12 • July 26 - 28, 2020 STATE By Joe Jerek Courtesy of MDC JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The black bear is one of the largest and heaviest wild mammals in Missouri with some reaching up to 500 pounds. It is also a long-distance roamer constantly in search of food. While black bears are usually very secretive and avoid encounters with people, a growing number of bears in the state is resulting in more encounters with and more interest in the big bruins. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), bear numbers in Missouri have increased significantly over the last 50 years and SIZZLING SUMMER SPECIAL! 2 FOR THE PRICE OF 1 thru AUG 31 Not valid with any other offer. Exp. 8/31/20 Missouri is now home to between 540 – 840 black bears. MDC also reports that bear numbers are increasing by nearly 9 percent each year and bear range in the state is also growing. “Missouri’s black bears are found south of the Missouri River, primarily south of Interstate 44,” said MDC State Furbearer Biologist Laura Conlee. “Missouri’s bear population is also part of a larger population of several thousand bears distributed throughout the Ozark mountains of bransonglobe.com ‘Be bear aware,’ MDC warns, they are on the move in Missouri Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and the Ouachita mountains of Oklahoma and Arkansas.” Conlee added that black bears also continue to be on the move around and through the state. “Bear numbers are growing and sightings are becoming increasingly more common in areas of the state that have not seen bears for many years,” she said. “That also has more people interested in Missouri black SEE BEARS, PAGE 13 MDC State Furbearer Biologist Laura Conlee collars a bear while former black bear technician, Biologist Scott McWilliams observes the procedure part of MDC’s Black Bear Management Plan. (Photo by MDC staff) Showtimes: 3pm or 8pm 1600 West 76 Country Blvd. Branson, MO Call for Tickets: 877-SIX-SHOW theSIXshow.com
13 Publizr Home