Southern and northeastern Ohio account for most of the sightings
Biologists say more black bears are being seen in Ohio. That’s according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. The number of confirmed sightings is up from 26 in 2011.
Many factors contribute to fluctuating bear movement annually including weather, lack or high availability of food sources, and the presence of other bears.
Sightings were reported beginning in late February and continuing each month through mid-December. The majority of bears were reported May through August, which is the peak of black bear breeding and dispersal of young male bears.
Confirmed sightings include such details as photographs, tracks, scat, and reports directly from wildlife officials.
The Division of Wildlife began formally keeping records of black bear observations in 1993. Since that time, bears have been confirmed in over half of Ohio’s 88 counties. Most observations occur in northeast and southern Ohio.
The black bear is listed as endangered in Ohio and protected by state law.
