Community Corner
Black Bear Sightings on the Rise in Carroll County
A state bear biologist says we may see more bear sightings in the coming years.
Harry Spiker, state bear biologist with the Department of Natural Resources, said black bear sightings in Carroll may become more common as the state bear population moves east from Maryland's western counties, according to an article in the Carroll County Times.
"As the population increases, I expect more sightings east of Frederick County," Spiker said in the article. "At some point in time, I expect it'll be years down the road, there will likely be [resident bears in Carroll]."
Currently, Spiker said in the article, Carroll is not an occupied territory for black bears. DNR defines an occupied territory as one where sows, or female bears, give birth to cubs in a particular location.
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Black bear sightings in Carroll, Spiker said in thearticle, still only occur during the dispersal time in May and June. This is the time of year when young black bears leave their mothers' den to find new habitats. It's not uncommon for some bears to travel more than 100 miles looking for bear-friendly habitat.
The article reports that in 2007 there was 1 black bear sighting in the county and 90 in the state; in 2008 there was one black bear sighting in the county and 143 in the state; in 2009 there were three black bear sightings in the county and 121 in the state; and in 2010 there were six black bear sightings in the county and 130 in the state.
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For more information visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
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