BLACK BEARS BLACK BEARS ( ( Ursus americanus Ursus americanus ) ) Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Mar 30, 2015
BLACK BEARS BLACK BEARS ((Ursus americanusUrsus americanus))
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife 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 Acorns
Grasses and Forbs
Insects 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
Har
ves
t
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 2003
Year
% 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
Ave
rge
Ag
e (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
0
20
40
60
80
Year
% V
isit
atio
n.
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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