Eighty-five percent of a Great Smoky Mountains black bears diet comes from berries and nuts. They are the only bear species in the state. "As a result, we believe this bear reintroduction technique can be effective at reestablishing bear populations," Murphy said. Bears have been inhabiting the state as early as the 1920s. Nebraska went without a bear sighting from 1907 to 2008. Most of them are migrating through Iowa from other states. Black bear population by state ranges from as many as 100,000 bears in Alaska to as few as 50 to 100 in Ohio. Wildlife biologistsin the early 1970s estimated a population of less than 500 black bears in West Virginia. They are omnivores who eat whatever is available. Black bears are one of the largest predators living in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but the majority of their diet is made up of plants. There are occasional black bear sightings in the state, but these bears are probably passing through from other states. There were differing levels of research and management among and within juris-dictions that resulted in varying types and amounts of data (e.g., harvest data, roadkill, etc . Around 900 bears live in the mountains and Upper Piedmont area, and another 200 live in the coastal plain. It is the only state on our list where the population has fallen. The black bear population in Tennessee is estimated to be around 6,000 bears, according to theTennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, with roughly1,500 bearsliving in Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone. Black bears are harvested in 46 of West Virginias 55 counties, with peak harvests amounting to 3,541 in2021. California Department of Fish and Game. Human-bear interactions in the state are common as residents unintentionally create conflicts with them by constructing buildings near their habitats and providing them with food. On June 10 the photographed bear was in Chautauqua County, about 80 miles southeast of Wichita as a black bear rambles and near the Oklahoma border. if (document.MAX_used != ',') document.write ("&exclude=" + document.MAX_used); Their curved claws help them climb trees to search for food, but they cannot dig for food as well as a brown bear. Missouri Black Bears From anomaly to a normality that's the journey black bears have traveled in many parts of southern Missouri. They use their long claws to dig up plants and roots and to pick ripened berries in the summer. In the United States black bears are common in the east, along the west coast, in the Rocky Mountains, and in parts of Alaska. The above figures are the average lifespan of black bears in the wild. They can live up to 40 years in captivity. What Are the Different Types of Raccoons? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Estimations vary, but aspokeswomanfor the Nevada Department of Wildlife said there are 400 to 700 black bears in Nevada. I write SEO content and graphic design. As black bears expand eastward, "there are going to be towns that haven't had bears before and suddenly do," he said. The one factor that can help protect female bears is their greater reluctance to approach baits left out by hunters. There . American black bears are highly dexterous, being capable of opening screw-top jars and manipulating door latches. Black bear huntingstarts as early as in the spring, around April in the state, but youd need a hunting license issued for the year youre hunting, as well as a bear tag. Text 2: Quick Facts Black Bear, Height: About 3 feet at the shoulder and 5-7 feet when standing upright, Weight: Ranges from 100 to 600 pounds depending on age, sex, and season. Black bears in Glacier Bay eat a wide variety of plant and animal foods. Their habitats are mostly located in forested areas and cottonwood groves across Colorado, but they are also seen in the State Forest State Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. if (document.context) document.write ("&context=" + escape(document.context)); Bear protection didnt start in the state until 1925 when black bears were established as game animals, and hunting was now properly regulated. Iowa has no resident black bear population, but black bears pass through the state every spring. They live in the states many large tracts of dense, unpopulated forests. harvest levels, particularly of female bears, is putting pressure on the population. The black bear and Louisiana black bear were native to Texas, but both species were wiped out. Public outrage and a votecanceled black bear huntingin the state this Spring 2022. The states Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife estimates there are more than 35,000 black bears in the state. This specimen represents the first black bear taken in Nebraska since 1907. Black bears are North America's most familiar and common bears. South Carolina has around 1,100 black bears. Bears occasionally roam through the Black Hills, but there is no resident bear population. Cubs are born in the middle of the winter denning period, usually between mid-January and early February. The largest black bear caught was a male weighing 719 pounds. Black bears are known to occupy forested wetlands and upland areas in Louisiana.