The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is reporting that a Wetumpka man, Michael Watkins – age 32, was arrested for illegally killing a black bear in Elmore County. While some states and Canadian provinces have legal black bear hunting, the black bear is a protected species in Alabama.
Although classified as a game animal in Alabama, there is no established black bear hunting season anywhere in the state, and all black bears are protected by state law due to their low population numbers.
Matt Weathers is the Chief of Enforcement with the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the ADCNR
“Hopefully, this arrest will send a message and deter future wildlife regulation violations related to Alabama’s black bear population,” said Weathers. “If you see a black bear, just leave it alone. We want them in Alabama.”
In Alabama, just shooting at a black bear is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a potential minimum fine of $2,000. Other penalties for attempting to take a black bear include the loss of hunting and fishing license privileges for three years and possible jail time.
Though historically bears roamed all of Alabama in numbers, today, there is only a very small population of resident black bears that have remained rooted in southwest Alabama, primarily in Mobile and Washington counties. In recent years, bears migrating from northwest Georgia have established a small but viable population in northeast Alabama. Bears found outside of these two small populations of nesting females are usually just wanderers roaming the countryside.
ADCNR is working with other state and federal agencies to collect data on the state’s black bear population and movements.
Black bears are secretive, shy animals that will avoid human interaction. Feed pets just enough food to consume in one meal and secure uneaten pet food, trash bins, and bird and other wildlife feeders to avoid attracting hungry young bears to your home.
Actual face-to-face encounters with black bears are very rare in Alabama. If you do encounter a bear, WFF offers these suggestions:
• Do not be frightened
• Do not approach the animal
• Do not run from the bear; back away slowly
• Stand tall and upright and make loud noises
• Avoid direct eye contact with the bear
• Make sure the bear has an unobstructed direction to escape
• Never purposely feed a bear
WFF is encouraging the public to report black bear sightings online.
Black bear sightings can also be reported to WFF district wildlife offices or by emailing Thomas Harms at thomas.harms@dcnr.alabama.gov.
There are between 850,000 and 900,000 black bears in North America, but their numbers are still very limited in Alabama. Adult black bears range in size from 4.3 to 6.2 feet in length and weigh 132–661 pounds. The largest males can grow up to 6.6 feet in length and weigh 902 pounds. Males can be up to 70 percent heavier than females.
If you have any information about anyone illegally killing a black bear in Alabama, call Operation Game Watch at 1-800-272-4263.
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