So, you now have alligator snapping turtles, murder hornets, rattlesnakes, feral hogs, feral chickens. What else could ruin our Kansas outdoor experience? How about bears? Bears????? Yep, black bear sightings in Kansas are becoming increasingly more common. Wildlife and Research Biologist Matt Peake says while sightings are still rare, they aren’t that unusual anymore. Black bears are typically seen in two areas in Kansas: the southeast and southwest corners of the state. Both of these areas are in close proximity to established black bear populations in nearby states. But, a black bear was sighted in Douglas County back in 1966,, a bear wandered into a neighborhood in Baldwin City in June of 1966. It was shot by police. There were unconfirmed sightings in 2019 and 2022. Also, last year, a bear was spotted in Cass County, Missouri, just south of Pleasant Hill, which borders Miami County in Kansas,. So, even though seeing a bear in Kansas is remote, remember, they aren’t interested in you and alerting them to your presence by making loud sounds is the ideal way to scare them off.
Just another thing to think about as you re out hiking and camping this summer.
