• Skip to main content
  • NEWS
  • FAQs
  •  

Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears

Appalachia Georgia Black Bear Education & Advocacy

  • About
    • About
    • Major Accomplishments
    • Goals 2020
    • Board of Directors
    • History
    • Partnerships
    • Privacy Policy
  • Projects
    • Black Bear Sighting Report
    • Black Bear Safety Info Translated into Spanish
    • 15+ Be Bear Wise Signs in the Cherry Log Mountain Cabin Community
    • Black Bear Study Resulted in the Emplacement of Bear Signs in North Georgia
  • Education
    • Black Bear FAQs
    • Black Bear Facts, Resources & Research
    • K-8 Bear-Themed Lesson Plan Ideas & Activities
  • Safety
  • Advocacy
    • What Can You Do to Immediately Advocate for the Black Bears?
    • GA State Code Pertaining to Black Bears & Wildlife Management
    • Georgia State Legislature
  • Giving
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Application

Main Content

Appalachia Georgia Black Bear

Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears

AWARENESS ·  EDUCATION ·  SAFETY  ·  ADVOCACY

Our mission is to reduce Human-Bear conflict through proactive educational outreach programs, increase public awareness about coexisting with Black Bears, the use of humane bear deterrents, and advocacy.

Learn More

N. Georgia Black Bear Sign Project

Our Study Resulted in the Installation of Bear Signs in North Georgia

Learn More

Be Bear Wise Project in North Georgia

Through Our Partnership with Sisson Co., Over 15 "Be Bear Wise" Signs Were Emplaced

Learn More

Stay Safe in Bear Country Translation to Spanish Program Background

"Be Safe in Bear Country" Info Translated to Spanish

Learn More

Black Bear Sighting Report

Text with Bear-Background-Stay-Safe-in-Bear-Country

Black Bear Safety Info Translated into Spanish

Be Bear Wise Project in North Georgia

15+ Be Bear Wise Signs in the Cherry Log Mountain Cabin Community

More Projects

Our Partners

Gilmer County, Georgia
Ellijay, Georgia
The Big Canoe Black Bear Project
previous arrow
next arrow
previous arrownext arrow

Black Bear Facts and Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Black Bear live?

On average, the lifespan of a black bear in the wild is 18 years, but the record is about 39 years.

What should you do if you see a Black Bear?

According to the National Park Service:

If you do see a bear, remember you are a visitor in their home. Your behavior may have life or death consequences for a bear. Follow the steps below for a more enjoyable visit and remember that bears are wild animals. Like any wild animal, they can be dangerous and are sometimes unpredictable. Attacks on humans are rare, but they can occur.

Following bear viewing etiquette is the first step to avoiding an encounter with a bear that could escalate into an attack. Once a bear has noticed you and is paying attention to you, additional strategies can help prevent the situation from escalating.

Bear Encounters

  • Identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. 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.
  • Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won’t be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
  • Pick up small children immediately.
  • Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to bears.
  • Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground).
  • Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others.
  • Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.
  • If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees.
  • Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.
  • Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.

 

How Big Do Black Bears Get?

The smallest, yet the most common species of bear, is the black bear. At the shoulder, black bears are about 3 feet high and 5-7 feet high when standing upright.  The weight of a black bear varies depending on their age, sex and time of year. Black bears can be up to 30% heavier in autumn than in spring. Adult black bears weigh between 100-600 lbs.

More Black Facts & FAQs

Copyright © 2021 Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears · Appalachia Georgia Bear Awareness · Education · Safety · Advocacy· Log in