Backyard cameras in Grovetown, Georgia, captured a black bear moving through residential areas, and local officials are reminding homeowners that food left outside can bring a bear back.
The newest call came just after midnight Thursday, when the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible bear in the woods on the 200 block of Flowing Wells Road, according to WRDW.
A deputy responded around 12:20 a.m. but did not find the animal. The sheriff’s office passed the report to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Black bears can pass through neighborhoods without causing damage, but bird seed, animal feed, trash, grills, and pet food can turn a passing visit into a return trip.
Security Video Showed a Bear Near Animal Feed
WRDW reported that News 12 obtained security footage from a Grovetown resident in the Annie Laurie Drive area. The video was recorded June 4, and the resident said the bear stayed nearby until about June 5.
The resident said the bear ate animal feed and managed to open one container. It also walked over to the chickens at the home, looked at them, and left, according to the report.
Another Camera Caught a Bear at a Bird Feeder
The new report followed a June 20 sighting by Grovetown resident Anthony Jowers, who said a black bear walked through his backyard around 3 a.m.
Jowers lives between Red Bud Drive and Sugar Creek Drive near Lewiston Road. He told WRDW his backyard cameras captured the bear approaching a salt lick before moving to a bird feeder, knocking it down, and eating bird seed.
Officials Say Outdoor Food Should Be Removed
The sheriff’s office has advised residents who see a bear to keep their distance and not interfere.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources says bears that repeatedly find food in garbage cans, bird feeders, and pet food bowls are less likely to leave and can become bolder around homes.
Georgia DNR advises residents to secure garbage and recycling, remove bird feeders when bears are active, keep pet food indoors, clean and store grills, and alert neighbors when bears have been seen nearby.
The same guidance applies in bear country across the U.S. Feed, seed, garbage, grill grease, and outdoor pet bowls should be removed before a bear learns that a yard, shed, porch, or coop area provides an easy meal.