A sad first for me

[Questor]

I saw a road killed black bear yesterday. It's the first one I've ever seen anywhere. They are usually so smart about dealing with human activities. This was just south of Pine City, MN on I35.

[jlchucker]

You're right, it is a sad sight.  It seems like black bears are getting more numerous. Either that, or they are being "developed" right out of a fast-disappearing woods.  A few years ago, here in Vermont, it seemed like it was very rare to see bear--especially in the Southern part of the State.  Yet now, they are coming out to bird feeders, and getting hit by cars.  My brother and his wife were coming home one evening in her new car and one ran out, right into the side of their car, and got killed.  I've heard of a couple of others hitting them with cars.  I guess that the proliferation of people who build second homes, and recreational development has forced these critters out of their natural habitat.  Sad indeed.

[Questor]

That's a good point. I have been seeing them farther south in recent years. Pine City, MN, about 60 miles north of Minneapolis, is about the farthest south I would ever see them. Last year I saw one in Hugo, MN, which is practically a suburb of Minneapolis.

[Redtail1949]

frequent road killed bears here in southern colorado are common sight. you would be surprised at the damage a 250-350 lb bear can do to a truck or car.