BLACK BEARS (Ursus americanus)

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BLACK BEARS (Ursus americanus)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife
Resources Division
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Current Black Bear Distribution
Source Pelton and van Manen (1994)
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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
• 1940-1950s
• Chestnut blight
• Bears only found in isolated areas

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Bears in Georgia

• 1930s
• 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

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Statewide Black Bear Distribution
Approximate Population Size North Georgia 1,200
bears Central Georgia 300 bears South
Georgia 800 bears
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Bear CubsThe Early Years

• Born January-February
• Weigh about 8 ounces at birth
• Dependent on mother for first year of life

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The Adult Bear

• Average Length (6 ft.)
• Average Weight (150-300lbs)
• State Record Harvest
• Gun HarvestNov 2001 (560 lbs, Gilmer Co.)
• Bow HarvestSep 2001 (530 lbs, Swallow Creek WMA)
• Known Largest Bear
• Hit by carNov 1992 (581 lbs, Union Co.)
• Life Span (8-15 years)
• Oldest Bear HarvestedOct 2000 (20.75 yrs,
  Habersham Co.)

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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

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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.

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Bear Diet
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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.

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Denning Activities

• Enter dens in late-November and December
• Females enter earlier than males
• Denning activities influenced by weather and food
  availability

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Current Bear Management, Monitoring and Research

• Harvest Information
• Bait Station Surveys
• Nuisance Information

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Statewide Bear Harvest
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Females in Bear Harvest (1993-2003)
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Female Bear Harvest Average Age(1992-2002)
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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)

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Bait Station Survey Summary
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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

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Common Nuisance Situations

• Residential Bears
• BIRD SEED
• GARBAGE
• PET FOOD
• Compost Piles
• Fruit Trees and Shrubs
• BBQ Grills
• DO NOT FEED BEARS!

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Common Nuisance Situations

• Remote or Camping Areas
• FOOD STORAGE
• SMELLABLE ITEMS
• GARBAGE
• BBQ GRILLS
• DO NOT FEED BEARS!

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Common Nuisance Situations

• Rental Cabins
• GARBAGE
• PET FOOD
• BBQ Grills
• DO NOT FEED BEARS!
• DO NOT FEED BEARS!

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Nuisance Bear Recommendations

• Remove ALL food sources
• birdfeeders, trash, pet food
• campground food items
• Electric fence
• around bee yards
• Additional tools
• Scare pistol
• Trapping

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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.

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Future Management Challenges
Human/Bear Population Dynamics
Human Population
Bear Habitat Carrying Capacity
   
Bear Cultural Carrying Capacity
Time
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Keep the WILD in wildlife by NOT FEEDING BEARS!
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