There are an estimated 200 black bears in Alabama. The state manages the bear population through controlled hunting, and state wildlife officials say the current number is a healthy one for the state. However, several sources have reported that Wyoming state officials plan to begin surveying the Black Bears within the state to get a better idea of the population. Translated from the Washington Gap Analysis Mammal Volume by Dave Lester Today, the state has 1,000 bears, and the population is growing. Louisiana has 700 to 1,000 black bears. Moving forward, it will be important for the commission to consider public values in the decisions it makes, said Barbara Baker, who was elected as the commission chair at the meeting. Then we have to consider the public opinion, Baker said. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Wildlife, black bears are the most abundant and widely distributed of the three North American bear species living in the state. This article from 2015 by the Roanoke Times quotes a wildlife biologist with the DGIF as saying there are as many as 17,000 Black Bears in Virginia, however the National Park Service suggests there are closer to 5,000 or 6,000. Who to believe? Block access to basements or crawl spaces. When I'm not working, I'm obsessing over cats and pet rats. There are more than 20,000 bears in the state. These include the central coast and Transverse mountain ranges of southern California. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Discover the Largest Kodiak Bear Ever Recorded. The black bear's primary range is located in the far northern third of the state. From Lynns perspective, it all comes down to changes in political tides and the opposing stances taken by different presidential administrations. They live in all parts of the state except the Columbia Plain, which does not have forests. Silverback Gorillas vs Grizzly Bears: Who Would Win in a Fight? The state has two distinct black bear communities. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Most bears in the state are part of the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. Just $1 per month , Some groups say the proposal would make it impossible to delist any grizzly population in the Lower 48 for decades, By Based on expert opinion and a database of sightings, the population in the North Cascades The commission had paused the controversial spring black bear hunt after a split vote in November. The North American black bear (Ursus americanus) is native to North America. It is home to 98% of the U.S. population of brown bears and 70% of the entire North American population. The state of Tennessee has two main Black Bear populations; the Appalachian Population, and the Cumberland Population. The states bear population occupies 52,000 miles of land. Conservationists also said a spring black bear hunt unfairly targets bears that are emerging from hibernation. So, why would the USFWS undermine its own attempts to de-list grizzlies by introducing a new population in Washington? 0000054557 00000 n Which brings us to the topic of this article, the U.S. states with Black Bear populations. Like other states with healthy black bear populations, Wisconsin has many forested wild areas. The range is due to different methods of estimating 0000011814 00000 n 690 0 obj <>stream In the case that you arent home and a bear wants in your house, dont make it easy. They are the only bear species in the state. The agencys criteria for GYE grizzly bears calls for a minimum of 500 individuals and at least 48 females with cubs. See a range map for black bears in Alaska here. The black bear population of Pennsylvania is around 16,000. According to the state Department of Natural Resources, black bears have made a small comeback after being wiped out in Ohio. Most have been reintroduced to the northeastern part of the state. At the Saturday meeting, Commissioner Tim Ragen, who voted against the spring black bear season, said not approving this season would give Fish and Wildlife staff time to build on science about black bear populations. My name is Rebecca and I've been a Professional Freelancer for almost a decade. Thank you for reading! The killing of a black bear in self-defense, or defense of another, should be reasonable and justified. This is because having more bears on the landscape would bolster the argument that the species has sufficiently recovered. The commission is scheduled in June to take a deeper look at the black bear population, spring hunting seasons, and the concerns raised by hunters and conservationists. and forested. By introducing another grizzly bear population, theyre going to make the legal argument that we cant de-list either of those two populations (GYE and NCDE) until this population, the North Cascades population, is stable and recovered, explains Brian Lynn, the vice president of marketing and communications for the Sportsmens Alliance. However, conservationists argued orphaning cubs during a spring season would be inevitable. The agency receives an average of 500 black bear complaints annually, ranging from glimpses of bears to We have to decide what it is we want to achieve and what science we need to meet those objectives. With the publics help, we will evaluate a list of options to determine the best path forward.. The state has around 1,000 black bears. South Carolina has around 1,100 black bears. The Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus), is a subspecies of the American black Bear (Ursus americanus). Black Bears are typically very skittish and afraid of humans so chances are he will run away. WebThe statewide black bear population in Washington likely ranges between 25,000 and 30,000 animals. The number one predator of Black Bears are humans. But theres also a third point of view, which is that the feds move to reintroduce grizzlies in the North Cascades has less to do with Washingtons grizzly population than it does with existing grizzly bear populations in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. hbbd```b``:"BD2e`@DH;I$; PB There is potential for Black Bears in any forested area in the state of Pennsylvania, as there have been bear sightings in every county in the state. 0000004058 00000 n The number of bears in the state is robust and growing. 0 This decision helps explain why groups like the Sportsmens Alliance view the North Cascades reintroduction plan as an attempt to maintain protections for the bears under the Endangered Species Act. Black bears are also illegally killed for their gall bladders, paws, claws and genitalia for use in traditional Asian medicines. There is a population of about 3,000 bears in the state and they can be found primarily in wooded areas and coniferous forests. Having grown in recent years, the Black Bear population in New Hampshire is estimated to be 6,100 currently. Weve seen this tactic of thwarting effective management for the last 20 years when it comes to wolves and grizzlies, says Todd Adkins, vice president of governmental affairs for the Sportsmens Alliance. This latest proposal for the North Cascades is clearly just another maneuver to delay responsible, scientific wildlife management of apex predators by state agencies.. Kentucky has an estimated 1,000 Black Bears living in the state, with a growing population. California is thought to have the largest Black Bear population in the Grizzlies also live in the Bitterroot Ecosystem Recovery Zone and the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho. It is the only state on our list where the population has fallen. The latest estimate is that between 4,600 and 5,700 bears (but as many as 6,000 is possible) are living in Vermont today. In terms of size, a male grizzly stands over 7 feet tall and can weigh more than 500 pounds. Why are there so few grizzlies in other states? There are 16 subspecies of Ursus americanus and the total population in North America is thought to be between 600,00 and 900,000 bears, depending on your source. Black Bears are found throughout Washington in and along the edges of forested Wisconsin has a growing Black Bear population of between 24,000 and 31,000 animals, mainly in the northern third of the state. According to Michigan.gov, there are between 15,000 and 19,000 Black Bears living in Michigan today. An Absolutely Gigantic Moose Makes These Grizzlies, Silverback Gorillas vs Grizzly Bears: Who Would, The 9 Best Books About Bears Safety Tips and Species Insights Reviewed and Ranked, Discover the Most Grizzly Bear Infested Island on Earth, Grizzly Bear Poop: Everything Youve Ever Wanted to Know, The Grizzly Bears of Yellowstone: Their Ecology In The Yellowstone Ecosystem, A Gigantic Grizzly Casually Sits Next To Worlds Calmest Photographer And He Doesnt Flinch, Watch a Bear Being Swept Over a Waterfall In Yellowstone, Watch an Injured Elk Outsmart a Grizzly Bear, Send It Tumbling, and Escape to a Nearby River. According to the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife, 90% of the states black bears are brown, honey-colored, or cinnamon-colored. These bears primarily live in areas protected by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission describes the population as widespread and robust. trailer Some black bears wander out of their forests into human communities. There are now two distinct populations of Black Bears in Oklahoma, one in the Ouachita Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma, and one in the Ozarks region of east-central Oklahoma. Breeding Range Map Further black bear study could be good for conservation groups concerned with black bear populations and hunters, he said. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation there are an estimated 540-840 Black Bears in the state of Missouri. For their part, conservation groups said the commission made the right choice not to approve the 2022 spring black bear hunting season. Alaska is rightly known as bear country. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. Two conservation areas are home to about 40 bears. There are no black bears in South Dakota. There are thought to be 25,000 to 30,000 bears in the state of Washington with the strongest populations being in western and northern parts of the state. Like in a trash can, there are loads of calories here that a Black Bear would love. Primarily along the Green Mountains that run through Central Vermont from Massachusetts to Canada, and in Northeastern Vermont. There are no black bears in Illinois. Now there are believed to be at least 5-10 adult bears that are breeding and repopulating certain areas of the state like Providence County, Washington County and Kent County where the majority of bear sightings in the state occur. Black Bears are found in small areas of both the Northeast Alabama and Southwest Alabama, but there are thought to be an estimated 200 bears in the entire state of Alabama. The population is managed by the DNR in Minnesota and the reduction in population was due to hunting. They are accurate to the best of my knowledge. The number of black bears in the state has steadily grown since 2011, and the current bears are thriving. Maine has a larger population of Black Bears than any other New England state by far with an estimated 24,000 to 36,000 bears living in the state. Idaho has a growing population of Black Bears with as many as 30,000 in the state and growing by 15% each year. They are commonly seen in mountainous and forested regions west of Denver such as Forest State Park. populated areas of Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia. In November 2021, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to suspend the states long-running spring black bear hunt. 0000001421 00000 n 0000000956 00000 n Great! Aside from the Louisiana Bear, both the Mexican Black Bear (Ursus americanus eremicus) and the New Mexico Black Bear (subspecies U. a. amblyceps) are found in western Texas in low numbers and are also on the state endangered species list. Any bear that is killed, whether under the direct authority of RCW 77.36.030, or for the protection of a person, remains the property of the state and must be turned over to WDFW. Im not sure honestly, let me know in the comments if you do. The above figures are the average lifespan of black bears in the wild. In the rare case of an attack, you should fight back and never. Federal bills would allow Oregon tribes to renegotiate historic hunting and fishing restrictions, Elk hunting is part of the conservation plan on northeastern Oregons Zumwalt Prairie. endstream endobj 50 0 obj<> endobj 51 0 obj<> endobj 52 0 obj<>/ColorSpace<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC]/ExtGState<>>> endobj 53 0 obj<> endobj 54 0 obj<> endobj 55 0 obj<> endobj 56 0 obj[/ICCBased 73 0 R] endobj 57 0 obj<> endobj 58 0 obj<> endobj 59 0 obj<> endobj 60 0 obj<> endobj 61 0 obj<> endobj 62 0 obj<>stream 0000010818 00000 n This vote is not appropriate for policy revision or clarification, McIsaac said. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are no black bears in Indiana. These bears are part of the Sierra Nevada black bear population, which includes bears living in the Cascade Range of northern California and southern Oregon. But in the last 30 years that population has 10xd, with the latest estimates being at 20,000 or more in the state today. As stated on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website, a hunting license and open season are required to hunt black bears. The state occasionally gets visiting bears who are migrating from one neighboring state to another. hWmo6+U$i4d AXsa+[{w"b/HW4#H>N2SLPiKB1QkY r&zdn)sxLYm@0L9l,F1e C>gF~L7}win7z5[~UM~|3_aP3Ac&;l\_f[OwZeV.(IykkaZYvQ-Iy;4B7wl^3?>H>uW/~Yu2Xj! A person taking such action must have reasonable belief that the bear poses a threat of serious physical harm, that this harm is imminent, and the action is the only reasonable available means to prevent that harm. All zones are core except steppe, I am owned by two dogs who take me on hikes in the mountains where we see coyotes, black bears, and wild turkeys. New York has between 6,000 to 8,000 black bears. In November 2021, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to suspend the states long-running spring black bear hunt. startxref The green area shows the predicted habitats for breeding only. 0000007069 00000 n While they are classified as carnivores, Black Bears are actually omnivorous and considered opportunistic eaters. They live in most of Alaskas forested areas and most of the states islands. There are an estimated 55,000 Grizzly bears in North America. 49 0 obj <> endobj I am a freelance writer with 22 years of experience. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. A property owner or the owners immediate family, employee, or tenant may kill a bear on that property if it is damaging crops or domestic animals. Black Bear populations are believed to have been growing in recent years so its possible that population is 15,000 or more now. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, The mountainblack bearpopulation ofSouth Carolinaislocated primarily in Oconee, Pickens, Greenville and Spartanburg Counties; the coastal population is found in Georgetown and Horry Counties. Biologists believe there might be 30 to 40 resident breeding bears. Cover your swimming pool. There are likely about 20,000 to 25,000 bears in Washington. 0000003323 00000 n Now there are over 4,000 bears in the state and growing. Bills sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley would allow two Oregon tribes to renegotiate their hunting and fishing rights. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff said bears are not as lethargic in the springtime as many people might expect. They can live up to 40 years in captivity. They have regular breeding rates, and their populations appear to be increasing. According to ct.gov, in 2019 there were approximately 7,300 bear sightings in 150 of Connecticuts 169 towns. According to the recovery goals established in the USFWS Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan, the grizzly populations in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystems are both fully recovered. Advanced | 670 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<241FD2C19CC7874B85A7B0868EDC5C54>]/Index[653 38]/Info 652 0 R/Length 92/Prev 310651/Root 654 0 R/Size 691/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream The black bear and Louisiana black bear were native to Texas, but both species were wiped out. Wildlife officials say the black bear population is robust and stable, but exact numbers are not available. North Carolina, like many states weve listed, once wiped out its bear population. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish estimates that there are approximately 5,000-6,000 Black Bears living in all 14.6 million forested acres of New Mexico. endstream endobj startxref The reintroduction of black bears is a conservation success story. They plan to do this by relocating bears from British Columbia and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem in Northwest Montana. The overall population of American black bears in the United States ranges from 250,000 to more than 300,000. The decision, ushered in by a 4-4 split among commissioners, was not based on the science-backed statistics of Washingtons black bear populations. To Adkins point, the question of whether grizzlies in the Lower 48 should be taken off the endangered species list has been lobbed back and forth in the courts for years. c Alaska is the only state where brown bears are not considered endangered. Alaska is also home to Kodiak bears, which are a subspecies of brown bears endemic to the Kodiak Archipelago. The black bear population in Washington ranges from 25,000 30,000 bears, Simek said at an earlier meeting. Thats compared to the agencys population benchmark of 800 bears across 21 of those BMUs. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Kansas has no resident black bear population. However the bears appear to be expanding their range southward as there have been more sightings in Southern Wisconsin in recent years, mainly in Dane, Sauk, Iowa and Grant counties. Females will give birth to 1-3 bear cubs sometime in January or February. (At least one individual has been spotted within 20 miles of the U.S. border during the past five years.) Maine has more black bears than any other New England state. Healthy black bear populations, Wisconsin has many forested wild areas 500 pounds least. Most bears in the state has 1,000 bears, and the current bears are also illegally killed their! 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