Black bears are on the move in spring and summer
so avoid feeding them and other activities that can lead to problems.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.
– The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
encourages Missourians to be “bear aware” this spring and summer. Black bears
are on the move this time of year. According MDC Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer, most black bears that cause
problems in Missouri are young males that are looking for new homes in spring
and early summer after dispersing from their mothers’ home ranges. In their search
for food, these young males may come into contact with humans and cause
problems.
Beringer explained that black
bears are naturally fearful of humans and prefer to mind their own business as
they forage for natural foods in fields and forests.
“Early summer can be a
lean time for bears,” he said. “They are constantly looking for food. If they
find an unsecured garbage can, a bowl of pet food left outdoors, or even a
hummingbird feeder full of sugar water, their stomachs sometimes overcome their
shyness. That can get them into trouble.”
A FED BEAR IS A DEAD BEAR
The best way to avoid
problems with bears is to never feed them.
“Bears are wonderful
animals,” said Beringer, “and they generally are secretive. But things can end
badly for bears that get in the habit of foraging for food near people.
Harassment and other aversive conditioning often convince a bear to stay away
from people. Feeding bears makes them lose their fear of people and usually
results in the bears having to be destroyed. Remember: A fed bear is a dead
bear.”
Black bears in Missouri
are found mostly in the southern part of the state with scattered reports from
other areas. Beringer advises people living in southern Missouri to avoid
conflicts with bears by not feeding birds and other wildlife from spring
through fall, especially in rural areas. Bears are much less active from
December through March, when supplemental feeding is more important for birds.
“Bears may occasionally enter
backyards or campsites, most always in search of food,” Beringer said. “It’s
important to keep bears wild by making encounters with humans a negative experience,
for the bear. If a bear approaches you, act immediately to scare it away
by making noise and throwing rocks at it in order to restore its natural fear
of people.”
Beringer also
recommends keeping pet food and livestock feed inside secure outbuildings. The
same is true for barbecue grills and other items that smell like food. Trash
should be put out as close to pick-up time as possible to minimize exposure to
hungry bears.
 |
| Keeping bird
feeders full in summer can make nuisances of bears looking for an easy meal --
such as this one raiding a backyard feeder. (For a high-res image, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/30884) |
Beringer encourages
campers and floaters in southern Missouri to be bear aware by keeping their campsites
clean, packing food in closed containers and placing them in secure locations,
and disposing of garbage immediately.
To learn more about black
bears, including preventing and dealing with black bears around potential food
sources, visit MDC’s website at mdc.mo.gov/node/4607.
For problems with a
nuisance bear, contact the nearest MDC office or conservation agent.
BLACK BEAR RESEARCH
Bears had nearly vanished
from Missouri by 1940, but began to recolonize in southern parts of the state
during the 1960s following reintroductions in Arkansas. During the last 50
years, Missouri’s bear population has increased -- and so has interest in the
species.
Beringer and other MDC
staff are working on a research project to identify and track black bears in
Missouri. Results of the research will help determine black bear numbers, locations,
habits, reproduction rates, movement, and other information. The project
includes tracking radio-collared bears and collecting hair samples for DNA
analysis. The study is being funded in part through the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Restoration Program.
“The information gained
from this research will be crucial in designing conservation strategies to
manage black bears consistent with available habitat and within limits of human
tolerance,” Beringer explained.
For more information about
the Missouri Black Bear Project visit fwrc.msstate.edu/carnivore/mo_bear/.
