Black Bear P.C. Mike Carraway
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — N.C. Wildlife officials are offering safety tips after reporting a spike in black bear sightings this spring.
Colleen Olfenbuttel, the Wildlife Commission’s black bear and furbearer biologist, offers advice on how to co-exist with black bears by pointing to BearWise, a national educational program that was developed by bear biologists.
The six BearWise Basics are:
- Never feed or approach a bear. Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes like food teaches bears to approach homes and people to look for more. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don’t risk your safety and theirs.
- Secure food, garbage and recycling. Food and food odors attract bears, so don’t reward them with easily available food or garbage. Store bags of trash inside cans in a garage, shed or other secure area; or use garbage cans or trash containers with a secure latching system or that are bear resistant. Place trash outside as late as possible on the morning of trash pick-up — not the night before.
- Remove bird feeders when bears are active. Birdseed, other grains and hummingbird feeders have high calorie content making them very attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears.
- Never leave pet food outdoors. Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove food and bowls after feeding. Store pet food where bears can’t see or smell it.
- Clean and store grills. Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed, including drip trays. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area, like a garage or shed.
- Alert neighbors to bear activity. If you see bears in the area or evidence of bear activity, tell your neighbors and share information about how to avoid bear conflicts. Bears have adapted to living near people; now it’s up to us to adapt to living near bears.
Wildlife officials say the spike in black bear sightings is no coincidence since North Carolina’s bear population has grown over the past 50 years as the residential footprint has grown.
Officials say people are moving closer into bear habitat and creating more opportunities for bears to approach their property, specifically by leaving out food.
Olfenbuttel says “Most bears that wander into a residential area will quickly retreat to their natural habitat, particularly if no food source is around. By following the six BearWise Basics the public can prevent potential conflicts and live responsibly with bears.”
Officials say bear populations in the state are concentrated in the mountains and coastal plain, but the population is expanding into the Piedmont and sightings are increasingly common, usually in May, June, and July.
In spring, officials say young bears, called yearlings, are looking for a new home after being pushed away by the adult female as she begins breeding again.
“While these young bears, typically males, may appear to be wandering aimlessly around, they are not necessarily lost,” Olfenbuttel says. “Most are simply exploring their new surroundings and will move on, particularly if they are left alone and there is no food around.”
In almost all cases, the Wildlife Commission advises that the best option is a hands-off approach, allowing the bear to leave on its own.
For more information visit BearWise.org.
