Is The Black Bear Population On The Rise In Central New York?
Black bears are found in all areas of upstate New York. They prefer forests mixed with open areas and wetlands, farmland, and sometimes corn fields where they can cause considerable damage. They're naturally shy and elusive but with all the reported bear sightings recently is the bear population on the rise?
A few weeks ago the DEC asked for help with all the black bears on the move, then there was a bear on the loose In Deerfield. In April a '200-pound black bear was tranquilized and kiiled in Cortland. It seems the bear population is increasing, and according to the DEC website it is.
New York's black bear population is expanding, causing more bear-human interactions
Here are some tips provided by the DEC to deter human and bear interactions that are dangerous for all involved. Bears learn from experience, and if an activity results in food, they'll repeat that action. If an encounter with a human is contrary, they'll avoid them, but if bears learn to obtain food from humans, they can become bold and aggressive. Remember feeding Black Bears is prohibited in New York.