Georgia Bear Population Increasing, Adapting “Too Well”

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says motorists have hit eight bears on county roadways in as many weeks.

The state wildlife biologist who keeps the records on Georgia’s bears says the population has grown steadily over the last decade.

Adam Hammond of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources says one reason we are seeing the bears more this year is that this autumn’s acorn crop is one of the lowest in years, and acorns are a primary source of the bears’ pre-hibernation diet. “So they’re just making larger movements, they’re on the roads more, and they’re just having a more difficult time in finding enough to eat,” says Hammond.

Hammond recommends that you not leave out bird food, garbage, or anything the bears could eat until November when the bears go into hibernation.