Missouri Warning that Hungry Bears are After Your Grill

We know that there are black bears in Missouri, but this is the first time when I really felt like the state has become "Bear Country". The state is warning residents that these big predators are after their grills and they're not wrong.

My perception (which I freely admit is likely flawed) is that most bears in Missouri are transients just passing through. The Missouri Department of Conservation can prove otherwise as the black bear population in the state has grown to the point where everyone is being advised to bear-proof their food sources and that includes grills, too.

Here's Missouri's very entertaining "Scare that Bear when You're Not There" video.

I think it's safe to say this is generally meant for the southern half of Missouri where black bear populations are more prevalent. However, the state of Missouri has shown how even the St. Louis area and parts of northern Missouri are starting to see more frequent bear sightings.

Their point is that if you live in Missouri's "Bear Country", be very aware of cleaning up after any grilling activities and never ever leave easy food sources where a bear can access them. As they say, if a bear knows your place is food source, it will keep coming back and that rarely ends well for bears and sometimes even humans.

Moral of the story is leaving food sources like grilling extras outside is asking for trouble. This is the new bear reality in Missouri.