Of those, about 1,500 live in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There were thought to be only about 2,000 Black Bears left in North Carolina in the 1980s. Use heavy shutters on your house. OPBs critical reporting and inspiring programs are made possible by the power of member support. The American Black Bearis a widely distributed North American mammal that holds spiritual significance for many different cultures. The last confirmed grizzly sighting in the region was in 1996. 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. 9 U.S. states that do not have Black Bear populations: The following population estimates were taken from state government websites and other authoritative sources. They plan to do this by relocating bears from British Columbia and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem in Northwest Montana. Here is your guide to the grizzly bear population by state. You must notify your local Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) office immediately after taking a black bear in these situations (RCW 77.36.030). identified using 1991 satellite imagery, other datasets and experts throughout the state, as part of the Washington Gap Analysis 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. As of 2021, there were an estimated 1,069 bears, including 84 females with cubs. 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. Both the population and range of Black Bears in Missouri is believed to be growing. Some black bears prey on fawns and moose calves, and those that live near rivers fish for spawning salmon. While they are classified as carnivores, Black Bears are actually omnivorous and considered opportunistic eaters. 0000004058 00000 n Then we have to consider the public opinion, Baker said. The Louisiana black bear is the states national mammal and a conservation success story. 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. Human and bear interaction was a problem but has lessened over the years. There are occasional black bear sightings in the state, but these bears are probably passing through from other states. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the states black bear population is growing, and black bears are being seen in areas where there were no bears 50 years ago. According to bear.org there are 16 subspecies of the American Black Bear, they are as follows: If you live in an area of the country where bear encounters are common, you may want to consider using some or all of the following tips to keep bears away. 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. The state occasionally gets visiting bears who are migrating from one neighboring state to another. Design by Tim Knight. Some proponents have drawn comparisons between the North Cascades and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, which is home to the largest population of grizzlies in the Lower 48. The average lifespan of a black bear in the wild is around 20-25 years. 0 %PDF-1.6 % Stream all three seasons only with OPB Passport! One thing we know for certain, bears can eat a lot. I am a freelance writer with 22 years of experience. Despite this, the states black bear population had diminished to under 500 by the 1970s. The black bear population of Pennsylvania is around 16,000. Alaska is also home to Kodiak bears, which are a subspecies of brown bears endemic to the Kodiak Archipelago. I live in Middle Tennessee and there have been more and more bear sightings every year. Around 900 bears live in the mountains and Upper Piedmont area, and another 200 live in the coastal plain. How many black bears live in the United States? hbbd```b``:"BD2e`@DH;I$; PB We will not share your email with anyone. Louisiana is home to the Louisiana Black Bear (Ursus americanus luteolus), which is a subspecies of of the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus). Establishing a population of bears in the North Cascades recovery area would contribute positively toward the status of the species, which in turn would be factored into future assessments of the status of grizzly bears in the Lower 48 states, says USFWS public affairs officer Andrew LaValle. There are around 4,000 bears in Utah. In the early 20th century Grizzly Bears were common in the state, but now only the American Black Bear remains who is also the state animal of New Mexico. Primarily along the Green Mountains that run through Central Vermont from Massachusetts to Canada, and in Northeastern Vermont. Black bears are also illegally killed for their gall bladders, paws, claws and genitalia for use in traditional Asian medicines. For our population numbers, we relied on official numbers from each states Department of Fish and Game, Department of Natural Resources, or another source. Conservationists believe that attacks have increased because more people have moved into rural areas near bear habitats. In January, the commission reopened the debate over whether to allow hunters an abbreviated spring black bear season after receiving multiple petitions. Why are there so few grizzlies in other states? The grizzly population of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has gone from 136 bears in 1975 to an estimated 730 bears today. Many of them live in the wild areas of Zion National Park, one of the largest national parks in the country. There are believed to be 2,000 or more bears in Oklahoma today. Biologists believe a small group of bears from Connecticut has established a breeding site in Rhode Island. Theyve eliminated that option and are only giving scenarios with the end goal of expanding the grizzly population.. Black bears were also hunted to near extinction, but their reintroduction has been successful in many parts of their former range. California is thought to have the largest Black Bear population in the lower 48 states with an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 bears that occupy 52,000 square miles of land. Black Bears are a vital part of the ecosystem in the state, but the population must be managed to reduce the risk of human and bear conflicts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Idaho has 20,000 to 30,000 black bears. Today, bear populations are healthy and thriving. The conflict between humans is very low in the state with just 11 recorded bear attacks in Arizona since 1996. At one point their population was on a steep decline in many areas due to hunting and loss of habitat, but now they are making a comeback and populations are increasing thanks to new laws, healthier forests, and stricter regulations. They are omnivores who eat whatever is available. Learn what to do if a black bear comes to your yard here. As of right now, there are no known grizzlies inhabiting the North Cascades. The commission had paused the controversial spring black bear hunt after a split vote in November. He points out that the Trump administration prioritized de-listing grizzlies and returning management of the species to the states, while the Biden administration has not. 0000003357 00000 n Conservation efforts have increased grizzly populations in all these states, and grizzlies have set up breeding populations beyond their conservation areas. An estimated 50,000 bears once roamed the lower 48. The agencys criteria for GYE grizzly bears calls for a minimum of 500 individuals and at least 48 females with cubs. Indications are that the Black Bear population in Alabama is slowly increasing. At that time, the black bear population had fallen to around 300. Remain calm and alert the bear to your presence by making loud noises. Most of them live in the mountain ranges, the foothills near Boise, and the southwest part of the state. Like many states with healthy black bear populations, it issues a controlled number of hunting permits each year to manage the bear count. The state has determined it can easily support this number of black bears, and it uses controlled hunting licenses to manage the population. endstream endobj startxref In 2018 alone, it issued 85 permits to kill bears damaging trees. Theyve learned that these places are often sources of free food. American black bears are highly dexterous, being capable of opening screw-top jars and manipulating door latches. But its the rural residents of these states who will have to share the mountains and rangeland with these animals, and many of them have concerns about re-introducing grizzlies there. # 45-4591214). Sightings have occurred in most counties in the state but the densest populations are in the northwest and far east, however they are expanding. Black Bears in Georgia are either found in the far northern or southern parts of the state with some pockets in Central Georgia. Hunting is legal in the state and is used by the MDC to control the population. Hunting is used as a means to help control the bear population. This latest proposal for the North Cascades is clearly just another maneuver to delay responsible, scientific wildlife management of apex predators by state agencies.. The grizzly population the United States is limited to Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming. Black Bears disappeared in Oklahoma sometime in the early 1900s. 0000002878 00000 n The Main.gov website has some good tips for preventing conflicts with Black Bears. They are the only remaining bear species. One place that you can see Black Bears in Pennsylvania is Sinnemahoning State Park. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff said bears are not as lethargic in the springtime as many people might expect. The population of adult black bears in Washington State is estimated to be about 17,000, and they are found in nearly every county in the state. They are considered game animals and harvest numbers can reach over 2,000 per year. Because of their adaptability, black bears can live in close proximity to human development which often leads to conflict between bears and people. They can be dangerous. Black Bears are not true hibernators, but rather go into torpor. Kansas has no resident black bear population. Shifts in the distribution of their food sources. WHEN: Full meeting starts at 8 a.m. Saturday; the decision on a spring black bear season is 9:30 a.m. 'ARSbgRRRJ In terms of available bear habitat in the GYE, the agency explains that all habitat-based recovery criteria have been maintained since 1998. The grizzly population in the NCDE is even more robust, with an estimated 1,114 individuals spread across all 23 Bear Management Units as of 2021. The killing of a black bear in self-defense, or defense of another, should be reasonable and justified. They 0000054557 00000 n They are widely distributed throughout Alaskas forests. According to the Ohio Wildlife Center, the most likely areas to see Black Bears in Ohio today are in Northeast Ohio (Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Trumbull, and Tuscarawas counties) and Southeast Ohio (Washington, Athens, Hocking, and Vinton counties). There are an estimated 900 Black Bears in the state of South Carolina. 0000010818 00000 n document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Western Wildlife Outreach is a tax-deductible non-profit organization, tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code (Federal I.D. Montana has an estimated 1,800 to 2,000 brown bears. 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. They are the states largest land mammal, and their diet in Virginia is 75% vegetarian. Well talk about the populations that are estimated in each state as well as where they can be found and any interesting reports of and facts about Black Bears that are specific to the particular state. Two conservation areas are home to about 40 bears. The black bear population in Washington is estimated to be as high as 20,000. zones except for the islands where they are usually killed or relocated when WebHabitat Black Bears are found throughout Washington in and along the edges of forested zones except for the islands where they are usually killed or relocated when noticed. Bears occasionally roam through the Black Hills, but there is no resident bear population. However, state wildlife officials believe the population might be even larger than previously estimated. All of these areas are open to hunting New Yorks growing Black Bear population with the proper licenses. Its believed that 50-60% of the 6,000 to 8,000 Black Bears in New York State inhabit the Adirondack region with 30-35% inhabiting the Catskill region, and the remaining 10-15% inhabiting the central-western region. Black Bears are less common in Southern California, although they have been seen further south in recent decades. They didnt ask anyone living in the area if they wanted grizzlies reintroduced. Washington is home to both grizzly bears and black bears. Grizzly bears are rare in Washington, but a small population exists in the Selkirk Mountains of northeast Washington, and their presence has been documented in the Okanogan Highlands and the North Cascades. The bear identification is now available in WDFW's WILD system . State biologists estimate there are only about 40 bears at most in the state. There are an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 bears in the state. It is the only bear species in the state. %%EOF Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Black bears were once abundant in this state, and the state even went by the nickname the Bear State. Hunting and deforestation decimated their population. The black bear is West Virginias state mammal. 49 0 obj <> endobj The bears in Michigan are protected by law and the population is managed by The Department of Natural Resources, hunting is allowed with the proper license. 0000007069 00000 n WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. It is illegal to hunt, take, or own them. They also reproduce slowly and have only one to four cubs each year. Black Bears in West Virginia were once concentrated to the National Forests of Eastern West Virginia, such as Monongahela National Forest, but have since spread throughout the state and have a population of 8,000 or more. The bear population is healthy and growing. WHAT: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. This means most official numbers may be off by a few hundred to more than 1,000, but they are the best that government surveyors and wildlife biologists can figure out. This is the first recorded black bear attack of a human in Washington State since 2015, for a total of 18 recorded human injuries since 1970. 0000031560 00000 n 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. There have been strict hunting regulations in place since 1927 in the state to help control the population of Black Bears in the state. It currently has from 4,500 to 6,000 bears in residence. If food is readily available all year, Black Bears may not hibernate at all in some places. In most U.S. states and Canadian provinces where they are found, black bears are legally classified as a game animal and can be hunted. Conservation efforts have focused on reintroducing black bears to Texas. Good habitats in peripheral steppe zones were water/wetlands, The population is managed by the DNR in Minnesota and the reduction in population was due to hunting. Black Bears are still the largest carnivorous animals in most U.S. states. They now plan to let the bear population grow again, Dave Garshelis with the DNA is quoted as saying A population of about 25,000 is a rough, short-term, but not official, goal. source. thickets, burns, clear cuts, and sub-alpine parkland. Grizzlies are protected under the Endangered Species Act and many state wildlife protection laws. Estimating the size of wildlife populations is always difficult. Maps | The state has around 1,000 black bears. It is the only state on our list where the population has fallen. Its worth noting that the lifespan of a black bear can also depend on factors such as the health and genetics of the individual bear. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. The most recent attempt to de-list Yellowstone grizzlies was finally quashed in 2020 by a federal judge in San Francisco, who indicated that the USFWS unlawfully delisted the GYE population by failing to consider the effects on all grizzly populations throughout the continental United States. They contend that if the feds were to bring grizzlies back to Washington State, the USFWS would need to consider this population when making future management decisions concerning grizzlies in the GYE or NCDE. State has increased, the number of bears harvested annually is declining; they claim this decline proves Californias bear population is in danger. There are around 25,000 to 35,000 black bears in California. California is thought to have the largest Black Bear population in the 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. Population Wisconsin is home to a thriving black bear population estimated at more than 24,000 bears. The Nature Conservancy opens its nature preserve to hundreds of hunters every year in a controversial program to push large herds of elk off the delicate prairie. Thank you for reading! Conservationists also said a spring black bear hunt unfairly targets bears that are emerging from hibernation. Keep all trash containers emptied and secured. jId h:Uui0fze[Igl)h1-fivS; GEQw{okVm{x29{zO,f,%;$c;Uo64"\eYl5hg%ly"gjuK(NmcWhM/)f:oIb -rGvnm?Bwlk}l:{ dq,*.{8N.v Most of the bears in Alabama are members of the subspecies Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridianus), which is a bear species native to Florida. In the rare case of an attack, you should fight back and never. The black bear's primary range is located in the far northern third of the state. All Rights Reserved. The idea is to make yourself known to the bear so that you dont surprise him. First lets omit some states from the list. The bears are protected by state wildlife laws. The black bear population in Washington ranges from 25,000 30,000 bears, Simek said at an earlier meeting. They are found in hardwood and coniferous forests, meadows, alder 0000000956 00000 n Based on expert opinion and a database of sightings, the population in the North Cascades WDFW reported that the state has a thriving black bear population of up to 30,000 bears, according to court documents. Alaska has the most grizzlies by far. populated areas of Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia. Heres the ultimate guide to bear counts in 2021. They have regular breeding rates, and their populations appear to be increasing. Grizzly bears once occurred in most of Washington, but are now restricted to remote areas of the Selkirk Mountains and certain places near the northern border of Washington between these two ecosystems. These areas support the best remaining seclusion habitat in the state. 0000078503 00000 n Following these science-based recovery goals, the USFWS has tried repeatedly since 2005 to de-list grizzly bears. According to Only In Arkansas, you can find Black Bears in Arkansas in three places; the Ozark Highlands area, the Ouachita National Forest, and the lower White River basin. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. Dont forget to empty kiddie pools too. The bears live in the states forested areas and swamps. Discover the Largest Kodiak Bear Ever Recorded. Oklahoma has around 2,500 black bears. If you should have an encounter with a Black Bear, dont freak out though. Not surprisingly, the publics reaction to this announcement has been mixed. Grizzlies also live in the Bitterroot Ecosystem Recovery Zone and the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho. Black bears mostly live in the far northern region of the state, but they have increasingly been spotted in the southern regions. 0000011861 00000 n Most bears in the state live in the region south of the Missouri River. Pre-settlement there was thought to be over 50,000 bears in Arkansas, but then numbers dwindled down to just 50 bears in the 1930s. There is a population of about 3,000 bears in the state and they can be found primarily in wooded areas and coniferous forests. The state of Tennessee has two main Black Bear populations; the Appalachian Population, and the Cumberland Population. 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. The population is stable and growing modestly with the bears begin found throughout the entire state. These are places that Black Bears can attempt to hibernate. 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