BROKEN ARROW, OK — There are black bears in Oklahoma, lots of them, but they don’t often venture into the Tulsa area. In the past few weeks there have been reports of bear sightings east of Tulsa.
What parts of Oklahoma have bears?
“Oklahoma has two black bear populations,” Fairbanks said. “One group is in the Ouachita Mountains of southeast Oklahoma, while the other is in the Oklahoma Ozark in the east central part of the state.”
How common are bears in Oklahoma?
There is an estimated population of 2,500 black bears statewide in Oklahoma, mostly in the forests of eastern Oklahoma. “It’s routine in southeast Oklahoma and parts of northeast Oklahoma to have bear calls,” he said. “We tranquilize the bear, put it in a trailer and take it somewhere it can be away from people.
Is there wild bears in Oklahoma?
Today bears have a growing population in southeast Oklahoma and are an important part of the state’s wildlife diversity. Biologists with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have collected biological data mainly from bear surveys and research projects.
How many bears are in Oklahoma?
Based on research done by the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the black bear population in Oklahoma is estimated at 450.
Are mountain lions in Oklahoma?
There have been 40 confirmed mountain lion sightings since 2002 in the state, according to the Wildlife Department. Osage County leads the list with seven, followed by Cimarron County with six. Over the years, there even have been a few mountain lions documented in central Oklahoma.
Are there wolves in Oklahoma?
The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), red wolf (Canis rufus), gray wolf (Canis lupus), and grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) are extinct in the state.
Are black bears aggressive?
In fact, they are often attracted to people’s food sources or get used to the presence of humans. However, black bears are typically not aggressive and fear the “repercussions of attacking someone,” Garshelis said. “They just don’t want to attack people,” Garsheilis said. “They’re kind of timid animals.”
How good is bear spray?
Should you just carry a firearm? Bear spray is 98% effective, while guns are 95% effective. Just this number tells you that you’re better off with bear spray. Most bears are scared of humans, noise, and gunshots and will be deterred if you fire at them (even if you don’t hit them).
How big are Oklahoma black bears?
Black bears stand 2 to 3 feet at the shoulder and reach lengths of 4 to 6 feet. Adults bears weigh between 150 and 400 pounds.
Are there Panthers in Oklahoma?
Black leopards are more commonly found in the dense tropical rain forest of southeast Asia. Jaguars are found in Central and South America. It is possible for a breeder to have released a once-captive black leopard in the state, but there are no free-ranging black panthers in Oklahoma, state wildlife officials say.
Are there alligators in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, alligators can be found in Red Slough Wildlife Management Area and the Little River National Wildlife Refuge. Choctaw County and McCurtain County have the highest number of these long-lived reptiles, but they can also be found in other southern counties.
What kind of wolves live in Oklahoma?
You see, Oklahoma once was home to one of two known species of wolves in North America. Unlike their more adaptable northern counterpart the timber wolf, the red wolf once roamed the prairies and hills of Oklahoma.
Are there moose in Oklahoma?
It was seen in Oklahoma last September, near the Optima Wildlife Refuge. The Kansas wildlife agency said when the moose returned to that state in November, its health had deteriorated. Veterinarians who recently observed the animal hope to capture the bull, nurse it back to health and release it in its natural habitat.
What to do if you see a black bear?
Alter your route or back away slowly, preferably in the direction you came. Walk, do not run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it reacts. In most cases, the bear will flee. If the bear walks toward you, act boldly, yelling and throwing something at it.
Is there bears in Broken Bow OK?
“Most of the bears found in our state are found in far southeast Oklahoma – Broken Bow, Poteau. We also have bears in the northeast part of our state,” said Micah Holmes, with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. It’s not often we hear about bears and vehicles colliding, which was reported Wednesday.
What kind of predators are in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s predators include several species of birds, including eagles, owls and hawks, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. Many small animals can also be considered predatory, including insects such as the ambush bug.
Are there mountain lions in Tulsa?
TULSA, Oklahoma — There was more than just Easter Eggs hiding in a North Tulsa man’s backyard this weekend. A mountain lion made it’s way up a tree, giving Luke Roberts and law enforcement quite a surprise. Mountain lions are not common around these parts of Oklahoma.
What kind of big cats are in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma had its fourth confirmed mountain lion sighting of the year on Oct. 20, and its fifth may come within a few days. In 2020, Okies saw seven mountain lions — or cougars, catamounts, puma, painters, or panthers — pick your moniker.
How many mountain lions are in Oklahoma?
Despite this absence, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation decided to list mountain lions as a game species with a closed season in 1957. There is currently no resident population of mountain lions, and even with hundreds of reports of mountain lion sightings, only 11 have been confirmed.
Are there Wolverines in Oklahoma?
Black bears are not commonly associated with Oklahoma but, according to Kirk, they aren’t completely foreign to the state. “In the panhandle we’ve got a pretty good resident population out there,” said Kirk. Wolverines are a common reported sighting but a confirmed sighting has yet to be public knowledge.