Black Bears: Here’s How Many There Are In Illinois And Wisconsin

Say what you want about winters in Illinois, but during the colder months we have far fewer things from the insect and animal kingdoms to deal with around here. During the winter months in Northern Illinois you'll find very few, if any:

• Bears
• Snakes
• Racoons
• Bats
• Skunks
• Flies
• Bees
• Wasps
• Hornets
• Mosquitoes
• Ticks
• Spiders

Well, winter is over, and the first day of summer is a little over two weeks away, so all of those creatures are out and about in Illinois. One animal on the list has already caused the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to issue a warning of potential danger should you encounter one (or more).

A Black Bear Was Spotted Repeatedly Last Month Here In Illinois, Prompting That Warning From The IDNR

Granted, the black bear was spotted in Illinois, but it's a long way away from Northern Illinois. The wandering black bear was first seen in St. Clair County (not far from St. Louis) on May 19th, and the IDNR confirmed the sighting the very next day, along with this bit of warning advice:

IDNR encourages people to avoid direct encounters with bears and to check their property for food sources that could attract a bear if one is reported in the area. Bears can follow their powerful noses to food sources and can pick up nearly anything with an odor from more than a mile away. Through learned behavior, bears often investigate anything that may yield a food reward, such as bird feeders, barbeque grills, garbage cans, and dog food. Once a bear finds a food source, they will likely return, so prevention is key.

The IDNR followed up the warning with their "Bear-Wise Checklist:"

• Never feed or approach bears.
• Secure food, garbage, and recycling.
• Remove or limit use of bird feeders when bears are active.
• Avoid leaving pet food outdoors.
• Thoroughly clean and store grills and smokers after each use.
• Alert neighbors to bear activity.

If You Had To Guess, How Many Black Bears Call Illinois Home?

Okay, that's kind of a trick question. When it comes to the number of black bears that think of the Land of Lincoln as being their home, the actual number is...zero.

According to the IDNR, Illinois does not have a population of black bears, and when the IDNR issues a black bear warning for Illinois residents, it's not for an Illinois-native black bear, it's for a visiting-from-another-state bear or bears.

If You Happen To See Or Encounter A Black Bear In Illinois, Chances Are Really Good That The Bear Or Bears Is From Either Wisconsin Or Missouri

While Illinois' black bear population is at a constant zero or near zero, the same can't be said for our neighbors to the north and the south.

According to the Kansas City Star, Missouri is home to around 1,000 black bears, and their population is growing at 9 percent every year:

Black bears are the only wild bear species living in Missouri today. Despite their name, Missouri’s black bears have a variety of coat colors, including black, brown and even blonde. The bears can be identified by their long muzzle and short tail, and weigh between 90 and 900 pounds, according to the conservation department.

As for Wisconsin, if you have a deep-seated desire to see a black bear, head north of the Cheddar Curtain, because they've got plenty, according to the Wisconsin DNR:

Wisconsin is home to a thriving black bear population estimated at more than 24,000 bears. The black bear's primary range is located in the far northern third of the state. Due to a growing population, bears are becoming much more common in the lower two-thirds of the state than ever before.