It may come as a surprise to many, but black bears are indeed present in Texas. While these animals were once thought to be completely gone from the Lone Star State, they have been making a quiet return. This article explores where black bears are currently found in Texas and the story behind their gradual re-establishment in the state’s diverse landscapes.
A Look Back: Texas’s Bear History
Historically, black bears roamed across much of Texas, from the eastern forests to the rugged western mountains. They were an integral part of the state’s natural environment for centuries. However, with European settlement, widespread habitat loss, and unregulated hunting, their populations experienced a drastic decline. By the mid-20th century, black bears were largely extirpated from their historic range.
The Return: Current Bear Habitats in Texas
Today, black bears are primarily making a comeback in West Texas, particularly within the Trans-Pecos region. Established populations are found in Big Bend National Park and the Guadalupe Mountains. These remote, mountainous areas provide suitable habitat and have served as an important gateway for bears dispersing from adjacent populations in Mexico and New Mexico.
Beyond these core areas, bears are occasionally sighted in other parts of the state. These include the western Hill Country (Edwards Plateau), the Panhandle, and Northeast Texas. These sightings are often of transient individuals, young males, that are dispersing from established populations in neighboring states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. While East Texas does not yet support a stable breeding population, sightings have increased since the late 1970s.
Meet Texas’s Bears: Species and Subspecies
The bear species found in Texas is the American Black Bear, Ursus americanus. Historically, several subspecies inhabited different parts of the state. These included the Louisiana Black Bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) in East Texas, the Mexican Black Bear (Ursus americanus eremicus) in West Texas, and the New Mexico Black Bear (Ursus americanus amblyceps) also in West Texas.
Currently, the populations in West Texas largely consist of Mexican Black Bears and New Mexico Black Bears, which have naturally recolonized from bordering areas. In East Texas, dispersing American Black Bears, including the Louisiana Black Bear subspecies, are occasionally observed. All black bears remain protected in Texas.
Why Bears are Making a Comeback
The resurgence of black bears in Texas is a result of several interconnected factors. A primary driver is dispersal from robust populations in neighboring states and Mexico. Bears travel considerable distances in search of new territories and resources. Improved habitat conditions within Texas have also played a role. Conservation efforts and legal protections in Texas and surrounding states have allowed bear populations to recover.