HOUSTON – There has been an increase in black bear sightings in East Texas, according to biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
Black bears have been spotted in Cherokee, Anderson, Panola, and Rusk counties.
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Black bears are native to Texas and are part of the state’s natural heritage and ecosystem.
They are listed as a threatened species in Texas, so it is illegal to kill, injure, take, possess, capture, or transport a black bear.
Those who kill a black bear in East Texas will face severe penalties, including a combination of fines and jail time, such as civil restitution penalties exceeding $12,000.
There are no resident populations of black bears in East Texas, and TPWD has not and does not stock bears in the region, according to a release. However, all of our neighboring states have established breeding populations of bears. This time of year, young bears are leaving their mothers and may end up in unusual places.
Biologists say black bears are guided by an excellent sense of smell, and their behavior is driven largely by appetite. Bears are not normally aggressive and should be left alone.
If you see a bear, remain calm, stay far away, do not run, and never attempt to feed or restrain it. Bears will typically move on if they are given space and if nearby attractants—such as garbage, pet food, bird feeders, and deer feeders—are secured.