Black Bear Sightings on the Rise in the Upstate

While the Lowcountry considers the introduction of a limited Black Bear hunting season due to an increase in population, the Upstate has seen a significant increase in bear sightings.

The Black Bear is not uncommon in Upstate counties, but this year there has been a significant increase in bear sightings in more populated areas, according to S.C. Department of Natural Resources Clemson Branch Wildlife Biologist Tammy Wactor.

"Our numbers [of complaints] have increased this past year and there's been a noticeable increase in the past several years in nuisance complaints," Wactor said.

Wactor said the increase in complaints doesn't necessarily indicate a population increase but rather a lack of natural food sources in the mountains, where the bears are typically found.

"If the acorn crop is bad in the elevated areas, then they'll move down into the more populated areas," Wactor said.

Easley resident Bob Kouvolo recently had a visit from a Black Bear in his back yard.

"He dragged our garbage can down into the woods and then he came back for our bird feeder," Kouvolo said.

Wactor said the most frequent calls the DNR receives are reports from residents who have fruit trees or beehives on their property, a more natural diet for Black Bears.

"If they start hitting trash cans that's when they become a nuisance," Wactor said. Bird feeders and pet food stored outside the home are also common targets for a hungry bear.

Kouvolo waited until after his wife Gloria snapped a photo of their visitor before making some loud noises to scare the bear away, and then he called the DNR.

"He told us to take the bird feeder down and put the garbage can inside where they can't get to them," Kouvolo said.

Once a bear finds a food source it will keep coming back until they can't find the food, Wactor said.

According to the DNR website, most bear problems occur during the spring and summer months. Breeding season for Black Bears occurs from June through August and male bears tend to roam in search of mates. The bears typically roam an area for about two weeks unless they find a steady source of nourishment.

"It's not unusual to see them in this area, but if they keep coming back then we need to take a look around to see what the food source is," Wactor said.

Bears are typically not a threat to humans and the only injuries related to bear/human interactions occur when people attempt to feed the bears or the bears are used to feeding on human food sources, according to the DNR website.

In May, a bear sighting in Greenville County caused the lockdown of three county schools, according to a WYFF story.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources is  seeking public input regarding a proposed limited hunting season in the Lowcountry areas to manage the growing population. They will host a public meeting at the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Georgetown at 7 p.m. Aug. 31.

The Black Bear hunting season in the Upstate is Oct. 17-30. The first week is a Still Hunt and the second week is a Dog Hunt. Hunters must register for the season by Sept. 1.