Bear numbers and range in Missouri have grown to about 800 black bears with most found south of the Missouri River and primarily south of Interstate 44, according to MDC.

Where do black bears live in Missouri?

Bear numbers and range in Missouri have grown to about 800 black bears with most found south of the Missouri River and primarily south of Interstate 44, according to MDC.

What counties in Missouri have black bears?

Conlee also told Brownfield the black bear population is expanding from the wooded areas in southern Missouri to areas southwest of St. Louis. There have been recent reports of bears spotted in St. Louis County, Jefferson County, Franklin County, and more.

Are black bears common in Missouri?

Although once extirpated from the state, the black bear population in Missouri is now “rapidly” increasing, according to Laura Conlee, a furbearer biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Can you shoot a black bear in Missouri?

Bear hunting in Missouri is limited to Missouri residents and restricted to three designated areas of southern Missouri called Bear Management Zones (BMZ). Each permit issued is for a specific BMZ and hunting is limited to public or private property within the BMZ.

Are mountain lions in Missouri?

Since 1994, Missouri has confirmed just 68 mountain lions, and all of those were males. Mountain lions are classified as “extirpated” in Missouri – the last known permanent resident lion was killed in 1927. They are currently protected under the provisions of the MDC Wildlife Code.

Are there wolves in Missouri?

Wolves are rare in Missouri, having been extirpated since the early 1900s; occasional individuals wander here from other states.

Are elk in Missouri?

Elk are native to Missouri but they were hunted to extinction through unregulated hunting in the late 1800s. MDC said they were brought back to Missouri “after years of restoration efforts.”

Are there grizzly bears in Missouri?

Because a bear can become a danger when it learns to associate humans with food, it is important to keep them wild. The American black bear is the only species of bear found in Missouri.

Does Missouri have black panthers?

Despite claims by the MDC, many Missouri residents have seen black panthers. None of the residents — mostly farmers, individuals accustomed to wild and domestic animals — remotely felt they had spotted a house cat.

Are wolves in Missouri?

Wolves are rare in Missouri, having been extirpated since the early 1900s; occasional individuals wander here from other states. A federally endangered species protected by law.

Are there Panthers in Missouri?

The only wild cats native to Missouri are the bobcat (Lynx rufus) and the mountain lion (Puma concolor).

Are moose in Missouri?

Moose are not native to Missouri. However, that doesn’t mean that one of these big beasts has never come by for a visit.