Another bear closer by

By By Otha Barham / outdoors editor
May 28, 2004
Last week when we reported and ran photos of bear tracks some 25 miles or so from Meridian, we were just learning about a bear even closer than that to the Queen City. Photos of this bear's tracks, found in north Clarke County, suggest that it is a larger bear than the one that has been walking around in Sumter and Choctaw counties in Alabama.
Conservation Officer Brock Shirley of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) responded to a report of bear tracks between Meridian and Quitman and found plenty of clear tracks. He, along with fellow officer Billy Murphy and MDWFP biologists Jeff Mangum and Chad Dacus, observed and photographed the tracks and made castings.
The MDWFP officials found where the large bear had trampled briars that were in his path. "It is eating blackberries now," commented Shirley. With the succulent berries approaching their peak production, a bear should have easy picking anywhere in this area. Recent rains have helped the blackberry crop.
One turned over stump was found in the bear's path. Such sign is common when a bear is looking for grubs.
More Evidence
In the 1960s more bear sign appeared about a mile from the current findings. These findings suggest that bears seem to like the particular area of Clarke County. It can be speculated that traveling bears are easily "funneled" into that particular area because of continuous remote travel routes, available food, a network of streams or other favorable factors.
Black bears often travel widely, perhaps covering 50 miles or more in just a few days. Because they are primarily nocturnal, they are rarely seen. However several bears have been killed by automobiles in Mississippi over the years.
The common name for bears that appear in this area is the American black bear. The name can be misleading because not all of them are black, although that is the predominant coloration, especially in this area. Black ones usually have a brownish nose and occasionally have a white blaze below the neck. Unusual colors are blond, tan or brown.
The scientific name, or species name, for black bears is Ursus americanus. There are many sugbspecies. The subspecies in Mississippi is considered to be Ursus americanus luteolus.
The Black Bear Management Handbook for Louisiana, Mississippi, Southern Arkansas and East Texas, which was published in 1996, indicates that there were 25 to 50 bears in the Mississippi, Pearl and Pascagoula River drainages.
Mistaken Identity
Confirmed sightings are difficult to establish. People see large black dogs, black cattle or other animals and mistake them for bears. Biologists try to validate likely sightings by finding signs left by the bear – tracks, scratchings, scat etc. Some actual sightings are not reported because the person wants to avoid being doubted about the incident due to the scarcity of bears in our woods.
If you see a bear, report it to a Conservation Officer, or to Brad Young, Black Bear Specialist, MDWFP, (601) 354-7303. Don't disturb or harm the bear. It is unlawful to intentionally kill a black bear in this area. Black bears are not very dangerous, exceptions being sows with cubs that she senses are being harmed or where bears are being purposely fed by individuals.
In a recent survey of Mississippi landowners in or near possible black bear habitat, over 52 percent favored reintroduction of black bears anywhere that the habitat was suitable. Less than 37 percent disapproved.
Hunters and others who are in our woods often should keep an eye out for sign of this remarkable wild animal. Two deer hunters saw a bear in two Clarke County green patches this past deer season.
The presence of black bears, even if just intermittent, makes for opportunities to view an animal that was once so plentiful in Mississippi that they were killed for their lard which was shipped down the Mississippi River in barges.