Conservation department tracking mid-Missouri black bear encounters

There are about 800 bears in Missouri, and at least of couple of them have been wandering around mid-Missouri.

Bears were spotted near Centertown and on Jefferson City’s east side over the last week.

“Right now is actually a pretty hard time for bears because there isn’t a lot of food out there,” said Missouri conservation agent Aaron Jeffries. “Blackberries and cherries and all that haven’t ripened up so they’re coming off the winter a little on the thin side and they can’t find anything.”

Jeffries says leave the bear alone if you see one. He adds make sure you don’t leave pet food or trash out where a bear could get into it.

Missouri will hold its first bear season this fall.