The U.S. Forest Service is seeking input on a proposal to require bear resistant food containers for all overnight campers on the Appalachian Trail located on the National Forests in North Carolina and in Panthertown on the Nantahala Ranger District.
Written comments should be submitted by September 19, 2018. Comments can be emailed to comments-southern-north-carolina-nantahala-nantahala@fs.fed.us or mailed to Johnny Wills, Nantahala RD Wildlife Biologist, Nantahala Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734. Contact Mr. Wills for more info: 828-524-6411 ext 452
National Forests in NC Propose Required Bear Canisters for Overnight Camping on Appalachian Trail and in Panthertown
Source: U.S. Forest Service News Release
Release Date: Aug 13, 2018
Contact(s): Johnny Wills, 828-524-6411 ext 452
August 10, 2018, Asheville, NC – Visitors to the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests have experienced an increasing number of encounters with black bears exhibiting bold behavior over food in the past few years.
Most encounters are at places where the public repeatedly camps in the general forest rather than at campgrounds that are equipped with bear-proof trash cans. Incidents include bears taking food and back packs, damaging tents, and staying near inhabited campsites for hours.
“Bears are very reluctant to give up an easy food source and they have not been discouraged by humans banging pots, blowing air horns, and yelling,” said Nantahala District Wildlife Biologist Johnny Wills. “Using bear-resistant food containers is the surest way to deny bears access to human food.”
The Forest Service has increased public awareness efforts by posting material at trail heads, on websites, and on social media in an effort to educate visitors on the importance of eliminating human behaviors that lead bears to see people as a source of food. However, potentially serious encounters by bears have continued to increase. Close interactions with bears must be reduced for the sake of the bears and for the safety of visitors.
The US Forest Service is seeking input on a proposal to require bear resistant food containers for all overnight campers on the Appalachian Trail located on the National Forests in North Carolina and in Panthertown on the Nantahala Ranger District. The Appalachian Trail passes through the Appalachian, Nantahala, Cheoah, and Tusquitee Ranger Districts.
Written comments should be submitted by September 19, 2018. Comments can be emailed to comments-southern-north-carolina-nantahala-nantahala@fs.fed.us or mailed to Johnny Wills, Nantahala RD Wildlife Biologist, Nantahala Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734.
Please, for bear’s sake, be mindful of your sanitation and hygiene in the back country. Bears locate food sources by smell as well as sight. You can protect yourself and protect bears by storing trash and food in safe locations during your visit. Keep scented items in bear-proof canisters, inside trailers, and in the trunk of a vehicle. Do not leave food or coolers unattended. Never store scented items in your tent, including toothpaste, deodorant, beverages, or snacks. Pick up all garbage around your site, including inside fire rings, grills, and tables and properly store with your food or dispose in a bear-proof trash receptacle.
If a bear is observed nearby, pack up food and trash immediately and vacate the area. If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts or making noise. If a bear approaches, do not run, but move away slowly and get into a vehicle or building. In the event of a bear attack, do not play dead. Try to fight back and act aggressively. Carrying EPA registered bear spray is another way to combat bear attacks.
Report bear encounters to your local ranger district office. For more information, see our website at www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc.
— End of News Release —
Related news articles:
Mandatory bear canisters proposed for A.T. and Panthertown campers
(August 22, 2018) Smoky Mountain News
U.S. Forest Service considering making bear-proof containers mandatory for campers
(August 15, 2018) WSPA-TV
Campers could be required to use bear canisters in Pisgah, Nantahala national forests
(August 13, 2018) WLOS-TV
Bear activity prompts warning in Panthertown
(April 4, 2018) Smoky Mountain News
USFS Panthertown Bear Alert: Overnight Campers Should Use Bear Resistant Canisters and Bear Pepper Spray (March 2018)
USFS: Bear-Proof Canisters Strongly Recommended in Panthertown (August 2017)
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I know I am late to comment on this. but I am wondering. If the original problems began with improperly stored food and campsites that are trashed. Would not bear boxes at shelter and campsites be a better option. The canister regulation seems to put the responsibility on people who have been creating the problem in the first place, by not following LNT and storing food properly. I have seen hikers use a bear box who would never hang their food. Also when people who are not experienced outdoorsmen or partiers enter a campsite, they also seem to gravitate to using the box. I say this as I know of different hiking groups who have offered to pay for bear boxes along the AT and were told by the forest service that it takes away from the wilderness experience. I hopes that before you start requiring every scout, hiker, weekender or thru to carry a canister that you would consider and try th eboxes.