DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said on Tuesday that more black bears are being seen in Northeast Iowa.

According to the DNR, bear activity in the state typically spikes during the breeding season in late May and June. The black bears seen in Iowa likely travel down from Minnesota and Wisconsin, where the black bear populations are growing. Right now, black bear populations are estimated to be 16,000 bears in Minnesota and 24,000 bears in Wisconsin.

“Black bears are not that far from Iowa’s border,” Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer and wetlands biologist with the DNR, said. “We typically have two to five bear sightings each year, which we believe are usually younger males. They are relatively timid, and just looking for food and/or females. It’s new and exciting, but can lead to human-bear conflicts.”

The DNR said while it might be exciting to see a bear wander through your backyard, it’s best to either leave them be or scare them away from a safe distance with loud noises. To prevent any bears from getting too close, the DNR recommends removing any food attractants like bird feeders and pet food dishes and putting grills and trash cans in a secure location.

Black bears were once native to Iowa, but the population dwindled as more settlers moved in. The population was eventually eliminated by the late 1800s. To learn more about black bears in Iowa visit the Iowa DNR’s website.

Iowa News: