Page 17 - May/June 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma

in the Ozark region of northeastern Oklahoma and
includes about 100 bears.
The main difference between the two popula-
tions is the habitat in which they live. Large, contiguous
stretches of forest in southeastern Oklahoma provide excellent bear hab-
itat. The landscape in the northeastern region is more fragmented due to
human development, making it less likely to support a larger population.
The presence of black bears in Oklahoma is a reminder that this state pro-
vides some of the most diverse habitat in the country. But along with the state’s
natural blessings comes a responsibility to keep bears — and the nature’s other
creatures — wild. That’s why everyone must do his or her part
Black bears inhabit the areas shown in red, but
while living in, or visiting, Oklahoma’s bear country. occasional bear sightings have occurred in the dark
tan areas.

Scan code to learn how to report a nuisance bear.

FOUNDATION DONATES

TRANQUILIZER RIFLES WILDLIFEDEPARTMENT.COM

The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation
Foundation recently worked with ODWC
and Senior Wildlife Biologist Jeff Ford to
help better equip and train Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation staff
members who work with black bears to
ensure they are using the most-current wild-
life chemical immobilization techniques.
The Foundation recently bought six state- The OWCF donated five tranquilizer dart guns to ODWC biologists. From left
are Southeastern Region Wildlife Supervisor Eric Suttles, Wildlife Technician Matt
of-the-art pneumatic tranquilizer dart guns, Hensley, Wildlife Technician Tres Phipps, ODWC Director J.D. Strong, OWCF
along with training from Dr. Mark Johnson, Executive Director Rick Grundman, and Senior Wildlife Biologist Jeff Ford.
founder of Global Wildlife Resources, who people to cross paths more common. Biologists respond to reports
specializes in humane and respectful cap- of bear-human conflicts every year.
ture and handling of bears and other Foundation Executive Director Rick Grundman said, "The Oklahoma
free-ranging wildlife for wildlife profession- Wildlife Conservation Foundation wanted to ensure that we were
als. These resources were presented to the helping to protect these magnificent animals and supporting the wild-
Wildlife Department in February. life stewards at the ODWC with the best equipment and training avail-
Ford and ODWC employees welcomed able. We believe these contributions will help the ODWC Bear Team
the needed equipment. "I want to thank to continue to address these situations safely and humanely.
the Foundation again for its assistance in “Judging by the feedback from the team after they received the
getting our Nuisance Bear Coordinators training and dart guns, I think we were successful," he said.
better equipped and trained to do our jobs —Rick Grundman, OWCF Executive Director
more effectively."
Oklahoma's black bear population con- Learn more about the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation
tinues to grow at roughly 6 percent per Foundation and how to contribute in the “OWCF Update”
year, making opportunities for bears and on Pages 44–45 or by scanning the code.

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