Welcome to this month’s Nature’s Calling,
I’m Lucas Bond with
the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Black bears are on the move this time of year.
That’s why the Missouri Department of Conservation
wants you be bear aware.
We want to help you be bear aware
by giving you a few tips about Missouri’s black bears.
Black bears are one of the state’s largest wild mammals;
they have been seen in more than half of Missouri’s counties.
Black bears generally are only dangerous when they
lose their natural fear of people,
which usually results from access to human food.
Remember a fed bear is a dead bear.
Nate Bowersock: Bears have an incredible sense of smell.
They can use that sense to smell food up to a mile away.
Anything that has a strong scent,
bears might be attracted to it.
Think of them like a large raccoon.
If a raccoon’s attracted to it, a bear probably is.
So, were talking about stuff like
bird food, pet food, livestock feed.
If it’s left outside, it’s likely to attract a bear.
Bowersock wants all outdoor enthusiasts
to remember odors attract bears.
So, if you’re camping, floating or doing whatever you
like to do outdoors
please remember to keep your campsites clean,
pack your food in closed containers
and place them in secure locations
and dispose of garbage immediately.
While the population expands,
black bears may show up in places unexpected,
even urban areas.
That’s why it’s important for all Missourians
to know what to do when they see a black bear.
If you do see a bear just leave it alone
and generally it will go away.
However, if you have a close encounter with a bear
be sure to follow these steps:
Never corner a bear and make sure it has an escape route.
Back away slowly with your arms raised high
in order to make yourself look big.
Speak in a calm, loud voice to the bear.
Do not turn your back to the bear
and walk away slowly and never run.
Over the last 50 years, bear numbers
in the Missouri Ozarks have been increasing.
Today Missouri is home to more than 900 black bears.
Bear numbers are currently increasing
by approximately 9% each year,
and bear range is expanding.
Given our flourishing bear population,
Missouri will have its third
black bear hunting season this fall.
Of the Missouri residents who apply
for a black bear hunting permit,
400 will be randomly drawn to hunt
in the Black Bear Management Zone they applied to hunt in.
The application period is May 1st thru May 31st.
The black bear hunting season runs October 16-25.
The maximum total harvest for the season will be 40 bears.
Black bear hunting is for Missouri residents only
and limits the hunting to one of three Black Bear Management Zones.
Nate: So, we have a series of bear management zones,
or “BMZ’s” found throughout the southern portions of the state.
BMZ 1, which is located in the southwestern portion of the state,
we have a 20-bear harvest quota in that region.
In the eastern part of the state,
we have BMZ 2 where we have a quota of 15 bears.
And the remaining southern portions of the state,
BMZ 3, we have a 5-bear harvest quota.
In total, once the harvest quota is met in each zone,
the hunting season is closed.
Therefore, it’s important for hunters to call in each day
to see if the hunting zone they are intending to hunt
is open or not.
Hunters who are drawn to take part
in the black bear hunting season
must have their hunter education certification
or be exempt by age before they purchase
the 25 dollar permit.
Hunting hours will be a half-hour
before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset.
Hunters will be allowed to use archery and firearms
with allowable methods being the same
as those for deer and elk, except for the use of atlatl.
Baiting and the use of dogs is not allowed
during black bear season.
Learn more about black bears
and the hunting season on our website.
Thanks for watching and remember nature’s calling,
get out and enjoy Missouri’s outdoors!