You’re driving through the winding backroads of DeKalb County or maybe navigating the thick, humid marshes of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, and the thought hits you: are there bears in Alabama? It sounds like a trick question. Most folks associate black bears with the smoky blue ridges of Tennessee or the deep woods of Arkansas. But Alabama?
Yeah, they're here. Honestly, they’ve always been here, though for a long time, seeing one was about as likely as finding a snowball in Mobile in July.
Things are changing. Fast. If you haven't seen the trail cam footage circulating on local Facebook groups lately, you might be surprised to learn that Alabama's bear population is actually in the middle of a quiet, fuzzy comeback. It’s not a "takeover," but it’s definitely a shift.
The Two-Front Comeback
Alabama doesn't just have one group of bears; it basically has two distinct "neighborhoods" where they hang out. Biologists at Auburn University and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) have been tracking this for years.
Down south, in Mobile and Washington counties, we have the "old-timers." These are Florida black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus). They’ve been hunkered down in the river basins for generations. They’re a bit of a mystery, genetically speaking, because they’re somewhat isolated. Researchers like Dr. Todd Steury have pointed out that this southern group has lower genetic diversity, which is a fancy way of saying they’ve been inbreeding a bit because they're stuck in a fragmented habitat.
Then you’ve got the newcomers up north.
Over the last decade, black bears have been migrating down from the mountains of North Georgia and Tennessee into Northeast Alabama. They’ve set up shop in places like Little River Canyon and Lookout Mountain. Unlike the southern bears, this northern group is thriving and expanding. They’re the Eastern black bear subspecies (Ursus americanus americanus), and they seem to love the rugged terrain of DeKalb and Cherokee counties.
By the Numbers: How Many Are We Talking?
Don't expect a Yellowstone-style grizzly encounter. Alabama's total bear population is still quite small—likely fewer than 500 bears in the entire state.
- Southwest Alabama: Estimated between 85 and 150 bears.
- Northeast Alabama: Estimated around 250 and growing.
It’s a "rare" species here. In fact, it's a species of Highest Conservation Concern. That means if you see one, you’re looking at something special.
Wait, Why Am I Seeing Them in Birmingham?
This is where it gets interesting. Every summer, like clockwork, sightings start popping up in places they "shouldn't" be—Jefferson County, Lee County, even near Montgomery.
It’s usually a "teenage" bear.
Basically, young males get kicked out by their moms when they hit about a year and a half or two years old. Mom is ready to breed again, and she doesn't want her lanky teenage son hanging around. These young boars wander—sometimes over 100 miles—looking for their own territory and a girlfriend. They’re confused, they’re hungry, and they occasionally end up in someone's backyard in Hoover sniffing a birdfeeder.
The "Trash" Problem and Coexistence
Look, bears are lazy. If they can get 2,000 calories from a bag of Purina Dog Chow on your porch instead of spending ten hours foraging for acorns and blackberries, they’re going to take the dog food every single time.
This is how "problem bears" are made.
Experts from BearWise (a program Alabama officially supports) emphasize that a fed bear is a dead bear. Once they lose their fear of humans because they associate us with a free lunch, they become bold. In Alabama, it is strictly illegal to hunt, harm, or even harass a black bear. They are fully protected.
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If you live in a "beary" area—specifically near Fort Payne, Gadsden, or north of Mobile—you’ve gotta be smart:
- Secure your trash. Use bear-resistant bins or keep cans inside a garage until the morning of pickup.
- Pull in the birdfeeders. At least during the spring and summer when bears are most active.
- Don't leave pet food outside. It’s a literal dinner bell.
What to Do If You See One
First, don't panic. There has never been a recorded black bear attack on a human in Alabama. Not one.
These aren't grizzlies. Black bears are generally shy and would much rather run away than deal with your shouting. If you run into one while hiking the Pinhoti Trail or exploring Little River Canyon, stay calm. Don't run—that triggers their chase instinct. Just stand tall, make yourself look big, and back away slowly while talking in a firm, loud voice.
Moving Forward: Your Action Plan
If you’re interested in being part of the conservation effort or just want to stay safe, here is what you actually need to do:
- Report Your Sighting: The ADCNR keeps a public "Black Bear Observation" portal. If you see one, or even just find a track (look for the five toes and a wide palm print), report it. This data helps biologists understand where the population is moving.
- Audit Your Yard: If you live in the northeast or southwest corners of the state, take ten minutes today to see if your outdoor space is a bear magnet. Is there grease on the grill? Is the cat food out?
- Educate the Neighbors: Most "bear problems" start because one person in the neighborhood is intentionally feeding them "because they're cute." They aren't pets. They're 250-pound wild animals that need to stay wild for their own safety.
Alabama is becoming "bear country" again. It's a sign of a healthy ecosystem, and frankly, it's pretty cool that we share the woods with these guys. We just have to be smart enough to keep our trash to ourselves.