Photo Credit: Hannah Leeper in Mentone, Alabama
Springtime in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama means it is time for residents to be “bear aware.”  Black bears are native to the area and have seen an increase in population and activity in recent years.  Hannah Leeper is a research associate at Auburn University and is an expert on bears in the area.

Leeper says that once a black bear has found a food source, it will keep coming back so it is best to be proactive if you notice bear activity around your home or property.  She offers the following tips:
-bring bird feeders inside at night
-if you feed pets outside, only give enough food for them to eat in one sitting
-clean barbeque grills after using them, and store them in a secure shed it possible
-don’t leave garbage out; wait until the morning of pick-up to bring your trash to the curb
Leeper says, “Bears are generally shy and don’t want to encounter a human, but it’s always best to make some noise when you’re hiking or letting your dog outside, just to be sure you’re not startling a nearby bear. If you do happen to run into a bear, enjoy the sighting! No need to panic, just start talking and waiving your hands, then calmly back away, making sure the bear has an escape route from you. I will be continuing to research bears in the area, so if you’re having regular bear activity or want to learn more about being Bear Aware, learning to live with bears, or current research, let me know: hzl0122@auburn.edu .”