Although black bears are native to Missouri, they were nearly wiped out during settlement. Now they're making a comeback. Use this section to follow our black bear research project, report bear sightings, camp safely in bear country, and control nuisance bears.

Black bears and feral hogs make their home in Missouri, and mountain lions are occasional visitors. Learn more about them, their tracks and field signs, and how to report sightings.


Feral hogs are destructive, invasive pests that wreak havoc on Missouri’s fish, forests, and wildlife, and must be eradicated. Thank you for taking the time to report a feral hog sighting or damage.
Elk are native to Missouri, were once extirpated, and then reintroduced from 2011-2013 to a portion of Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties. Elk are occasionally reported in other areas of the state.

Learn about the history of mountain lions in Missouri, track confirmed reports, and report sightings.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is taking reports for rare furbearers found in the state.