This Is When Black Bears Are Active in North Carolina

It is getting to be that time of year when hiking boots are laced up and the great outdoors are explored. With more people heading out on the trails, it’s important to consider more than just having enough water and remembering to reapply sunscreen. Preventing interactions with bears should also be a priority.

Each state with a black bear population recognizes that there are times when the bears are more active than others. In North Carolina, the most likely time to spot a black bear in the state occurs after hibernation season, when warmer temperatures become a constant and winter bids adieu.

There Is Not Always A Rhyme Or Reason for Black Bear Attacks

There are times when bears are provoked, and it is very clear why an attack on a person happens. Other times, there is no reason for an attack, which appears random. For example, on May 5, a man was mauled to death outside his camper in Florida. The camper was found in disarray, but there were no signs of a struggle between the man and the bear inside. It was not until authorities looked outside the camper that they found the body of Robert Markel, 89, covered in leaves and debris. He did not survive the attack. This was the first recorded incident in Florida where a black bear attack resulted in a person’s death.

Even more tragically, a few hours later, Markel’s dog was seen near the camper being attacked by a bear. Some eyewitnesses reported that two bears were involved in the attack. The dog did not survive. Three bears were captured near the area of the attack and sent for DNA testing. Florida Fish and Wildlife officials have since confirmed that a 263-pound male black bear was responsible for the fatal attack on Markel. With attacks like this occurring in Florida, where black bears have never been known to kill a person, does that mean attacks are going up in other parts of the country as well? In some places, yes. However, in North Carolina, black bear attacks are still relatively rare.

Black Bear Attacks In North Carolina Are Rare

Generally, bears of any type do not actively go after people without reason. A mauling typically occurs when the bear feels threatened, its cubs are threatened, or there is food the bear wants to eat. This does not mean there are not times when bears stalk hikers. It has happened. But, for those who enjoy the outdoors in North Carolina, do not fret. Black bear attacks are rare in the state. In general, the black bears that are occasionally seen are young males who are simply passing through to their eastern or western ranges.

Shy bears tend to avoid humans. According to Bill Stiver, a wildlife biologist at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, when an interaction happens, it is because something has caused the bear to go on the offensive.

“Usually, if a black bear attacks you,” according to Stiver, “it’s an offensive attack.”

There are certain times in North Carolina when the likelihood of encountering a black bear is higher.

According to Jenna Malzahn of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, this occurs after the black bears end their hibernation and are in search of food.

“Across North Carolina, black bears are becoming more active after emerging from their winter dens hungry and will immediately start searching for food,” Malzahn explains to A-Z Animals. “With natural foods being more limited in the early spring, any accessible source of food, from garbage to bird feeders left unsecured, is an easy meal for a bear.”

Knowing when these times are can mean the difference between an enjoyable day outdoors and a potentially dangerous situation.

Black Bears in North Carolina Are Most Active in the Summer

It is not common to see black bears in North Carolina. Given that there are 20,000 bears in the state, this may seem odd. But in reality, the bears do their best to remain hidden from people. During the spring and summer, black bears tend to be more active than in other months. This is due to the bears waking from hibernation and the mating season. Consequently, black bears are often seen by people who are hiking, camping, or even in residential neighborhoods, as the bears search for food or mates. However, with the black bears’ natural habitat being “fragmented,” according to Greg Batts, a biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, sightings are becoming more frequent.

“The optimal habitats for these animals that are north and east of Raleigh are sort of beginning to be all occupied,” Batts explained. “So that’s why you get these animals that are kind of looking around in a sort of what we call a fragmented habitat.”

In the future, it is likely that black bears will be seen in increasing numbers due to habitat loss and climate change, which is decreasing their hibernation time as temperatures remain warmer for longer periods.

Black Bears in North Carolina Hibernate From Winter To Spring

The time that black bears hibernate depends on their climate and the type of black bear they are. The farther north the bears live, the longer their hibernation period. Conversely, those who live in warmer climates may only hibernate for a few months. In the case of black bears in North Carolina, it is not unheard of for them to begin hibernating in November and not emerge until April. However, depending on the winter climate, this timeline can vary.

This is why it is not unheard of to see black bears at different times during the winter and spring each year. There is no set time that the bears begin hibernation or wake up annually. According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, it is anticipated that increased temperatures resulting from climate change will decrease the number of days bears hibernate by 15 to 39 days by 2050. Whether this will be on the front end or back end of hibernation is not clear. However, encounters with black bears that were once rare may become more frequent, making it essential for people to know how to protect themselves.

How to Protect Yourself During a Black Bear Encounter

As the black bear population continues to grow in North Carolina, encounters with people have been increasing over the years. When enjoying the great outdoors, it does not matter if you are hiking through the forest, having a relaxing day at the coast, exploring a swamp, or camping; there is always the possibility of running into a black bear.

More often than not, black bears will run away from people. However, it is important to know what to do if you encounter a black bear. The best way to stay safe from a black bear includes:

• Speak calmly to the bear so they are aware they are looking at a person rather than prey
• Slowly wave your arms while standing your ground, as sudden movements can cause a bear to attack
• Pick up any children that are nearby so that the bears do not see them as prey
• Stay in groups when hiking to keep bears at a distance
• Never feed bears
• Do not take off a pack or backpack, as it could provide protection if the bear attacks
• Move sideways away from the bear, as bears do not find this movement intimidating
• Never run away from a bear, as they are prone to give chase
• Do not climb a tree. Black bears are expert tree climbers and can follow people up a tree, trapping them there
• Always give the bear an escape route
• If it is impossible to leave the area, wait to move until the bear leaves
• Never approach a female bear with her cubs, as this is when she is most prone to attack
• Carry bear spray if allowed

By following these precautionary steps, the likelihood of a bear attack decreases dramatically. While black bear attacks have occurred in North Carolina, they are the exception, not the norm. Therefore, as long as black bears are given their space, both they and outdoor enthusiasts can safely enjoy the outdoors.