MONTGOMERY-Confirmed black bear sightings have increased significantly during recent years in several counties in northeast Alabama. Black bear sightings are up because bear populations are increasing in Tennessee and Georgia, which forces individual bears to spread out in search of suitable habitat. Migrating bears from Georgia and Tennessee are establishing home ranges and maintaining breeding populations in Alabama. Since bears are now reproducing in northeast Alabama, bear sightings are occurring year-round.
Since 2005, there have been more than 250 confirmed black bear sightings 
in Etowah, DeKalb, St. Clair, Jackson, Cleburne, Calhoun and Cherokee counties. Some of these sightings were the same bears seen by different individuals, but many were different bears. Observations from private landowners and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries employees indicate these bears have established breeding populations. Several female bears have been observed with cubs, and now these cubs have matured and are breeding in nearby areas. So far, these bears have not presented any problems or threat to anyone who has encountered them. Wildlife’s first 
response is usually to get away from humans as quickly as possible, and so far, these black bears have demonstrated that behavior.
If there are bears in your area, you may have to take some temporary measures until the bear moves on, such as keeping garbage cans in an enclosed building. Do not leave pet food or any other type of food scraps outside that may act as a bear attractant. When bears become accustomed to eating garbage and associating food with people, it then leads to a dangerous situation. The objective is to avoid these situations.
Most problems associated with bears occur at two specific times of the year. The first is early spring when food is scarce. This causes bears to travel 
farther distances searching for nourishment. Bear activity also increases in late summer when food supplies have dried up and the hard mast such as acorns are not yet available. Once the acorns begin to fall, bears return to their natural habitat.
Black bears are back in northeast Alabama, and we can coexist and enjoy their presence as long as we use a little common sense.
To report a black bear sighting in northeast Alabama, contact Little River Wildlife Biologist Tracy L. Nelson at Tracy.Nelson@dcnr.alabama.gov or 256-643-4149 Ext. 11.
MEDIA RELEASE/Tracy Nelson, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
