JACKSON, Tenn. — A black bear first spotted near the Carroll County and Henderson County line on July 4 is making its rounds throughout West Tennessee. Area residents reported subsequent sightings in Madison County, prompting the Jackson Police Department to issue a be-on-the-lookout notice Saturday.
The bear was seen near Christmasville Road and Henderson Road in Jackson. Residents sent camera footage to local media showing the bear moving through the area, with one Jackson resident describing watching it gallop across a street and move between several yards.
The bear’s journey started July 4, when a photo of it outside a cornfield along Highway 22 near the Carroll-Henderson County line circulated widely on social media. TWRA confirmed that sighting.
TWRA Public Information Officer Amy Spencer said the agency is not surprised by the movement.
“Our black bear populations are recovering. And they’re expanding beyond the eastern Tennessee borders, so it’s definitely not a surprise to see them in West Tennessee,” she said.
She also addressed social media chatter about harming the animal.
“‘Let’s kill it’ or ‘When’s the season open?’ There’s not a season on bears in West Tennessee, and that’s something that you need to keep in mind,” she said.
Residents are urged not to approach, feed, or photograph the bear at close range. Secure garbage, pet food, and bird feeders to avoid attracting it. To report a sighting or conflict, contact TWRA at 1-800-831-1173 or JPD at 731-425-8400. Only call 911 in an emergency. More information at bearwise.org.
