Don’t run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Try to increase the distance between you and the bear. The bear will probably do the same. If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting, change your direction.
What to do if a bear shows up?
Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
What to do if a black bear is coming at you?
Alter your route or back away slowly, preferably in the direction you came. Walk, do not run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it reacts. In most cases, the bear will flee. If the bear walks toward you, act boldly, yelling and throwing something at it.
How common are bears in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia has a healthy, growing bear population with an estimated population size of 2,200 statewide. Bears can be found in 3 distinct regions of the state including the mountainous portion of north Georgia, south of Macon along the Ocmulgee river drainage, and in south Georgia throughout the Okefenokee swamp area.
Can you shoot a bear in GA?
Carroll, Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Walton, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Hart and all counties north. Youth (under 16 years of age) may hunt bear with any legal bear firearm during the Primitive Weapons season. Restrictions: Hunting bears with dogs is prohibited except as specified for Chattahoochee & Chestatee WMAs.
Are black bears aggressive?
In fact, they are often attracted to people’s food sources or get used to the presence of humans. However, black bears are typically not aggressive and fear the “repercussions of attacking someone,” Garshelis said. “They just don’t want to attack people,” Garsheilis said. “They’re kind of timid animals.”
How do you scare away a bear?
To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.
What smells will keep bears away?
Scent Deterrents
A bear’s nose is 100 times more sensitive than a human’s. If you find bleach or ammonia fumes unpleasant, you can imagine what they smell like to a bear. Bleach or ammonia- based cleaners are good for trash cans and other areas where strong scents could attract bears.
What are black bears scared of?
Big beach balls tossed at bears often scares them off, as do opening and closing an umbrella, shaking a big tarp or garbage bag, or banging pots and pans.
Can you outrun a bear?
Myth: Bears can’t run downhill.
If you’re being chased by a bear, don’t run downhill! Bears can run as fast as a horse (35 mph), and they can do it uphill, downhill, and everything in between. A bear can outrun you no matter what, so if you see one in the wild do not try to run away from it.
Where are the most bears in Georgia?
In Georgia, there are three population centers for black bears. These include the North Georgia mountains, the Ocmulgee River drainage system in central Georgia and the Okefenokee Swamp in the southeastern part of the state.
What parts of Georgia have bears?
Bear populations exist in the north Georgia mountains, along the Ocmulgee River drainage in central Georgia, and in/around the Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia. Natural range expansion also has been documented in recent years.
Are there Grizzlies in GA?
Sound wildlife management practices have restored Georgia’s black bears to a thriving population estimated at 4,100 bears statewide.
What county in Georgia has the most bears?
The vast majority of bears annually come from Georgia’s northern bear zone with Rabun, Habersham, Towns, White, Lumpkin, Union, Gilmer, Fannin and Murray Counties typically leading the way. Within these counties are more than 20 wildlife management areas covering over 400,000 acres open to bear hunting.
Is it bear season in GA?
More experienced hunters may find interest in the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) program, which pairs hunters with nearby state hunting locations.
Georgia Bear Seasons.
| Archery | Sept. 11-Jan. 9 |
|---|---|
| Primitive Weapons | Oct. 9-Jan. 9 |
| Firearms | Oct. 16-Jan. 9** |
What counties in Georgia have a bear season?
The Northern Bear Zone includes Carroll, Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Walton, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Hart, and all counties north.
- Archery: Sept. 10, 2022 – Jan. 8, 2023.
- Primitive Weapons: Oct. 15-21, 2022.
- Firearms: Oct. 22, 2022 – Jan. 8, 2023.
Which bear Do you play dead?
Grizzly bears generally attack to defend territory and cubs. The best course of action if attacked by a grizzly bear is to play dead. After all, a dead person is no longer a threat. Black bears are shy and timid.
Are bears afraid of dogs?
Bears are naturally afraid of dogs, and being chased by them often changes the bears’ behavior. They are far more likely to avoid an area after a dog has charged after them, even if it happened in a spot that they had visited many times.
Which bear kills the most humans?
Most fatal attacks by black bears have been judged as predatory. Bear researcher Stephen Herrero determined that in black bear attacks, the bear acted as a predator in 88 percent of fatal incidents.
Should you look a bear in the eyes?
If you encounter a black bear, do not make eye contact. If you make eye contact, black bears will take this as an act of aggression. They will put two and two together and go nuts on you and ruin your life. But also don’t look away.
What time of day are bears most active?
Bears are usually active from dawn to dusk, but they may be seen any time of day or night. Bears in many places of high human use have become nocturnal in order to avoid people.