Second bear found in Dent County
A black bear was trapped Oct. 12 at an undisclosed location in the Jadwin area and relocated Oct. 14 to U.S. Forest Service land in Dent County, according to Dent County Conservation Agent David Ingram. Ingram said it is better to transport a bear to another location if possible. "The bear had done nothing wrong, but it was found in an area where there had been bear sightings," Ingram said. "There was some potential problems as it was close to some trail rides, property owners and recreational opportunities," Ingram said. The bear weighed 350 to 400 pounds and was at least 10 years old, Ingram said. The male bear had migrated to Dent County from Arkansas. Conservation biologists used the information on tags to determine where the bear had come from, its age and other information. Ingram said a private landowner reported the bear to conservation department officials Oct. 7. The landowner had a corn feeder out with a trail camera attached. The camera shot pictures of the bear feeding on the corn. Ingram said culvert traps, about four-and-a-half feet tall by eight feet long, were put out Oct. 9. The bear was trapped three days later. Ingram said the bear was transported to an undisclosed location and, with the assistance of U.S. Forest Service employees, released into the wild. Both agencies determined what to do with the bear, he said. Ingram said a program entitled "Aversive Conditioning" was used to force the bear into the woods and perhaps condition it to avoid areas of loud noises and human contact. Dogs were used to run the bear into the woods. It was also shot in the backside with rubber bullets. "That's a conditioning program that that has worked well in other states, and is an alternative to putting a bear down," Ingram said. A young black bear was killed Sept. 5, also near Jadwin, the first one killed in Dent County in recent times, according to MDC officials. The bear had been attracted to beehives, destroying about $800 worth of the hives before being killed by the property owner. Residents who see bears are asked to call Ingram at 729-5242 or MDC Agent Chris Ely, 729-8720.
A black bear was trapped Oct. 12 at an undisclosed location in the Jadwin area and relocated Oct. 14 to U.S. Forest Service land in Dent County, according to Dent County Conservation Agent David Ingram. Ingram said it is better to transport a bear to another location if possible. "The bear had done nothing wrong, but it was found in an area where there had been bear sightings," Ingram said. "There was some potential problems as it was close to some trail rides, property owners and recreational opportunities," Ingram said. The bear weighed 350 to 400 pounds and was at least 10 years old, Ingram said. The male bear had migrated to Dent County from Arkansas. Conservation biologists used the information on tags to determine where the bear had come from, its age and other information. Ingram said a private landowner reported the bear to conservation department officials Oct. 7. The landowner had a corn feeder out with a trail camera attached. The camera shot pictures of the bear feeding on the corn. Ingram said culvert traps, about four-and-a-half feet tall by eight feet long, were put out Oct. 9. The bear was trapped three days later. Ingram said the bear was transported to an undisclosed location and, with the assistance of U.S. Forest Service employees, released into the wild. Both agencies determined what to do with the bear, he said. Ingram said a program entitled "Aversive Conditioning" was used to force the bear into the woods and perhaps condition it to avoid areas of loud noises and human contact. Dogs were used to run the bear into the woods. It was also shot in the backside with rubber bullets. "That's a conditioning program that that has worked well in other states, and is an alternative to putting a bear down," Ingram said. A young black bear was killed Sept. 5, also near Jadwin, the first one killed in Dent County in recent times, according to MDC officials. The bear had been attracted to beehives, destroying about $800 worth of the hives before being killed by the property owner. Residents who see bears are asked to call Ingram at 729-5242 or MDC Agent Chris Ely, 729-8720.
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