The vernal equinox, also known as spring, begins March 20, 2025, in the Northern Hemisphere. The ambient temperature begins to rise, wildlife becomes more active, the landscape gets greener and the farmers are planting their early crops.
It is also the time our American black bears begin to emerge from den. The first to wake up are the adult males and subadults in early to mid-March. Second to emerge are solitary females and sows with yearlings in late March-mid-April. Finally, the sows with cubs of the year in mid-April-early May.
As they emerge, so will our residents and tourists after one of our coldest winters in several years. The fast-approaching warmer weather compels many of us to hit the trails! We expect an unprecedented number of hikers in the mountains this year! Appalachia Georgia has 850 miles of recreational trails and approximately 3,000 black bears. Whether you are a day or through hiker, the possibility is there you may see one of our Ursine friends. No need to worry if you know what to look for and how to react if you see a bear.
They will be out, about and foraging. They smell 2,000 times better than humans so their noses will be to the ground. Watch for overturned large rocks, shredded rotten logs and dug out insect nests.
Bears leave signs of their presence if you pay attention. Of course, watch for their footprints, but also look for scat, large, overturned rocks, shredded logs, fresh claw marks up the side of trees and where they have rubbed their backs or rears and left fur.
Reduce your risk of human-bear conflict by following these simple steps. Leave the deodorants, shampoos and body lotions off your body and at home. Remove all the food, packaging and drink containers from your car and lock the car doors. Listen to nature and not your ear buds.
While you are out on the trail, leash and maintain control of your dog. Hike in groups and stay together. Talk to each other at a normal voice level. You do not want to surprise a bear. Bears do not necessarily want to be around humans. Keep your children in sight. If they know you are a group of humans, they will become the shadows of the forest, and you will never know they are there. Carry bear spray physically on your body, easily accessible, not in your backpack, and know how to use it.
If you see a bear, do not run! This may trigger its pursuit instinct. Get and maintain physical control of your children. Bunch together to make yourselves look bigger. If the bear does not notice you, stand still, enjoy the moment and then quietly move away. If the bear sees you, slowly back away and continue to face the bear. If the bear approaches, hold your ground, raise your arms and yell “hey bear!”
Wildlife biologists tell us that a sound 110 decibels (dB) will cause a bear to leave unless it is food conditioned and habituated. A portable airhorn, car alarm, storm whistle or a personal safety alarm make noise above 110 dB. If the bear continues to approach, use bear spray. If a black bear makes contact with you, do not play dead; fight back aggressively. Please do not use food to distract a bear. It reinforces negative behavior and will escalate future encounters with bears.
Finally, leave no trace! When humans leave trash, it attracts all wildlife. Animals do not leave trash. Please learn from the animals and do not leave trash.
We can help you learn more about living in “Bear Country!”
The Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears’ mission is to reduce Human-Bear conflict through proactive educational outreach programs, increasing public awareness about coexisting with black bears, the use of humane bear deterrents, and advocacy. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For more information, e-mail us at info@agfriendsofthebears.com, visit our website, or visit www.BearWise.org.