Management Efforts for Now and the Future – Georgia Wildlife Blog

Within the state of Georgia, there are three distinct populations of black bears. These include a northern population associated with the Appalachian Mountains, a southern population associated with the Okefenokee Swamp, and a small isolated central population associated with the Ocmulgee River system.

The central population’s core area consists of forested land around the Oaky Woods and Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) that border the Ocmulgee River. The central Georgia bear population (CGP) is nearly 100 miles from both the northern and southern populations. Urban sprawl, human development and lack of connected habitat has isolated the CGP resulting in reproductive challenges associated with inbreeding.

Strategic Hunting Season

A previous research study conducted by UGA from 2012-2016 estimated the CGP at approximately 300 individuals. In 2020, UGA produced a population viability analysis for the CGP and suggested annual female mortality (from all sources) should not increase to avoid negatively impacting the population. For this reason, legal bear hunting opportunities within the CGP are currently limited to only one day in December with the possibility of a second day in January, if fewer than six females are harvested in December. This science-based approach to providing sustainable harvest opportunities aligns with our Strategic Management Plan for Black Bears in Georgia (2019-2028).

Highway Crossings and Poaching Challenges

Non-hunting mortality within the CGP can also be significant and may include relatively high numbers of bear-vehicle mortalities and numerous poaching incidents annually.

UGA, in cooperation with the Georgia DOT, used GPS data collected from collared bears to identify locations along GA Hwy. 96 where bears frequently crossed the highway. With plans to widen the highway, this data helped pre-identify locations to install wildlife underpasses, which are designed to help redirect wildlife from crossing busy highways and better protect drivers and bears.

Unfortunately, bears in the CGP also seem to face pressure from poaching with a high number of collared bears killed illegally during the past two years. For example, a 2024 poaching incident on Oaky Woods WMA saw the loss of a collared female bear and at least 2 of her 3 cubs. Thanks to the diligent work of dedicated Georgia DNR Law Enforcement professionals, this case was solved, but the loss of the producing female remained.

Research Efforts Underway

A current research project aims to develop updated estimates of the bear population size and provide an assessment of genetic diversity across the CGP. Approximately 140 hair snare corrals were built in 2023 and 2024 in Houston, Twiggs, Bleckley and Pulaski counties and monitored for 7 weeks throughout the summer. These snares helped provide bear hair samples that can provide the population genetic structure and allow researchers to estimate population parameters. This analysis is currently underway with a future population estimate pending.

From 2022-2024, trapping efforts allowed for the deployment of GPS tracking collars on bears in central Georgia. In the summer, bears were safely captured, sedated and released on site. While the bears were anesthetized, biological samples such as hair, tissue and blood were taken to help monitor the population. Bears were marked with ear tags and microchips, called PIT tags, to allow for identification in the future. Certain bears, primarily females, were fitted with a GPS collar that allows researchers to track their movements. These collars also provide an inside look into the life of bears and advance our knowledge regarding bear behavior, habitat preferences and denning ecology.

Genetic defects and physical malformations have been documented within the CGP in both past and present research, further indicating the negative effects of reproductive isolation and inbreeding. In 2012 and 2013, approximately 7.5% of male bears captured demonstrated some form of cryptorchidism (marked by the failure of one or both testicles to fully descend into the scrotum). Other abnormalities have included a bear missing an ear and another missing its tail. Such genetic anomalies are concerning to biologists and bear managers and may require management action to address.

Studying Denning Bears

The vast majority of Georgia bears enter a winter den from late November through early January and will typically remain in the den until late March to mid-April. While in the den, bears enter an advanced state of winter hibernation known as torpor where they have a reduction in heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature and do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate for months. During this time, bears can survive by burning through built up fat reserves which they gain in abundance through the near constant search for high fat natural foods (primarily oak acorns) in the fall, a process termed “hyperphagia.”

Den site selection depends on both habitat availability and individual preferences. Den types in north Georgia include hollow tree cavities, excavated ground dens, brush piles, ground nests and rock cavities. In central Georgia, ground nests and brush piles are the most common den types observed. Female bears give birth to cubs in the den and nurse and care for them until they are old enough to leave the den in the spring.

Den surveys are conducted annually on collared female bears using VHF radio telemetry and GPS data to locate individual den sites. Bears are typically immobilized in the den, allowing researchers and managers an opportunity to check on the sow, evaluate collar fit, and to collect valuable data such as reproductive status, litter size, cub sex ratios and cub survival. Cubs are weighed, marked with a PIT tag and genetic samples are collected.

Future Management For Future Bears

Because of the unique challenges facing the CGP, management can be challenging; however, through high-quality wildlife research, we are able to better inform our bear management actions.

It’s important to think long-term when it comes to the continued conservation of Georgia’s smallest bear population and to avoid further genetic isolation. Land conservation that protects habitat, education of hunters and residents to see this population as a benefit and not a problem, and less-risky corridor crossing opportunities for travel between existing bear populations are incredibly important for current and future efforts.

Blog Information Provided Through a Collaborative Effort of the following people: Ben Car (UGA Warnell), Adam Hammond (GA DNR), Gabrielle Martin (GA DNR), Melissa Cummings (GA DNR)

Find out more about bears in Georgia at GeorgiaWildlife.com/bear-info.