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Every couple of years or so, we do an update on the advancement of Black Bears in Texas.

East Texas it seems, is surrounded by “Ursus Americanus.”

These bears range in color from cinnamon to black with the darker color being most common. They can range from 200 to 400 pounds and 5 to 6 feet in height when standing on two legs.

Healthy males can reach over 500 pounds. Black Bears have been documented to live up to 30 years in age while 10 years is average. Although they are listed as omnivores, the largest part of their diet is vegetative. Berries, fruit, acorns and plants but they are opportunistic and will eat nearly everything.

They can be very dangerous, especially a sow with cubs. Imagine a 300 pound Rottweiler that can climb trees. Certainly not something you would want to bump into walking to your deer stand before daylight.

Earlier this week an Orange resident photographed a black bear rummaging around on his property. The homeowner initially thought the animal was a large feral hog. Only after the bear ran away did the man realize it was indeed a bear. Biologists confirmed the photos were a bear.

Louisiana is also sending new bears our direction. The Eastern half of Louisiana has long been a Black Bear stronghold. Over the past few years sightings have steadily moved west until now nearly every parish has reported confirmed sightings. Of course the Orange report has the Sabine River in common with Louisiana.

Not to be left out the Texas Hill Country is stepping up their Black Bear movement. The Big Bend region has the most dense population of Black Bears in the state and of course these bears are expanding their range which would explain the recent uptick in Hill Country sightings. When young male bears reach an age of about 1.5 years, they leave their home area. This happens in the late summer/early fall months.

They may travel many miles in search of a piece of real estate to call their own. Finding a mate and setting up housekeeping is the ultimate goal. Like all wildlife, they just live to eat and propagate the species.

Texas has 40 odd counties reporting either a confirmed breeding population of Black Bears or confirmed sightings. The sightings really increase with the opening of the general deer season. With an average of around 1 million hunters in the woods, sightings are bound to increase. If you are lucky enough to spot a Black Bear, try to get a picture or video.

Do not approach the animal but slowly back away from the area. Most likely the bear will bolt as soon as it smells you. They have excellent noses but poor eyesight so keep this in mind.

Call your local game warden and report your findings.