Wildlife Sightings

Among the large animals you might see in Missouri are black bears, coyotes, feral hogs and mountain lions. Use this section to learn more about them and to report sightings.

Animal Autographs

This set of pictures of animal tracks--or autographs--are drawn to the size of average adults. Use them to identify the tracks you find on your land or in the wild.

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.

Identifying Coyote Tracks

Check tracks around a kill carefully to be sure the culprit is really a coyote and not a dog. Coyote tracks are pointed whereas dog tracks are much more circular.

Mountain Lions

With the help of responsible citizen reports, the Department of Conservation occasionally confirms the presence of a lone individual, usually a young male, but we have found no proof of breeding populations. Use this section to learn about the history of mountain lions in Missouri and to report sightings.

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Missouri Department of Conservation