Although black bears are generally secretive towards people, they can become extremely tolerant in the presence of concentrated food sources. https://www.kfvs12.com/2021/07/21/bear-spotted-henderson-webster-counties The best thing to do to avoid them altogether is to feed your pets indoors, throw food scraps in the garbage instead of the yard, remove bird feeders in the spring and summer when food is naturally available, and finally let nature take its course. Copyright 2020 WKYT. The parks ranger-led programs and hiking trails provide opportunities to learn about the parks wildlife and observe these animals in their natural habitats. Sign up for Kentucky Living updates Bears often stand up to see what is happening He said if you have domestic animals like cats or dogs, keep them inside. This is why fall food abundance prior to denning, primarily in the form of acorns, is critical for black bears in the Southern Appalachians. 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. Eastern box turtles are known to have a long lifespan, with some individuals living for over a century. 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. UTICA, Ind. Situations that invite bears into or near human dwellings can create cycles of behavior that can be very hard to break. Download a technical bulletin entitled Black Bears and Bee Yards. Bears in Kentucky usually den in rock cavities, hollow trees, or open dens in thick brush piles. Black bears are wide-ranging and relatively long lived animals. Feeding a bear even one time can create a pattern of nuisance behavior in that animal. Photo courtesy Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Direct or indirect feeding of black bears is illegal in Kentucky!. Richardson said sending out news releases allows the state to properly inform Kentuckians who may regularly see false reports on social media. The site is filled with information about black bearswhich can be black, brown or cinnamon coloredand what to do if you encounter one. (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. Copyright 2020 WKYT. Conditioned bears increasingly rely on human-related foods. By following these simple guidelines for managing attractants you can prevent unnecessary damage. Male black bears are known to wander great distances, Morgan said. Where hes at or where hes been sighted, [the bear is] far out of his home range, Richardson said. Store garbage in a closed structure and put it out the morning of garbage pickup, not the night before. 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.. Due to the potential for significant monetary loss, the KDFWR strongly recommends all bee yard owners follow the guidelines below: Evidence of Black BearDamage to Bee Hives- Photo by Jayson Plaxico. Since 1998, the KDFWR has received sighting and nuisance reports from 54 Kentucky counties. If the number of bears in a habitat is about at the level the habitat cansupport, female bears (sows) start having more male cubs. On the ground, black bears are equally powerful as they may run at speeds approaching 35 miles per hour for relatively short bursts. 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 To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. 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. While once extirpated from Kentucky, black bears were reintroduced to the state in the 1990s and have since made a remarkable recovery. Driving along country roads during early morning or late evening hours can offer sightings of white-tailed deer grazing in fields, raccoons scavenging for food, or wild turkeys foraging along the roadside. Realize that NO!!! Their current range also includes the entire eastern region of the Commonwealth along the Southern Appalachian Mountains bordering Virginia and West Virginia. Without any negative stimuli, that bear will become increasingly conditioned to human food and bolder in its attempts to acquire those items. Hoosier Democrats, Republicans and insiders talk candidly about issues, the Indiana Statehouse and everything in between on Indiana Week In Review from WFYI Public Media. WebNever approach a bear! He graduated from Hopkinsville High School in 2019. Visitors may spot deer, squirrels, turkeys, raccoons, and black bears. Keep your distance. One of the best ways to be safe around bears is to simply keep your distance. Bears will often stand upright to obtain a better sense of smell. This quickly promotes the development of exploratory behaviors as bears learn to locate food, find escape cover, and navigate through large territories. From the rolling hills of the Bluegrass region to the rugged mountains of eastern Kentucky, state parks provide diverse habitats. In 2016, a Sierra Madre resident was hospitalized after he was attacked by a bear on a hiking trail. You have permission to edit this article. In their travels, young bears may also be lured by the smell of human-related foods. Inside the den of a radio collared female black bear. This is just a way for us to verify for people. Help protect Kentuckys bears by being responsible and following our guidelines for living in bear country. While black bears are often referred to as hibernating during the denning period, this is actually not the case. 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 Princeton on Saturday. Unfortunately, bears that become conditioned to human foods often develop a second and even more negative behavioral condition as a result of spending so much time around humans. A black bear that was first confirmed last week in Henderson has now made its way south, through Webster County and Caldwell County into rural Hopkins County, following a reported sighting on Wednesday night in the Dunn Church area north of Dawson Springs and another on Thursday morning near Ilsley. Kentuckys wildlife management areas are managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Kentuckys bear population is typically limited to eastern Kentucky, but Richardson says younger bears sometimes wander west in the early summer. Habituated bears are often killed by poachers or struck by vehicles because they frequent residential areas. Conversely, female home range size averages about 20 km2, or almost 8 square miles. After females are bred in June, the fertilized eggs remain in a state of arrested development and are not implanted in the uterus until the fall. Sometimes, the bear pictures and black panther pictures or mountain lion pictures, they get passed around all over the country, Richardson said. Wild turkeys are known for their strong flying ability and keen senses, making them a challenging game species for hunters. Bears have an incredible sense of smell and are likely being lured by some type of food attractant. Eastern Kentucky has seen another bear sighting. She was hesitant to walk in the snow at first, but we had April weather in March,and the snow melted a lot. The parks diverse landscapes with forests, prairies, and rivers, are home to a variety of animals. WebOnce abundant throughout the United States, the historic range of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) was significantly reduced by habitat loss and fragmentation. Black bears are more common to be spotted in eastern Kentucky. He also had advice for anyone who happens to spot the animal. (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. Chief Communications Officer Kevin Kelly The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife confirms bear tracks have been spotted in southern Henderson County. UTICA, Ind. 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. Bears are often up in trees and you may walk right by them without ever noticing. The same applies to a bear that enters a home. Iowa Wild Animals: What are They and Where to See Them? A young male American black bear took a stroll through the University of Kentucky last year and continued his trip into downtown Lexington. In addition, black bears have an incredible homing instinct and can travel amazing distances in relatively short periods of time. Mother bear and cubs - Photo by Dave Maehr. If you feed a bear in your backyard, that animal is eventually going to leave and may travel to a house 10 or 20 miles away. Dont approach the bear, dont shoot the bear, you know, the bear is just passing through, he said. Raccoons are notorious for their mischievous behavior and are a common sight in many parts of Kentucky. As human development continues and bear numbers increase, however, interactions will be unavoidable. Unlike Kentucky's sighting, wildlife officials haven't confirmed the southern Indiana report as a bear, because the security footage is more grainy. CALDWELL COUNTY, Ky. (KFVS) - Photos show an apparent bear sighting near Princeton, Kentucky. City officials intend to vote on a proclamation this month that would urge the state to update or enhance its policies for a sustainable managed bear population. Sierra Madre plans to release bear-proof trash cans to help deter hungry bears, but not just in high-frequency areas of the city. Chief Communications Officer Kevin Kelly tells the News Edge the bear was sighted near Dixon after biologists confirmed bear tracks in southern Henderson County earlier this week. Getting too close to a bear may cause the bear to see you as a threat. Black Bear Logging - Photo by They are known for their excellent sense of smell and are often attracted to human food sources, such as garbage cans and bird feeders. But the health department said it's been below short-term exposure limits. The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife has confirmed that the bear has been spotted north of Prospect, Kentucky. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife opens over 1,400 acres for public hunting in western Kentucky, The December tornado outbreak destroyed many trees a key habitat for bats, Hunters in western Kentucky asked to take special precautions to curtail chronic wasting disease in deer. More importantly, you can help stop the cycle of food-conditioned and human-habituated behaviors that bears learn when feeding near human dwellings. An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Dogs can be a great deterrent for keeping curious bears out of your yard. Don't Leave! All rights reserved. Resources biologist Tristan Curry checks Hes trying to find a spot for him to live, and its not going to be around here. The copperhead snake (Agkistrodon contortrix) is a venomous snake that is common in Kentuckys woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. He adds these are the first reports of a bear in the area this summer. He said those calls included 17 incidents in which bears entered homes and caused property damage. During that time, their metabolism slows so that all reserve energy is used for basic life functions and milk production for cubs. You can find more information on bears here. While there have been other studies, Alston says this was the first to encompass what biologists believe to be the entire range of this population of bears. Beshear announces replacement SNAP benefits for Kentuckians impacted by March 3 storms, Family seeks justice for teen shot in head while trying to pick up siblings at wrong address, Felon who threatened driver, bar patrons in Butler Co. with gun sentenced to 5.5 years in prison, Cape Girardeau man accused of pointing gun at several people during argument, Man arrested in connection with Texaco, Ill. stabbing, Cape Girardeau City Council votes to expand urban deer hunt, Mississippi man arrested after Marion, Ill. police find more than 80lbs. You do not want to make the bear feel threatened. Kentucky Historical Society, View from Tater Knob in Daniel Boone National Forest - Photo by Steven Dobey. Bears are powerful animals and they may damage property in their pursuit of human-related foods. All bear species have an incredible sense of smell. If you insist on feeding birds, minimize potential damage by hanging birdfeeders on a pulley system at least 8 feet above the ground. Officials with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife have confirmed reports a black bear was spotted in Webster County Wednesday. 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. JESSAMINE CO., Ky. (WKYT) - Bear activity is on the rise across central Kentucky. The latest spotting happened on Wednesday in The most successful measures to alleviate human-bear conflicts must, therefore, be proactive and be put into effect before a problem develops. Ive had bears eat my chickens, Mayor Edward Garcia said during the council meeting. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources said they also had a bear sighting report last Thursday from someone else in the same area. On Wednesday, a bear was observed near Dixon, Kentucky in Webster County. You can find more information on bears here. Black bears, like this one pictured in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Suffolk, Virginia, are rarely seen in Indiana. If cornered or threatened, bears may slap the ground, pop their jaws or huff as a warning. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and are known to raid trash cans, gardens, and even pet food bowls in search of food. Some counties saw a 20% growth rate in the number of American black bears last year, Hast says. Shegreets visitorsdaily, and theycan see her up close. Rogers said Tasha has adjusted well to her life at theCenter. The breeding season occurs from June to mid-July and males will breed with as many females as possible. Unfortunately, bears can become so tolerant and bold around people that issues of human safety arise. 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. 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. According to Kelly, there are expanding bear populations in both eastern Kentucky as well as the Ozarks region of Missouri. When this occurs, bears may become habituated to people and lose their natural fear of humans, which creates potentially dangerous situations. If approached by a bear- stand your ground, raise your arms to appear larger, and yell until it leaves the area. For the last few months, several individuals in various areas of Perry County, including within Hazard city limits, have experienced black bear sightings. 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. The best thing to do is identify the attractant and remove the source. Nuisance behaviors in bears are typically those that cause problems with people in and around homes, neighborhoods, or businesses. Bear sightings are on the rise in Kentucky. A black bear that was first confirmed last week in Henderson has now made its way south, through Webster County and Caldwell County into rural Hopkins County, Black bears are very curious animals and this should not be confused with Photo: Debra Gibson Isaacs, All black bear cubs are born in the den around mid-January to early February. Bears can travel 20 miles or more in a day if undisturbed. 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. Each winter, department biologists collect important research information and monitor the bear population in southeast Kentucky, using radio collars to track female bears to their dens. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources officials say they have received several reports of bear sightings in western Kentucky over the past week. (cNews) White-tailed deer are the most popular game animal in Kentucky, and hunting them is a cherished tradition for many residents. The bear will again expect to be fed because you have taught it to associate people with food. Doing so will not only help us keep bears wild in Kentucky, but it just may save a bears life. Black bears are extremely powerful animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a familiar sight in Kentuckys woods and fields. Weights among bears are extremely variable, however, and are determined by food availability and the time of year. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. Rock cavities, hollow trees, or open dens in thick brush piles well... People that issues of human safety arise a closed structure and put it out the morning of garbage,. Not only help us keep bears wild in Kentucky, and navigate through large territories is identify the attractant remove... Many residents usually den in rock cavities, hollow trees, or almost 8 square miles Kentucky females... Number of American black bears are generally secretive towards people, they can become extremely tolerant in the.. On Wednesday, a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife officials! 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