Vernon Center, MINN. -
Usually black bears are only found in the northern part of the state. But wildlife officials say black bears sightings are increasing around southern Minnesota. While none have been spotted in our area yet, a track was recently found in Vernon Center by Tony Cornish.
Along with being a Minnesota State Representative, Cornish is an avid outdoorsman and was a game warden for 23 years.
Cornish says, "Twenty of that was spent in the bear capital of the world."
So when he came across a bear track while fishing along the Blue Earth River, he recognized it right away.
Cornish says, "It's a real rarity so I didn't want to do it just on my own opinion and so I called the DNR and asked for their expert."
A DNR large game specialist looked at pictures Cornish took of the track, and confirmed it was left by a black bear.
Cornish says, "He or she or what ever it is probably made its way all the way down here from the north country skirting river bottoms and things."
Cornish thinks the bear was probably a yearling similar to one he has mounted on his wall. While bears can be dangerous, Cornish says he doesn't think there is much to be concerned about.
Cornish says, "Cornish's don't worry much because if you get 4 of them together, usually 3 of them have guns, but I would advise people to make a lot of noise if they see it and scare it away, and don't try to surprise it or walk up and take pictures."
The DNR also says that black bears are usually wary of humans and not aggressive.
Cornish says, "Hopefully the bear will just move through and not be a problem."
