![are black bears nocturnal are black bears nocturnal](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/72/d4/a2/72d4a26a852d33c2641c0ddcd638ea80.jpg)
“The objective with the response protocol is to provide guidance for our staff in dealing with any potential human-bear conflicts that arise. While the Iowa DNR does not regulate bears, it does have a bear response protocol. Iowa is the only state among its Midwest neighbors where the state’s wildlife agency does not have regulatory authority to manage bear populations, which typically includes handling nuisance conflicts and conducting research. This means the Iowa DNR does not have the legal authority to manage black bear populations through actions such as designating protection status or adding a limited hunting season if the population eventually support it in the future. In the Iowa code, black bears are not listed as a species of wildlife found in Iowa because they were not present in the state when these laws were created, nor have they been since. However, Iowa has been without a resident bear population for more than 100 years. “They’re like a big raccoon, motivated by hunger and willing to take advantage of whatever food is available, from fawns to eggs, bee hives, bird feeders – this is where making some changes can minimize nuisance bear interactions,” he said.īlack bears are native to Iowa. They are also known to feed on nontraditional sources, like row crops, orchard fruits, and honey – which is similar to striped skunks and raccoons.
![are black bears nocturnal are black bears nocturnal](http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/wnpr/files/styles/medium/public/201705/Snowy.jpg)
In the fall, its acorns and other tree nuts. In summer, its berries, ants, various plants, and grubs. They’ll feed heavily on newly emerging tender grasses and sedges. In the spring, bears emerge from their winter dens hungry. There are still occasional problems, but these basic precautions result in much fewer negative encounters between bears and humans,” Evelsizer said.īears are omnivores and their diet changes with the seasons. “For example, in Wisconsin, with that many black bears, residents have learned to make a few adjustments to minimize bear conflicts, like putting away their bird seed in the spring, putting away their barbeque drip pans, and by keeping pet food and garbage in places bears can’t access. Wisconsin’s black bear population is estimated at close to 30,000, Minnesota’s 15,000 and Missouri, which is holding its first bear hunt later this fall, as many as 1,000. You can read more from the DNR’s release below. It won’t be perfect and there will be bumps along the way, but we need to start having conversation about the idea of bears coming back to Iowa, at least in certain places along the Mississippi River and Northeast Iowa where suitable habitat exists.”
![are black bears nocturnal are black bears nocturnal](http://www.extremedeer.com/images/Black-Bear-Aug26C.jpg)
“If that occurs, we should look to our neighbors in Wisconsin and Minnesota who have learned to live with bears. “Within the next three to five years, I think we can expect to see cubs show up and a small breeding population become established,” DNR furbearer and wetland wildlife research biologist Vince Evelsizer said. It is possible that a small population could begin setting up residence in Iowa as states like Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin see an increase in black bear populations. “While much of Iowa does not have the habitat necessary to support a black bear population, certain locations do, primarily northeast, eastern and southern parts of the state,” officials said in a release. Officials said they may be coming down from Minnesota and Wisconsin ahead of the breeding season, an annual occurrence in the region each spring since 2014. Iowa (KWQC) - According to officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) there is a “pretty good chance” Northeast Iowa will be visited by black bears.