Black bear sighted ambling outside Mt. Vernon near Longhorn Arena

A black bear was sighted near Longhorn Arena, on Highway M just north of Mt. Vernon on or around Wednesday, May 29. A sighting of the bear was posted on Facebook.
Scott Bucholz said that the bear crossed over his property located near the Longhorn Arena. He said he first spotted it near a pond on his land.
“He stood up and saw me,” Bucholz said. “And then he left, and I left.”
Bucholz said that when he came back later, the bear was gone and had left no trace of having been there.
“I believe he was a young bear that had been kicked out and was looking for a new home,” Bucholz said, adding that he believed the bear had moved on out of the area.
According to information found on the Missouri Department of Conservation website, when black bears come near human dwellings, it’s usually because they are looking for something to eat.
“Most of the black bears that cause nuisance problems in Missouri are yearling males that have been driven away by their mother or threatened or attacked by older males,” the website said. “In their search for food, these young males often come into contact with humans and cause problems.”
Black bears, by nature, are typically shy and will avoid contact with humans, though those who learn to associate human presence with food may become a danger.
“Bears can remember where reliable food sources are from year to year, so it is important to take steps to prevent raids and to avoid enticing bears with food,” the MDC said. “Although bears are secretive and shy by nature, they are wild and unpredictable animals. They may become aggressive if abused or provoked.”