Black bears are making surprise appearances across East Texas, with confirmed sightings in Anderson, Cherokee, Panola, and Rusk counties. Locals have even caught them on camera, mistaking them for big dogs at first! These bears aren’t aggressive, but the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is urging everyone to keep their distance and secure things like garbage and pet food. Remember, black bears are a threatened species here—harming them comes with hefty fines and even jail time. Have you spotted a bear or heard stories from neighbors? Let’s talk about how these wild visitors are changing our daily routines and what precautions we should take. #Pets #EastTexas #BlackBear