Bears in Black Mountian (Black Mountain, Swannanoa: renting, home, living)

[doghead]

Hi, I am thinking of renting a cabin for a week in Black Mountain. I will be bringing a small dog. I have no experience with bears and wondering if there is anything to worry about. I love animals but am not used to seeing bears in populated suburbs like where I live. Can anyone tell me if while walking my dog and I meet one, if they are aggressive? Thanks.

[Stede Bonnet]

https://www.romanticasheville.com/bear_safety.htm
https://www.carolinacountry.com/depa...th-black-bears
https://www.npr.org/2019/11/17/78023...s-in-asheville

[Watchman57]

IF ya meet a mama bear with cubs...PRAY❗

[VinceTheExplorer]

We've hiked all over BM and the neighboring town of Swannanoa and there is a healthy bear population there. Best practice is to always anticipate encountering a bear when heading out, and the 5 percent of the time that you actually do you'll be fine.

Bears here are typically non aggressive and know you're coming well before you know they're there. Make a little noise as you walk (jingling or simply talking) and you'll be fine, or carry a canister of bear spray if that makes you feel more comfortable (we carry something a little different).

Hiked a trail recently there and ran into two bears along the way, and our German Shepherd knew they were there well before we did. One was fairly aggressive and stood its ground, but we backed away and didn't have an issue. Headed home after the second one.

We love seeing bears and hope you will too. Give them the space that they deserve and use some common sense and you'll be fine.

[roadpony]

In addition to the good advice above, keep your dog on a leash.

[VinceTheExplorer]

Originally Posted by roadpony

In addition to the good advice above, keep your dog on a leash.

+1

Most definitely. We do out of respect for our fellow hikers, and in most places it's part of the rules.

Also, don't think a barking dog will scare off a bear. It may, but in many instances it may only agitate it more and make it more aggressive if it feels threatened, especially with cubs around. Small barking dogs if left unattended outside may not fare so well as the area has lots of opportunistic predators in addition to bears (coyotes, wolves, bobcats, foxes and such) so be diligent with caring for your pets.

Cougars (mountain lions) are said to be extinct in WNC although reports of their sightings happen from time to time. They were thought to be extinct in TN too but have been confirmed by state agencies to be migrating back to the area from the midwest so their presence in WNC may also be happening too. Most lifelong locals claim they've never left the area.

When we encountered the bear while hiking in Swannanoa recently our GSD let the bear know that we were there and the bear didn't back down one bit despite all of the barking. Cubs must have been nearby but we didn't see them.