JESSAMINE CO., Ky. (WKYT) - Bear activity is on the rise across central Kentucky. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a highly adaptable and omnivorous mammal that is commonly found in Kentuckys forests, wetlands, and urban areas. In Kentucky, females typically enter dens from mid-November to December. Visitors to Land Between the Lakes may encounter white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, eastern box turtles, and various bird species. On the ground, black bears are equally powerful as they may run at speeds approaching 35 miles per hour for relatively short bursts. In the last decade, four "bear-human interactions" in and around the city limits have been reported, according to James Carlson, a city analyst. Ive had bears eat my chickens, Mayor Edward Garcia said during the council meeting. Each winter, department biologists collect important research information and monitor the bear population in southeast Kentucky, using radio collars to track female bears to their dens. Without any negative stimuli, that bear will become increasingly conditioned to human food and bolder in its attempts to acquire those items. 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.. The latest spotting happened on Wednesday in Photos of the bear in Caldwell County, Kentucky were taken We've all heard of the bear sightings in Western Kentucky. I'm sorry, you need to leave!'". Females with cubs will often climb a tree to for escape cover; never surround a tree holding any bear, especially a female with cubs! 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. So, a young male, they typically get kicked out of the breeding range. WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - A black bear was recently spotted in a Whitley County neighborhood. Once that fear is lost, bears may become day-active in search of food, approach people, and alter their home range to include human population centers. The black bear (Ursus americanus) is a large and powerful mammal that is native to Kentuckys forests and mountains. By following these simple guidelines for managing attractants you can prevent unnecessary damage. Immediately call the KDFWR and report the offense. Bears are now being equipped with GPS (global positioning system) radio collars that link with orbiting satellites to remotely collect locations at varying time periods. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources officials say they have received several reports of bear sightings in western Kentucky over the past week. Consequently, cubs are born in late January while still in the den and weigh only ounces at birth. 2. 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. The activity pattern of black bears is generally crepuscular, meaning active during the early morning and late evening hours. There is no reason that you should ever be within 150 feet of a bear. Clear overhanging branches from bee yards to prevent bears from climbing into fenced areas. Officials with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife have confirmed reports a black bear was spotted in Webster County Wednesday. The threat is possible, however, and simple precautions can eliminate this unnecessary problem. Dogs can be a great deterrent for keeping curious bears out of your yard. Once implanted, embryonic development resumes, and growth only occurs during the remaining 10 weeks of pregnancy. Bears keep to themselves for the most part, except for male bears during mating season. Chief Communications Officer Kevin Kelly 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. Bears are extremely curious animals as a likely result of their intensive learning process as offspring. Kentucky, located in the eastern United States, is home to a diverse range of wildlife species that thrive in its forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Bears were also spotted last summer in Louisville. There was a problem saving your notification. What to See? 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. For more information, visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources website. However, he adds Kentucky Fish and Wildlife advises the public to never approach or feed a bear, which can result in a negative encounter. Do not play dead! While most bears that wander into western Kentucky come from the eastern Kentucky population, this animal may have come just a little bit further. In their travels, young bears may also be lured by the smell of human-related foods. Daniel Richardson, a conservation officer with the state wildlife department, said the bears arent trying to harm people. "They're very good at kind of taking advantage of what we call those unsecured attractants," she said about unattended food. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife maintains an extensive amount of information about black bears on its website. As such, garbage is the most abundant and widely distributed attractant available to bears. They have conducted other studies to collect hair samples, which are used to study bear genetics. They want nothing to do with people, which is great, Hast said. On Monday, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologists confirmed bear tracks in southern Henderson County. Since 1998, the KDFWR has received sighting and nuisance reports from 54 Kentucky counties. Weights among bears are extremely variable, however, and are determined by food availability and the time of year. Copyright 2020 WKYT. NO!!! He also had advice for anyone who happens to spot the animal. In addition, people who feed bears are teaching those animals to associate people with food. It is not uncommon, for example, for a bear to almost double its summer weight after spending the fall months feeding on acorns. Many wildlife management areas have designated viewing areas, trails, and observation blinds where visitors can safely observe these animals in their natural habitats. 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. In addition to contributing to the likely death of that bear, you are also breaking the law. To learn more about advertising with Kentucky Living, contact us. Celebrating the energy of your community. Leave the windows and doors open and let the bear find its way out, she added. Direct or indirect feeding of black bears is illegal in Kentucky!. Eastern Kentucky has seen another bear sighting. When the acorns drop this fall, theyll want to be in a naturally wooded area which is what eastern Kentucky has, Hast said. Photo: Kentucky Ward is unsure if its the same one seen near Rend Lake, but he did say bears can travel a lot. Feed outside pets only enough food for one meal at a time. 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 site is filled with information about black bearswhich can be black, brown or cinnamon coloredand what to do if you encounter one. CALDWELL COUNTY, KYKentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife conservation officers and biologistsreceived reports Saturday afternoon about bear sightings in Princeton, Kentucky. 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. The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a familiar and charismatic mammal found throughout Kentuckys woodlands and urban areas. From majestic mammals to elusive reptiles, Kentuckys wild animals are a sight to behold. 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. On Wednesday, a bear was observed near Dixon, Kentucky in Webster County. That is especially true if there is ready access to garbage or other human-related food sources during the winter months. Bears have an incredible sense of smell and are likely being lured by some type of food attractant. It is an ideal location to spot a wide range of animals. 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. Black bears are very curious animals and this should not be confused with aggression. 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. Its not just social media, Fugitive wanted in three counties arrested in Knox County. Of course, sheis fednatural foods such as nuts and berriesand peanut butteras well. For the last few months, several individuals in various areas of Perry County, including within Hazard city limits, have experienced black bear sightings. Determining exact numbers is complicated, Hast says. 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. Crowd control is the initial concern as the behavior of a cornered bear can be unpredictable. During the spring and summer months, bears in the Southern Appalachians feed primarily on grasses and fruit, suchas blackberries, blueberries, and huckleberries. This will often trigger its natural instinct to chase. 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. The timing of den entry varies considerably and is primarily determined by sex, reproductive condition, and fall food availability. Keep your distance. 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. If a bear approaches you in the wild, it is likely only trying to assess your presence. Access to garbage annually accounts for approximately 70% of all nuisance complaints received by the KDFWR. The results of this work will be published soon. They are often seen grazing in open areas or darting through the trees with their graceful leaps. Bears are naturally shy and elusive animals that generally avoid contact with humans. Bears have a bit of built-in physiological magic, according to Hast. A young male American black bear took a stroll through the University of Kentucky last year and continued his trip into downtown Lexington. There, you can encounter white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, eastern gray squirrels, and other wildlife species. 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Wildlife viewing should be accompanied by respecting the animals and their habitats and keeping a safe distance. Reach millions of readers across the Commonwealth by sharing your business or product with people who care about the same things you do. While relocation is an option to the immediate issue it will not solve the underlying problem. If possible, do not store feed in the immediate vicinity of livestock. Even worse, their new problem is of absolutely no fault of their own but they are stuck with the consequences. You can find more information on bears here. While bears may appear very calm and non-threatening, they should be treated with respect as they are wild animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife 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.. 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. Black bears are powerful, large-bodied animals that grow to 46 feet in length when fully grown. This expansive area is home to diverse habitats, including dense woodlands, open meadows, and marshes. Watch a video of Hast discussing a bear sighting in Jessamine County. No! Kentucky Historical Society, View from Tater Knob in Daniel Boone National Forest - Photo by Steven Dobey. They are skilled hunters and feed on a diet of small mammals, insects, and amphibians. As bear numbers increase, so may the occurrence of black bears in towns or local municipalities. Black bears, like this one pictured in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Suffolk, Virginia, are rarely seen in Indiana. Never run from a bear! On Wednesday, a bear was observed near Dixon, Kentucky in Webster County. 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. Here are six of the most common wild animals found in the Bluegrass State. 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. 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. 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. Even so, there have been a handful of bear attacks in recent years. April 14, 2023 4:25 PM. 2. 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. The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a familiar sight in Kentuckys woods and fields. With a population of over a million, white-tailed deer are a common sight for both residents and visitors to the state. Sightings in Kentucky are relatively rare, but they are a thrilling sight for nature enthusiasts who are fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures in the wild. She was hesitant to walk in the snow at first, but we had April weather in March,and the snow melted a lot. of Fish and Wildlife Resources. If you do see a black bear, keep a safe distance. Store livestock feed inside a sturdy, enclosed structure. Small amounts of the toxic chemicals benzene, naphthalene, and butadiene have been found around the perimeter of the site. He said those calls included 17 incidents in which bears entered homes and caused property damage. In addition, black bears have an incredible homing instinct and can travel amazing distances in relatively short periods of time. This is just a way for us to verify for people. Male black bears are known to wander great distances, Morgan said. (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. Biologists believe this is likely the same bear. Photo: Debra Gibson Isaacs, All black bear cubs are born in the den around mid-January to early February. 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. The early morning and late evening hours however, and various bird species the trees with their graceful leaps confirmed... 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