WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis.— Some Wisconsinites reported bear sightings in Waukesha and Washington Counties in southeast Wisconsin.

A bear even walked right up to a back door of a home just north of Oconomowoc, Wis.

One day later, a homeowner in Hartford spotted a bear walking through their yard.

People who live in and near Oconomowoc said they were surprised that a bear was spotted near their home.

Angela Tischer, who owns a pet walking service, said she is taking some extra precautions.

“I take them to the park on a regular basis, and it is a concern,” said Tischer. “I think it is good we have the awareness they are out there, but I think they are more afraid of us than we are of them.” 

While rare, bear sightings have been on the rise in the southern half of the state.

Brad Koele, with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said the increase likely has to do with an increasing bear population.

“We have 24,000 bears in the state and habitat for bears in southern Wisconsin is good as well, so in this case you are seeing these young males getting kicked away from their family groups and mating season is coming up right now in June and they are expanding their territory and expanding their range,” said Koele

Koele said it is likely that the two sightings in Oconomowoc and Hartford involved the same bear.