HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-09-07, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, September 7, 2016 Bear sightings increase in Central Huron Justine Alkema Postmedia Network There was an article in the June 22 edition of the Clinton News Record which stated that in the three weeks prior, there had been fifteen bear sightings. Since then, there have been quite a few more. Animal con- trol officer Bob Trick estimates that over the summer, he received 25-30 calls about bear sightings in Huron County. Though some of these sight- ings could hypothetically be the same bear, they certainly aren't all the same bear. Some of the calls were too close together regarding bear sightings in totally different spots in the county. There's no way a bear could have traveled so far in short amount of time. More recently, however, most of those bear sightings have been in Central Huron. In the last few weeks, Trick has received 5-6 calls about bears towards Bayfield area near Orchard's Line. Of course, again, it is hard to say how many bears are there. How- ever it is confirmed that two of those bears are a mother and her cub. Several other sightings have been an adult bear on its own, A black bear. which Trick guesses likely isn't the mother, since she would be with her cub most of the time. Though there were more calls at the beginning of the summer, Trick thinks that now since the corn is high, maybe they are simply less visible. "The visibility isn't the same because they have places to hide," said Trick. "You used to see a bear in a bare field." In 2014 and 2015, Huron County saw almost no bears. However they likely came down this summer because of the cold spring; there may be a lack of berries further north, which caused them to travel south in search of food. File photo Two cubs have been killed this summer in the broader area after being hit by cars. One was hit in Strathroy and one in Wel- lington County. As for what the bears will do for the winter, Trick said, "I would presume some will stay here:' He thinks they will find places to hibernate for the winter, meaning next year we should theoretically have a high num- ber of bears again. Trick mentioned that a year or two ago, a mother bear and two cubs were found hibernating in a straw bail. "It's an excellent place for them to sleep for the winter," he said. iEAFOniH of wise,. PHONE Pnn' ' LeaCpt*WAY ;ert s l,.l.:; SSW 7.51 411 114r d Seaforth /Huron Expositor 8519-S52 MAIN ST., SEAFORTH 519-527-0240 Do we have yor number? It's not too late! SEAFORTH & AREA PHONE BOOK IF YOU... • Moved • Changed Your Number • Have Your Number or Address Incorrectly Listed • Are New to Seaforth • Add Your Cell Phone ...PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE to arrange any changes necessarl to ensure your Phone Book is up to date and correct! Who will be the next Ambassador? Here are the Senior and Junior Seaforth Fall Fair Ambassador contestants. There are three contestants in each competition, Leah Martens is the daughter of Andrew and Linda Martens. She is currently in grade 12 at St. Anne's Catholic Secondary School. Leah's interests include sports, getting involved in the community, and studying business. Leah is a lifeguard at the Seaforth Lions Pool, and her sponsor is the Seaforth Lions Club. Claire is the daughter of Neil and Marie Mitchell and lives at R.R.3, Walton. She is entering Grade 8 at Seaforth Public School. Claire loves to ride her horse and play hockey. She figure skates with the Brussels Skating Club. She is involved in helping out on the farm and plays many school sports. Nicole Whyte, age 17, graduated from Central Huron Secondary School. Resides on a farm between Seaforth and Clinton. Parents include her father David Whyte, and mother Karen Bergsma as well as her stepfather Lawrence Bergsma. Her sponsor is Whyte Brothers Farms LTD. MacKenzie is 14 years old and will he, attending Grade 9 at St. Michael Catholic Secondary School in Stratford. She lives on a pig farm with her family. She enjoys swimming and playing soccer Avery Whyte is the 16 -year old daughter of Brian and Kerri Whyte. She attends Central Huron Secondary School and will be going into grade 11. She lives with her family outside of Seaforth. Kyra Pietschmann. I am 17 years old and attend Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton, ON. My parents are Dave Pietschmann (father) and Holly Pepper (mother) . I live full time with my dad, Dave, and his partner Chrissy Roden.