Fewer black bear sightings reported in Ohio in 2011
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According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife, 152 black bear sightings were reported in Ohio last year. Of that number, state wildlife personnel confirmed 60 sightings, which is a slight decrease compared to the 64 confirmed sightings in 2010.
The 2011 confirmed sightings occurred in 19 different counties and involved an estimated 38 different black bears. Most of the reported bear sightings were in northeastern counties. Ashtabula and Geauga counties led the state, reporting 20 and 22 sightings, respectively.
Sightings occurred in every month of 2011; however, the majority of bears were reported in May through August, which is the peak of black bear breeding and dispersal of young male bears.
Thirty-six of the 152 sightings involved destruction or nuisance behavior, such as damage to bird feeders, beehives and garbage containers. An estimated 20 individual bears were involved in these cases. Across the state there were four reported sightings of sows with cubs and one sighting of lone cubs.
For comparison, in 2010 state wildlife officials confirmed 64 of a total 164 black bear sightings. The confirmed sightings were in 23 counties and involved about 31 different black bears. A record of 165 bear sightings were reported in 2002.
The Division of Wildlife began formally keeping records of black bear observations in 1993. Since that time, bears have been reported in 58 counties and confirmed in 50 of Ohio’s 88 counties.
Native to Ohio, the black bear is listed as endangered in Ohio and protected by state law. To report a possible sighting, call 800-WILDLIFE.
Efforts to monitor the black bear have been supported by the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Fund, which receives donations from Ohioans through the state income tax check-off program and by the purchase of cardinal license plates. Individuals wanting to donate to the fund can also donate online at wildohio.com.
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Open houses will be held on the first Saturday in March
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is holding open house meetings in all five districts to discuss season dates and bag limits of game species, which will include Ohio’s most popular game animal, the white-tailed deer. The meetings will be Saturday, March 3, from 12 – 3 p.m. and are open to the public.
“Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio's professional wildlife management process is welcome to attend,” said Scott Zody, chief of the Division of Wildlife. “Each open house location will have a fish and wildlife biologist as well as law enforcement officers available to answer questions.”
Public input gathered at these open houses will be forwarded to the division's central office and considered during the formulation of regulations.
For more information or directions to the open houses, visit the Division of Wildlife’s website at wildohio.com or call 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543).
Open House Location Information for March 3:
Central Ohio - Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, 614- 644-3925
Northwest Ohio - Wildlife District Two Office, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, 419-424-5000
Northeast Ohio - Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, 330-644-2293
Southeast Ohio - Wildlife District Four Office, 360 E. State Street, Athens, 740-589-9930
Southwest Ohio - Greene County Fish and Game Club, 1538 Union Road, Xenia, 937-372-9261
A statewide hearing on all proposed rules will be held on Thursday, March 8, at 9 a.m. at the Division of Wildlife’s District One office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. This hearing is open to the public and input is permitted.
After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules during the April 4 meeting.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at www.ohiodnr.com.[[In-content Ad]]
The 2011 confirmed sightings occurred in 19 different counties and involved an estimated 38 different black bears. Most of the reported bear sightings were in northeastern counties. Ashtabula and Geauga counties led the state, reporting 20 and 22 sightings, respectively.
Sightings occurred in every month of 2011; however, the majority of bears were reported in May through August, which is the peak of black bear breeding and dispersal of young male bears.
Thirty-six of the 152 sightings involved destruction or nuisance behavior, such as damage to bird feeders, beehives and garbage containers. An estimated 20 individual bears were involved in these cases. Across the state there were four reported sightings of sows with cubs and one sighting of lone cubs.
For comparison, in 2010 state wildlife officials confirmed 64 of a total 164 black bear sightings. The confirmed sightings were in 23 counties and involved about 31 different black bears. A record of 165 bear sightings were reported in 2002.
The Division of Wildlife began formally keeping records of black bear observations in 1993. Since that time, bears have been reported in 58 counties and confirmed in 50 of Ohio’s 88 counties.
Native to Ohio, the black bear is listed as endangered in Ohio and protected by state law. To report a possible sighting, call 800-WILDLIFE.
Efforts to monitor the black bear have been supported by the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Fund, which receives donations from Ohioans through the state income tax check-off program and by the purchase of cardinal license plates. Individuals wanting to donate to the fund can also donate online at wildohio.com.
* * *
Open houses will be held on the first Saturday in March
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is holding open house meetings in all five districts to discuss season dates and bag limits of game species, which will include Ohio’s most popular game animal, the white-tailed deer. The meetings will be Saturday, March 3, from 12 – 3 p.m. and are open to the public.
“Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio's professional wildlife management process is welcome to attend,” said Scott Zody, chief of the Division of Wildlife. “Each open house location will have a fish and wildlife biologist as well as law enforcement officers available to answer questions.”
Public input gathered at these open houses will be forwarded to the division's central office and considered during the formulation of regulations.
For more information or directions to the open houses, visit the Division of Wildlife’s website at wildohio.com or call 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543).
Open House Location Information for March 3:
Central Ohio - Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, 614- 644-3925
Northwest Ohio - Wildlife District Two Office, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, 419-424-5000
Northeast Ohio - Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, 330-644-2293
Southeast Ohio - Wildlife District Four Office, 360 E. State Street, Athens, 740-589-9930
Southwest Ohio - Greene County Fish and Game Club, 1538 Union Road, Xenia, 937-372-9261
A statewide hearing on all proposed rules will be held on Thursday, March 8, at 9 a.m. at the Division of Wildlife’s District One office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. This hearing is open to the public and input is permitted.
After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules during the April 4 meeting.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at www.ohiodnr.com.[[In-content Ad]]