Ultimate Georgia Bear Hunting Guide: Seasons, Zones, Record Bears & The Culinary Tradition

Georgia, the Peach State, is home to a thriving and resilient population of the American black bear (Ursus americanus). Far more than just a trophy, the black bear is a testament to the state's successful wildlife management, offering one of the Southeast's most challenging and rewarding hunting opportunities. This in-depth guide covers everything from Georgia's specific bear populations and hunting zones to historical context, safety protocols, and the surprising culinary appeal of bear meat.

1. The Bear of Georgia: Only One Species

Contrary to some beliefs, Georgia is only home to one official bear species: the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus). While a subspecies, the Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus), occasionally wanders into the southernmost regions of Georgia near the Okefenokee Swamp, all bears encountered and hunted in the state are managed as the single species, the American Black Bear.

Georgia's Three Bear Populations

The bear population is divided into three distinct regions, each with unique habitat characteristics and management strategies: • Northern Zone - The Appalachian Mountains, including mature mixed pine stands and hardwood forests. This is the state's largest and most robust population. • Central Zone - The Ocmulgee River drainage system, characterized by forested corridors and river swamps. This is the smallest population. • Southern Zone - The Okefenokee Swamp and surrounding counties, a vast area of swamps, pine forests, and wetland areas.

Record-Breaking Georgia Bears

Georgia’s black bears can grow to impressive sizes, particularly the adult males (boars). • State Record - 673 pounds - Rabun County (Northern Zone) - Shot by hunter Tim Watson with a crossbow in 2017. • Previous Record - 600 pounds - Clinch County (Southern Zone) - Taken by hunter Tyler Wood in 2011.

2. Black Bear Ecology: Habitat, Diet, and Reproduction

Understanding the animal's life cycle and habits is paramount to a successful and ethical hunt.

Bear Life Cycle & Behavior

• Habitat & Dens: Black bears prefer dense forests, mixed pine stands, and swampy areas. They create dens for winter sleep (torpor/dormancy) in various spots, including hollow logs, under brush piles, rock crevices, or simple ground nests. • Diet: Bears are highly omnivorous and opportunistic. Their primary diet consists of grass, roots, berries (such as acorns and black gum berries), and insects. They will also occasionally consume fish and small mammals. Proximity to human development often leads to bears seeking out "anthropogenic" food sources like garbage, bird feeders, and agricultural crops (e.g., corn and orchards). • Hibernation/Torpor: Georgia's black bears enter a state of deep sleep, or torpor, during the colder months, typically from late December to early spring. Unlike true hibernation, their body temperature remains relatively high, and they can be roused. They rely on their accumulated fat reserves during this time. • Reproduction: Bears are solitary, meeting only to mate in late spring and early summer. Females practice delayed implantation; the fertilized egg doesn't implant until the fall. The mother gives birth to a litter of one to three cubs in the den during the winter (typically January or February). The cubs are born blind and toothless and stay with the mother for about 16 months before becoming independent.

Bear Danger to Humans and Animals

Black bears are generally not aggressive toward humans and will typically flee when encountered. Most conflicts arise when bears become habituated to human food sources, losing their natural fear. • Danger to Humans: Black bear attacks on humans are extremely rare in Georgia. The state has an excellent record of low human-bear conflict, which is a testament to the DNR's management and public awareness efforts like the "BearWise" program. • Danger to Animals: Bears can pose a threat to livestock (especially poultry, swine, and young calves) and can destroy apiaries (beehives). These attacks are often driven by nutritional need, especially in times of natural food scarcity (spring and late summer).

3. Georgia Black Bear Hunting Regulations & Seasons (2025-2026)

Bear hunting in Georgia is strictly managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) across its three zones to ensure sustainable populations. Always consult the official Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations Guide for the most current and specific dates. Northern Zone Archery: Sept 13 – Oct 10, 2025; Primitive Weapons: Oct 11–17, 2025; Firearms: Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026. Hunting with dogs is allowed in limited areas (Chestatee and Chattahoochee WMAs) through a lottery. Central Zone Firearms: Typically one or two days in December (e.g., Dec 20, 2025). Hunting with dogs is PROHIBITED. Highly limited season. Southern Zone Firearms: Specific weekends (Thursday-Saturday) in Sept/Oct (Sept 18-20, Sept 25-27, Oct 2-4, Oct 9-11, 2025).Hunting with dogs is allowed in most areas, except still-hunting only in Lanier and Lowndes counties.

Statewide Regulations

• Bag Limit: 2 bears per season statewide; however, an individual may take no more than 1 bear from the Central or Southern Zones combined. • Mandatory Check-In: All harvested bears must be checked and tagged, often requiring the entire hide and skull to be presented at a Game Management facility. • Prohibited Harvest: It is unlawful to kill a female bear with cubs or a cub weighing less than 75 pounds live weight. • Baiting: Bear hunting over bait is PROHIBITED statewide.

4. The Cost of a Georgia Bear Hunt

The cost of a bear hunt varies widely depending on the chosen method, duration, and whether you opt for a guided experience. Since hunting bear over bait is illegal in Georgia, most guided hunts focus on still-hunting or hunting with hounds (where legal). • Unguided/Self-Guided - $150 - $700 (3-Day Hunt) - Primarily covers state hunting licenses, bear tags, and potentially a WMA/Public Land permit. Some private leases may offer a simple "self-guided" option for a land-use fee (e.g., one outfitter quotes a 3-day self-guided deer hunt at $630, which can be a comparable proxy). • Semi-Guided Day Hunt - $400 - $500 per day - A guide will typically point you to a stand/area, assist with scouting, and handle the tracking/retrieval (pack-out) after the kill. • Fully Guided Hunt - $1,500 - $3,000+ (3-5 Day Package) - A fully outfitted experience, often including food, lodging, transportation in the field, use of hounds (where applicable), skinning, and caping. Prices can be lower in the South for dog hunts and higher for prime Northern Zone spots. Note: The cost of a Georgia bear tag/license is separate and mandatory. Always contact a specific Georgia- based outfitter for accurate pricing.

5. Bear Meat: Taste and Top Recipes

Bear meat is a rich, dark red wild game with a flavor profile often compared to a robust cut of pork or beef. However, the taste is highly dependent on the bear's diet—a bear feeding on berries and acorns will taste significantly better than a bear that has been eating garbage. Crucial Safety Note: Bear meat can carry the parasite Trichinella spiralis, the cause of trichinosis. All bear meat MUST be cooked to an internal temperature of 170 degrees F to kill the parasite.

Unique Bear Meat Recipes Popular in the Southeast

Given the rich, pork-like nature of the meat, smoking, braising, and curries are popular methods to handle the high-fat content and deep flavor. Smoked Bear Roast (The Georgia BBQ Tradition): A favorite method is to treat the bear roast like a pork shoulder. Marinating it in a mix of Dr. Pepper, brown sugar, and soy sauce (or Dale's Marinade) before smoking it low and slow over Oak and Cherry wood to an internal temperature of 195 degrees F (for pulled meat) or 160 degrees F (for slicing). The low-and-slow cooking renders the fat and tenderizes the tough shoulder cuts. Bear Chili or Stew: Since some cuts (like the neck or lower legs) can be tough, they are excellent for slow- cooked dishes. Cubed bear meat is simmered with chiles, beans, tomatoes, and deep Southern spices for a hearty, flavorful chili. Candied Bear Backstrap: This recipe uses the tender loin or backstrap. It is often marinated for 24 hours in a cola/brown sugar/balsamic vinegar mix, then grilled quickly over direct heat while being glazed with a sweet and spicy reduction. Bear Grease/Lard: The high-quality fat, especially from acorn-fed bears, is prized. It is rendered down to produce pure, white lard that is historically and culturally important for making incredibly flaky pie crusts and pastries (like "Bear Claws") and used as a cooking oil.

6. Cultural & Historical Context of Bear Hunting in Georgia

Bear hunting is not new to Georgia; it is a deep-seated tradition intertwined with the state's natural history and conservation success. Near Extinction: Prior to the 18th century, black bears were common throughout Georgia. However, aggressive habitat loss from agricultural clearing, logging, and unregulated hunting following the Civil War decimated the population. By the 1930s-1950s, the statewide population had plummeted to an estimated 650 bears. Conservation Success: In 1979, the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) stepped in, initiating limited, regulated seasons and strict rules. The population has since rebounded significantly, now estimated at over 4,100 bears statewide. The limited hunting seasons are a vital tool for population management, not a threat to the species. The Hound Hunting Tradition: In the Southern Zone, particularly around the Okefenokee Swamp, hound hunting for bear is a deeply cherished, multi-generational lifestyle. Large groups of houndsmen gather annually for the brief season. This method is viewed as more than just a hunt—it’s a major cultural event that helps manage populations in inaccessible swamp terrain. The practice has recently been expanded to a limited, lottery-based opportunity in the Northern Zone's WMAs.

7. Essential Safety: Bear-Wise Hunting and Hiking

Whether you are carrying a rifle or a backpack, living and recreating in bear country requires "BearWise" diligence.

Hiking & Camping Safety

• Make Your Presence Known: Most bears will avoid people. While hiking, talk loudly, sing, or attach a small bell to your pack. Never sneak up on a bear. • Never Feed Bears (Intentionally or Accidentally): This is the number one cause of human-bear conflict. Secure ALL food, garbage, and scented items (including toiletries) in a bear-proof container or hang them at least 10-12 feet high and 6 feet away from the tree trunk. • If You See a Bear: Stand your ground, stay calm, and slowly wave your arms to make yourself look big. Back away slowly. Do not run or scream. Running can trigger a bear's chase instinct. • Bear Spray: Carry EPA-approved bear spray, keep it easily accessible, and know how to use it.

Hunting Safety

• Target Identification: Bears in Georgia can vary greatly in size and color (some are brown or cinnamon, not just black). Always confirm your target meets all legal requirements (not a female with cubs, not too small). • Check-In Compliance: Have a plan for immediately reporting and checking in your bear as required by DNR regulations (usually within 24 hours). • Cool the Meat: Bear meat spoils very quickly due to the thickness of the hide and fat layer. Field dress immediately and cool the carcass as rapidly as possible—skinning the bear and packing the cavity with ice is often necessary to prevent spoilage, especially during the warm September/October seasons. • Pack-Out Plan: A 400-pound bear is an immense amount of weight. Have a retrieval plan (sled, ATV access, or a crew of strong friends) ready before you pull the trigger.

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About The Author

Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Lunker Hunter. This website is an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the great outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way that they find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you to enjoy. We highlight products and services that you might find interesting. We frequently receive free products from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. If you click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you, and does not impact the purchase price of any products that you may purchase.