More than 100 Ohio Black Bear Sightings
 Reported in 2009

Confirmed black bear sightings in Ohio increased in 2009.

One hundred-nineteen black bear sightings were reported in Ohio last year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.  Of that number, state wildlife personnel confirmed 51 of those sightings, an increase compared to the 38 confirmed sightings in 2008. 

The confirmed sightings of 2009 occurred in 21 different counties and involved an estimated 31 different black bears, the Division of Wildlife reported. 

Sightings occurred in every month of 2009 except January.  The majority of bears were reported May through August, which is the peak of black bear breeding and dispersal of young male bears.

Forty-five of the 119 sightings involved damage or nuisance behavior, such as damage to bird feeders, beehives, and garbage containers, as well as consumption of pet food. An estimated 25 individual bears were involved in these cases.

Most of the reported bear sightings were in northeastern and south-central counties. Ashtabula County led the state reporting 27 sightings. 

Across the state there were four reported sightings of sows with cubs and two sightings of lone cubs. 

For comparison, in 2008 state wildlife officials confirmed 38 of a total 105 black bear sightings. The confirmed sightings were in 11 counties and involved about 29 different black bears. A record 165 bear sightings were reported in 2002.

The Division of Wildlife began formally keeping records of black bear observations in 1993. Since that time, bears have been confirmed in 50  of Ohio’s 88 counties.   

Efforts to monitor the black bear have been supported by the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species fund, which receives donations from Ohioans through the state income tax check-off program and by the purchase of cardinal license plates.  Individuals wanting to donate to the fund can also donate online or purchase an Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp.

The black bear is listed as endangered in Ohio and protected by state law.

 

Research Details

ODNR Division of Wildlife Procedure 6 and the “Black Bear Observation Report” form provide the basis for tracking, reporting, and summarizing sightings of black bears in Ohio.  In 2009, 119 sightings involving an estimated 72 individual black bears were received (Table 1).  This represents a slight increase compared to 2008 when 105 sightings involving an estimated 67 individual black bears were received.  The number of individual bears is a subjective judgment. 

The percentage of confirmed sightings (confirmed by evidence such as tracks, photos, etc.) also increased, as did the number of confirmed individuals and counties involved, in comparison with the previous year.  Fifty one (43%) of the 119 sightings were confirmed by Division of Wildlife personnel (Table 1).  These 51 sightings represented an estimated 31 bears in 21 counties.  For comparison, in 2008, 38 (36%) of 105 sightings were confirmed for an estimated 29 bears in 11 counties.

Forty five (38%) of the 119 observations involved nuisance situations (Table 1).  These 45 sightings involved an estimated 25 individual bears in 13 counties.  Twenty four of the nuisance sightings were confirmed for 17 individual bears in 11 counties (Table 1).  None of the black bears involved in nuisance situations in 2009 were trapped and relocated.  Nuisance bear situations recorded during 2009 included raiding bird feeders (17), raiding garbage containers (12), raiding both garbage containers and bird feeders (1), damaging bee hives (3), both damaging bee hives and raiding bird feeders (2), damaging both bee hives and other property (1), damaging houses, decks, and pools (5), attempting to enter or being too close to houses (3), and damaging blueberry bushes (1).  Two bears were hit by cars (19 August – Stark County; 15 December – Trumbull County); both were adult males and both died from their injuries.

Black bear sightings were received during every month in 2009 except January.  Sixty five percent of the sightings were reported from May through August, coincident with peak black bear breeding activity and dispersal of juvenile males.  There were 4 sightings of a sow with 1 or 2 cubs, and 2 additional sightings of lone cubs.  A sow with 2 cubs was reported from Highland County on 2 occasions, and from Medina County on 1 occasion.  A sighting of a sow with 1 cub was reported from Ashland County.  None of these sightings were confirmed by Division of Wildlife personnel.  Sightings of lone cubs were reported from Athens and Carroll counties; the Athens County sighting was confirmed. 

Bear sightings were reported in 32 Ohio counties during 2009 (Table 1).  Most sightings (71%) were in Wildlife District 3 (northeastern Ohio) counties.  Formal sightings from 1993 through the present show bear observations in 57 predominately eastern and south-central counties (Fig. 1).  The first black bear sightings were received from Clinton and Montgomery counties (confirmed) and from Hancock County (unconfirmed) during 2009.  Although unconfirmed sightings were received in previous years, the first confirmed sightings occurred in Holmes and Warren counties during 2009.  Black bear sightings have been confirmed in 50 of the 57 counties since 1993 (Fig. 2).  Compared with years since 2000, 2009 was an average year for black bear sightings (Fig. 3).

Table 1. Black bear sightings reported during 2009 in Ohio, classified by type.

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Figure 1. Black bear sightings in Ohio by county, 1993-2003.


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Figure 2. Confirmed black bear sightings in Ohio by county, 1993-2009.

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Figure 3. Number of black bear sightings by year, 2000-2009.  Red line indicates 10-year average (110 sightings).

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