DNR: Black Bear Awake And On The Move

By Travis Thayer This black bear seen during a special permitted deer hunt in November at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge was believed to be hibernating in the same wooded area. File photo. (Jefferson County, Ind.) – A rare southeastern Indiana black bear appears to be on the move. The male black bear was first spotted in southern Indiana last summer, and wildlife officials believe he spent his winter hibernating at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge at the Jefferson Proving Ground in Jefferson and Ripley counties. Now, the bear appears to be on the move. According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the bear was last seen in a corn field near the refuge. The bear is one of two black bears confirmed in Indiana this past year. The Indiana DNR has released the following bear awareness tips: -Don’t intentionally feed bears. If a bear becomes accustomed to finding food near your home, it is likely to become a “problem” bear. -Place garbage cans inside a garage or shed. -Clean and store grills away after use. -Don’t leave pet food outside overnight. -Remove bird feeders and bird food from late March through November. -Don’t add meat or sweets to a compost pile. -If you encounter a bear, don’t run. Shout, wave your arms and back away slowly. -Collect and remove low-hanging or fallen fruit from fruit trees. -Eliminate meat, cooking oil, fish or fruit odors from near your home. This includes fish-meal fertilizers. -Collect and remove any ripened vegetables from your garden. -Protect bee hives through the use of electric fencing.