West Plains, MO. – A recurring theme in a lot of news within the past few years, both nationally and in our area of the Ozarks, has been bears. Bear populations have been increasing within both Arkansas and Missouri, so we here at News Team 7 brought in local bear specialist Scott McWilliams from the Missouri Department of Conservation to give us a lesson on why we’re seeing more bears, and what you should do if you encounter one.
Scott McWilliams is a Wildlife Damage Biologist and is a long-time employee for the MDC, but is more known as being one of the go-to guys for information on our local ursine population.
With a growth rate of 9% per year, black bears are currently and will become ever more prominent within the Ozarks.
If you see a bear in your yard, use caution but be aware that this wild animal is unlikely to attack humans. Be calm, and call local professionals to handle it if it becomes an issue.
When problem bears become present, many individuals will ask for relocation of the bear. However, this does nothing but put a problem in another yard. Instead, professionals employ tactics to make the bears averse to the human population, redirecting them to more wild sources of food.
If you feel you have a bear problem, make sure you are keeping your trash, grills, bird feeders and bee houses tightly kept so that the animals cannot readily access any food. Like any other wild animal, they remember the places they find sustenance and will return. This pattern is what makes a problem bear.
To contact the West Plains branch of the MDC, you can call 417 256 7161.
