Had lease in Red river County for 11 years guys next to us had tracks and game cam pics of one.

Then there's this:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bear-pu...MH2K?li=BBnbfcL

There used to be regulated black bear hunting in texas. Maybe one day the population will be strong enough to allow it. Good eats and a killer rug/coat.

I'm glad someone mentioned this. When I was a youngster just getting started hunting in the mid sixties I remember this. The hunting guide was a tri-fold paper with the counties and dates listed in columns. I specifically remember Zapata County, I still can see it, listing an open season for bear. I went to the tower blind with my Savage 340 chambered 30-30 Win ready for the biggest bear in the county to walk across the sendero.

Fished Lake-Falcon. With my Dad. For years in the 70's. Remember that -"tri-fold". Hanging in the.
Osa-Blanco Lodge.
Guide Dad knew. Gentleman;s name was -ALbert. Spoke with a throat-vibrator. Due to Cancer.
Showed us couple photos of Brown bears, and Pumas. He had shot; Below old Guerro. In the 50's and 60's.
Along with MONSTER-WHITETAILS.

Very cool!!!

At the turn of the century, bear hunting was a big deal in east Texas.
There is a guy who compiled several articles from back in the day.
Very interesting read. I'll try and find a link.

Very good article.
Thank you for posting.

Good table fair!

I saw one hit by a car on the turnpike in ok. Between Hugo and Mcallister.

They have stocked bears in Fannin, Lamar, and Red River counties in the last few years. Around 300 were released in secret, as to not have them poached.

You know that the turn of the century was only 16 years ago, right?

LOL very much on that one.

Lol you are correct. Early 1900s

Reminds me of another post where a guy said he saw a tornado and did a 360 to get away from it.

Indian Nation Turnpike I'm guessing. Quite a few of them in that area. A close friend has a place maybe five miles east of that turnpike north of Antlers, maybe 25-30 miles north of Hugo and has pics of them on his game cam.

They are omnivores. Anything a hog will eat a bear will eat. Additionally they will also prey on all small mammals and the young of larger mammals such as hogs, whitetail, mule deer and elk. Given the number of hogs, deer and feeders I expect they have lots of food. Virtually impossible to bear proof a feeder as they can climb almost as well as a coon and are strong enough to destroy just about anything given a bit of time. One of a very few animals that even preys on porcupine.

If they are starting to turn up I would expect that in 20-30 years you will have sufficient numbers to sustain a managed hunt.

They been showing up in West Texas for over 20 yrs now. Just that area is prone to droughts and has been in an extended one for close to yrs now in many areas of it. I am surprised that there is not more sightings than we have had.

No one has mentioned it so here is the TPWD Magazine article about the last grizzly bear killed in Texas in Jeff Davis County (1900).

http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2006/dec/legend/

Just remember they are Protected, unless your life is in danger.
Just thought I would mention that......

Both of these statements are completely false.

Always neat to see animals that are scarce in an area.

My dad saw one on caddo lake back in the 80s.

That's a double Oxnering!