#CarrollCountyGA Game Warden Ryan Shorter encourages area residents to keep an eye on small animals kept outside and store trash bins properly after multiple bear sightings in the #TempleGA area this week.

The latest reported sighting was Wednesday morning near Temple Elementary School. One of the first reported sightings was near Lake Buckhorn on Monday.

Shorter believes the reports were about the same bear “because they were seen in such close proximity.”

Bears naturally come out of their state of hibernation when the weather turns warmer.

They are omnivorous opportunists with a good sense of smell, and can sniff out calorie-rich foods that often are found in developed areas, such as bird seed, pet food, garbage and even agricultural crops.

Residents are encouraged to keep compost piles and bins away from the house and don’t add fish, meat, fat, oils, un-rinsed eggshells or any cooked food to compost. Keep chickens in a secure building at night. 

Bleach or ammonia- based cleaners are good for trash cans and other areas to deter bears from where strong scents could attract them.