Bear Scent Line Activity in South Carolina

(1993 - 2007)

Hard Mast Production in the Mountains of SC 1993-2005

SCDNR personnel along with cooperating partners annually conduct scent line surveys in the mountains. Cooperating partners include: SC Parks Recreation and Tourism, Upper SC Bearhunters and Houndsmen Association, Duke Power Company, US Forest Service and Oconee County Bearhunters . These surveys are also conducted in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. The scent line survey consist of transects in the mountains and foothills of Oconee, Pickens and Greenville Counties. Bait station transects consist of 10 stations placed at .5 mile intervals. At each station partially opened cans of sardines are suspended 7 to 9 feet above ground level in a tree 5 to 10 inches in diameter. The bait is left out for 5 nights and inspected for visitation. Bear visitation is determined by the presence of bear sign: claw marks on trees, tracks, bent or broken trees and/or tooth punctures in sardine cans. The number of visits per each line is recorded and compiled. The survey is conducted between July 15 and August 10 of each year.

Black Bear Scent Line Survey 1993-2005

Back to SC DNR Black Bear