MDC to start bear trapping program in Southeast Missouri

The Missouri Department of Conservation will begin a bear trapping program in Southeast Missouri.

Black bears once thrived in the region, but were largely driven out of the state by the 1950s.

Arkansas reintroduced black bears in the 1960s. It is thought that many of the black bears currently found in Missouri are descendents of these Arkansas bears.

The MDC conducted a trapping program last year in Southwest Missouri with the University of Missouri and Mississippi State University. The Southeast Missouri program will partner with the same universities.

This study will provide information such as movement patterns, population densities, habitat preferences, male to female ratios, and overall numbers of Missouri bears, according to an MDC press release.

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