An estimated 350 black bears call southern Missouri home, and as the spring season gets under way, they leave their winter dens in search of food. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is reminding Missourians to be proactive and “Be Bear Aware.”
According to a news release, an MDC spokesperson says it is imperative that residents remove bear attractants from their property- such as bird feeders, trash, barbecue grills, pet food and food waste.
She also says that intentionally feeding bears can be dangerous because it makes the bears comfortable around people. It also can lead bears to cause significant damage to property while searching for a meal.
She says when bears lose their fear of humans, they could approach people in search of food or may defend the food sources or territory they associate with people, which can make them dangerous. When this happens, the bear cannot be relocated and has to be destroyed. She says, “A fed bear is a dead bear.”
Black bears currently are a protected species in Missouri.
For more information- including tips on how to avoid encounters with bears- visit MDC’s website at www.mdc.mo.gov.

Photo of Black Bear provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation.