Bird feeder attracts black bear near Lake Lanier home

The bear tore down the bird feeders Dec. 2 and, a month later, Henry tried to install the bird feeder again, assuming the bear had moved on.

But when he put the feeder back up, the bear tore it down again.

Henry told Channel 2 he thinks the bear lives in the Army Corps of Engineers woodlands nearby and makes his way over to try to find an easy meal or snack.

“One time, he turned over the garbage can. We don't know what scared him, but something scared him," Henry told Channel 2.

After discovering large paw prints in the sand, Henry estimated the bear weighs 300 pounds.

And while he knows black bears are usually not aggressive, Henry said he worries about his grandchildren playing out near the lake.

“Black bears are supposed to be docile, but if a child runs up on one, who knows?" Henry said.

There are about 5,100 black bears in Georgia, and there has never been a bear attack on a human in the state, according to the Wildlife Resources Division fact sheet, which offers suggestions about avoiding bear encounters.

Officials with the state Department of Natural Resources told Henry the bear likely isn’t dangerous and recommended the homeowner wait to put his feeder back out and not to leave any pet food on the property.