Bear hunting now popular for kids in New Albany

People have argued for years whether there are bears in Union County.

That question was answered this past week.

If you look carefully you may see bears and related critters on lawns or in front of houses or buildings all around New Albany.

Those people are participating in something called Bear Hunt.

The idea came from a popular 1989 children’s book called “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen and has spread across the country thanks to social media.

Bear Hunt does not follow the book’s storyline as such but is more like a scavenger hunt.

It’s purpose is to provide something for children to do while stuck at home. As they are out with the parents or even playing in their own neighborhood they can be on the lookout for bears or other animals placed near houses.

There is no prize, but the activity provides a sense of community, a joint effort even though the participants don’t need to get close together.

In some communities the activity has grown to include chalk drawings and messages on sidewalks, keeping count of bears found, exchanging updates with friends and even creating cheering sections.

Some local bears have been spotted on Murrah Road and in the subdivision behind Wal-Mart but reports of sightings in other parts of town are coming in.