Georgia experts say bear sightings may ramp up. Here’s why.
The end of summer means back to school, the beginning of football season and (hopefully) cooler days.
However, for Georgia’s black bears, late summer means it is time to eat any and all food that’s available.
This is nature, after all.
As this time approaches, the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division urges residents to be more than ready for bear sightings by cleaning up any loose trash and securing food storage bins/refrigerators or other items that may entice bears.
“It’s not uncommon for human-bear conflicts to intensify in late summer, as bears have been ‘trained’ and ‘educated’ all summer long about finding food around homes and neighborhoods where unsecured bear attractants often abound,” said Adam Hammond for the Wildlife Resources Division. “Denying bears a free meal and forcing them to look elsewhere in their search for food is still the best course of action – for people and for the bears.”
Even bird feeders and pet food bowls can become attractive to bears, as it is seen as “easy food” to them and they will keep coming back, noted Hammond.
And if they keep coming back, danger could occur to your home, your pets or even you.
Female bears are especially busy this time of year; they are not only looking for food for themselves, but for their cubs, and they could be easily angered if approached or shooed away. Angry bears lash out and could cause damage to vehicles and houses, so it is important to stay far away if a bear is sighted.
According to bear biologists, “Watching a bear can be a wonderful experience. As more people live close to their woodland homes, the chances of seeing black bears are rising. The key is to stay at a safe distance. Our job is to give bears plenty of space to live and to find their own healthy, natural foods. Their safety and ours depend on how we behave in bear country.”
Making it more difficult for bears to scrounge up food around your house will make it safer and more enjoyable for everyone. It is truly a win-win.
For more information about bears, how to stay safe in a bear sighting and how to prepare your home for this season, visit the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division website or BearWise.org.
This story was originally published September 15, 2022 at 5:00 PM.
