Bear sightings now confirmed in four southern Illinois counties, state says

Black bear sightings have been confirmed in four southern Illinois counties, the state Department of Natural Resources said Monday.

The sightings have been in Saline, Pope, Williamson and Jackson counties, according to a news release from the agency.

“It’s uncertain at this time if it’s the same bear or multiple bears,” the release said.

“IDNR biologists are monitoring the bear’s movement and appreciate receiving ongoing reports from the public of its whereabouts,” the department’s wildlife chief Mike Wefer said in the news release. “We’re also grateful to everyone who has followed our advice to leave the bear alone and enjoy the rare privilege of observing it from a safe distance.”

If you see a bear, the DNR asks that you report the sighting online at the Wildlife Illinois website.

The Carrier Mills Police Department released information on July 11 about a bear seen in the Saline County town, and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office posted info last week about a sighting near Marion, close to the city’s water tower and a local golf course. The most recent reports have come out of Jackson County, near Carbondale.

Last year, a black bear was seen in June in Randolph County, the sheriff’s office reported. In 2021, there were confirmed bear sightings in Monroe, Clinton, Washington and Franklin counties, and the Illinois Department of Conservation Police said this apparently was the same bear that roamed in the four counties.

Bear sightings are “rare” in Illinois but the department said the “potential exists” for additional sightings in the summer months.

Missouri has an established population of black bears, and Illinois officials have said the bears seen in southern Illinois have migrated from Missouri. Bears seen in northern Illinois likely came from Wisconsin, which also has an established population of bears.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has reported there are about 900 bears in the state and a bear hunting season was established in 2021. This year’s season is scheduled for Oct. 21-30.

“During early summer months, yearling bears disperse from their birth ranges in search of food and a permanent home range,” the Illinois Department of Natural Resources news release said. “Adult males travel far and wide looking for mates, and nursing females venture further from home range core areas to meet the energetic demands of raising cubs.”

Black bears “should not necessarily be perceived as a threat to human safety,” the agency stated. “Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that bears are wild animals and should be treated as such.”

Bears can pick up food odors from over a mile away and will return to sites where they find food. These sources include bird feeders, barbecue grills, garbage cans and dog food.

If a bear has been reported in your area, the Department of Natural Resources offered the following tips:

• Never feed or approach bears.

• Secure food, garbage, and recycling.

• Remove or limit use of bird feeders when bears are active.

• Avoid leaving pet food outdoors.

• Thoroughly clean and store grills and smokers after each use.

• Alert neighbors to bear activity.