Several days ago a black bear was photographed by a game camera placed near a game feeder in eastern Clarke County, Mississippi. An attempt by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to trap the bear for tagging and biological study failed. Another game camera in western Alabama photographed a bear some days later, possibly the same bear.
A second bear has been resting in a sweet gum tree further south in Clarke County. His claw marks have worn a distinctive “trail” up the tree. Evidence of a third bear exists currently in Clarke County.
This area of East Mississippi is clearly part of the range of black bears which seems to be more concentrated in Western Alabama, from which bears that appear here seem to come, and to which they often return. However, a bear trapped at the edge of Meridian 18 months ago may have surfaced near Hattiesburg. A bear wearing a collar was reported seen there recently.
The presence of this wonderful animal is a gift we may not deserve. Before widespread settlement and development of this area by humans, the black bear enjoyed an ideal environment. We should be grateful for the slim opportunity to give the black bear room to inhabit a small portion of its original home.
If you fear the relatively harmless black bear, or otherwise lack knowledge of them, go on line or to your library and learn about them. Also talk with your local game protection officials, biologists or others who are knowledgeable. Ask them your serious questions. By no means attempt to shoot or otherwise harm a black bear. It is illegal and offenders are severely punished. Let them enjoy their beautiful outdoors like we do.
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November 5, 2009
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