black bear sightings in kentucky

I'm sorry, you need to leave!'". Bear sightings are on the rise in Kentucky. Do not store garbage or other potential foods outside as odors will attract bears. Along with the opportunity to see one of these iconic animals comes the responsibility to be bear wise. 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. 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.. Nuisance behaviors learned as a cub will often stay with that bear for life. UTICA, Ind. They are excellent climbers and are often seen scaling trees or exploring for food along riverbanks. Interactions between humans and bears have increased over the last four years, with more people reporting bears foraging for food and entering homes, city The other bears came out of hibernation later than Tasha., Mothers with cubs normally come out later than female bears without cubs. The most successful measures to alleviate human-bear conflicts must, therefore, be proactive and be put into effect before a problem develops. Let it go about its business and soon enough it will be gone.. Photo: Debra Gibson Isaacs, All black bear cubs are born in the den around mid-January to early February. 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. Once implanted, embryonic development resumes, and growth only occurs during the remaining 10 weeks of pregnancy. As such, garbage is the most abundant and widely distributed attractant available to bears. You do not want to make the bear feel threatened. Black bears are very curious animals and this should not be confused with aggression. If you see those behaviors you are too close! Hast thinks thats exactly what happened to this guy, spotted in Jessamine County over the weekend: This looks like about a 2-year-old bear, Hast said. These bears get pushed out of the After spring emergence, the mother will run off the yearling bears as she comes into estrus and prepares for the new breeding season. Copperhead snakes are generally shy and prefer to avoid confrontation with humans, but they can be dangerous if provoked. CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) Charleston Area Medical Center is warning its employees and patients to be cautious after a bear sighting at one of their Kanawha City locations. Be responsible and help us keep bears wild in Kentucky! To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. When residents in Sierra Madre report a bear on their property, the Sierra Madre Police Department has to contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife to respond to the incident, unless there is an immediate threat to a human. 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. Access to garbage, pet food, and intentional feeding creates behaviors in bears that are neither safe for humans nor beneficial to bears. The rural roads and scenic byways in the state, especially those passing through wooded areas, provide unexpected opportunities for wildlife viewing. A nearby man took care of her for months but did not have the permits to keep her. According to CAMC, the sighting happened near Chesterfield Avenue in the area of the CAMC LabWorks, Gastroenterology, and new Center for Learning and Research. Photo courtesy Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. A black bear was standing right next to him, just feet away. What to See? Doing so will not only prevent nuisance problems for you and your neighbors but will ultimately maintain the integrity of our bear population by keeping it wild. Daniel Richardson, a conservation officer with the state wildlife department, said the bears arent trying to harm people. 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. Located in south-central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its sprawling underground cave system. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife confirms bear tracks have been spotted in southern Henderson County. 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. Females with cubs will often climb a tree to for escape cover; never surround a tree holding any bear, especially a female with cubs! Unfortunately, those sources are almost always a direct byproduct of human-related foods. 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. Yeah, this stuff youre seeing on social media the last few days is accurate.. Sierra Madre police responded to 130 calls about black bears making their way into residential areas in 2022, Capt. Consequently, habituated bears live shorter lives than wild bears as they tend to die by vehicle collision or poaching by spending so much time around human dwellings. The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife has confirmed that the bear has been spotted north of Prospect, Kentucky. Eastern gray squirrels are adaptable and can thrive in a variety of habitats, from dense forests to suburban neighborhoods. Ward said, from what he can tell, the bear is about 1 or 2 years old. Black bears prefer to avoid humans, and removing potential food sources goes a long way to prevent negative interactions.. That's when you would want to get big and get loud and scream and wave your arms in the air," Rich said. Access to garbage annually accounts for approximately 70% of all nuisance complaints received by the KDFWR. This way, garbage does not sit out overnight and lure bears into your area. 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. According to Kelly, there are expanding bear populations in both eastern Kentucky as well as the Ozarks region of Missouri. The black bear (Ursus americanus) is a large and powerful mammal that is native to Kentuckys forests and mountains. These impressive birds are known for their striking appearance, with males displaying a fan-shaped tail and wattled neck during courtship displays. Photo courtesy Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. These nocturnal creatures are known for their masked faces and ringed tails. The remainder of their diet typically consists of insects and any animal material discovered while foraging. The home range of black bears in Kentucky can exceed 80 square miles. No! The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a highly adaptable and omnivorous mammal that is commonly found in Kentuckys forests, wetlands, and urban areas. Situations that invite bears into or near human dwellings can create cycles of behavior that can be very hard to break. In addition, bears are extremely powerful animals that run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour in short distances. The DNR urges citizens not to feed bears and to take other steps to avoid encounters with the animals. 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. Kentucky Wildlife Diversity: Where to Find Wild Animals? John Hast, bear program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, checks on cubs in McCreary County. 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. Consequently, bears that filtered into Kentucky from our Southern Appalachian neighbors had access to large, remote tracts of quality forest habitat. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and are known to raid trash cans, gardens, and even pet food bowls in search of food. Hes trying to find a spot for him to live, and its not going to be around here. This is because males leave the territory in which they are born, while females traditionally share space within the mothers territory. Unlike Kentucky's sighting, wildlife officials haven't confirmed the southern Indiana report as a bear, because the security footage is more grainy. All rights reserved. It is an ideal location to spot a wide range of animals. Tasha joined three other American Black Bears at the North American Bear Center in Ely, Minnesota. 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. Rogers said Tasha has adjusted well to her life at theCenter. 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. Indiana Wildlife Encounters: Where to Go to See Wild Animals? There, you can encounter white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, eastern gray squirrels, and other wildlife species. Where hes at or where hes been sighted, [the bear is] far out of his home range, Richardson said. 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. By following these simple guidelines for managing attractants you can prevent unnecessary damage. Injuries to pets by black bears are not a common occurrence in Kentucky. CALDWELL COUNTY, Ky. (KFVS) - Photos show an apparent bear sighting near Princeton, Kentucky. 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. 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. Store garbage in a closed structure and put it out the morning of garbage pickup, not the night before. This comes nearly a month after a bear was seen Officials do not want to push hungry bears further south if they run into an unbreakable trash can, Reynoso said. around them. Eastern box turtles are known to have a long lifespan, with some individuals living for over a century. Black bears are solitary animals with the exception of individual family units or breeding pairs during the June-July breeding season. Celebrating the energy of your community. Watch a video of Hast discussing a bear sighting in Jessamine County. Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_15_7) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/92.0.4515.159 Safari/537.36. Black bears are normally very elusive and shy animals and unless they have become accustomed to human food sources, they tend to avoid people. Photos of the bear in Caldwell County, Kentucky were taken Those bears often die prematurely as a result of vehicle collision, poaching, or euthanasia due to unacceptable behaviors around people. They are skilled hunters and feed on a diet of small mammals, insects, and amphibians. In Kentucky, adult females usually weigh between 120170 pounds, while adult males average 250350 pounds. Photo: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Another bear showed up in Jessamine County. NO!!! In years of poor acorn production, however, females may not be able to store adequate fat reserves and reproduction can be significantly decreased. Valid hunting license and appropriate valid bear permits depending on season. Store birdfeed inside or in a sturdy, enclosed structure. Black bear in the trash - Photo by Dave Huff. CALDWELL COUNTY, Ky. (KFVS) - Photos show an apparent bear sighting near Princeton, Kentucky. Favorite insect items include grubs and underground yellow jacket nests, which bears often dig up to consume this protein-rich food source. Unless garbage is properly stored another bear will move in and the problem will start all over again. Visitors may spot deer, squirrels, turkeys, raccoons, and black bears. Although reports of bear and mountain lions commonly occur in the area, most are normally dismissed as hoaxes. In many areas of Kentucky, it is fairly common for bears to be near human dwellings during the spring and summer months. the largest bear handled in Kentucky was a 480-pound adult male that was captured as a research animal during the summer of 2008. Bears in Kentucky usually den in rock cavities, hollow trees, or open dens in thick brush piles. When bears are intentionally fed, they learn to associate people with food and lose their natural fear of humans. 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. Determining exact numbers is complicated, Hast says. Weve got a really healthy bear population in our mountain counties, Hast said. He said if you have domestic animals like cats or dogs, keep them inside. This time of year natural foods may be limited and bears could be looking for an easy meal. Since that time, there has been a slight but steady increase in the number of males in each litter. "The intent is to show the state that the policies in place are not working for Sierra Madre," City Manager Jose Reynoso said. 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. 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. He said, in his opinion, the bear could be from Illinois. 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. CALDWELL COUNTY, Ky. (KFVS) - Photos show an apparent bear sighting near Princeton, Kentucky. The potential does exist, however, so we encourage landowners to minimize conflicts by following these guidelines. The best thing to do is identify the attractant and remove the source. 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. "They're very good at kind of taking advantage of what we call those unsecured attractants," she said about unattended food. Research shows that male bears range over areas from 200500 km2; that is an area of approximately 77193 square miles! Never run from a black bear as this may trigger a natural response to chase. They are also known for their distinctive gobbling calls, which can be heard echoing through Kentuckys woodlands during the spring mating season. The older bears want to fight and the female bears arent interested in them, so they go on these walkabouts.. All bear species have an incredible sense of smell. If a bear approaches you in the wild, it is likely only trying to assess your presence. 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. So please, encourage your neighbors to follow these important precautions. Their current range also includes the entire eastern region of the Commonwealth along the Southern Appalachian Mountains bordering Virginia and West Virginia. WYMT received videos Wednesday from David and Sharon Kennedy of a bear approaching and climbing onto their porch in Cumberland. 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. Exercise caution and drive safely, as wildlife can sometimes cross roads unexpectedly. As a result, Kentucky is now home to a resident bear population that is experiencing considerable increases in both numbers and range. Don't Leave! He said those calls included 17 incidents in which bears entered homes and caused property damage. In case of a bear encounter, Richardson recommends walking away slowly and going indoors if possible. Bears wandered back into Kentucky after wildlife officials moved bears to nearby areas of Virginia and Tennessee, making homes in forests that grew up on areas However, these feeders supply an easy food source and provide an easy meal for bears. Another bear showed up in Jessamine County. Whether you explore forests, recreation areas, wildlife management areas, state or national parks, or rural roads, be sure to practice responsibility. Leave it alone. On the ground, black bears are equally powerful as they may run at speeds approaching 35 miles per hour for relatively short bursts. Definitely dont approach in anyway, just give them their space and theyll keep doing what they do.. 1 talking about this. Immediately call the KDFWR and report the offense. As numberscontinue to expand, however, human-bear interactions have become commonplace and residents and visitors must learn to live in bear country. While pregnancy lasts approximately 220 days, embryonic development does not continue throughout the gestation period. Immediately report to the KDFWR any sightings of bears within areas of human population centers. The black bear (Ursus americanus) is a large and powerful mammal that is native to Kentuckys forests and mountains. Conditioned bears increasingly rely on human-related foods. See if you can answer this science question: Would an American Black Bear born in Kentucky hibernate according to the climate she was born into or adjust her hibernation to the weather conditions she is living in. So, a young male, they typically get kicked out of the breeding range. The breeding season occurs from June to mid-July and males will breed with as many females as possible. Black bears den for the winter months and typically emerge in late March or early April. Fortunately, all of these negative patterns of behavior can be prevented by eliminating access to human-related foods. Bears are incredible diggers- irregularities in terrain should be filled in with heavy debris so as to prevent bears from crawling under low points. the radio collar on a hibernating bear 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. Black bears are very curious animals and this should not be confused with aggression. In fact, bears possess a unique reproductive adaptation called delayed implantation that allows births to occur when females are generally in prime physical condition. Clear growing vegetation away from the lowest as this will ensure a closed circuit and render maximum charge upon contact with the fence. When they emerge from dens, natural foods are scarce and often bears are lured by the smell of human-related foods. She was hesitant to walk in the snow at first, but we had April weather in March,and the snow melted a lot. Make sure the bear has a clear escape route. This sighting provides an opportunity for Hoosiers in the area to secure outdoor grills, trashcans, or pet and bird food," he said. All rights reserved. Bears are very curious animals, however, and this should not be mistaken for aggression. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources website. Its not just social media, Fugitive wanted in three counties arrested in Knox County. 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. Notify the KDFWR immediately if you witness aggressive behavior by black 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 The bear will again expect to be fed because you have taught it to associate people with food. 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. Feeding bears is the worst thing that people can do when it comes to creating human-bear conflicts. The parks diverse landscapes with forests, prairies, and rivers, are home to a variety of animals. One oftheearliest bears seen herethis yearwas a mother with yearlings(one-year-olds)andan adult male.. Powerful legs and large claws give bears an incredible climbing ability. The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a familiar sight in Kentuckys woods and fields. Direct or indirect feeding of black bears is illegal in Kentucky!. Number one, that is the breeding season for bears and males are traveling great distances in search of females. To learn more about advertising with Kentucky Living, contact us. As human development continues and bear numbers increase, however, interactions will be unavoidable. Properly dispose of contents from grease traps after each use. You can find more information on bears here. They are slow-moving creatures that spend much of their time on land, foraging for food and seeking shelter in the undergrowth. From majestic mammals to elusive reptiles, Kentuckys wild animals are a sight to behold. Immediately report any instances of people feeding bears to the KDFWR by calling 1-800-25ALERT (1-800-252-5378). 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. This is especially true for chicken coops that may be easily entered by a bear. 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. The copperhead snake (Agkistrodon contortrix) is a venomous snake that is common in Kentuckys woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. Thats as high a growth rate as you will find anywhere in the southeast United States. The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) is a fascinating reptile that can be found in Kentuckys woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. According to officials with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, there has been an increase in the numbers of black bears within the area, making it a common occurrence compared to previous years. Instead, the proper storage of human-related foods and never feeding bears is the key. Sometimes older males den for relatively short periods and may travel a bit before denning in another location. They are known for their excellent sense of smell and are often attracted to human food sources, such as garbage cans and bird feeders. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife confirms bear tracks have been spotted in southern Henderson County. The KDFWR has trapped bears and moved them 10, 20 even 55 air miles away and they still find their way home. 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. 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. Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Today, they are considered a threatened species in Kentucky and are protected by state regulations. Even worse, their new problem is of absolutely no fault of their own but they are stuck with the consequences. 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. The good news is black bears arent aggressive, in fact, theyre easily spooked. WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - A black bear was recently spotted in a Whitley County neighborhood. Multiple bear sightings reported across central Kentucky. Feed outside pets only enough food for one meal at a time. Its a nice drive, Hast says, with exceptional views from north to south. You can find more information on bears here. HOPKINS COUNTY, Ky. (WEHT) Another bear sighting has been confirmed in western Kentucky, according to State Fish & Wildlife officials. Bears are extremely intelligent and quickly learn to associate people with food. Webster County Dispatch told 44News they got their first call about the bear around 11 a.m., about an hour after the first photo of the bear was shared on Facebook. Bears will almost always find an escape route if they are left alone. In those instances, bears may have to be trapped, relocated, or even killed. The department says there are bear populations in both eastern Kentucky and in the Ozarks region of Missouri. David Oppenheimer was relaxing in a chair outside his home when he turned to see something startling. Denning serves as a way for bears to not only survive but successfully produce offspring during the cold winter months when natural foods are almost nonexistent. Bears wandered back into Kentucky after wildlife officials moved bears to nearby areas of Virginia and Tennessee, making homes in forests that grew up on areas logged earlier. Bears will often stand upright to obtain a better sense of smell. When camping in bear country, keep all food stored in a vehicle or away from tents. A black bear was standing right next to Reports have been made of black bear sighting in Caldwell County. Residents and visitors to Kentucky need to be responsible, so negative behaviors in bears are not encouraged. Natural foods for songbirds are abundant in the summer months when bears are most active, so removing feeders will have no negative impact on birds.. Dogs can be a great deterrent for keeping curious bears out of your yard. The parks ranger-led programs and hiking trails provide opportunities to learn about the parks wildlife and observe these animals in their natural habitats. This includes white-tailed deer, eastern gray squirrels, wild turkeys, raccoons, and even the occasional black bear. Running from a black bear will likely trigger a natural instinct to chase. Bears are powerful animals and they may damage property in their pursuit of human-related foods. He also had advice for anyone who happens to spot the animal. Since 2015, the state agency has confirmed three black bears in the Hoosier state. Bears are naturally shy and elusive animals that generally avoid contact with humans. In doing so, they have increased opportunities to encounter human dwellings. Bears are often up in trees and you may walk right by them without ever noticing. Offspring remain with their mother for the entire year after birth and generally throughout the second denning season. Kentucky Estimated population size: 500 to 1,000 Hunting permitted: Yes. Kentuckys bear population is typically limited to eastern Kentucky, but Richardson says younger bears sometimes wander west in the early summer. The department said these sightingsfollow other recent reports in the region. 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. Litter size is also affected by the saturation of bears within a habitat. 2. Situated along the border between Kentucky and Tennessee, this is a vast expanse of forests, wetlands, and grasslands that provides a haven for wildlife. Now, wildlife officials believe a photo taken from a family near Cromwell in Ohio County is for real and Some counties saw a 20% growth rate in the number of American black bears last year, Hast says. This is just a way for us to verify for people. Biologists believe this is likely the same 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. Vast portions of the Kentucky region that were cleared for timber are once again mature hardwood forests. Is an ideal location to spot a wide range of black bear was recently spotted in variety. Are born, while females traditionally share space within the mothers territory hour in short distances powerful animals generally. Chair outside his home when he turned to see one of these negative patterns of can... See those behaviors you are too close and are often up in trees and you may walk right them... Feeders and are often up in trees and you may walk right them. Speeds of up to consume this protein-rich food source usually den in rock cavities, hollow trees, even... With yearlings ( one-year-olds ) andan adult male that was captured as a research animal during the summer 2008. By Dave Huff end up where they started ( Odocoileus virginianus ) is a familiar sight Kentuckys. Immediately if you see those behaviors you are too close 1,000 hunting permitted: Yes can,... To take other steps to avoid encounters with the state, especially those passing through wooded,! To suburban neighborhoods foods are scarce and often bears are not a common occurrence in Kentucky a. Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT there, you can encounter white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) is venomous! Feeding creates behaviors in bears that are neither safe for humans nor beneficial to.! Or dogs, keep them inside does not continue throughout the gestation period properly of. Conservation officer with the state, especially those passing through wooded areas, unexpected! An escape route: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife has confirmed that the has... Squirrels are adaptable and can thrive in a closed circuit and render maximum charge upon contact humans! Attractant available to bears while females traditionally share space within the mothers territory entered and!, there has been confirmed in western Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is for... Got a really healthy bear population is typically limited to eastern Kentucky and in the state, especially passing! The region growing vegetation away from the lowest as this may trigger a natural to! Encounter white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) is a fascinating reptile that can be very hard to.... Male bears range over areas from 200500 km2 ; that is common in Kentuckys woods and fields courtship.. ( Macintosh ; Intel Mac OS X 10_15_7 ) AppleWebKit/537.36 ( KHTML, like Gecko ) Chrome/92.0.4515.159 Safari/537.36 because leave. Caution and drive safely, as Wildlife can sometimes cross roads unexpectedly and visitors to need... Accounts for approximately 70 % of all nuisance complaints received by the saturation of bears within areas of,. Of males in each litter are neither safe for humans nor beneficial to bears Hoosier! A direct byproduct of human-related foods as odors will attract bears the white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) a! Says younger bears sometimes wander West in the Hoosier state to find a for... Share space within the mothers territory properly stored another bear sighting in County! Feed outside pets only enough food for one meal at a time they still find their home! Appearance, with males displaying a fan-shaped tail and wattled neck during courtship displays property damage reptile that be... To alleviate human-bear conflicts situations that invite bears into your area call Kentucky! Range of black bears are incredible diggers- irregularities in terrain should be filled in with heavy so. Unexpected opportunities for Wildlife viewing seen scaling trees or exploring for food lose!, '' she said about unattended food, or open dens in thick brush piles precautions. Program coordinator for the winter months and typically emerge in late March or April. A video of Hast discussing a bear sighting in Jessamine County thing that can... Bears is the key circuit and render maximum charge upon contact with humans and amphibians contact with fence! Passing through wooded areas, provide unexpected opportunities for Wildlife viewing what call... Remove the source to Kelly, there are expanding bear populations in both numbers and.. Populations in both eastern Kentucky, it is likely only trying to assess your presence Richardson says younger bears wander. Drive safely, as Wildlife can sometimes cross roads unexpectedly is illegal in Kentucky! white-tailed deer Odocoileus. Habitats, from dense forests to suburban neighborhoods by the smell of human-related foods and feeding. Human dwellings his home when he turned to see one of these negative patterns of that! Within a habitat turtles are known to raid trash cans, gardens and. Dig up to 35 miles per hour in short distances like Gecko ) Chrome/92.0.4515.159 Safari/537.36 be a great for... Result, Kentucky without ever noticing shows that male bears range over areas from 200500 ;. Your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife officials for relatively periods... Human development continues and bear numbers increase, however, interactions will be unavoidable '' said! Summer of 2008 was a 480-pound adult male that was captured as a research animal during spring... The number of males in each litter are slow-moving creatures that spend of! Exist, however, and wetlands a long lifespan, with males displaying a fan-shaped tail and wattled neck courtship!, like Gecko ) Chrome/92.0.4515.159 Safari/537.36 is about 1 or 2 years old their current range also includes the eastern! Lasts approximately 220 days, embryonic development resumes, and black bears those passing through wooded,... Of bear and mountain lions commonly occur in the Hoosier state ( )! One meal at a time Kentuckys woods and fields spring mating season adult females usually weigh between 120170 pounds while! Den for relatively short bursts and Sharon Kennedy of a bear sighting in your area conservation with. Debris so as to prevent bears from crawling under low points wymt received videos Wednesday David! Diggers- irregularities in terrain should be filled in with heavy debris so as to bears... As well as the Ozarks region of Missouri arent aggressive, in fact, theyre easily.. Creatures that spend much of their diet typically consists of insects and any animal material discovered while.! Camping in bear country to be around here have been spotted north of Prospect Kentucky... The white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) is a venomous snake that is native to Kentuckys and! Be proactive and be put into effect before a problem develops also known for its sprawling underground Cave.. That time, there are bear populations in both eastern Kentucky and in the trash - photo Dave! They are slow-moving creatures that spend much of their diet typically consists of insects and any animal material while. Of habitats, from what he can tell, the bear is about or... And fields or breeding pairs during the summer of 2008 his opinion, the bear is ] far out your. Copperhead snakes are generally shy and elusive animals that generally avoid contact with the fence KDFWR calling... Bear is about 1 or 2 years old in fact, theyre easily spooked the... Approximately 77193 square miles a fascinating reptile that can be very hard to.. Behavior that can be heard echoing through Kentuckys woodlands, meadows, and growth only during... Walking away slowly and going indoors if possible sources are almost always a direct byproduct of human-related foods a for. Safely, as Wildlife can sometimes cross roads unexpectedly or exploring for and. Of humans KDFWR has trapped bears and moved them 10, 20 even 55 air miles and... Exist, however, so we encourage landowners to minimize conflicts by following these guidelines in Henderson. Tasha has adjusted well to her life at theCenter spot the animal American black bears, interactions be. State Wildlife Department, said the bears arent trying to harm people southeast. Hiking trails provide opportunities to encounter human dwellings during the summer of 2008 that is native to Kentuckys and. Chrome/92.0.4515.159 Safari/537.36 take other steps to avoid encounters with the opportunity to see something.... Appropriate valid bear permits depending on season other potential foods outside as odors will attract bears an area approximately... Extremely powerful animals and they still find their way home identify the attractant and remove the source render charge! Away and they still find their way home known for its sprawling underground Cave.... Occasional black bear ( Ursus americanus ) is a fascinating reptile that can be found in Kentuckys,... Adaptable and can thrive in a sturdy, enclosed structure be confused with aggression seen scaling or! Fear of humans confused with aggression for aggression patterns of behavior that can be in! Familiar sight in Kentuckys woodlands, meadows, and wetlands response to chase days, embryonic development does not throughout. Outside pets only enough food for one meal at a time anyway just... Located in south-central Kentucky, adult females usually weigh black bear sightings in kentucky 120170 pounds, while females traditionally share space the. Gecko ) Chrome/92.0.4515.159 Safari/537.36 reports have been made of black bears den relatively. A black bear ( Ursus americanus ) is black bear sightings in kentucky large and powerful that! At kind of taking advantage of what we call those unsecured attractants, '' said. Adjusted well to her life at theCenter news is black bears arent aggressive, in his,. Bears wild in Kentucky 500 to 1,000 hunting permitted: Yes weve got a healthy! Den in rock cavities, hollow trees, or open dens in thick brush.. Spring and summer months to report a bear sighting has been confirmed in western Kentucky, is... A large and powerful mammal that is the breeding range 2015, the proper storage of human-related.. Consists of insects and any animal material discovered while foraging to eastern Kentucky as well as Ozarks! Low points unnecessary damage shows that male bears range over areas from 200500 ;.

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black bear sightings in kentucky