Texas Hunting Forum

Black bear in Smith county

Posted By: ralph

Black bear in Smith county - 10/21/16 09:08 PM

Heard a news story on KTBB this morning about black bears in East Texas. The news guy said one had been caught on a game camera in Smith County.

Anyone hear that same story? Or know anything more about it? I would bet it was in the northeast part around the Sabine River. Some pretty remote country around there especially for a county with a population as large as Smith county has.
Posted By: Erny

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/21/16 10:47 PM

There was a verified sighting of one near Bullard several years ago. TPWD said it was a young male looking for new habitat.
Posted By: PWT

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/21/16 10:49 PM


http://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20161020b
Posted By: ralph

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/21/16 11:40 PM

Originally Posted By: Erny
There was a verified sighting of one near Bullard several years ago. TPWD said it was a young male looking for new habitat.


Wow. Even the bears want to live south of Tyler!!!

Seriously, I don't remember that but they said the same thing about these being young males looking for their own territory.

If one could be in Bullard they could be anywhere.

Thanks for that information.
Posted By: SapperTitan

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/21/16 11:42 PM

I don't even know where Smith county is
Posted By: rifleman

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/21/16 11:46 PM

Tyler
Posted By: EddieWalker

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/23/16 02:44 PM

A couple months ago a guy on FB posted a picture of a black bear at his game camera near Henderson. I've never heard of the one near Ballard. It's getting awful crowded down that way. Eastern part of Smith County makes sense. I'm near the Sabine and figure it's just a matter of time until they make it here. But I've been saying the same thing about finding an alligator in my pond since the creek along my property line goes into the Sabine.
Posted By: Big Daddy K

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/23/16 04:25 PM

Probably a lot more black bear in north east Texas than black panthers bolt
Posted By: SnakeWrangler

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/23/16 07:29 PM

Originally Posted By: Big Daddy K
Probably a lot more black bear in north east Texas than black panthers bolt

clap
Posted By: stxranchman

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/23/16 07:40 PM

Posted By: Ranch Dog

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/24/16 11:52 AM

Originally Posted By: SnakeWrangler
Originally Posted By: Big Daddy K
Probably a lot more black bear in north east Texas than black panthers bolt

clap

I knew something wasn't right this huntings season. We haven't had the black panther thread yet this year!
Posted By: LarryCopper

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/24/16 02:33 PM

Originally Posted By: stxranchman

clap
Posted By: pigplinker

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/25/16 08:36 AM

Originally Posted By: Big Daddy K
Probably a lot more black bear in north east Texas than black panthers bolt


Here we go!! popcorn popcorn
Posted By: Erathkid

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/25/16 02:59 PM

My neighbor called me a couple of months ago, said to keep the dogs in the house because they saw a mountain lion running next to their high fence on my side. Not once, but twice...Wait, wait, wait for it, Boom! You guessed it, it was black... confused2
Posted By: Erathkid

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/25/16 03:00 PM

Seriously WTH?
Posted By: Ranch Dog

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/25/16 07:54 PM

There we go!
Posted By: SnakeWrangler

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/25/16 08:13 PM

Originally Posted By: Erathkid
My neighbor called me a couple of months ago, said to keep the dogs in the house because they saw a mountain lion running next to their high fence on my side. Not once, but twice...Wait, wait, wait for it, Boom! You guessed it, it was black... confused2

Originally Posted By: Ranch Dog
There we go!

Now it's officially hunting season...... rofl
Posted By: Palehorse

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/25/16 09:03 PM

Hey, black panthers matter.
Posted By: pratiger

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/25/16 09:57 PM

I have seen the pic and it really looks like a bear but cannot verify fully. It was taken in Chapel Hill area of Smith county.
Posted By: pratiger

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/25/16 10:06 PM

Posted By: 1860.colt

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/25/16 10:31 PM

Originally Posted By: SnakeWrangler
Originally Posted By: Erathkid
My neighbor called me a couple of months ago, said to keep the dogs in the house because they saw a mountain lion running next to their high fence on my side. Not once, but twice...Wait, wait, wait for it, Boom! You guessed it, it was black... confused2

Originally Posted By: Ranch Dog
There we go!

Now it's officially hunting season...... rofl

peep bang bang bang thar thar could explain them thar bigfoot tracks found along side that thar sasquatch poop that i bagged & tagged few years back down in the hollers of OSBWMA.... bolt flag
Posted By: pratiger

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/26/16 02:32 AM

i personally think it's a black dog turned just right but this is the picture that they are using as verified sighting. It was taken about 2 months ago.
Posted By: Cochise

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/26/16 01:07 PM

Originally Posted By: pratiger
i personally think it's a black dog turned just right but this is the picture that they are using as verified sighting. It was taken about 2 months ago.


It's definitely a bear.

Wouldn't be surprised if we eventually start seeing them where I'm at in VZ County. We're not too far from the Sabine.
Posted By: Hunt n Fish

Re: Black bear in Smith county - 10/27/16 12:20 AM

For your reading enjoyment: http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/blackbear/

The American Black Bear is found throughout North America in habitats ranging from swamps to desert scrub. Black Bears were once found through out North America, mostly in forests, but also in deserts and swamps. At least two subspecies of Black Bear are thought to occur in Texas: the Mexican Black Bear (Ursus americanus eremicus) and the New Mexico Black Bear (subspecies U. a. amblyceps). Both are found in West Texas in desert scrub or woodland habitats within scattered mountain ranges, predominantly the Chisos and Guadalupe Mountains. Both subspecies are state-listed as endangered in Texas. The Louisiana Black Bear (subspeciesU. a. luteolus) is on the federal threatened species list. It is not known to be found in Texas, although potential habitat exists in the eastern part of the state.

If you judge by recent reported sightings, the Black Bear is making a significant comeback in Texas. However, public interest in an animal often has a way of fueling additional sightings, especially during poor visibility conditions.

The Black Bear, Ursus americanus, is on the state endangered species list. TPWD biologists encourage people to report recent bear sightings to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Research is currently underway by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to determine the status of Black Bears in Texas. A study is also underway in East Texas to determine habitat suitability in that part of the state.
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