Infamous black bear returns

ANDERSON COUNTY – The infamous black bear that has been making its way across East Texas for the past several months was spotted in Anderson County earlier this week.
The bear was spotted on Thursday evening on private property near Highway 294 and the Neches River. It was reported back in April that the bear had spent the winter in the Anderson County area and is believed to be the first documented black bear to do so in East Texas in over 50 years.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has stated that the bear is a young male growing rapidly and could be fully mature by the middle of this summer. The department thinks he may be heading into bear country in Louisiana, Arkansas, or Oklahoma based on his travels through East Texas.

If an East Texan does happen to encounter the bear, the TPWD has provided guidelines on how to remain safe:
*Never approach a bear: If a bear regularly visits your deer stand, scare it with rocks, a slingshot or an air horn.
*If you encounter a bear at close range, talk calmly while backing away slowly. Do not make eye contact.
*If a bear approaches you, stand your ground, raise your arms to appear larger, yell at the bear,and make eye contact to scare it off.
*Do not run: This can trigger a bear’s chase instinct.
*If the bear continues to approach, use bear spray according to the manufacturer’s directions to deter it.
*Do not play dead

Sightings of the bear can be reported to the TPWD East Texas Regional Office at 903?566?1626 ext. 209.