Black bears wandering into Kentucky neighborhoods during breeding season

(WYMT) -Black bears are appearing in Kentucky neighborhoods where they are not typically seen, but wildlife experts say there is no cause for alarm.

The sightings are normal behavior for this time of year, according to John Hast, bear program coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

“We’re well into bear breeding season. We’re well into the heat of the summer. Bears are moving. Everybody’s been out of their den for several months now,” Hast said.

Older, dominant male bears in Eastern Kentucky are pushing younger bears out of their territory during mating season. These younger bears, often called “teenagers,” can wander for weeks, traveling 20 miles or more in a single day as they search for food and a place of their own.

“They just don’t know really what they’re getting into. And we find that a lot of times they’ll roll into those places overnight when everything’s quiet... and then the sun will come up... and they tend to freak out at that point,” Hast said.

To prevent bears from lingering near residential areas, experts recommend removing anything that smells like food. This includes locking up trash cans, bringing in pet food and taking down bird feeders.

In Kentucky, it is illegal to knowingly leave food out for bears.

“If your neighbor says they’ve seen one, keep the garbage in the garage, keep it in an outbuilding for a couple of weeks and you’ll be good to go,” Hast said.

Biologists say these bears are naturally afraid of people and will usually move on if left alone. Most of the wandering juveniles are expected to instinctively head back to the mountains by fall.

If you encounter a bear, do not approach it. Enjoy the rare sight from a distance and let it find its way back home.

More information on how to “bear-proof” your home is available at bearwise.org.