Black bears represent a significant wildlife presence across North Carolina, inhabiting diverse landscapes from the mountainous west to the expansive coastal plains. Their populations have seen a notable increase over recent decades. Understanding their numbers, how they are managed, and how people can safely interact with them is increasingly relevant as human and bear habitats continue to overlap.
North Carolina’s Black Bear Population
North Carolina’s black bear population is currently estimated to be over 20,000 individuals statewide. This represents a substantial recovery from historical lows in the mid-20th century, when numbers were around 2,000 in the 1970s. The population has expanded significantly, with black bear sightings now reported in all 100 counties.
The growth trend has been consistent, with an estimated annual increase of 5-6% over the past three decades. This expansion has allowed bears to reclaim much of their historic range, moving into regions like the Piedmont. The highest concentrations are found in the Mountain and Coastal regions, particularly on the Albemarle Peninsula. This area alone is home to approximately 8,000 bears, accounting for nearly half of the state’s total population. The increase is largely attributed to science-based management practices, the establishment of bear sanctuaries, and the bears’ ability to adapt to varied environments.
Monitoring Bear Populations
Wildlife agencies in North Carolina employ various methods to monitor black bear populations. These efforts provide crucial data for understanding population trends and making informed management decisions. Information is gathered from harvest data, records of non-harvest mortality, scent station surveys, reports of nuisance activities, and general bear observations.
More specific techniques include collecting premolar teeth from harvested bears to determine their age, which helps in assessing population age structures and reproductive parameters. Researchers also utilize genetic databases, which involve DNA profiling, to identify individual bears and analyze population clustering. These comprehensive monitoring activities allow the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to track population changes and implement science-based conservation strategies.
Coexisting with Black Bears
As black bear populations grow and human development expands, interactions between people and bears are becoming more frequent. To minimize potential conflicts, residents and visitors should adopt practices that prevent bears from becoming habituated to human food sources. Never intentionally or unintentionally feed bears, as this can lead them to associate people with food and lose their natural wariness.
Practical steps include securing all garbage inside buildings or using bear-proof containers, placing trash out only on the morning of collection day. Bird feeders should be removed during spring and summer, as spilled seed attracts bears. Pet food should never be left outdoors, and outdoor grills must be thoroughly cleaned after each use to eliminate food odors. If a bear is encountered, remaining calm, making your presence known by speaking assertively and waving your arms, and slowly backing away. Avoid running, approaching, or cornering a bear.