It's Spring Time in Oklahoma Beware of Bears

Wildlife officials are warning the general public that the Oklahoma black bear population is growing and to be on the lookout, especially during spring and early summer as more and more sightings have been reported.

SCROLL DOWN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA BLACK BEAR

You may or may not know that southeast and central Oklahoma is home to black bears. That's right, black bears. Most people don't think of the Sooner State when they think of bears, but we've got them so BEWARE!

I was just talking with someone earlier this week about Oklahoma black bears and to be careful when hiking and camping in areas known for sightings. The Oklahoman published an article a while back about our growing black bear population and to be on the lookout for bears this spring/summer. Read the article here.

Hit play on the video below to learn more about Oklahoma's black bear research

According to the article by the Oklahoman, the state's black bear population is growing by around 6% yearly. Also, the sightings are now happening in areas where black bears haven't been seen before. They're spreading out and covering more and more territory in search of food and seasonal mating habits.

THE BLACK BEAR POPULATION IS GROWING AND EXPANDING IN OKLAHOMA

While they are most often found in the southeastern and central parts of the state that hasn't stopped them from traveling to other parts of Oklahoma. Around this time back in 2021 a black bear was sighted and had to be euthanized in Norman, OK. It somehow managed to end up in a person's backyard in a neighborhood.

Wildlife officials attempted to tranquilize the bear but after several failed attempts they ended up having to euthanize it. This wasn't in some nearby woods or in rural Norman, it was in town, in a residential neighborhood. How crazy is that? Imagine looking out your backdoor and seeing a bear in your backyard.

Watch the video below about the black bear found in Norman, OK. in 2021

So if your plans this Summer include camping or hiking you might want to be on the lookout for bears, especially in areas where they've been sighted before. There are some safety tips about bears and how to avoid them. Click here to review the article from the Oklahoman so you're informed and ready just in case.

IN AREAS OF OK. WHERE BLACK BEARS HAVE BEEN SIGHTED BE EXTRA CAREFUL

As the population continues to grow and sightings occurring more often and in places where black bears haven't been seen before you'll want to be extra vigilant. Carry some means to defend yourself and others when necessary and were allowed to do so. Depending on where you're at and what you're up to.

And yes there is an Oklahoma black bear hunting season. You can get all the details by visiting the official Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website. The site has all the specifics on harvesting black bears in the state and what dates the seasons run. It also lists all the required licensing, methods, and locations where you can legally hunt black bears in the Sooner State. Get all the details by clicking here.

The Top 5 most frightening Oklahoma myths & monsters

These five frightening Oklahoma myths and monsters will keep you up at night. We're talking about pure nightmare fuel. No matter what you believe or where you live you aren't safe from these legendary fiends of absolute terror. You can find these sinister creatures in the deep woods, lakes, and even within city limits across the Sooner State. Even your home isn't safe from these monstrous beasts. If you've lived here for a while you may have heard of some, maybe even all of these mythological and supernatural monsters below.

Top 12 trashiest Oklahoma towns & sleazy cities

It's a top 12 list you don't want to be on. Unfortunately, these 12 towns and cities have been selected as some of the worst and by worst I mean trashiest and sleaziest in the Sooner State. These dirty dozen were selected by Google using factors like crime, violence, drug abuse, unemployment, income rates, and even the overall appearance of the town or city. It factored in things like rundown or abandoned properties and vehicles when ranking how trashy or sleazy a town or city is. Scroll through the photo gallery below.

Oklahoma State Parks

Get out and enjoy one of Oklahoma's amazing state parks sometime. From the high desert of Black Mesa to the swampy lowlands and tall pines of Southeast Oklahoma, there's a place of recreation for everyone in the Sooner State.

Oklahoma's Top 24 Terrific Towns & Prettiest Cities

It's the delightful double dozen, the top 24 most terrific Oklahoma towns and prettiest cities in the Sooner State. These incredible places are just as friendly and inviting, as they are beautiful and picturesque. While Oklahoma has more than just a few terrific towns and pretty cities these are the crème de la crème, and more than deserving of making the top 24 list. The list was created by using Google. It ranked each city by beauty, lifestyle, friendliness, scenery, entertainment, and overall positive feedback from those who have experienced their charm firsthand. Scroll through the photo gallery below to see the top 24 towns & cities in Oklahoma.