Bears Making Big Return to East, West Texas

SINCE APRIL, there has been an uptick in black bear sightings in Bowie, Grayson and Titus counties in northeast Texas.

The bears are thought to originate from the neighboring states of Oklahoma and Arkansas, or possibly Louisiana, where resident bear populations are well established and expanding. As the numbers of this iconic species grow, dispersing black bears find their way across state lines into Texas, which signals the possibility of their eventual permanent return to our landscape.

“It is inspiring as a biologist to watch these animals make their return to Northeast Texas after being absent for a century or more,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologist, Penny Wilkerson.

The recovery of black bears in the three-state region has been ongoing for 30 to 50 years. Thanks to conservation efforts, the Louisiana black bear is no longer listed as a federally threatened species. Similarly, efforts in Oklahoma and Arkansas have increased and expanded bear populations by focusing on habitat conservation and species management.

If a bear regularly visits your deer stand, scare it with rocks, a slingshot or air horn.
(Photo: TPWD)

Bears have an excellent sense of smell and much of their behavior is driven by their appetite. These natural characteristics can, however, become a problem when bears find an easy meal from a human-related source such as garbage, pet food or corn from a deer feeder. If over time a bear continually finds food around humans, it can become habituated, losing its fear of people and creating a potentially dangerous situation.

“Bears do not generally pose a threat to pets or livestock,” Wilkerson said. “These critters are omnivores and are more interested in berries, grubs and acorns than anything else.”

Texas hunters should make sure they know their targets. Hogs and bears can look very similar from a distance. Black bears are currently a protected species in Texas.

TPWD is interested in documenting all sightings of bears and encourages reporting any sightings to a local biologist. Biologists can provide technical help on electric fence specifications and other ways to secure attractants.

Residents can find a local biologist and more information about bears and bear safety on the TPWD website. Residents are also encouraged to call the east Texas Region Office at 903-566-1626 extension 209.

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Reports have also skyrocketed in the Trans Pecos this year.

“There has been a flurry of bear activity in the Trans-Pecos recently,” said Michael Janis of the Trans-Pecos District Leader. “Reports of black bears wandering into Fort Davis, Alpine and Fort Stockton were received this past week on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, respectively.”

TPWD biologists say education is the best way to prevent human-bear conflicts.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to preventing conflicts with bears,” said Janis.

Residents in areas where bears have been spotted should secure anything that could be a potential attractant (e.g. garbage, pet food, bird and deer feeders, etc.). Residents can also choose to invest in bear-proof garbage dumpsters, a recourse that many communities in the western U.S. have employed to reduce or prevent bear encounters.

Double-bagging garbage to reduce odors and keeping bags in a secure location until the morning of trash pickup are also encouraged. Similarly, TPWD biologists recommend feeding pets inside or limiting pet food portions to an amount that can be consumed completely at each feeding.

Particularly challenging to manage is the Texas culture of attracting and feeding deer. Bears are sensitive to electricity however, so electric fences can be used to prevent bears from accessing feeders while still allowing deer to reach them because of their ability to jump the fence. Although it’s an added cost, electric fencing can pay for itself in the prevention of lost feed and damage to a feeder.

If you see a bear, stay away and do not attempt to feed it. If you are in an urban or developed area, notify your local police or sheriff dispatch immediately and request they contact the local Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden. Noting the bear’s size, direction, speed of travel and behavior, especially when it’s feeding in town, will greatly aid authorities in determining how to respond.

“Bears and humans can co-exist well,” said Janis. “The key is preventing bears from accessing human-related food sources.”

—from TPWD