Black Bear Sightings Reported in Dubuque County

(Dubuque, IA)  —  Officials say two employees recently saw a bear on John Deere’s property north of Dubuque and Vince Evelsizer of the Iowa Department of Natural Resource suspects it was a male bear — since this is breeding season for bears.  Evelsizer says, “it’s usually young males — two to four-year-old males — moving around and actively looking for females this time of the year.”  There have been several recent black bear sightings in Dubuque County and there are some trail camera photos.  He says the animals are likely coming from Minnesota and Wisconsin.  If they’re not looking for a mate, they’re probably looking for food.  Evelsizer said last month that it’s likely black bears will start to have cubs in Iowa and groups will eventually repopulate in the state.