From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Several Trussville and Clay residents reported seeing a black bear in the area of Deerfoot Parkway.
Sightings were reported in the area of Goodner Mountain Road in Clay and in the areas of Trussville Clay Road and Deerfoot Parkway, in Trussville.
Although the sightings are unusual, there have been previous reports of sightings in the past.
Skip Pennington, in Trussville, captured a video and posted it on Facebook on Monday, Nov. 30.
Outdoor Alabama offers the following tips to help avoid black bear/human conflicts:
- Place trash outside on pick-up days, and don’t leave it out overnight
- Remove deer and bird feeders at the first sighting of bear activity.
- Feed pets inside; if pets are fed outside, only feed the amount that will be consumed by your pet in a short time.
- Store grills and smokers inside when not in use to avoid damage to your cooking equipment.
If you do encounter a bear at close range:
- Do not run from the bear but back away slowly.
- Stand tall and upright.
- Avoid direct eye contact.
- Make sure the bear has a free direction to escape.
- Never purposely feed a bear.
