Black Bear Hit by Vehicle in Texas Hill Country: How Common Are Bears in Texas?

A black bear was struck and killed by a vehicle on a Texas highway just west of Kerrville on Saturday, June 1. The incident, which occurred around 10 p.m. on U.S. Highway 83, was reported by the Divide Volunteer Fire Department and Real County Sheriff Nathan T. Johnson. The bear was found dead 30 yards from the impact site, while the driver sustained minor injuries.

Incident Details

Sheriff Nathan T. Johnson shared the details on Facebook, noting the rarity of encountering a black bear in Real County. The collision happened about 10 miles south of Garven store, roughly 103 miles northwest of San Antonio. Sheriff Johnson emphasized the importance of being cautious on the roads, especially in areas where wildlife might be present.

Community Reactions

Vehicle Involved

The identity of the vehicle involved sparked discussions online. Some speculated whether the vehicle was an official law enforcement vehicle, given the damage and appearance. Reddit user canderson180 noted that it likely wasn’t a law enforcement vehicle, suggesting instead it was an unfortunate motorist in a Silverado 1500.

“Probably just some unlucky person in their Silverado 1500 driving at night.” – canderson180

Rare Sightings of Black Bears

The incident surprised many residents who were unaware of black bears’ presence in the Texas Hill Country.

“TIL we have black bears in the Hill country. After living here for over 20 years. ????” – onlyIcancallmethat

Others pointed out that black bears have been present in areas like Big Bend for some time, and their range might be expanding.

“Didn’t always, but they’re starting to (re?)populate here.” – NameUnbroken

Historical Context

Black Bears in Texas

Historically, black bears were found throughout Texas, including the western part of the Edwards Plateau and the Big Thicket. Over the years, their population declined due to hunting and habitat loss. However, there have been efforts to protect and reintroduce them.

“Their range used to be a line between Louisiana and El Paso. They’ve recovered quite well in the Big Bend area and have been expanding East for some years now.” – 517634

Recent Sightings and Conservation Efforts

Recent sightings indicate that black bears are making a comeback in parts of Texas. This is a positive sign for biodiversity and ecosystem balance.

“Black bears returned to Texas in the 80s naturally on their own, slowly moving back into Big Bend and Fort Davis area and have been slowly moving back into their old habitat.” – Intelligent-Soup-836

Controversial Reactions

Public Response to the Incident

The image of Sheriff Johnson posing with the dead bear drew significant criticism. Many online commenters felt the pose was inappropriate and disrespectful.

“Why is that dude holding its head up and posing like it’s some kind of trophy kill?” – miked1be

Others defended the pose, suggesting it was likely a directive from the photographer to clearly show the bear.

“It’s most likely something he was instructed to do by the photographer so that it was more obvious it was a bear he was posing with.” – IceeStriker

Ethical Considerations

The ethical treatment of wildlife, even in death, was a major talking point. Some criticized the apparent pride in the pose, while others highlighted the need for respect towards the deceased animal.

“Imagine accidentally killing a beautiful creature like that and posing next to its body. What a gross POS. I’d be sad the next couple days if it were me.” – EvolutionDude

Conclusion

The unfortunate death of the black bear on U.S. Highway 83 serves as a reminder of the presence and growing population of these animals in Texas. While their return is a positive sign for conservation, it also calls for increased awareness and caution among drivers in regions where wildlife crossings are possible. The incident has sparked important discussions about wildlife conservation, public awareness, and respectful treatment of animals.