The Ohio Black Bear population is rising. Between 50 to 100 live in the state now. Families and campers in the Hocking Hills are keeping The Ohio Department of Natural Resources busy with multiple sightings, but are the sightings the work of a group of bears or just one?
The Smith Family is making their first trip to Hocking Hills State Park.
"We are here on a family vacation, finally, now that the kids are finished with their sports," Valerie Smith told NBC 4. And they were a bit surprised to learn black bear live here.
In fact, there have been multiple bear sightings in the Hocking Hills area in recent months. Photos prove they are on the move.
"The female will disperse her one-and-a-half year-old cubs. This is done in preparation to mate again," said Dan Smith with ODNR's Wildlife Division.
It turns out, the bear sightings are likely the work of one juvenile bear.
ODNR said they've been tracking him for a while.
"We tracked it from the Marietta area up through Athens through to Nelsonville into Logan. But it is possible that we are talking about multiple bears," said Smith.
Black bears are solitary creatures, but it's not unheard of to come across one on hiking paths or in backyards. If you do, the Smith family's middle son, Kyle, has some advice.
"Stand there and watch it and back up slowly. If anyone else was coming I'll tell them to back up and watch out," said Kyle Smith.
Never feed bears, keep all food locked up and out of reach, never run from a bear.
Instead, get as big as you can, and avoid eye contact. And remember, it is illegal to shoot a bear ODNR has on occasion relocated a troublesome black bear, but generally once the food supply is gone, the bears move on.
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