Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears

Appalachia Georgia Black Bear Education & Advocacy

Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears

Growing Pains!

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Two Bear Cubs Sitting On A Tree BranchWe celebrate our 2nd Birthday on Thursday, June 03, 2021! We are taking the opportunity to take a look at ourselves, where we have been, and where we are going, and as always, the future looks challenging but hopeful! We are doing some branding and rebranding and will have a new logo soon that we are excited about!

Over the next twenty-nine days, you will notice a few changes on how the website looks and some of its capabilities. It will become more dynamic and interactive for our visitors. Humans will be able to see an “Events Calendar,” a blog post, and other features that will help us engage the public that is not on social media. Speaking of social media . . .
We have noted through our conversations with the public, that many people have dropped off of Facebook specifically and social media in general over the past eighteen months and do not intend to return. In addition, there is currently a conflict between Apple iOS 14.X’s privacy changes and Facebook. This conflict results in any marketing data gathered by Facebook being incomplete when it is provided to the end customer, digital advertisers. This cuts into Facebook’s bottom line. As a result, Facebook is “saber-rattling” that Facebook will become a “pay to play” platform sometime in the future. If so, we foresee more people leaving the social media platform. We want to be prepared for any transition because our mission to reduce human-bear conflict will not change. We still need to reach the public whether it is on social media or not.
Improvise, adapt, and overcome!

Another item we will be adding to our tool bag is an e-Newsletter! The e-Newsletter will be published at least once a month, but we are aiming to publish it twice a month. It will have exclusive content not available on social media. We would like to hear your thoughts on what you would like to see in an e-Newsletter! E-mail us with your thoughts! More to come on that in the near future!

#humanbearconflict

Coexisting With Bears

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Coexisting With Bears

(July 24, 2021-July 24, 2021)

Bears. Want to know how to coexist with bears in your area? Come to the Gilmer County Library, where Gerald from the Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears will be discussing coexisting communities with a bear presence. Learn facts and tricks to live in peace with the bears

Location: Gilmer County Library
Contact: Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears

If You Were A Bear

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If You Were A Bear

(July 24, 2021-July 24, 2021)

Join Gerald Hodge from The Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears as he introduces children to the wonderful and wild world of the American Black Bear. Children will learn about their habits and habitats, what they eat, where they live and how to coexist. This event is designed for families with children from ages 6 – 12. 

Location: Gilmer County Library
Contact: Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears

Black Bear Sighting Report

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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.

Report a Bear Sighting

Is It True That Black Bears Don’t Hibernate in North Georgia?

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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?

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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.

Is it dangerous to go into bear country when menstruating?

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Fact: Current evidence suggests that menstruation does not increase the likelihood of an attack by a black or grizzly bear, but tampons are recommended over pads. They may be disposed of by burning and then packing out the remains.  Bears are attracted to anything that smells interesting such as toothpaste, deodorant, aftershave, perfume, soap, etc.