BLACK BEARS BLACK BEARS ((Ursus americanusUrsus americanus))

Georgia Department of Natural ResourcesWildlife Resources Division

Current Black Bear Distribution

Source: Pelton and van Manen (1994)

Historical Background in Georgia

1700-1850– Common as reported by explorers

1880– Limited to forested regions

1900-1930– Large scale logging resulting in significant habitat destruction– Unregulated hunting or trapping

1940-1950’s– Chestnut blight– Bears only found in isolated areas

Bears in Georgia

1930’s– Bear season closed by act of legislature

1930-1970– Questionable protection – Limited habitat

1969– Georgia Game and Fish Commission as well as hunting

community realized value/importance as game species 1976

– Tri-State Bear Study launched to investigate bears in SE

Statewide Black Bear Distribution

Approximate Population Size

North Georgia

1,200 bears

Central Georgia

300 bears

South Georgia

800 bears

Bear Cubs—The Early Years

Born January-February

Weigh about 8 ounces at birth

Dependent on mother for first year of life

The Adult Bear

Average Length (6 ft.) Average Weight (150-300lbs)

– State Record Harvest Gun Harvest—Nov 2001 (560 lbs, Gilmer Co.) Bow Harvest—Sep 2001 (530 lbs, Swallow Creek WMA)

– Known Largest Bear Hit by car—Nov 1992 (581 lbs, Union Co.)

Life Span (8-15 years)– Oldest Bear Harvested—Oct 2000 (20.75 yrs, Habersham

Co.)

Bear Reproduction

Breeding Season– July

Males may breed at 1.5 years of age

Females breed from 3.5 to 4.5 years of age

Spring Time is Bear Time!

Emerge from dens. Desperate search for

food to recover lost body weight during winter months.

One-year old bears begin search for their own territory.

Bear Diet

28%

13%

59%

Berries and AcornsGrasses and ForbsInsects and Meat

Diet (% of diet)

Berries and Acorns – SPRING/SUMMER: serviceberry,

huckleberry, blueberry, blackberry, and black cherry.

– FALL: acorns, hickory nuts, palmetto berries, grape, beech, and blackgum.

Grasses and forbs – All types of green plants.– Beneficial wildlife plantings

Insects and Meat – Wasps, ants, beetles, and insect larvae.– Recently dead or easily caught animals.

Denning Activities

Enter dens in late-November and December

Females enter earlier than males

Denning activities influenced by weather and food availability

Current Bear Management, Monitoring and Research

Harvest Information

Bait Station Surveys

Nuisance Information

Statewide Bear Harvest

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Year

Harv

est

North 21 33 20 29 18 18 23 20 25 73 40 91 66 80 129 117 164 104 158 197 219 245 225 212 256

Central 1 0 0 1 0 0

South 5 8 7 19 23 37 36 27 56 23 33 20 88 24 44 28 48 56 54 55 53 50 73

Statewide 21 33 25 37 25 37 46 57 61 100 96 114 99 100 217 141 208 132 206 254 273 300 279 262 329

1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

% Females in Bear Harvest (1993-2003)

010203040506070

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003Year

% F

emal

es

North GA South GA

Female Bear Harvest Average Age(1992-2002)

0

2

4

6

8

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year

Aver

ge A

ge (Y

ears

).

North GA South GA

Bait Station Survey

Designated routes in North and South Georgia

Survey conducted annually in July

Checked after 5 days (North GA) or 8 days (South GA)

Bait Station Survey Summary

020

4060

80

Year

% V

isita

tion.

North GA South GA

Nuisance Bear Issues

Common Nuisance Bear Situations– Wandering Bear

1-2 year old male Establishing territory

– Habituated Bear Usually food related May cause property damage

– Agriculture Bear– Just There Bear

Common Nuisance Situations

Residential Bears– BIRD SEED– GARBAGE– PET FOOD– Compost Piles– Fruit Trees and Shrubs– BBQ Grills

DO NOT FEED BEARS!DO NOT FEED BEARS!

Common Nuisance Situations

Remote or Camping Areas– FOOD STORAGE– SMELLABLE ITEMS– GARBAGE– BBQ GRILLS

DO NOT FEED BEARS!DO NOT FEED BEARS!

Common Nuisance Situations

Rental Cabins– GARBAGE– PET FOOD– BBQ Grills

DO NOT FEED BEARS!DO NOT FEED BEARS!DO NOT FEED BEARS!DO NOT FEED BEARS!

Nuisance Bear Recommendations

Remove ALL food sources– birdfeeders, trash, & pet food– campground food items

Electric fence around bee yards Additional tools

– Scare pistol– Trapping

Encountering a Bear

DO NOT PANIC! Be sure bear knows you are there

and respect the bears territory. In residential areas, encourage

bear to leave– Loud noises– Throw items

Notify authorities of aggressive or non-yielding bears.

Future Management Challenges

Human PopulationHuman Population

Bear Habitat Carrying CapacityBear Habitat Carrying Capacity

Bear Cultural Bear Cultural Carrying CapacityCarrying Capacity

Time

Human/Bear Population Dynamics

  

Keep the “WILD” in wildlife by NOT FEEDING BEARS!

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