Bear wanders into Elko New Market
A black bear wandered into the backyard of Tim Simon of Elko New Market, Saturday evening. Simon and his family were surprised to see the bear wander onto their property, which is three blocks south of the city’s downtown. (Submitted photo)
Tim Simon of Elko New Market has hunted bear, but he was surprised to see one wander onto his property at 320 Williams St., three blocks south of the city’s downtown, Saturday evening, May 31.
“My daughter said, ‘Dad, you’re not going to believe this, but there’s a bear in the backyard,’” said Simon.
Simon was skeptical at first then he saw the bear. He said he was like, “Wow!”
His daughter, Rachel Keppers, took some photos. Simon said Rachel had been at a wedding and then came home to check on her child, which Simon and his wife were babysitting.
The family called the Elko New Market Police Department and officers were also skeptical until they saw the photos.
“I assumed it was a large dog,” said Elko New Market Police Chief Craig Bell.
Bell said the police department received reports about a juv nile black bear being sighted around New Market Ball Park. The police department posted an alert to residents on social media for people to stay away from the area where the bear was sighted.
“We followed it (the bear) to the outskirts of town,” said Bell, adding when night fell, they lost sight of the bear. “At that point we believe it continued outside of town.”
“They (the police) said the DNR was called, but it was not going to respond,” Simon said.
Bell said the DNR recommended people leave the bear alone. The DNR also recommended residents make...
To see more on this story pick up the June 5, 2025 print edition of The New Prague Times.
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