Since January, there have been a dozen calls related to bears, including five in which bears tried to set up a den in a homes crawl space, Amos said. On Wednesday, a bear was observed near Dixon, Kentucky in Webster County. WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - A black bear was recently spotted in a Whitley County neighborhood. You have permission to edit this article. However, these feeders supply an easy food source and provide an easy meal for bears. Have a question? But the chances of seeing an American black bear in Kentucky are increasing, especially in eastern and southeastern Kentucky, according to John Hast, bear program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the state agency charged with conserving, protecting and enhancing the states wildlife. Hell eventually make his way back to the mountains.. of Fish and Wildlife Resources. 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. WebOnce abundant throughout the United States, the historic range of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) was significantly reduced by habitat loss and fragmentation. State and local officials broke ground Monday on a $3.7 billion Eli Lilly manufacturing facility in Boone County. (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. For more information, visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources website. 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. Instead, the proper storage of human-related foods and never feeding bears is the key. If you do see a black bear, keep a safe distance. 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. Births occur in January while the female is denning. Never run from a black bear as this may trigger a natural response to chase. Photo: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The older bears want to fight and the female bears arent interested in them, so they go on these walkabouts.. At about 16 months of age, the yearling bears disperse soon as the mother comes into estrus in preparation for the breeding season. 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. 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. WhatdidTasha do? In fact, the majority of the natural diet of black bears is actually composed primarily of plant matter. Would you want a bear like that coming around your house? Direct or indirect feeding of black bears is illegal in Kentucky!. In the event of an attack, fight back using everything in your power - including fists, sticks, rocks, or any other debris. He said those calls included 17 incidents in which bears entered homes and caused property damage. Whether you explore forests, recreation areas, wildlife management areas, state or national parks, or rural roads, be sure to practice responsibility. Kansas Angler Reels in Record-Breaking Crappie, Shattering 59-Year-Old Record, How to Care for Native Bee Houses: Buzzing With Success, Kansas Wild Animals Tour: Exploring the States Wildlife. It was big news because central Kentuckians are not accustomed to seeing bears in their neighborhoods. Illinois Wild Animals Spotting: Where to Go? The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a familiar and charismatic mammal found throughout Kentuckys woodlands and urban areas. 1 talking about this. But these wild animals might be more hungry than the average houseguest. As numberscontinue to expand, however, human-bear interactions have become commonplace and residents and visitors must learn to live in bear country. Eastern box turtles are known to have a long lifespan, with some individuals living for over a century. There are no grizzly bears in Kentucky. Litters are produced every other year and cubs generally weigh only 816 ounces at birth. Unlike Kentucky's sighting, wildlife officials haven't confirmed the southern Indiana report as a bear, because the security footage is more grainy. One oftheearliest bears seen herethis yearwas a mother with yearlings(one-year-olds)andan adult male.. Reports have been made of black bear sighting in Caldwell County. Consequently, cubs are born in late January while still in the den and weigh only ounces at birth. Rogers said in generalKentucky bearsden up 2 months laterthan those in Minnesota,andKentucky bearsdo not go into such a deep hibernation. Careful maintenance of barbeque grills is an overlooked precaution that will prevent unwanted visits by bears and other wildlife. In addition, people who feed bears are teaching those animals to associate people with food. They are specifically designated for wildlife conservation and offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. David Oppenheimer was relaxing in a chair outside his home when he turned to see something startling. Favorite insect items include grubs and underground yellow jacket nests, which bears often dig up to consume this protein-rich food source. Multiple bear sightings reported across central Kentucky. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife confirms bear tracks have been spotted in southern Henderson County. 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. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources website. The potential does exist, however, so we encourage landowners to minimize conflicts by following these guidelines. The department explained why the bear may be wandering: "It is not unusual in the early summer for young male bears to wander well outside of the established bear range in eastern Kentucky. Conversely, female home range size averages about 20 km2, or almost 8 square miles. 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. The breeding season occurs from June to mid-July and males will breed with as many females as possible. This is actually for the benefit forher young, as adult males will often kill smaller bears during the breeding season. 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. Black bears are normally very elusive and shy animals and unless they have become accustomed to human food sources, they tend to avoid people. UTICA, Ind. Dept. The bear's sighting isn't a cause for alarm but a time for residents to prepare to avoid negative interactions with the animal if it does cross into Indiana, said Brad Westrich, a nongame mammalogist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Go online to fw.ky.gov and search under the key words, black bear, or click here. It is an ideal location to spot a wide range of animals. 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. Get in touch. 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. CALDWELL COUNTY, Ky. (KFVS) - Photos show an apparent bear sighting near Princeton, Kentucky. Iowa Wild Animals: What are They and Where to See Them? Ive had bears eat my chickens, Mayor Edward Garcia said during the council meeting. More importantly, you can help stop the cycle of food-conditioned and human-habituated behaviors that bears learn when feeding near human dwellings. Even worse, their new problem is of absolutely no fault of their own but they are stuck with the consequences. Immediately report to the KDFWR any sightings of bears within areas of human population centers. But the health department said it's been below short-term exposure limits. Bears were also spotted last summer in Louisville. In those instances, bears may have to be trapped, relocated, or even killed. You can find more information on bears here. Help protect Kentuckys bears by being responsible and following our guidelines for living in bear country. Black bears are known for their stocky bodies, shaggy coats, and iconic crescent-shaped ears. Another bear showed up in Jessamine County. Black bears are solitary animals with the exception of individual family units or breeding pairs during the June-July breeding season. Black Bear Logging - Photo by Put out the garbage the day of pick-up, rather than the night before; this will significantly reduce access to food. Although black bears are generally secretive towards people, they can become extremely tolerant in the presence of concentrated food sources. Yearlings can weigh anywhere from 20100 pounds, depending upon food availability, as they strike out to establish their own new territory. These distinctive turtles are known for their hard, dome-shaped shells and colorful patterns. Odors from cooking can travel long distances, so never leave grills unattended if you live in bear country. Data collected by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) clearly illustrate that most conflicts result from intentional feeding, or access to other human-related sources such as garbage, pet food, livestock feed, and birdfeeders. Bear sightings are on the rise in Kentucky. Barking Up the Right Tree: Georgia Bulldogs Football Facts and Legends. Such dramatic differences in home range area between sexes are due to two things- reproductive condition and season. The department says there are bear populations in both eastern Kentucky and in the Ozarks region of Missouri. Currently, black bears are the most abundant and widespread of all eight bear species in the world. This comes nearly a month after a bear was seen As is the case with pets, injury or death to livestock is an uncommon occurrence in Kentucky. 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. Bears will almost always find an escape route if they are left alone. This is why fall food abundance prior to denning, primarily in the form of acorns, is critical for black bears in the Southern Appalachians. Generally, those behaviors include some form of attractants such as garbage, food scraps, pet food, birdfeeders, livestock feed, or other human-related items. Another bear showed up in Jessamine County. We talked to Tom Ward with Caldwell County Animal Control. Let it go about its business and soon enough it will be gone.. Located in south-central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its sprawling underground cave system. When this occurs, bears may become habituated to people and lose their natural fear of humans, which creates potentially dangerous situations. A young male American black bear took a stroll through the University of Kentucky last year and continued his trip into downtown Lexington. Its not just social media, Fugitive wanted in three counties arrested in Knox County. All rights reserved. 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. Prevent any conflicts by treating bears with respect as they are wild animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. Since 1998, the KDFWR has received sighting and nuisance reports from 54 Kentucky counties. If you see those behaviors you are too close! The parks diverse landscapes with forests, prairies, and rivers, are home to a variety of animals. Following these guidelines will significantly reduce the potential for human-bear conflicts at your residence. Food-conditioned bears live considerably shorter lives than wild bears. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources personnel have been looking at bear numbers since the early 2000s, according to Hast. Wildlife viewing drives, hiking trails, and camping areas offer excellent opportunities to observe these animals in their natural environments. 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 JESSAMINE CO., Ky. (WKYT) - Bear activity is on the rise across central Kentucky. 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. A young male American black bear took a stroll through the University of Kentucky last year and continued his trip into downtown Lexington. 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. Rogers said Tasha has adjusted well to her life at theCenter. As such, bears habituated to humans can pose public safety concerns and often need to be destroyed as relocation is not a responsible management action. In June and July there are a lot of roaming males, and like us, bears will walk the roads in early morning and late evening.. When bears have ready access to human-related foods, two behavioral situations can arise that seriously affect the potential for future nuisance activity- food conditioning and habituation. Bears are very curious animals, however, and this should not be mistaken for aggression. However, he adds Kentucky Fish and Wildlife advises the public to never approach or feed a bear, which can result in a negative encounter. Dont approach the bear, dont shoot the bear, you know, the bear is just passing through, he said. Many wildlife management areas have designated viewing areas, trails, and observation blinds where visitors can safely observe these animals in their natural habitats. However, it also offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. In addition, black bears have an incredible homing instinct and can travel amazing distances in relatively short periods of time. WebNever approach a bear! Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and are known to raid trash cans, gardens, and even pet food bowls in search of food. There is almost always a safe escape route when bears enter towns. Use solar chargers as a power source if bee yards are left unattended for extended periods. Bear population growth rate figures come from extrapolating data from numerous sources, including a research program conducted by the University of Tennessee (UT), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the U.S. Forest and Park services and the U.S. Geological Survey. Doing so will not only help us keep bears wild in Kentucky, but it just may save a bears life. Collectively, female bears den before males, and pregnant females or those with offspring den before solitary females. She was hesitant to walk in the snow at first, but we had April weather in March,and the snow melted a lot. These situations generate serious public safety concerns, however, when viewers encroach upon bears and leave no obvious path of escape. That's when you would want to get big and get loud and scream and wave your arms in the air," Rich said. NO!!! It is not unusual in the early summer for young male bears to wander outside of the established bear range in Eastern Kentucky. UTICA, Ind. Clear overhanging branches from bee yards to prevent bears from climbing into fenced areas. Store pet food inside or in a solid, enclosed structure. All rights reserved. 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. Early May, through June, is peak bear season across Kentucky. Research shows that male bears range over areas from 200500 km2; that is an area of approximately 77193 square miles! Black bears are very curious animals and this should not be confused with Photos of the bear in Caldwell County, Kentucky were taken over the weekend. 2. Send us your best photos for a chance to be featured. The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife has confirmed that the bear has been spotted north of Prospect, Kentucky. If you see a black bear from a distance, alter your route of travel. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. around them. Black bears, like this one pictured in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Suffolk, Virginia, are rarely seen in Indiana. 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. These nocturnal creatures are known for their masked faces and ringed tails. 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. While variant color phases may exist, bears are typically black with a brown muzzle and may exhibit a white patch on their chest. Vast portions of the Kentucky region that were cleared for timber are once again mature hardwood forests. Bears have a bit of built-in physiological magic, according to Hast. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. These bears get pushed out of the Realize that While black bears are often referred to as hibernating during the denning period, this is actually not the case. Black bears den for the winter months and typically emerge in late March or early April. Eastern box turtles are a cherished sight for nature enthusiasts and are protected as a threatened species in Kentucky. Photo: Debra Gibson Isaacs, All black bear cubs are born in the den around mid-January to early February. The site is filled with information about black bearswhich can be black, brown or cinnamon coloredand what to do if you encounter one. The threat is possible, however, and simple precautions can eliminate this unnecessary problem. Photo: Debra Gibson Isaacs, Although they are large and most often black, American black bears are easily hidden in tall grass or up in trees. April 14, 2023 4:25 PM. But, he said, he "wouldn't necessarily call them attacks.". Feeding bears is the worst thing that people can do when it comes to creating human-bear conflicts. 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. Yeah, this stuff youre seeing on social media the last few days is accurate.. Consequently, it is important to remember that it is the odor of food items that first lure bears near homes or neighborhoods. Black bears are wide-ranging and relatively long lived animals. Although reports of bear and mountain lions commonly occur in the area, most are normally dismissed as hoaxes. Sometimes older males den for relatively short periods and may travel a bit before denning in another location. Feed outside pets only enough food for one meal at a time. To learn more about Bear Hunting in Kentucky, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. Watch a video of Hast discussing a bear sighting in Jessamine County. 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