PRESS RELEASE –  The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office has received several calls from citizens stating they have recently seen black bears on their property. There is nothing the Sheriff’s Office can do about bears being in the area. Black bears occur in three distinct regions in Georgia including the North Georgia mountains, but may range over the entire state at times in search of food or a territory of their own.

Most nuisance bear issues can be resolved through simple actions, like removing bird feeders and outdoor pet food, or storing garbage in an area unavailable to bears, such as in a garage or enclosed building. Removing attractants is critical in resolving conflicts between people and bears. It may take several days for the bear to learn that it will no longer find a free meal. Usually, the bear will move on when the food source is gone.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division states there have been no recorded bear attacks on humans in Georgia, and no fatalities. There have only been three documented fatal black bear attacks in the Southeastern United States.

Learn the Bearwise Basics and more at: https://bearwise.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3mUctWUQNMrqwWzZJzJCWPruTnKN-MMYV_UvkCo26knIdt5h-O8xdhdkQ_aem_yyLPb4Zmja6fEEMVirwNUw