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Bear Sightings Normal for Time of Year

By Dustin Kopp|2018-06-15T13:26:56-05:00June 14, 2018 1:25 pm|Local News, State Headlines|0 Comments

FARMINGTON, MO (KDKZ-TV)Bears have been suddenly showing up, dead and alive, in Missouri neighborhoods and on its roadways, but experts say that it’s pretty normal for this time of year and is often just male bears looking for food or love in the wrong places.

A 400-pound male black bear was found dead Sunday in the Current River near Van Buren. On Monday, a bear wandered into a mobile home park in Pevely. One was hit by a motor vehicle on Tuesday, and three times in recent weeks, bears were found dead on some Missouri roadways.

Monitoring indicates that Missouri’s black bear population is slowly rising. But sightings, including bear deaths on roadways, have been steady in recent years.

Bear sightings are most common in late spring and early summer.

About the Author: Dustin Kopp

I joined News Channel 18 in May 2011 in the weather department as Chief Meteorologist. In January 2013, I assumed the roll of News Director. I started my career in 2003 in high school. I attended Farmington High School. While there, I was a student in Black Knight Television (BKTV), doing anything from camera work, to editing, producing and anchoring the weather. I attended Mineral Area College, University of Missouri – Columbia, Mississippi State University and Webster University. While attending college, I continued to help out with BKTV. In 2009, I interned at KOMU-TV, Columbia, Missouri’s NBC affiliate. I enjoy spending time with my wife, Danica and our daughters , Declynn and Danleigh. I can’t forget about our dog, Daisy. We rescued her in 2011. We also have a cat named Dolly. I am committed to giving you the most accurate information, whether it’s from my latest weather forecast, or a news story that could touch your heart. Contact me if you have any questions or a news idea.