Ohio bear killed

16 June 2018, 19:21

TWall

Ohio bear killed

Bear sightings have been increasing in Ohio the past few years. Most come from PA and WV. I don't think they have documented any cubs being raised here.

Earlier this week a large male was hit on I-77. It had been seen numerous times recently. ODNR states he was 4 year old and estimated his weight at 400 lbs.

http://fox8.com/2018/06/12/bla...ont-porch-in-norton/

Who knows if the population will become self-supporting. Even then it is no guarantee of a season. The wildlife council declined to recommend bobcat trapping until further research is done.

Tom

18 June 2018, 23:39

Outdoor Writer

quote:
Originally posted by TWall:
Who knows if the population will become self-supporting.

Not if they keep running them over on the interstates.

23 June 2018, 14:36

buckeyeshooter

Shoot, that is almost in the suburbs of Cleveland. My bet is that one wandered over from Pa.

23 June 2018, 16:38

p dog shooter

quote:
Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:
Shoot, that is almost in the suburbs of Cleveland. My bet is that one wandered over from Pa.

And why wouldn't they stay and establish a breeding population plenty of food and places to live.

Critters do not recognize human made borders.

24 June 2018, 11:27

buckeyeshooter

quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
quote:
Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:
Shoot, that is almost in the suburbs of Cleveland. My bet is that one wandered over from Pa.

And why wouldn't they stay and establish a breeding population plenty of food and places to live.

If the ever got established in the southeastern part of the state, that would probably happen. Pretty undeveloped in most areas. In the northeast part of the state, there are lots of large highways and people. But, you are correct that it is agricultural outside the suburbs and plenty of things to eat. I don't know why Pa. and W. Va. have them and we don't.

Critters do not recognize human made borders.

26 June 2018, 04:59

TWall

I think most of the sightings are actually in NE Ohio. There probably are some breeding sows but, the population is still pretty low.

The ODNR seem to keep these things under-wraps until they can't anymore. They kicked the can down the road for bobcat trapping. I have a co-worker who is a trapper. He gets trail cam pictures of bobcats all the time.

Tom

26 June 2018, 16:23

p dog shooter

quote:
The ODNR seem to keep these things under-wraps until they can't anymore

Like a lot of states department of wildlife agencies.

27 June 2018, 15:01

buckeyeshooter

They had a 100 pound 2 year old in a tree in a Columbus suburb a couple years ago. They couldn't hide that one. Western Pa. has got alot of bears. I figure the ones looking for a new home make it across the border from time to time
The best place in the northeast is the Cuyahoga (sp?) Valley. It actually looks like north central Pa.
But southern Ohio would be a great home. Rural and lots of woods.