black bear sightings in kentuckyblack bear sightings in kentucky

Vast portions of the Kentucky region that were cleared for timber are once again mature hardwood forests. Although reports of bear and mountain lions commonly occur in the area, most are normally dismissed as hoaxes. Birdfeeders are often overlooked when it comes to minimizing human-bear conflicts in residential areas. According to CAMC, the sighting happened near Chesterfield Avenue in the area of the CAMC LabWorks, Gastroenterology, and new Center for Learning and Research. However, it also offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. Bears will often stand upright to obtain a better sense of smell. 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. Kentuckys wildlife management areas are managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. In doing so, they have increased opportunities to encounter human dwellings. Life happens quickly, so take a snapshot! Ward is unsure if its the same one seen near Rend Lake, but he did say bears can travel a lot. 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. 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. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife at 800-858-1549 or email Info.Center@ky.gov. ONE person feeding bears will create a problem animal that may affect multiple neighborhoods. Currently, black bears are the most abundant and widespread of all eight bear species in the world. On Wednesday, a bear was observed near Dixon, Kentucky in Webster County. 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. 2. Yeah, this stuff youre seeing on social media the last few days is accurate.. 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 To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife at 800-858-1549 or email Info.Center@ky.gov. In Kentucky, the direct or indirect feeding of black bears is a crime that is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to a year in jail and the loss of hunting and fishing privileges for up to 3 years. So, they tend to make a loop and end up where they started.. Damage to apiaries can be extensive and very costly if action is not taken quickly. While the life expectancy of male bears is shorter than that of females, bears may live 1525 years in the wild. The important thing to remember when dealing with nuisance behaviors, however, is that problem bears are not born- they are a product of their environment. Although black bears are generally secretive towards people, they can become extremely tolerant in the presence of concentrated food sources. Early May, through June, is peak bear season across Kentucky. Animals exhibiting those behaviors are doing so because they have either been fed or have learned to feed on improperly stored garbage or pet food. Leave it alone. Be responsible and help us keep bears wild in Kentucky! Black bears are extremely powerful animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. On Wednesday, a bear was observed near Dixon, Kentucky in Webster County. These impressive birds are known for their striking appearance, with males displaying a fan-shaped tail and wattled neck during courtship displays. Conditioned bears increasingly rely on human-related foods. Kentucky Black Bear Sightings. If cornered or threatened, bears may slap the ground, pop their jaws or huff as a warning. 1 talking about this. If you do encounter a bear, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife urges you to keep a safe distance and never approach the bear. The first rule is that you want to make your presence known by yelling and shouting at the bear in an attempt to scare it away. The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife has confirmed that the bear has been spotted north of Prospect, Kentucky. 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. 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. We talked to Tom Ward with Caldwell County Animal Control. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. Photo: Debra Gibson Isaacs, All black bear cubs are born in the den around mid-January to early February. A young male American black bear took a stroll through the University of Kentucky last year and continued his trip into downtown Lexington. Unfortunately, those sources are almost always a direct byproduct of human-related foods. Shout and throw sticks or rocks in the vicinity of a bear to encourage flight once an escape route has been established. April 14, 2023 4:25 PM. NO!!! While once extirpated from Kentucky, black bears were reintroduced to the state in the 1990s and have since made a remarkable recovery. Dustin Wilcox is a television production student at Murray State University. WebOnce abundant throughout the United States, the historic range of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) was significantly reduced by habitat loss and fragmentation. 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. 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. of Fish and Wildlife Resources. 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. Black bears have a natural fear of people and adverse encounters with people are extremely rare.". Black bears are extremely powerful animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. This second trait is referred to as habituation to humans, and it is simply a loss of their natural fear of people. These attractants typically include garbage, pet food, and birdfeeders. Following these simple guidelines will enable you to minimize human-bear conflicts and help the KDFWR better manage our growing bear population. Since 2015, the state agency has confirmed three black bears in the Hoosier state. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife 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. Photo: Debra Gibson Isaac, Since this 10-year-old photo was taken On Monday, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologists confirmed bear tracks in southern Henderson County. Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife 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. The department says there are bear populations in both eastern Kentucky and in the Ozarks region of Missouri. They are excellent climbers and are often seen scaling trees or exploring for food along riverbanks. The city partnered with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to approach the issue with canyon-area residents to let them know if their trash cans are unsecure or if pet food was left out. Reports have been made of black bear sighting in Caldwell County. Black bears den for the winter months and typically emerge in late March or early April. The great majority of their time is spent alone and on a seemingly endless quest for food. David Oppenheimer was relaxing in a chair outside his home when he turned to see something startling. Photos of the bear in Caldwell County, Kentucky were taken This will often trigger its natural instinct to chase. 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. Hes trying to find a spot for him to live, and its not going to be around here. 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. Even worse, their new problem is of absolutely no fault of their own but they are stuck with the consequences. UTICA, Ind. 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. Getting too close to a bear This sighting provides an opportunity for Hoosiers in the area to secure outdoor grills, trashcans, or pet and bird food," he said. He also had advice for anyone who happens to spot the animal. A black bear was standing right next to him, just feet away. Doing so will not only help us keep bears wild in Kentucky, but it just may save a bears life. These nocturnal creatures are known for their masked faces and ringed tails. All rights reserved. Favorite insect items include grubs and underground yellow jacket nests, which bears often dig up to consume this protein-rich food source. If a bear approaches you in the wild, it is likely only trying to assess your presence. fight or actually fight with another bear. 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. But the health department said it's been below short-term exposure limits. Do not toss food scraps outside to feed pets; this is a strong lure for bears. In their travels, young bears may also be lured by the smell of human-related foods. Instead, the proper storage of human-related foods and never feeding bears is the key. Situations that invite bears into or near human dwellings can create cycles of behavior that can be very hard to break. No! Be certain to face solar chargers so as to receive the most sunlight. Kentuckys bear population is typically limited to eastern Kentucky, but Richardson says younger bears sometimes wander west in the early summer. While black bears can be tolerant of people, they should always be treated as the wild animals they are, whether in a residential or backcountry area. With a population of over a million, white-tailed deer are a common sight for both residents and visitors to the state. In the last decade, four "bear-human interactions" in and around the city limits have been reported, according to James Carlson, a city analyst. You can find more information on bears here. The bears appear emboldened and have caused property damage and eaten livestock. Visitors may spot deer, squirrels, turkeys, raccoons, and black bears. Food-conditioned bears live considerably shorter lives than wild bears. Powerful legs and large claws give bears an incredible climbing ability. 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. Kentucky, located in the eastern United States, is home to a diverse range of wildlife species that thrive in its forests, wetlands, and grasslands. These bears get pushed out of the Eastern Kentucky has seen another bear sighting. Feeding a bear even one time can create a pattern of nuisance behavior in that animal. In the fall, a diet of hard mast composed of acorns and beechnutsallows thebears to put on extraordinary fat reserves that enable not only survivalbut cub production, during the denning season. You do not want to make the bear feel threatened. 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. Store livestock feed inside a sturdy, enclosed structure. Do not store garbage or other potential foods outside as odors will attract bears. Rogers said in generalKentucky bearsden up 2 months laterthan those in Minnesota,andKentucky bearsdo not go into such a deep hibernation. This expansive area is home to diverse habitats, including dense woodlands, open meadows, and marshes. As bear numbers increase, so may the occurrence of black bears in towns or local municipalities. You can find more information on bears here. The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) is a fascinating reptile that can be found in Kentuckys woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. Chief Communications Officer Kevin Kelly Located in south-central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its sprawling underground cave system. Bears are often up in trees and you may walk right by them without ever noticing. Nuisance behaviors in bears are typically those that cause problems with people in and around homes, neighborhoods, or businesses. Another bear showed up in Jessamine County. This is just a way for us to verify for people. HOPKINS COUNTY, Ky. (WEHT) Another bear sighting has been confirmed in western Kentucky, according to State Fish & Wildlife officials. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife confirms bear tracks have been spotted in southern Henderson County. The other bears came out of hibernation later than Tasha., Mothers with cubs normally come out later than female bears without cubs. Access to garbage, pet food, and intentional feeding creates behaviors in bears that are neither safe for humans nor beneficial to bears. Of course, sheis fednatural foods such as nuts and berriesand peanut butteras well. Kentucky is home to a growing bear population that offers frequent and widespread viewing opportunities in the wild. Keep your distance. While biologically classified as true carnivores, black bears are omnivorous, meaning their diet consists of both animal and plant matter. For more information, visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources website. State and local officials broke ground Monday on a $3.7 billion Eli Lilly manufacturing facility in Boone County. https://wildlifeinformer.com/black-bear-population-by-state That's just south of Clark County, Indiana, along the Ohio River and because bears are strong swimmers officials said it may cross the river into Indiana, the News and Tribune reported. 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. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. Make sure the bear has a clear escape route. Store garbage in a closed structure and put it out the morning of garbage pickup, not the night before. This is actually for the benefit forher young, as adult males will often kill smaller bears during the breeding season. I'm sorry, you need to leave!'". Cubs grow rapidly as their diet consists exclusively of high-calorie and fat-rich milk provided by the mothers fat reserve from the previous winters hard mast consumption. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife maintains an extensive amount of information about black bears on its website. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a highly adaptable and omnivorous mammal that is commonly found in Kentuckys forests, wetlands, and urban areas. Kentucky Historical Society, View from Tater Knob in Daniel Boone National Forest - Photo by Steven Dobey. If you feed animals outside, make sure to not leave any food behind that might entice the bear. Kentucky offers a wealth of opportunities for wildlife viewing. Females with cubs will often climb a tree to for escape cover; never surround a tree holding any bear, especially a female with cubs! 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. Go online to fw.ky.gov and search under the key words, black bear, or click here. WebIndices of Black Bear distribution in Kentucky, 19872010. When bears are intentionally fed, they learn to associate people with food and lose their natural fear of humans. One oftheearliest bears seen herethis yearwas a mother with yearlings(one-year-olds)andan adult male.. Litter size is also affected by the saturation of bears within a habitat. This is especially true for chicken coops that may be easily entered by a bear. Research shows that male bears range over areas from 200500 km2; that is an area of approximately 77193 square miles! https://www.kfvs12.com/2021/07/21/bear-spotted-henderson-webster-counties They are specifically designated for wildlife conservation and offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. These animals are very opportunistic feeders and this adaptation allows them to thrive in so many varied habitats and climates. While relocation is an option to the immediate issue it will not solve the underlying problem. In addition to contributing to the likely death of that bear, you are also breaking the law. If a bear is close enough that you feel uncomfortable, slowly back away, continuing to yell while watching the bear at all times. The expansion is everywhere, particularly east of I-75. If you do see a black bear, keep a safe distance. Store birdfeed inside or in a sturdy, enclosed structure. If you see a bear in your neighborhood, remove birdfeeders for a minimum of 7 days. They are known for their playful behavior and are a popular sight at bird feeders in many Kentucky homes. The black bear is a powerful animal with If approached by a bear- stand your ground, raise your arms to appear larger, and yell until it leaves the area. 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 information, visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT not solve underlying... Just a way for us to verify for people do not store garbage a. Your neighborhood, remove birdfeeders for a minimum of 7 days black bear sightings in kentucky those in,. 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