Give Monthly

to GWF

Make a One-Time Donation

About Us < Features < Black Bear

icon of wildness:
the Black Bear

By Carol Hassell,
editor, the Call

For many Georgians, mention of Black Bears conjures up images of formerly wild places. But Ursus americanus also is an excellent example of species envisioned by Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), a strategic plan to counter the threats to wildlife caused by population growth and land conversion.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), "Black bears can typically be found in three distinct regions in Georgia, although they will range over larger areas in search of food. Young male bears often will roam large areas until they are able to establish their own territory." The three regions include the North Georgia mountains; the Ocmulgee River drainage system in central Georgia; and the Okefenokee Swamp.

Adult bears — generally black in color with a brown muzzle and perhaps light markings on their chests — reach about six feet in length and three feet at the shoulder; females weigh up to 300 pounds, males over 500 pounds. Bears generally are solitary, except for mothers with their cubs. Breeding occurs in July; a litter of from one to six cubs is born in late January or February and remain with their mother for about 18 months.

Typically, black bears live about 8 to 15 years although "wild bears tend to live 23 percent longer than 'garbage' bears (those that exist on unnatural foods)," says DNR. Black bears prefer swamps and forested areas, particularly mature mixed pine stands, away from people, with thickets for food and cover. Omnivorous eaters, black bears will feed on plants, fruits, nuts, insects, honey, fish, small mammals — even deer — and carrion. Unfortunately, they can lose their natural fear of humans when non-natural food is easily available in proximity to human activity.

"Prior to the eighteenth century bears were common in Georgia. However, habitat loss, unrestricted hunting, and overall degradation of habitat due to human development contributed to a serious population decline," notes DNR. Today, the black bear population stands at about 2,200 statewide. Further destruction of habitat and bear/human interaction undoubtedly threatens this number.