Black bear spotted around Texoma

Game wardens said a young black bear has been spotted throughout Grayson County for the past few weeks, but most recently, locals sayid they spotted the bear in that field behind the Bells Dollar General.

"It's just so unbelievable," said Bells local Sandy Hudson. "I don't know how it got to this area."

"Black bears, that's suppose to be in Arkansas somewhere," said Everett Taylor, another Bells resident.

Taylor said he's heard the rumors and can barely believe an animal like this was spotted in their town.

"Had the pictures on his phone and showed them to me and I was surprised and I didn't realize it was this close," Taylor said.

But Game Wardens said the young adult black bear was not only spotted in Bells, it was also seen near the Carpenter's Bluff Bridge in Denison a few weeks ago.

They're not sure how the bear made it's way to Grayson County. but Texas Parks and Wildlife said they are known to live in Bowie or Red River Counties of northeast Texas, as well as Arkansas and Oklahoma, like this black bear seen Friday in Atoka County.

"I can't even grasp the idea that there might be a bear running loose in this area," Hudson said.

Game wardens said black bears have been known to eat scraps of food left outside and deer feeders and encourage people to keep your outside trash secure.

Texas Parks and Wildlife said bears normally shy away from people, but if you see a bear, don't run.

It's against the law to kill a black bear in Texas and would cost you not only up to ten thousand dollars in fines, but also civil restitution fines, jail time and even losing all your hunting privileges, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife.

"I wouldn't want it to be killed but I also wouldn't want it to endanger anybody," Hudson said.

"Keep an eye out now, maybe keep a better eye out on my chickens," Taylor said.

If you spot the bear, call your local game wardens office.