Quote Originally Posted by Johnson85 View Post
A little dated, but there have been bear sightings outside of Starkville. https://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunti...bum/bear-maps/

I also would not be surprised by it being that close to town. I doubt they are getting crowded into town like they are in other places (by other bears and by development by humans), but it's pretty amazing how little cover they and wild animals in general need stay relatively hidden.
Prior to around 2006 or so, (my dates won't be exact), there were no documented cases of any resident female bears in the entire state of Mississippi. All a bunch of traveling males which will travel miles and miles. Around that time, some females came across the river and loved it here so much, they decided to stay. Now we have a population that is growing at a really good rate. Multiple cubs seen each year now.