There have been two confirmed black bear sightings in the past week, both in the KOFO listening area. One bear was sighted near the Grass Pad warehouse near Stilwell, Kansas, at 199th and 69 highway on Sunday, May 11th. Another confirmed bear sighting was in a neighborhood in Grandview, Missouri yesterday morning, May 13th, and two unconfirmed reports of a bear in a wooded area in southern Overland Park on Saturday, May 10th and, campers reporting they saw a bear cub south of Independence this past weekend.
Wildlife officials in both states say the bear is not a threat or a danger to the public, unless provoked. So, in other words, just leave it alone. However, if you do see a bear, they ask that you call 911 so they can contact conservation agents in the area to make sure the bear is protected.
So, how rare are bear sightings in Kansas? In these parts? A black bear was sighted in Douglas County back in 1966, and unconfirmed sightings in 2019 and 2022. Also, a bear wandered into a neighborhood in Baldwin City in June of 1966. It was shot by police. 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.
