Wildlife biologists want to discuss Georgia bear management in upcoming meetings

Georgians share the state with about 5,000 black bears, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources DNR), and wildlife biologists currently are working on an updated plan to manage the bear population.

Adam Hammond, the bear project leader for the state of Georgia, said the Wildlife Resources Division will host three meetings later this month to get public input on a draft plan for strategic management for the bears that live in the state. One of those meetings will be held in Young Harris so that North Georgians can participate. (See details below.)

Hammond said the bulk of the black bear population lives in the northern part of the state - he estimates about 3,000 live in North Georgia. 

"We do have a healthy population of bears and it's grown over the years, so we're just trying to appropriately manage bears and also gain some input from the public on what their wishes and desires are and their suggestions relative to conservation of bears in Georgia," Hammond said. 

Hammond said he and others working on the strategic plan want to hear from homeowners who have noticed bears wander into more urban areas. He said an increase in both the bear population and the human population in the state means interaction between the two has increased.

"That's part of what we're trying to do - minimize human-bear conflicts wherever they occur," Hammond said. "They occur in rural areas and they also occur in urban and suburban areas."

Hammond also anticipates interest from hunters.

"Hunting is a great tool for us and I hope it's one that we'll always have available to help us keep bears in check," Hammond said. He noted that part of the discussion will center on how many bears people are willing to "accept socially," as he put it.  

To read the full draft plan, follow this link. 

For those who are unable to attend the meetings in person, Hammond said comments will be taken online, via mail or over the phone.

Online comments may be submitted via this link. Written comments can be submitted at GA DNR/Wildlife Resources Division/Game Management Section; Attn: Tina Johannsen; 2067 U.S. Highway 278, S.E.; Social Circle, Georgia 30025. Comments will also be accepted over the phone at 706-557-3350.