Bear sightings on rise in Valley

Bird feeders have become a prime food source for bears, wildlife official said.
BY AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County residents shouldn't be surprised if they notice something big, black and furry lumbering through their front yards.
According to figures released by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division on Wednesday, Trumbull County had the third-largest number of black bear sightings among Ohio counties in 2006.
Trumbull, which had 13 sightings, was outranked by Ashtabula County, with 44 sightings, and Geauga County, with 19 sightings. Mahoning County reported six sightings, while Columbiana County reported two.
The Division of Wildlife estimates the Buckeye bear population at somewhere around 50 to 60 black bears living in Ohio year-round.
During 2006, 113 reported sightings of black bears were reported in 20 Ohio counties, although the Wildlife Division could confirm only 27 of those sightings. Most of the sightings -- 76 -- occurred in Northeast Ohio.
Travel from Pa.
It's no accident that the Mahoning Valley has become a bear hot spot, said Geoff Westerfield, a Wildlife Resource Technician for District Three, which covers all of Northeast Ohio.
"Many of the bears are young males who come over from Pennsylvania to see what's available," he said. "It's easier for them to come across in the northern areas of the state because they don't have any barriers like the Ohio River to keep them out."
Bear sightings usually increase in the spring and summer months when the young males are on the move, said Don Kramer, wildlife management supervisor for Northeast Ohio. During May, June and July, mother bears let their year-old cubs strike out on their own to find their own territory.
Although there were several sightings in the Mahoning Valley, only six could be confirmed by wildlife officials, Westerfield said.
"For a large animal, bears don't leave much evidence of their presence behind," he said. "They're almost like ghosts. Once they're gone, it's hard to tell that they've even been there."
What two did
However some bears aren't so shy, according to wildlife division reports.
One bear in Mahoning County is reported to have ripped the top off a barbecue grill, and a man in Trumbull County reported that a bear was harassing his horses.
Most bears who create a nuisance are simply looking for food, Westerfield said.
"Bird feeders have become a prime food source for bears," he said. "Homeowners are going to have to adapt if they don't want bears getting into their feeders."
Wildlife division officials urge Ohio residents to move bird feeders higher, keep trash inside until pickup day, and clean up after grilling outside to help deter bears.
Anyone wanting to report a bear sighting should call the Wildlife Division office at (330) 644-2293. Anyone wanting to learn more about black bears or Ohio wildlife can visit the Wildlife Division's Web site at www.wildohio.com.
agarrett@vindy.com