The recent sighting of an American black bear in northwest Illinois has, understandably, generated many questions. While these animals once roamed the Illinois landscape 150 years ago, seeing one today can be, at the very least, a startling sight. While the black bear sighted most recently has shown no aggressive behavior towards humans, it should not be approached. Help us keep this bear from being accustomed to people. Always observe wildlife from a distance.
Currently black bears are not protected under state law. New legislation passed this spring adds black bears, gray wolves and mountain lions to the list of protected wildlife in Illinois. Even when signed by Gov. Quinn, the law wont take effect until January 1, 2015. This means that immediate decisions on the fate of these animals reside with local landowners or municipalities. Once the new law takes effect, the Illinois DNR will have the exclusive statutory authority to manage these animals in Illinois.
Speaking of bears. We were in Naples 2 weeks ago visiting our daughter and grandkids. On a trip to the airport to pick up my sister in law we saw a dead bear by the side of the road, I-75, between Naples and Ft. Myers. This is a densely populated area! I told my daughter to let her know to be careful with the children playing in the yard by themselves and she responded: Oh yeah, I have a friend that sees them all the time in her yard! If I did not know any better, I'd swear that I saw one on my way to Cinci a few weeks ago on a hill side by the road in Bracken County. "People" has seen them around Maysville for quite sometime now. Unconfirmed of course.
-- Edited by jdemoya on Thursday 12th of June 2014 08:40:22 PM
I was gassin up my truck at a Chevron down in FL and there was an oysterman fillin up his next to me. I said how's it goin and he said not good he lost his dog to a bear during the night.
He had it tied out on a chain. Not too smart in bear country. He got up that morning and the corkscrew was bent, the chain was pulled straight and the collar was busted and no dog.
He pointed to the side street the gas station was on and said he lived six houses down that road. That station was right on US 98. He said bears are real bad in Apalachiacola.
I noticed that down there they've hacked out small pieces of civilization and at the end of the parking lot there's jungle. A lot of jungle.
And gas is 50 cent a gal cheaper than here.
Thursday after work I got home and looked out in my backyard and two big deer were eatin on my fruit trees. They came closer to the house and they were both bucks.
They had thick spikes with big nubs on the end. Just starting to grow points I guess.
Some day I expect to look out there and see a 12' gator.
They say we have beavers in my area. I have not seen one yet.
The fellow that lives down the road from my farm told me that all our ponds have no fish because river otters have eaten them all.
Jose-If I remember correctly, there have been confirmed bear sightings and DNA taken from hair samples in Gallatin and Boone Counties in Northern, Ky. I'm about an hour down river from you and we have a lot of beavers and river otters now are becoming more common around here. Buddy of mine saw four of them in his pond this past spring.
Not too smart in bear country.
He got up that morning and the corkscrew was bent, the chain was pulled straight and the collar was busted and no dog.
