Black bear spotted near Illinois, Wisconsin state line. What you need to know

Rockford Register Star
Updated ·2 min read
A black bear is seen on a deck in Antioch, Illinois, in June 2023.
A black bear is seen on a deck in Antioch, Illinois, in June 2023.

A black bear is making its way through northeastern Illinois, according to state officials.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said it is monitoring reports of a black bear sighting in Lake County, Illinois.

IDNR said the bear was spotted in a backyard in Antioch, Illinois, which is about 60 miles northeast of Rockford, over the weekend.

Here's what you need to know about this black bear and what to do if a bear makes its way into your community.

When was the black bear first seen in Lake County?

IDNR believes the bear that was spotted in Antioch was likely the same bear spotted in Gurnee, Illinois, last week.

When was the black bear last seen?

The bear's location was unknown as of Tuesday afternoon. IDNR said it has not received any reports of any sightings since Sunday morning.

Has the black bear caused any problems?

IDNR said this bear had not caused any issues as of Tuesday.

What type of behaviors do black bears have?

Black bears display two types of behavior: offensive and defensive. If on the offensive, the bear will move at you quickly, IDNR officials said. If you have food, it's best to drop the food and keep backing away from the bear. When the bear is defensive, it may swat the ground, lunge toward you, vocalize, blow air out of its mouth or pop its jaws, according to wildlife officials. Those behaviors are used to warn you to move away.

What should I do if I see a bear in my community?

Should anyone see a bear, IDNR encourages them to report it online at https://bit.ly/IDNRwildlifereport.

I've heard if I encounter a black bear, it's best to play dead. Is that true?

No. Wildlife officials say you should always try to fight a black bear off if it makes contact with you.

OK, what else should I do if I encounter a bear?

  • Do not run.

  • Do not surprise the bear. Make noise so the bear knows you are there. A black bear is unlikely to attack a person unless it feels trapped or provoked, according to IDNR.

  • Do not approach the bear.

  • If the bear approaches you, stand your ground and look as large as possible by putting your arms up in the air and slowly back away.

  • If possible, go inside a building or get into a vehicle.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Black bear spotted in Antioch, Illinois. What you need to know