<body><div><div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe data-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1puBuwLUPgw?feature=oembed" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1puBuwLUPgw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div>POINTE COUPEE PARISH — With black bear hunting season reopening soon for the first time in nearly 40 years, black bears are on the minds of many hunters. However, for residents of Pointe Coupee Parish, these black bears have already become a growing concern.Sheriff Rene Thibodaux, a lifelong resident of Pointe Coupee, shared that about a month ago, his department received five separate reports of black bear sightings in just one week. He noted that the bears are no longer staying in the woods but are now venturing into large subdivisions and even areas like the Scott Civic Center, a spot often visited by children and sports fans.“They’re now in New Roads, which is the biggest city we have,” Thibodaux told UWK. “Ten years ago or so, they were always in the northern part by Batchelor, closer to the woods.”He explained that black bears have been wandering into residents’ yards, eating bird seed from feeders, and even climbing onto patio furniture.“It’s just out of control,” Thibodaux said. “Pointe Coupee and our surrounding areas, our biggest problem is with wild hogs and now bears. There’s no way to eradicate the hogs right now, because they’re scared it might affect some black bears, but the bear has no predators.”Thibodaux recalled a recent conversation with someone whose family member, living on False River Road just two miles from the city, had seen more than 10 black bears in their pasture at one time.Resident Donna Hymel and her husband tell UWK they have seen bears in their yard for a few years now, and Hymel said they often come to eat the pecans when they’re in season.She recently saw a mother bear and two cubs on their picnic table, eating bird seed. The bears are often in their back yard or in the field on their property.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2R6ft4_0viDseDT00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2R6ft4_0viDseDT00" width="828" height="1103" ></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=23faKa_0viDseDT00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=23faKa_0viDseDT00" width="562" height="749" ></figure>Lance Moore, a commission reserve deputy and avid hunter, is frustrated with the overwhelming presence of bears in the parish.Moore hunts in the Morganza Spillway and said the black bear is a common sight when he’s hunting. And the more bears he sees, the fewer deer are around, he said.“Where the bear is, the deer are not,” Moore added. “We all pay to deer hunt; not to look at bears.”The Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s Office answers multiple calls weekly concerning black bears, and Moore said the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries should be the ones handling the bear situation.“There’s a massive bear population in Pointe Coupee Parish that they’re ignoring,” Moore said. He said he knows residents who are too worried about repercussions of saying something about the bears that are in their yards or hunting grounds.“They can’t even let their children play in the backyard for fear,” he said. “If you come across some cubs and mom’s around, she doesn’t discriminate between adults, child, dog, whatever. You’re going to have a problem.”Although no incidents of bear attacks or charges have been reported in the parish, Thibodaux fears it’s only a matter of time before someone—especially a child—gets hurt.<h2>What do you do if you spot a black bear?</h2>If there’s a black bear in your yard or in close proximity, Thibodaux cautions to first get yourself to safety and don’t approach the bear. If there continues to be a problem with the bear being too close to humans, he said to call the sheriff’s office or contact the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).They may be able to relocate the bear safely away from humans, he said.According to the LDWAF, some tips for staying safe if there are bears nearby include:<ul><li>Never feed or approach bears.</li><li>Secure food, garbage, and recycling.</li><li>Remove bird feeders when bears are active.</li><li>Don’t leave pet food outside.</li><li>Clean and store grills.</li><li>Let your neighbors know if you see bears in your area.</li></ul>The species was removed from protections under the Endangered Species Act in 2016. Experts estimate there are now over 1,200 black bears in the state, up from around 600 in 2014.Black bears typically move around to search for food, water, cover, or mates. Black bears are good swimmers and can also climb trees, the LDWF reports. The black bear has a keen sense of smell, but bad eyesight.Download the Unfiltered with Kiran app from the Apple App Store and Google Play to stay updated on the latest news across the Capital area.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Black bears swimming, eating pecans & bird seeds | Sheriff concerned it’s a matter of time before someone gets hurt

POINTE COUPEE PARISH — With black bear hunting season reopening soon for the first time in nearly 40 years, black bears are on the minds of many hunters. However, for residents of Pointe Coupee Parish, these black bears have already become a growing concern. Sheriff Rene Thibodaux, a lifelong...