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I recently moved to the Asheville area (Candler) and I have to say that I'm a bit unsettled by the presence of black bears. I've been trail running for 25 years now, have been on long rugged runs in the middle of nowhere, in day, night, storms, etc. Never a problem. I've come across snakes, mountain lions, packs of coyotes, etc. with no issues or worries. But now, in Candler, in my first couple of weeks here, I've come across black bears on 2 trail runs (both just above the Biltmore Lake area). With the first sighting, the lone bear sprinted away when we made eye contact from about 50 feet away. The second sighting involved a bear with her 2 cubs in the tree beside her...again about 50 feet off of the trial. She stood her ground and I just kept running on. My questions are: when you go hiking or running alone in the woods, do you ever worry about black bears? What's their typical response? Should I be concerned about running alone for a few hours in the middle of the woods? DO you just keep going or what when you stop one? Etc, etc. Thanks, Unsettled
No, just make noise so they can hear you. Black bears don't attack unless sick or provoked first, they aren't like grizzles. Usually just back away slowly and then change your path, especially if there are cubs involved. Single bears tend to run off before they ever see you. If you've been in area's with mnt lions, black bears should be nothing and I'm surprised you are bothered by them. Black bears want to be left alone where as mnt lions will stalk you. Early summer is the most active time for them too. Give it another month and you probably wont see any more until next summer.
The bears in Highlands are the worst they've ever been. Anyone think the flood in Eastern TN pushed more this way? Lack of Management? Bad Berry Crop?
Something has changed.
The above may be part of the problem. Also, bear populations have been expanding all over the East for the last several years. One was hit on the Baltimore Beltway a few years ago and either last year or the year before one was found on the Eastern Shore (where the last sighting of one was a couple hundred years ago). It was trapped and relocated.
I am a bit portly, and I am always asked to go on trail runs with my friends. It is nice to be so popular.......I guess.
lln
LOL.
I think it's time to allow more permits for Black Bear. JMHO. I know it's not a popular opinion for the once conservative NC, but sometimes populations do get out of control.
Just remember, when a Black Bear Attacks, it's going to eat you. Fight back. Playing dead only works for brown bears.
Black bears are common around Asheville and surrounding communities. Wear a bell on your belt or around your neck or wrist or ankle, bears need to know you're coming. They even sell "bear bells" at hiking stores. If the bears hear you, they'll usually hide or move far enough away.
But if I were you, consider the areas you have been running thru are popular with the bears, and find another spot that goes another way, but that's hopefully still convenient for you. Black bears are regularly seen in Asheville, in people's back yards (usually checking out bird feeders), one walked right thru downtown near the police station last year, then he moseyed on off up towards Town Mountain unmolested, and there's a bunch that like it near Beaver Lake on the north side of town, they walk right out into the roadway and thus get their picture in the paper fairly often.
If you are running you can end up between a momma bear and her cubs before you see any of them. Heck, you can do that just walking and not paying attention.
Do not run from a bear, you can't out run them, but maintain eye contact and back away.
Of course there is the old rule, you don't have to out run the bear, just the guy you are with.
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