With deer season in full swing, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is reminding hunters to be prepared for encounters with black bears in the state’s woods.

The agency said bears generally avoid people, but hunters can take simple precautions to reduce the chance of conflict and stay safe if one appears nearby.

Officials advise hunters to stay calm and observe from a distance if they see a bear. If a bear comes too close, loud noises and large movements can help scare it away.

Hunters are also urged to recover harvested deer as quickly and as close to the kill site as possible, especially if bears have been seen in the area, because bears may learn to associate gunshots with easy food. If a bear appears to have found a downed deer, MDWFP recommends retrieving th

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