North Dakota & Black Bear Sightings: A Summary
this article discusses the increasing, tho still rare, presence of Black Bears in North Dakota. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
* Limited Forest Cover: North Dakota has the least amount of forest cover in the US (only 1.72% of its land). This is a major factor in why wildlife like bears are less common.
* Increasing Sightings: Despite not having a breeding population, Black Bear sightings are increasing in North Dakota.
* Source of Bears: Most sightings are of bears crossing from Minnesota (northwest) adn the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
* Possible Anywhere: While more common in the east and north,a Black Bear sighting is possible anywhere in the state. A dead bear was even found near Bismarck in 2006.
* Average Sightings: The North dakota Game and fish reports an average of 5-8 sightings per year.
* Historical Context: Historically, North Dakota had more sightings of Prairie Grizzly Bears than Black Bears. Lewis and Clark even shot a Grizzly Bear in the state. Grizzlies are now primarily found in Montana.
* Recent Sighting: A young Black Bear was recently spotted and filmed near Devils Lake (camp Grafton).
In essence, the article highlights the surprising, and growing, possibility of encountering a Black Bear in a state not traditionally known for its bear population due to its lack of forested areas.
North Dakota is the least forested state in the United States.
According to World Population Review, North Dakota has only 1.72% of its land forested. That is by far the least amount of forests in the United States. Even the state with the next fewest amount of forests (Nebraska) has nearly double the amount of woods that North Dakota has, at 3.2%.
Our neighbor to the south, South Dakota, has the 3rd least amount of forests, with only 3.9% of its land covered in woods. A significant portion of that is located in the Black Hills region.
Yep, we are tree-challenged in North Dakota.
That’s probably why we don’t have a whole lot of Bigfoot sightings in our state, or why we don’t see a whole lot of bears either.
According to the North Dakota Game and Fish, North Dakota does not have a known breeding population of Black Bears in the state.
Even with that being said, bear sightings in North Dakota are on the increase.
Most of those sightings are on the eastern side of the state and are bears crossing the Red River from Minnesota, where there is an established population in northwest Minnesota. Sightings are also more common in our northern-tier counties in North Dakota that border Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where bears are also settled.
With that being said, a Black Bear sighting is possible anywhere in our state.
In fact, a dead Black Bear was found in 2006, not too far from Bismarck, near Hebron, North Dakota.
The North Dakota Game and Fish says we average about 5 to 8 sightings a year. Did you know that historically, North Dakota actually had more Prairie Grizzly Bear sightings than Black Bears? That’s according to an article in the Grand Forks Herald.
(SEE ALSO: The 11 Most Stunning Waterfowl Species in North Dakota)
When Lewis and Clark first explored North Dakota, they even shot a Grizzly Bear in what is now known as Kimball Bottoms. That’s according to Burleigh County.
Grizzlies have long since moved out of North Dakota into Montana, but it is still possible to have a run-in with a Black Bear in North Dakota. Keep your eyes open, and the camera on your phone ready. You would be surprised how fast Black Bears move.
Hot off the presses, it looks like a young Black Bear was caught on camera on the shores of Devils Lake.
Here’s a look at that animal from a recent Facebook post from inewsz.TV.
This bear was seen near Camp Grafton on Devils Lake. You just never know what you might see in the woods, or should I say on the prairie.
I’ve seen a few Black Bears in northwest Minnesota, and you would be amazed at how fast they haul a$$.
LOOK: Most commonly seen birds in North Dakota
Gallery Credit: Stacker
