The American black bear represents a remarkable recovery for Missouri’s wildlife management, having nearly vanished from the landscape. Tracking the number of bears is important for conservation efforts and for public safety as the bears expand into new territories. Understanding the size and trajectory of the population allows the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to implement balanced management strategies and prepare residents for coexistence.
The Current Estimate and Recovery History
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) estimates the black bear population is approximately 900 to 1,000 animals, growing annually by about 8%. This significant rebound follows the species’ near elimination from the state due to unregulated hunting and extensive logging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the mid-1900s, the black bear was thought to be entirely extirpated from Missouri.
The current population surge is largely attributed to a reintroduction program initiated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Starting in the late 1950s, Arkansas relocated over 200 bears into the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains. As the Arkansas population flourished, bears naturally expanded their range northward into the heavily forested southern Missouri Ozarks.
This migration established the foundation for Missouri’s expanding population. Genetic evidence suggests that while the majority of Missouri’s bears originated from the Arkansas reintroduction, a small, isolated remnant population may have persisted locally. This means the contemporary population is a mix of natural immigrants and a small surviving native lineage. The initial population study in 2012 estimated only about 300 bears, demonstrating the rapid increase that led to the establishment of a limited hunting season in 2021.
Mapping the Primary Bear Habitat
The core range of the black bear population is concentrated in the heavily forested regions of the southern Missouri Ozarks, generally located south of Interstate 44 (I-44). This area provides the dense cover and abundant natural food sources necessary to support a stable, breeding population. Approximately 75% of all bear sightings reported to the MDC occur within this southern third of the state.
While the established breeding female population remains concentrated in the south, sightings are becoming more frequent and widespread due to overall population expansion. Dispersing young male bears travel significant distances in search of new territory. These movements have led to increased reports in expansion areas near the Lake of the Ozarks and in counties southwest of St. Louis.
Methods for Counting and Tracking
Accurately counting this dispersed, constantly moving wild population requires advanced scientific techniques beyond simple visual observation. The MDC uses a combination of methods to gather data for their population models. One primary tool is the hair snare, which involves setting up barbed wire enclosures baited with a scent lure to entice bears to approach.
As a bear interacts with the wire, it leaves behind hair strands collected by biologists. DNA analysis of these samples allows researchers to identify individual bears, which is then used in mark-recapture models to calculate population density and size. Researchers also capture and fit female bears, known as sows, with GPS radio tracking collars.
Data from these collars provides information on survival rates, movement patterns, and reproductive success. Biologists track collared females to their winter dens to assess litter size and cub survival, which are direct inputs for population growth estimates. This comprehensive approach combines DNA identification with detailed demographic data to ensure the credibility of official population numbers.
Living Safely Near Black Bears
As the black bear population expands, the likelihood of human-bear encounters increases, making informed coexistence strategies necessary. The most significant factor drawing bears into residential areas is access to easy food sources. Residents must secure all potential attractants, including storing garbage, recyclables, and compost inside a secure building until collection day.
Pet food should be kept indoors, and bird feeders should be avoided from April through November when bears are most active. Grills and smokers should also be thoroughly cleaned after use and stored securely.
If an encounter occurs, the recommended protocol is to remain calm, avoid running, and make noise by clapping or talking loudly to alert the bear to your presence. The bear should be given an easy escape route, and under no circumstances should it be approached or fed. Wildlife officials emphasize that a bear accustomed to human food loses its natural fear and often must be euthanized after causing property damage. Reporting sightings to the MDC helps researchers track bear movement and focus outreach efforts in newly occupied areas.