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Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger

Officials from the Department of Natural Resources urge homeowners and campers to keep their trash locked away. Once these attractions are gone, bears won’t continue to come around..

SENECA — The Upstate has many beautiful qualities. The lakes, mountains and wildlife are only a few. Heading up to the mountainous regions of the Palmetto State can make for a perfect weekend getaway or day drive during the fall.

But, for local hunters, the area is also full of potential animals to harvest. And whether you participate in hunting or are disgusted that it’s called a sport, the fact is, hunting happens.

During the final two weeks of October, a specific type of hunting occurs in a three-county area of the Upstate.

In the mountains of Greenville, Pickens and Oconee, which is called Game Zone 1, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) lifts a hunting ban on black bears.

However, Tom Swayngham of the Clemson DNR said beyond these two weeks there is absolutely no reason to hunt bears, and that anyone who does will be prosecuted.

“What people need to understand is that black bears are not usually dangerous,” he said. “We can live peacefully with bears if, mainly, we keep any food source from being outside, especially trash.”

But what is hard for the public to understand is that bear hunting isn’t done just for sport.

“First of all, these two weeks are open for population control,” Swayngham said. “We are seeing many more bears in a more widespread area than we ever have before. Secondly, which is harder for the public to accept, is that bears have a natural fear of humans. Instead of them getting comfortable with eating out of trash cans, hunting keeps that fear of humans instilled in them. When and if bears get comfortable around humans, it could turn dangerous.”

So far, there have been only two deaths related to wild bear attacks in the eastern United States, with no deaths or attacks reported in South Carolina.

Two of the biggest problems that the DNR deals with are residents actually feeding bears and hunters “baiting” them, putting out sweet or pungent foods to attract them to their hunting zone.

Two cases were reported in recent years of people feeding bears from their back porches. One of the bears attracted to the area had to be relocated 90 miles away, but was back within a week. If a bear will not stay away, it has to be destroyed, according to the DNR. Residents who think they are helping the bear by giving them a hearty meal, can indirectly lead to the bear’s death.

When it comes to “baiting,” Swayngham said the DNR will not put up with it.

“Hunting around bait will get someone charged immediately,” he said. “While it is hard for officials to get to every bait site reported, we will, whenever we can, stake out a bait site and charge the hunters. There is just no reason for it.”

Today marks the final day of bear hunting season in South Carolina, and the DNR has been very busy.

“With each kill, a hunter must report it to us,” Swayngham said. “We go out, weigh it and document it. If the bear is under 100 pounds, if it was a female who had cubs, was hunted near bait or was hunted with dogs during the third week, we will prosecute them.”

And the penalties for breaking these rules, during or outside of hunting season, will result in thousands of dollars in fines and up to two years in prison.”

While other community members argue that illegal bear hunting continues, Swayngham urges the public to report any illegal activity, including baiting and bear hunting in general outside of the last two weeks in October.

jsibley@dailyjm.com | (864) 882-2375