Tourists warned to be on the lookout for bears (Asheville: house, dorm)

[SunnyKayak]

State and national park managers in western North Carolina are warning tourists to store food and dispose of garbage properly lest they attract hungry black bears. Some campsites and hiking trails have been closed because of increased bear activity.

read more Tourists warned to be on the lookout for bears

[EasilyAmused]

I saw one crossing the golf course last week. yikes. No trash around that I know of, but the berries are out.

[MovingOver2]

Thanks so much for posting this, Sunny! I had no idea. It was an interesting article too. :-)

[llovin]

There was on in the neighbors yard last week.

[tsmw47]

This is bear activity time in the mountains. They are looking for food before wintering over and this has not been a good acorn year so roaming alot. Some tips for anyone new to the area. They are not usually dangerous but respect them and keep your distance. Remember they were here first this is their home even if you live in a subdivision in Asheville. They seem to show up all over in town and out. Do not leave garbage cans outside, dog/cat food or your grill. Bears are powerful and can get into most cans and have a excellent sense of smell. Take your birdfeeders in at night and if there are bears showing up in your area take down completely. While we we on vacation recently person dog sitting forgot one night and next day bear scat on deck and teeth marks on railing. Dogs will usually have a fit if they smell bears. Ours can be asleep in the driveway and all of a sudden jump up and set up a howl. We have discovered they have a bear bark and it is total frenzy! Usually bears will detour if there are dogs but ours are in the house at night so didn't catch wiff on night visitor on deck.

[motordavid]

We have 2 mother bears here on the Mtn: one has 2 cubs and wanders around the homes surrounding Laurel Ridge CC, Waynesville.

The 'other mother' has 3 cubs, and I have seen her and the cubs twice now, on my early morning walk up the mtn. We are much more spread out here, above LRCC, and the community meadow has a dozen 200+ yr old oaks, but I agree that the acorn fall is much less this autumn.
Bears are ok...mother bears with cubs, are a whole different deal, imo.

I've been packing my Glock, and singing loudly/badly during my trudge, the past few weeks...

[tsmw47]

Mother bears can be unpredictable glad they are no Grizzlies around here. Luckily black bears are not usually aggressive We've had mothers with cubs nearby but no problems. Did get a start when a huge male showed up in the driveway. He was beautiful probably 350 lbs. but glad I was on the inside looking out. We back up to the Pisgah so they they make the rounds past our place. I like knowing I live in a place where there are still wild things. Of course when the turkeys tear up my yard I do get aggravated!

[saucystargazer]

Brother attends WCU. Said they had a cub sitting outside his dorm entrance a few weeks ago with the mother roaming in the field. Crazy stuff! You just gotta know you are in there territory and tread gently.

[tsmw47]

Agree, knowing this is their territory and respecting that fact is important.

[ShipOfFools42]

Indeed, this is their territory, and they rule it. We have a family of black bears that lives in the woods behind the meadow across the creek, and they are awesome to watch. This time of year is particularly high in bear activity because they tend to want to eat a lot before the cold weather comes. Be wise out there!