Ohio Lists Black Bear Observations for 2009

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 - TrumbullCounty); 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).

We thank Division of Wildlife personnel who were involved in investigating and reporting observations.

County

All Sightings

Confirmed Sightings

All Nuisance Reports

Verified Nuisance Reports
Adams

3

1

1

1
Ashland

1

Ashtabula

27

8

17

7
Athens

2

1

Carroll

1

Clinton

1

1

Columbiana

4

3

2

2
Coshocton

3

1

Cuyahoga

2

1

2

1
Geauga

7

3

5

2
Guernsey

1

Hancock

1

Highland

5

1

Holmes

1

1

Jefferson

7

4

2

2
Lake

3

2

Mahoning

2

2

2

2
Medina

1

Meigs

2

Montgomery

1

1

Muskingum

1

Perry

1

Pike

1

1

Portage

14

5

8

4
Ross

3

2

1

1
Stark

2

2

1

1
Summit

3

1

Trumbull

9

4

2

1
Tuscarawas

1

Vinton

5

4

Warren

3

3

Washington

1

1

TOTALS

119

51

45

24