Fulton County, Ky.–A black bear has been seen just outside of Hickman and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has issued a note to the pubic about the sighting. As well as the reminder that: There is NO OPEN HUNTING season on black bears in Kentucky. Anyone illegally shooting or trapping a bear is subject to procecution by the Kentucky Wildlife authorities.
Here is the note from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office:
While black bears can be tolerant of people, they should always be treated as the wild animals they are, whether in a residential or backcountry area. Black bears are rarely aggressive towards people and typically go out of their way to avoid contact.
Following these simple guidelines will minimize any unnecessary and potentially dangerous encounters.
• Never approach a bear!
• Bears will almost always find an escape route if they are left alone.
• Shout and throw sticks or rocks in the vicinity of a bear to encourage flight once an escape route has been established.
• Females with cubs will often climb a tree to for escape cover; never surround a tree holding any bear, especially a female with cubs!
• Feeding bears creates behaviors in those animals that are almost impossible to correct.
•Realize that ONE person feeding bears will create a problem animal that may affect multiple neighborhoods…please do not try to feed the bear.
• If cornered or threatened, bears may slap the ground, “pop” their jaws, or “huff” as a warning. If you see those behaviors, you are too close! Slowly back away while always facing the bear.
Notify the KDFWR immediately if you witness aggressive behavior by black bears!
There is no open HUNTING season on black bear in Kentucky. Anyone illegally shooting or trapping a bear is subject to prosecution by KDFWR.