As Missouri bear population grows, humans adapt

As recently as 20 years ago, any bear sighting in Missouri made statewide headlines. Today, the state’s bear population has become established, the range of these large mammals in Missouri appears to be growing, and many Missourians are learning how to live with bears.

Mike and Linda Bilbrey were fishing at Lake Taneycomo when they noticed they had company- a black bear. Wes Johnson, WJOHNSON@NEWS-LEADER.COM

Along with scientific data, there’s plenty of citizen-gathered information about Missouri’s bear population. From 2011 to 2017, the Missouri Department of Conservation received 1,341 bear reports in 87 counties. While these numbers may contain a few misidentifications, biologists feel…