The Black Bear Spot Report is a reporting survey to help the Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears track Black Bear populations. If you spot a bear, please use the “Enter Black Bear Sighting” button below to add a marker on the map where you spotted the bear. The Black Bear Spot Report form includes providing your name and some contact information, in case we have further questions. We will not post the pictures on the website or social media unless we obtain permission for it from you as provided in the reporting form.
Is It True That Black Bears Don’t Hibernate in North Georgia?
FACT: Black Bears den at different times throughout North America because of three factors: the availability of food, the photoperiod, and temperature. First and foremost is the availability of food. Food drives its life and behavior whether it is awake or asleep. When God’s naturally provided food disappears then their body tells them to go to sleep until spring.
A hard mast failure and human-provided food will cause bears to not go into hibernation. The failure to get enough food to stored fat forces a starving bear to continue to forage. Conversely, the availability of man provided food, i.e. trash, wildlife and birdfeeders, and pet food, will keep their bodies from triggering the need to hibernate.
Isn’t carrying a rifle safer than bear pepper spray?
Fact: A person’s chance of incurring serious injury from a charging bear doubles when bullets are fired versus when bear pepper spray is used. Those injured defending themselves with bear pepper spray experienced shorter attacks and less severe injuries than those who chose to use firearms (US Fish and Wildlife Service). Bears are actually attracted to pepper spray residue if it is sprayed on the ground or on objects. Never spray it around a tent or on yourself. When used defensively, pepper spray must be sprayed directly in the attacking bear’s eyes or nose.
