From South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources

With spring and warm weather arriving, black bears are becoming more active and looking for easy meals.

Many South Carolinians live in close proximity to black bears and anywhere in the state could see a rambling bear on the move. We would like to remind you to take down bird feeders, secure trash, and remove other accessible food sources if black bears are in your area.

The mere presence of a black bear does not equal a problem. Most bears are just passing through, but if there is an easy meal available, they will take advantage of it. The key to dealing with wandering bears is not giving them a reason to hang around. Removing any food source that would attract bears will significantly reduce any bear issues in residential areas. Bears that have access to human-provided foods often become dependent upon people, leading to destructive behavior and may lead to the bear’s demise.

To better coexist with bears, practice these BearWise Basics!