Caught on Camera: Large black bear spotted in Odenville back yard
A rare sight in St. Clair County. An Odenville family caught pictures of a large adult black bear in their backyard. For seven years, Gary Rasco and his wife have had several trail cameras on their wooded property. They like to see what animals share the space with them.
This week, they got the surprise of a lifetime when the cameras captured clear pictures of a male black bear.
鈥淗is back shoulders were about right here on the tree. So, we measured that out the next day and measured about like 36 inches," Rasco said.
They estimate he weighed more than 300 pounds. As excited as they were to see the clear images, they were a little concerned as well, since the couple and their neighbors often walk these trails.
鈥淚 don't know what would鈥檝e happened if I鈥檇 slipped up on him coming out here," Rasco said.
They say they don't believe the bear lives in the area, since they've never gotten a shot of him before. They suspect tree harvesting behind their property may be the reason he traveled their way.
鈥淎s the forest and their hiding places begin to get cleared out and they're moving out to find somewhere else not bigger and better, but maybe a little bit more secluded than what they've got," Rasco said.
An adult male bear鈥檚 home territory can be as large as 40,000 acres. And during the spring and summer, they increase their range dramatically looking for females. Experts say that's why most sightings happen this time of year.
And they go where they can find food. The Rascos leave food out for the critters, which might have attracted the bear.
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鈥淚'm going to go a day or two and see if he does come back, if he comes back, then I'll remove the food source and we'll wait for a couple of weeks and see what happens," he said.