Bear facts

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Published: October 1, 2009
Modified: September 30, 2009 at 9:50 pm

Bear facts

→Oklahoma is the 29{+t}{+h} state to legalize black bear hunting.

→In Oklahoma, black bears reside in southeastern and northeastern Oklahoma and occasionally are seen in the far reaches of the Panhandle.

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→The largest population of black bears is in southeastern Oklahoma where limited hunting is now allowed in four counties: Le Flore, Latimer, Pushmataha and McCurtain.

→Female black bears in Oklahoma average about two cubs every other year, according to an OSU research project.

→The average age of bears in Oklahoma is 3.7 years. The oldest bear in the OSU research study was an 11-year-old female.

→Adult female black bears weigh from 100 to 300 pounds while the majority of adult males weigh up to 400 pounds. However, there are male black bears that have weighed more than 700 pounds.

→Black bears can live up to 25 years.

→Once a bear becomes comfortable with visiting campsites or homes for food, they often have to be trapped and relocated by state wildlife officials.

Source: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation