black bear sightings in kentuckyblack bear sightings in kentucky

Resources biologist Tristan Curry checks Bear sightings are on the rise in Kentucky. If you want to take photos of bears or wildlife on a regular basis, invest in a telephoto lens so you dont need to be close to get a good shot. The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large and iconic game bird that is native to Kentuckys forests and grasslands. Keep in mind, however, that aggressive dogs could suffer injury or death if a physical conflict arises. If you see a bear in your neighborhood, remove birdfeeders for a minimum of 7 days. There is no reason that you should ever be within 150 feet of a bear. Following these simple guidelines will enable you to minimize human-bear conflicts and help the KDFWR better manage our growing bear population. 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. Consequently, bears spend vast amounts of time moving in search of food, cover, mates, and denning habitat. This behavior is the same as giving your pet a food reward for successfully completing a repetitive task. If a bear is reluctant to leave then proceed to throw rocks or other objects at the bear while continuing to yell. 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. Help prevent safety concerns by following these guidelines. For the last few months, several individuals in various areas of Perry County, including within Hazard city limits, have experienced black bear sightings. Careful maintenance of barbeque grills is an overlooked precaution that will prevent unwanted visits by bears and other wildlife. As a result, Kentucky is now home to a resident bear population that is experiencing considerable increases in both numbers and range. The parks ranger-led programs and hiking trails provide opportunities to learn about the parks wildlife and observe these animals in their natural habitats. There, they assess the litter and the health aspects of both mom and cubs, Hast says. Feeding bears creates behaviors in those animals that are almost impossible to correct. 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. Copyright 2020 WKYT. Number one, that is the breeding season for bears and males are traveling great distances in search of females. Copyright Conversely, female home range size averages about 20 km2, or almost 8 square miles. Once implanted, embryonic development resumes, and growth only occurs during the remaining 10 weeks of pregnancy. Officials in the city of Dixon, Kentucky, are advising the community to be cautious after a bear was spotted in the area. When bears are intentionally fed, they learn to associate people with food and lose their natural fear of humans. Photo courtesy Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Do not toss food scraps outside to feed pets; this is a strong lure for bears. A black bear was standing right next to him, just feet away. Now, wildlife officials believe a photo taken from a family near Cromwell in Ohio County is for real and For more information on the North AmericanBearCenter go towww.bear.org. The black bear (Ursus americanus) is a large and powerful mammal that is native to Kentuckys forests and mountains. Nuisance behaviors in bears are typically those that cause problems with people in and around homes, neighborhoods, or businesses. Iowa Wild Animals: What are They and Where to See Them? Be certain to face solar chargers so as to receive the most sunlight. Make sure the bear has a clear escape route. 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. Multiple bear sightings reported across central Kentucky. Running from a black bear will likely trigger a natural instinct to chase. On Monday, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologists confirmed bear tracks in southern Henderson County. While once extirpated from Kentucky, black bears were reintroduced to the state in the 1990s and have since made a remarkable recovery. What to See? These situations generate serious public safety concerns, however, when viewers encroach upon bears and leave no obvious path of escape. This is because males leave the territory in which they are born, while females traditionally share space within the mothers territory. Be responsible and help us keep bears wild in Kentucky! 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. The same applies to a bear that enters a home. It is not uncommon, for example, for a bear to almost double its summer weight after spending the fall months feeding on acorns. With its diverse mix of hardwood forests, rugged terrain, and abundant water sources, Daniel Boone National Forest is home to a wide variety of animals. Ward said, from what he can tell, the bear is about 1 or 2 years old. Do not leave garbage on a deck or porch, even if it is screened; doing so will only result in a bear on your deck or a torn screen. As bear numbers increase, so may the occurrence of black bears in towns or local municipalities. Store pet food inside or in a solid, enclosed structure. 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. Slowly back away while facing the bear at all times. 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. No visual sightings were reported from 19951997. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a familiar sight in Kentuckys woods and fields. Rogers said in generalKentucky bearsden up 2 months laterthan those in Minnesota,andKentucky bearsdo not go into such a deep hibernation. These bears get pushed out of the Feeding bears is absolutely the worst thing that people can do to ensure a bears death. 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. NO!!! 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. David Oppenheimer was relaxing in a chair outside his home when he turned to see something startling. Black bears are extremely powerful animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. 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. The black bear is a powerful animal with OREGON: Record-breaking Bull Trout Reeled in by Lucky Angler, Louisiana Wild Animals Lookout: Best Places to See Wildlife Down South. Stay connected with Kentucky Living between magazine issues! The good news is black bears arent aggressive, in fact, theyre easily spooked. Weights among bears are extremely variable, however, and are determined by food availability and the time of year. Shout and throw sticks or rocks in the vicinity of a bear to encourage flight once an escape route has been established. These attractants typically include garbage, pet food, and birdfeeders. Black bears prefer to avoid humans, and removing potential food sources goes a long way to prevent negative interactions.. The potential does exist, however, so we encourage landowners to minimize conflicts by following these guidelines. Habituated bears are often killed by poachers or struck by vehicles because they frequent residential areas. This is just a way for us to verify for people. It is not unusual in the early summer for young male bears to wander outside of the established bear range in Eastern Kentucky. This includes white-tailed deer, eastern gray squirrels, wild turkeys, raccoons, and even the occasional black bear. 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. The remainder of their diet typically consists of insects and any animal material discovered while foraging. 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. Eastern box turtles are a cherished sight for nature enthusiasts and are protected as a threatened species in Kentucky. Richardson said mature male bears push smaller ones out of their typical ranges this time of year to encourage them to find their own place to relocate. However, these feeders supply an easy food source and provide an easy meal for bears. 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. Notify the KDFWR immediately if you witness aggressive behavior by black bears! In addition, people who feed bears are teaching those animals to associate people with food. Bears were also spotted last summer in Louisville. Bears will often stand upright to obtain a better sense of smell. Bears keep to themselves for the most part, except for male bears during mating season. Prevent any conflicts by treating bears with respect as they are wild animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. Conservation officers and biologists advise the public to never approach or feed a bear. Females give birth to one to five cubs, with an average litter size of two. Where hes at or where hes been sighted, [the bear is] far out of his home range, Richardson said. David Oppenheimer was relaxing in a chair outside his home when he turned to see something startling. Black bears are rarely aggressive towards people and typically go out of their way to avoid contact. Females with offspring remain together throughout the second winter, and they again den as a family unit. The department said these sightingsfollow other recent reports in the region. In those instances, bears may have to be trapped, relocated, or even killed. Eastern Kentucky is the most likely place to spot a bear, although Hast says he would not be surprised to see a bear in any county. These graceful creatures are known for their distinctive white tail and reddish-brown coat. Although reports of bear and mountain lions commonly occur in the area, most are normally dismissed as hoaxes. He says this will tell researchers how the population has changed over time since bears were reintroduced in the Big South Fork in 1996-97. Of course, sheis fednatural foods such as nuts and berriesand peanut butteras well. With a population of over a million, white-tailed deer are a common sight for both residents and visitors to the state. Photo: KY cans have been installed. Access to garbage, pet food, and intentional feeding creates behaviors in bears that are neither safe for humans nor beneficial to bears. at Kingdom Come State Park, bear-proof 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. 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. In addition, home range area varies considerably between seasons due to significant shifts in food availability. 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 White-tailed deer are the most popular game animal in Kentucky, and hunting them is a cherished tradition for many residents. Copyright 2021 KFVS. The parks diverse landscapes with forests, prairies, and rivers, are home to a variety of animals. But, he said, he "wouldn't necessarily call them attacks.". Hes trying to find a spot for him to live, and its not going to be around here. CALDWELL COUNTY, KYKentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife conservation officers and biologistsreceived reports Saturday afternoon about bear sightings in Princeton, Kentucky. John Hast, bear program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, checks on cubs in McCreary County. Interactions between humans and bears have increased over the last four years, with more people reporting bears foraging for food and entering homes, city officials said. Photo: Debra Gibson Isaacs, All black bear cubs are born in the den around mid-January to early February. Send us your best photos for a chance to be featured. The amended bill, Senate Bill 242, wouldnt allow local floodplain administrators to use the Indiana Department of Natural Resources maps to grant construction permits for two years unless landowners request them. The KDFWR has trapped bears and moved them 10, 20 even 55 air miles away and they still find their way home. Consequently, cubs are born in late January while still in the den and weigh only ounces at birth. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. Realize that 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. She roams around,climbs trees,swims in the pond,and finds natural food, he said. 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. When the acorns drop this fall, theyll want to be in a naturally wooded area which is what eastern Kentucky has, Hast said. He said if you have domestic animals like cats or dogs, keep them inside. Bears are very curious animals, however, and this should not be mistaken for aggression. 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.. Unfortunately, those sources are almost always a direct byproduct of human-related foods. Kentucky Historical Society, View from Tater Knob in Daniel Boone National Forest - Photo by Steven Dobey. On the ground, black bears are equally powerful as they may run at speeds approaching 35 miles per hour for relatively short bursts. Generally, however, cubs that weighed only ounces at birth will emerge from their dens weighing 510 pounds and will be physically prepared to meet their new world. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. 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. And remember that even one person intentionally or unintentionally feeding bears will cause problems for an entire neighborhood. WYMT received videos Wednesday from David and Sharon Kennedy of a bear approaching and climbing onto their porch in Cumberland. All rights reserved. Kentucky Estimated population size: 500 to 1,000 Hunting permitted: Yes. A young male American black bear took a stroll through the University of Kentucky last year and continued his trip into downtown Lexington. This will often trigger its natural instinct to chase. ONE person feeding bears will create a problem animal that may affect multiple neighborhoods. 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 aggression. This time of year natural foods may be limited and bears could be looking for an easy meal. 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