Black bears are roaming in SC more now. Here’s why, how to keep them from your backyard

It’s that time of the year again when black bears in South Carolina start to leave their dens and become increasingly spottable.

While black bears generally avoid humans and are non-aggressive, the SC Department of Natural Resources warns they can be dangerous if provoked.

“With warm weather arriving, black bears are becoming more active and only have one goal in mind - to eat,” the SCDNR said in an Instagram post. “Many South Carolinians in the Upstate and the Grand Strand areas live in known black bear habitat, and anywhere in the state could see a transient bear on the move.”

Here’s what you should know about black bears and how you can prepare:

Black bear characteristics

Black bears are the largest land mammals in South Carolina, according to the SCDNR. They are covered in long, thick fur that can vary in color. The most common color phase is black or dark brown with a light brown snout. They have good eyesight and an incredible sense of smell that can detect food miles away.

The average male black bear weighs between 150 and 350 pounds, and the average female weighs 100 and 250 pounds. Older bears have been documented weighing between 400 and 500 pounds.

Blacks bear’s life expectancy is 18 years in the wild.

Where do black bears live

They can be found throughout North America, and in SC, there are two resident populations of black bears. One population resides in the mountains of Greenville and Anderson counties. The other population lives in the northern coastal plain, with the highest concentration of bears near Horry and Georgetown Counties.

Black bears will travel great distances for food, so while they are mainly located in the previously mentioned areas, they can be found throughout SC.

Juvenile bears, especially the males, have to disperse to find new home territories and are sighted all over the state. They do not stay in one area for very long, however.

How to deter black bears from your backyard

While a black bear habitat might not be near you, there’s still a chance a curious and hungry bear might come across your backyard, especially if you live near a forest, mountain or swamp.

Bears can lose 20% to 50% of their body weight over the winter, so once they start to search for food, they’ll almost eat anything to regain their weight.

If you don’t want a furry beast to get into your property, follow these tips from BearWise, an educational program that teaches people how to coexist with bears:

• Don’t leave food, pet food or anything else with an odor on or under your porch or deck overnight
• Secure your garbage in a bear-resistant container, or store it in a sturdy building until the morning of pick-up
• Take down bird feeders
• Don’t leave any food in your car, roll up the car windows and lock the doors

Purposely feeding a black bear can make them dependent on humans, leading to destructive behavior and may lead to the bear’s demise.

What to do if you come in contact with a black bear

Black bears are not necessarily aggressive and will not go out of their way to harm you. But if you come within several feet of a black bear, it’s important to follow these tips from the National Park Service:

• Talk to the bear in low tones to let it know you are a human and not prey. A scream or sudden movement might trigger an attack
• Stand still and slowly wave your arms. This continues to let the bear know you are human
• Make yourself look as large as possible
• Do NOT give the bear food
• Do NOT climb a tree
• Do NOT run
• If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways. This is non-threatening to bears
• If the bear is moving, wait until it goes away
• If the bear goes towards you, stand your ground. The bear will likely move away at the last second