Page 13 - May/June 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) made interna-
tional news earlier this year when it announced plans to locate, trap, and
possibly euthanize a 500-pound black bear seen in neighborhoods near MADISON RAPP/BEARWISE.ORG
South Lake Tahoe. The “severely food-habituated bear” was believed to
have caused extensive property damage to more than 30 homes.
However, DNA evidence collected over several months proved at least
three bears were responsible for the many break-ins, prompting CDFW to
enlist the community’s cooperation to keep bears away.
Similar situations can and do happen in parts of Oklahoma.
Altered behavior and decreased fear of people among bears have result-
ed from human encroachment and access to human food sources in some
areas where bears naturally occur. This can put people and bears at risk of
injury and even death. Although the chances are slim, those outcomes are
possible when people and bears cohabitate.
Oklahoma is not immune to human-bear conflicts. People living in south-
eastern and east-central Oklahoma should be aware of the hazards of living
in “bear country.” And, as sightings are occurring farther west in Oklahoma,
biologists with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation warn
this may lead to more conflicts between people and black bears.
“In early summer, we usually see an increase in reported bear sightings,” A black bear cub digs into a convenient bird feeder for
a snack.
said Jeff Ford, Senior Wildlife Biologist with ODWC. “And confirmed black
bears sightings have gotten closer to the Oklahoma City metro over the
years. These bears are likely young males trav-
eling long distances, up to 80 miles one way, in BEARWISE.ORG
search of females. So, whether you live in bear
habitat or in the western reaches of their range, it
is important to be bear wise.”
With a few simple steps, the chances of a
bear encounter can be reduced and bears can
remain wild.
Black bear sightings peak during Oklahoma’s
hottest days. The once plentiful springtime food
sources such as berries and grasses soon dimin-
ish and dry out in summer’s heat.
During summer, bears consume an impres-
sive 5,000 calories per day. That caloric intake
quadruples in the fall to nearly 20,000 calories
as they prepare for winter torpor (their hiberna-
tion-like state). Easy high-calorie supplements
such as bird seed, pet food, and even garbage become irresistible. When Human-bear encounters can happen in
unexpected places.
bears find easy access to these human-sourced foods, bear sightings may
easily become conflicts.
Typically, bears are wary of human spaces and will visit at night. However,
these nighttime visits may become daytime occurrences if the bear is rewarded
by food sources. A bear becomes food-conditioned when it prefers to search
out human food. Food-conditioned bears lose their natural fear of people and

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