Black Bears Near Ada?

[OK Corgi Rancher]

I've lived in bear territory for nearly half my life. I've seen a lot of bear scat around my place in the mountains in Colorado. I had no idea there might be bears near Ada. But this was in my driveway yesterday morning (I spread the nugget in the lower right with a stick):

That looks like lots and lots of black bear scat I've seen in the past, especially for early in the season when the berries and such aren't ripe yet. Looks like whatever left this might've been in some bird feeders, too. I thought maybe coyote, but it's completely different and there's no little critter fur in it. It doesn't really look like coyote scat anyway.

Here's a reference photo from the North American Bear Center website of early April bear scat:

I'd love to think there might be a black bear running about around my place. They really are fantastic and beautiful creatures and they're amazing to watch.

 

[Col Bullsigh]

"They really are fantastic and beautiful creatures and they're amazing to watch."
That is, until you are out in the backyard with the kids, UNARMED, and a Big Black Bear appears between you and the house!

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

I have...several times. Dozens of times as a matter of fact. Not with my kids, but with my dogs which is probably worse because Terriers wanna fight everything. They were regular, nightly visitors to my place for over 20 years and never caused an issue. I've never felt threatened by a black bear. I'm not saying they can't be dangerous... But you and your kids are far more likely to be harmed by a neighborhood dog than a black bear.

 

[MilitantBEEMER]

I've lived in bear territory for nearly half my life. I've seen a lot of bear scat around my place in the mountains in Colorado. I had no idea there might be bears near Ada. But this was in my driveway yesterday morning (I spread the nugget in the lower right with a stick):

View attachment 276315


That looks like lots and lots of black bear scat I've seen in the past, especially for early in the season when the berries and such aren't ripe yet. Looks like whatever left this might've been in some bird feeders, too. I thought maybe coyote, but it's completely different and there's no little critter fur in it. It doesn't really look like coyote scat anyway.

Here's a reference photo from the North American Bear Center website of early April bear scat:

View attachment 276319


I'd love to think there might be a black bear running about around my place. They really are fantastic and beautiful creatures and they're amazing to watch.

Looks like bear scat to me.

 

[GnometownHero]

After hosting a bear at 3am in my kitchen in Crestone Colorado, I cannot stress enough just how bad they smell and how long the stench lingers. Think chinese restraunt dumpster on a hot summer day

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

Yep...they can be pretty aromatic, that's for sure. When I worked for the SO in Colorado bear calls were a routine thing in spring, summer and fall. In the kitchens, garages, animal pens you name it...even cars. Most of the time it was as simple as just opening a door and giving them some space and they'd leave.

I've got some game cameras on order. I'm really hoping to get some pics or video of this guy.

 

[Gunbuffer]

Absolutely they have bears. They’re pretty much in all areas of the state. Not all have breeding populations, but they’re there
There’s been a sighting a couple miles to my north in southern Logan county

 

[Aries]

Chupacabra scat?

 

[dlbleak]

Their range is definitely spreading. I think I remember the report that gunbuffer is referring to.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

I was reading on the OK DOW website that they have been spotted in Ada and there's a healthy population in the SE area of the state and the western end of the panhandle. If they're in those places it's not unreasonable to think they're not in other areas of the state. It said the population is increasing by about 6% per year.

Personally, I think they're pretty cool. I give them their space but I've never been worried about them. Black bears are generally very avoiding of people. Brown bears, on the other hand, are not.

I've only seen a grizzly once in Montana. From about 200 yds away, across a river. I watched it from a rest area on I-90 between Missoula and Butte. Even from that distance and relatively safe vantage point it was impressive. Ex got a grainy cell-phone picture of one in Idaho near Kooskia. As much as I was out and about in the back country up there I never saw one.