Officials say the black bear population continues to grow across eastern Kentucky, and so is the chance you may literally run into one. Some local drivers are finding that out the hard way.

It is a scene playing out more and more on eastern Kentucky roads. Just Monday, the Harlan Daily Enterprise shot a picture of a black bear killed while it was crossing U.S. 421. An 80 year old driver who hit it with his car, had to be taken to the hospital with injuries. A bear was also hit last month on Highway 119.

Wildlife experts say this time of the year ... bears are on a mission.

"They're going around getting acorns, fruit, whatever they can get to build up their fat reserves for the winter," says Jenny Beeler, a wildlife expert with the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

Beeler says the problem begins when people leave garbage and food scraps laying around their homes.

"Once they start to learn these bad behaviors with associating human developed areas with food, they're going to be in those areas a lot more often, and they're going to be in roads, and more likely to be hit," says Beeler.

In a Middlesboro neighborhood where there are plenty of bear sightings, people know to take steps to keep them away.

"I keep my lids on my trash cans, try not to throw food in the yard, just trying to keep them away if they are out here, from messing with my home and my trailer," says Danny Hopper.

"Just do whatever you can to keep a bear from learning they can get easy food at your house," says Beeler.

And officials hope that will at least keep the problem from getting any worse.

And if you live near the woods, wildlife experts say the best thing to do is take your garbage, and even any bird feeders inside at night. But since they are obviously out there already, you'll also want to keep an eye on the road.

Kentucky will have its first hunting season for bears later this year. The two-day season will be in December in Pike, Harlan and Letcher counties. Only ten bears can be taken during that time.