Updated: 7:43 AM CDT May 10, 2019 SALEM, Mo. An older map published in the state's 2008 "Management Plan for the Black Bear in Missouri" indicates that two bear sightings were reported … Although black bears are native to Missouri, they were nearly wiped out during settlement. – The Missouri Conservation Commission recently approved a proposed hunting framework by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for a potential future black bear season in Missouri. Advocating for bears and bear habitat while adapting human attitudes to living with bears. That’s a significant distance, given that the black bear’s official range ends about 100 miles from the Arkansas line, generally below Interstate 44. Thought to be extinct, black bears are making a remarkable comeback in Missouri. Black bear sighting caught on camera in Cass County Allison Colle takes care of the bears at Caldwell Zoo and says these sightings don’t happen very often. “Since the initiation of the Missouri black bear research project in 2010 through June 30, 2017, MDC has marked 145 black bears and has deployed collars on over 90 bears.” Bear … On the other side of the state, Missourians have reported bear sightings from Lebanon, Missouri, to Calhoun in Henry County, 100 miles to the north. Use this section to follow our black bear research project, report bear sightings, camp safely in bear country, and control nuisance bears. KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Missourians might see some new neighbors roaming through their woods. SPRINGFIELD, Mo.– The Missouri … Black bear sightings in Missouri have increased over the years Local News. By Blake Holland | May 2, 2019 at 3:11 PM CDT - Updated May 2 at 11:50 PM Black bear sightings are increasing in Missouri beyond the Ozarks region. The pictured male black bear was captured near Warrenton in 2016. The Commission approved the framework at its Sept. 4 open meeting in Jefferson City and is asking for final public input Oct. 16 through Nov. 14. Now they're making a comeback. On-the-ground research to increase knowledge of bear populations in the state. New Missouri Department of Conservation research shows Missouri's black bear population has doubled in the last seven years.Department officials … Posted: Jul 9, 2019 / 10:55 AM CDT / Updated: Jul 9, 2019 / 11:00 AM CDT. — A black bear who was roaming around near a family’s backyard in Salem was released back into the wild on Wednesday.