Pickaway: Local park ranger has confirmed black bear sighting warning visitors of a bear in the area.
According to State Park Manager Mark Hoffhines of AW Marion State Park (Hargus Lake), several sightings of a mother and cub have been confirmed in and around the park. According to Hoffhines, they will have extra staff at the park until the signs are put up.
This photo was taken on Thursday (6-22-23) at 22nd and Fausnaugh School Road in Pickaway County
Black bears are usually active in the early morning and evening, especially in areas where people are present. Most of the time black bears are not aggressive animals, but mothers can show aggression when they have a young cub. Young bears usually stay with their mother from the time they are born until they are a year and a half old, then break off on their own to find their own territory.
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Bears can move throughout the area, up to a hundred miles in range.
If you see a bear, do not run, instead, announce you’re there with “Hey bear, hey bear” and back away slowly. Bears can run around 35 mph, and black bears can climb trees. If you see a bear, you can contact the ODNR directly by calling #ODNR.
Black bears once roamed all over Ohio. Unfortunately, unregulated hunting and habitat destruction caused black bears to disappear from the state entirely in the 1850s. In recent years, black bears in West Virginia and Pennsylvania have been recolonizing parts of the ‘east Ohio on his own. The vast majority of these black bears are young males trying to find their own territory and potential mates. These young males generally do not stick to one area permanently and instead wander around looking for just the “right” spot.
It is important that residents and visitors know how to coexist peacefully with these native animals. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
➤ Secure and lock trash at home to deter black bears from rummaging through it.
➤ When camping, keep all smelly items (eg, food, trash, deodorant) out of reach of bears. Store odorous items in a tightly hung bear bag, secured in a bear container, or packed in a locked vehicle.
➤ Don’t let your dog off-leash. Dogs can easily provoke black bears, and most black bear attacks on humans involve dogs in some way. Remember that all dogs must be on a leash when on a trail or in a built-up recreation area.
➤ If you encounter a black bear, 1) stay calm, don’t run and move slowly, 2) speak firmly to the bear and make yourself look big, 3) and back away slowly. If the bear starts to approach, try to scare it off by making yourself as big and imposing as possible by stretching your arms above your head and making loud noises.
➤ Never feed a black bear (or any wild animal). A fed bear is a dead bear.
Get more tips for being mindful:
