BACK IN BLACK: THE AMERICAN BLACK BEAR RETURNS TO TEXAS

By Romey Swanson, AWB®, Staff Biologist II

From the passive degradation of habitats to the relentless persecution of apex predators, man has done his utmost to completely tame this once fiercely rugged frontier - indeed, most of us would not recognize the Texas of 200 years ago. But nature is determined, and even as we lament the "progress" of man, the unwillingness of one species to abandon its rightful heritage gives us cause to celebrate.

Difficult to imagine, but in the early 1940s it was still possible (albeit unlikely) to see gray wolf, red wolf, jaguar, and black bear in Texas. Unfortunately, within a couple of decades, all of these species were extirpated. Due to ecological, political, and socio-economic reasons, it is highly unlikely that we will see wolves or North America's largest cat in Texas again anytime soon, perhaps ever. In a majority of cases, once a large carnivore is completely lost from an area, it is unlikely to return. However, the American black bear, Ursus americanus, has completely turned this model on its side by naturally reestablishing a portion of its former range, including the Edwards Plateau.

This medium-sized bear, black to brown in color, with rather long coarse fur, is considered shy and retiring. A typical adult black bear weighs between 200 and 400 pounds, with some reaching 500 pounds. Preferring woodland and forested habitats, they formerly roamed the majority of Texas in considerable abundance. Although deemed carnivores, black bears are more accuractely described as omnivores, showing considerable variation in their diets. Along with an affinity for honey, insects, nuts, acorns, berries, roots, and forbs, black bears will take fish, carrion, and camp garbage. Occasionally, a stressed or otherwise ornery individual may take young deer or small livestock - an infrequent behavior that was a contributing factor to the bear's eventual demise in Texas.

It is largely believed that Texas bears were entirely gone from the state by the 1950s. The last documented strongholds occurred in the Davis and Chisos Mountain ranges of far West Texas, and a rumor of bear sightings in the wild woodlands of eastern Matagorda County was never dismissed. As a cheap and readily available source of meat for ranch/plantation workers and hounds, as a trophy hunt for both size and number killed, and to prevent depredation of livestock (primarily hogs, sheep, and goats), these animals experienced unsustainable hunting pressure through the 19th and early part of the 20th century. Plateau's Beryl Armstrong shares the story of John Leakey founding a sawmill in Rio Frio in the late 1870s. Leakey hired a local hunter to provide meat for the workers until they could get a livestock operation established. During the course of a year, the hunter brought in 51 bears, after which bears were never again seen in abundance in the area. A 1945 report from the Texas Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (precursor to Texas Parks and Wildlife) illustrates the yearly tradition of the Womble Family. From 1850-1860, Mr. Womble engaged in a yearly bear hunt in the Devil's Pocket area of southeastern Wharton County. Over a couple of days, Mr. Womble would hunt and kill enough bears to fill a wagon. Little to no control was exercised in the management of bears until it was virtually too late.

Thanks to historic folly in game and wildlife management, bears and many other imperiled species were offered protection only after they were completely lost from the state. It was not until 1973, effectively decades after their loss, that restrictions on bear hunting were put in place and, not until a decade later in 1983, was hunting bear completely prohibited. Finally, after reports of infrequent sightings and a five year investigation by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, black bear were placed on the state endangered species list, currently listed as threatened. The federally threatened Louisiana sub-species, formerly found in east Texas, offered additional federal protection by the Endangered Species Act. These protections make it illegal and punishable by jail and/or fine to kill, harm, or harass all bears in the state of Texas.

The black bear reoccupation of eastern Texas was confirmed during the late 1970s. Wildlife biologists originally met reports of bears from private landowners with skepticism, followed by cautious optimism, and finally excited revelation. Reports of reestablishment in west Texas began in the mid 1980s and, in 1988, photographic documentation of a sow with cubs near Emory Peak in Big Bend National Park provided the undeniable evidence. With these occurrences, black bear could again be counted present on the wildlife roll call of Texas. In the beginning, the majority of bear sightings on both sides of the state were likely of nomadic young males wondering in search of productive forage sites but, with the documented presence of females and young, support for a self-perpetuating west Texas population grew.

Black bear sightings within the western Edwards Plateau region are not new, but have been primarily confined to the area surrounding Del Rio. Relatively recently, many reports and verified observations have occurred north and east of the area. A black bear was recently killed near Mountain Home by a man who reported he felt threatened for himself and his dogs. This particular bear was a young 103-pound male that had been a welcome guest of some of the local landowners. Necropsy results show that its last meal consisted of prickly pear tuna (cactus fruit) and a feral hog. Another bear was killed this year in an auto collision near Comstock, and additional bear sightings have been confirmed recently near Menard, Leaky, and Kerrville. These sightings are more frequent during drought years as younger individuals search for steady food sources and territories. Meteorological conditions appear to serve as the fuel for migrations, whereas surplus animals, in an area of pre-established occupation, are the engine.

The natural reestablishment of black bears in central and west Texas is a two-fold success. With landowner initiative and government encouragement, black bears now thrive near Coahuila, Mexico, a montane area where they were once imperiled. The surplus bears from this favorable circumstance provided the source for reestablishment in west and central Texas. But Texas deserves credit, too. By rightfully offering protection to the species and innovating a landowner initiative meant to maximize sound land stewardship practices, Texans and their government have provided bears an opportunity to not only occupy but once again prosper throughout the state. Wildlife biologists have been tracking observations throughout the Edwards Plateau, collecting photographs (mostly from game cameras), estimating their numbers, and even tracking the movement of individuals. Many challenges remain, but biologists are optimistic about the possibility of an inter-breeding black bear population returning to Edwards Plateau and beyond.

The return of the black bear is exciting and encouraging - the type of event wildlife biologists live for! Plateau has digital reports/management plans that we can provide to landowners interested in learning more about the black bear. Also, Mike Kruegar of Texas Parks and Wildife is the main "bear guy" in the Hill Country and west Texas and can be reached at (830) 896-2500.

Black bear in west Texas. Photo by Romey Swanson, June 2011.

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