Beware, bears on the move in N. Georgia

An increased number of bear encounters during this time of year is normal, said Georgia Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist Adam Hammond.

During spring and summer, Hammond said, young male black bears are pushed out of their mother's range and forced to wander until they find new territory. Hammond said it is not uncommon to see black bears inside the metro area.

"We have a healthy, growing, really thriving bear population in Georgia and north Georgia in particular," Hammond said. "We're seeing bears in places where we haven't seen them in some time."

The statewide black bear population is estimated at 2,300-2,500, with 1,200-1,500 of these in north Georgia. This is up considerably from past years, Hammond said. In 1979, for instance, 21 bears were legally hunted. Last year, that number was 314.

Every state in the Southeast is seeing growing black bear populations, Hammond said. The population growth is due to decreased poaching as well as the increase in "non-natural" food sources such as garbage, bird food and pet food.

Hammond's office is seeing an increasing number of bear complaints and sighting reports. Last year, his office received 1,113 bear complaints and reports in Georgia. None of these, however, was an attack.

In the past few years, the only recorded bear attacks in the southeast were two incidents in Tennesse.

Black bears do not usually harm humans, Hammond said, although bears that have learned to associate people with food will be less likely to run away, which is their natural instinct.

Some simple precautions Hammond suggests individuals take include never feeding a bear, respecting bear cubs and minimizing the amount of garbage, pet food and bird food kept outside.