Black bears are found in the Mountains and Coastal Plain of North Carolina. There are between 4,000 to 6,000 bears in western part of North Carolina, and between 9,000 to 11,000 bears in the eastern part of North Carolina. Bears, on average, are larger at the Coast than the Mountains.
What part of North Carolina has bears?
Bears are abundant in the Mountain and Coastal regions of North Carolina, and increasingly common in the Piedmont. Bears live in an area (home range) of 5,000 to 50,000 acres, depending on their gender and the quality of the habitat.
What part of North Carolina has the most black bears?
North Carolina’s Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula has the highest black bear densities in the world.
What type of bear are in NC mountains?
The black bear
The black bear is the only bear species found in North Carolina or anywhere in the eastern United States. The successful comeback of the American black bear in North Carolina represents one of wildlife management’s greatest achievements.
Was there grizzly bears in North Carolina?
Do grizzly bears live in North Carolina? No. North Carolina has black bears, which are 5-6 feet long and 2-3 feet tall when on all fours. Females usually weigh between 100 and 300 pounds; males can weigh between 200 and 500 pounds.
What county in NC has most bears?
Northeastern North Carolina, with Onslow County being included at the southern end, has one of the highest densities of black bears in the country, according to North Carolina Wildlife Commission District Biologist Chris Kent. “We have the largest black bears in the country as well,” said Kent.
Do you need bear spray in North Carolina?
It is recommended to carry bear pepper spray. If it comes close to you, in a worst case scenario, you’d have to use spray.” Remember these tips when visiting national forests and other woodlands in Western North Carolina: Never keep food or scented items (such as shampoo) in a tent.
Are bear attacks common in North Carolina?
Probably not. Black bears tend to be shy and non-aggressive toward humans. There has not been an unprovoked bear attack in North Carolina. However, if frequently fed, bears may become dependent on human foods, which may lead to increased interaction with people.
Are there mountain lions in NC?
Cougars were extirpated from North Carolina in the late 1800s, and since then, there has been no substantiated evidence of wild cougars living anywhere in the state.
Are there wolves in NC?
Currently, there is only one wild population of red wolves, the NC NEP in eastern North Carolina, which encompasses five counties of the Albemarle Peninsula (Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington counties).
What to do if you see a bear in the mountains?
If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting:
- Change your direction.
- If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground.
- If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it.
- Act aggressively to intimidate the bear.
- Act together as a group if you have companions.
How can you tell if there’s a bear in you?
Black Bear Sign
- Bear Tracks and Trails. Bears walk on the soles of their soft feet, so they often do not leave distinct tracks unless they walk through soft mud or snow.
- Scat / Droppings.
- Marking Trees and Poles.
- Straddle Trees and Bushes.
- Feeding Sign.
- Summer Beds.
- Winter Dens.
Does Asheville have bears?
Black bears are known to reside in and around the city, and sometimes they stumble into the heavily human-populated areas of downtown. “It’s not uncommon to see a bear in downtown Asheville,” said Ashley Hobbs, assistant black bear and furbearers biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Why are the black bears in North Carolina so big?
Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Biologist Mike Carraway says agricultural lands provide a reliable and plentiful source of food, allowing bears in eastern North Carolina to grow larger.
Is NC A bear country?
About 8,500 black bears live in North Carolina, and occupy more than 9 million acres, mainly in the mountains and along the coast. The human population is growing too, with about 7 million people calling North Carolina home. Each year, more people move into or visit black bear country.
What do you do if you see a bear in NC?
If you see a bear:
- Try to stay calm.
- Don’t run away.
- Back up and slowly walk away.
- Keep children nearby.
- Keep pets locked up.
- Don’t approach a bear.
- Never surround or corner a bear.
- If you happen to meet a bear at close range, back away slowly and make lots of noise.
Where are the biggest bears in NC?
Bear Facts
Coastal NC has the world’s largest black bears. The Albemarle/Pamlico Peninsula has the highest black bear densities in the world. There is an average of 4 bears per square mile here. The current world record black bear is from Eastern NC and weighed 880 lbs.
Where do the most bear attacks occur?
The US state that has the most bear attacks is Alaska. The number of fatal black bear attacks per year in the US comes to about one fatal attack a year. Since 1979, there have been 44 grizzly bear attacks at Yellowstone National Park.
Are bears overpopulated in NC?
Though historically they were found across the state, black bears had very low population numbers in the mid-1900s. The current estimate for the N.C. bear population is 15,000. Over the last 30 years the population has expanded at an estimated rate of 6 percent per year.
Is hiking in North Carolina safe?
North Carolina’s mountains, waterfalls and parks are playgrounds for hikers and campers. Be safe while enjoying these adventures. North Carolina is filled with natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Will pepper spray stop a grizzly bear?
Generic pepper spray does not work on bears,” Bartlebaugh says. “People who thought it does have, in the past, been seriously injured because it didn’t stop bears.” After decades of use, bear spray is touted by experts as the best choice for staying safe in bear country.