WARREN COUNTY, Mo. - A Warren County property owner shared with FOX 2 video of a black bear roaming through farm property.  

The sighting was last week in the southern part of Warren County.

“We estimate there are about a thousand bears in Missouri,” said Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation media specialist.

He said the state’s bear population is growing at a rate of approximately 9% a year.  Zarlenga reminds residents not to feed bears.

“If you start feeding bears and they start becoming more and more acclimated to humans, then they can get bolder, and that’s when we do have problems,” explained Zarlenga.

Conservation officials are currently studying the state’s bear population.  Residents can learn more about bears and report sightings through the department's website.  

Douglas Kibby, a Colorado resident who is trained in wildlife biology, was driving through Warren County on Tuesday. He echoes Zarlenga’s reminder to avoid feeding bears.

“People try to feed them and that really creates problems,” said Kibby.

If you do encounter a bear, Zarlenga has this advice.

“The best thing you can do is raise your arms, make yourself look big, make yourself look threatening, and make loud noises,” Zarlenga said.

Zarlenga also said to avoid the temptation to turn and run.

“The best thing to do is to stop and calmly walk backwards slowly and talk to the bear in a stern voice so it knows you are there, and you are not afraid.”

For more information about black bears in Missouri, visit here.