Black Bears in Ohio

[smedz]

Hundreds of years ago, my home state was home to lots of different large animals. These included cougars, wolves, elk, bison, lynx (not large, but just to show the diversity), Turkeys, White-tailed deer, and of course, the American Black Bear. When the europeans arrived however, they began to hunt down all animals, bison were killed in huge numbers, turkeys were wiped out from many states, wolves and cougars were killed off as hunters hated them for being competitors for game (because god forbid the predators hunt their prey). Black Bears weren't spared, and they disappeared from the Buckeye State. In the present however, things have gotten better. Our habitat has improved, in fact, now one third of our state is now wooded. Thanks to this, Bobcats have made a recovery, Turkeys are doing great, River otters, once rare in the state, are now doing good after a reintroduction program was started by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Black Bears have also made a comeback, and now, there's even a video in Northeast Ohio where a sow with 2 cubs cross a road. This is a great example of a conservation success story.

[tom]

Yes, habitat is usually the key to all wildlife flourishing. It takes a commitment on the federal level with regards to wildlife refuges and placing a level of priority on endangered species etc.. as well from the state level for state funded programs. Without the commitment and funds things usually dwindle. Good to hear Ohio is working to make improvements to their wildlife.

[smedz]

May 1, 2019 16:39:57 GMT -5 tom said:

Yes, habitat is usually the key to all wildlife flourishing. It takes a commitment on the federal level with regards to wildlife refuges and placing a level of priority on endangered species etc.. as well from the state level for state funded programs. Without the commitment and funds things usually dwindle. Good to hear Ohio is working to make improvements to their wildlife.

Yeah, I forgot to mention this, now a study has shown that some areas in Ohio are suitable for elk now! And I've been working on a special project where I'll try to convince the ODNR to at least consider reintroducing cougars. This would be good for our black bears because black bears take cougar kills, and therefore, there might be a good chance of more bears staying.

[Deleted]

I am glad to see black bears are making a come back. My favorite black bear subspecies is the glacier bear. Black bears just like the grizzly bears view cougars are feline gravy train meaning the bear will usurp the cougars' kills at every opportunity they get. Therefore, cougars will ensure that black bears will obtain meat without having to hunt for themselves.

[smedz]

Got great news! I heard that there have been some recent sightings of bears in Richland county Ohio, the county I take residence in! and one confirmed sighting in a nearby county. So excited!

[smedz]

Black Bear sightings are expected to increase this summer. 


Sightings expected to increase

[OldGreenGrolar]

Black bears together with brown bears are the most adaptable and widespread species. All we have to do is leave them alone and watch how quickly they increase.

[King Kodiak]

Black Bears in Ohio:Guidelines to Enjoying Ohio's Expanding Black Bear Population

Historically, black bears roamed the Buckeye State. Unfortunately, unregulated hunting and habitat loss rendered bears extirpated from Ohio by 1850. Today, Ohio is again home to a small but growing population of black bears. Ohio’s bear population is estimated to be anywhere from 50-100 individual bears. It is important we understand a little about the biology and habits of the black bear if we are to coexist comfortably with this Ohio resident.

Most black bears range in size from 100 to 400 pounds, are 5 to 6 feet in length and average 3 feet high at the shoulder. The majority of bears in Ohio weigh between 125-250 pounds, and are juvenile male bears. Dispersing young black bears will often travel great distances in search of new habitat and are most likely to be seen by or interact with humans. These bears are extremely agile and are able to run up to 35 mph, climb trees with ease and swim long distances. Bears are omnivores, meaning they will eat a wide variety of foods. Depending on the season, their diet may include grasses, forbs, berries, mast from oak, hickory, and beech trees, carrion, and insect larvae. Bears will also consume agricultural crops, if available.

View the Species Guide for more information about black bears.

wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/nuisance-wildlife/black-bears-in-ohio