Bears in Panthertown

USFS Alert: Be Bear Aware

A hard-sided, bear-resistant canister is the best way to keep bears from accessing human food and scented items.

For safety tips, visit bearwise.org.
Visit the U.S. Forest Service's "Know Before You Go - Be Bear Aware" webpage.

Visitors should be aware that American black bears (Ursus americanus) live in Panthertown. This is their natural, wild habitat. These forests are their territory. This is their home. Please respect the wildlife. The bears thank you!

• Be bear aware when visiting Nantahala National Forest.
• We strongly advise you to follow U.S. Forest Service recommendations.
• Your safety is your responsibility.

ATTENTION BACKCOUNTRY CAMPERS:

• Bear-Resistant Containers Are Now Required
• Bear-Proof Food Storage Vaults Are Available
• USFS FOREST ORDER
• USFS Map of Closure Order Area
• USFS/IGBC Approved Containers 

In 2020 Friends of Panthertown staff and volunteers installed two large metal “bear boxes” in Panthertown, with two more planned for installation in 2024. These secure bear-proof storage vaults keep food and scented items away from the bears.

One vault is located near the popular Panthertown shelter on the valley floor, and the other is located near where Greenland Creek and Panthertown Creek meet to form the Tuckasegee River. As a result, human-bear interactions (sightings) have decreased significantly since 2020.

In addition to encouraging overnight backcountry campers to utilize the bear-proof storage vaults, the U.S. Forest Service now requires campers carry and use bear resistant containers as the best method to store food/scented items.

U.S. Forest Service strongly recommends all backcountry campers use bear resistant hard sided canisters and carry a readily available can of bear pepper spray (rated as bear spray by the U.S. EPA). Always follow manufacturer recommendations.

Visitors can help prevent bear interactions by practicing these safety tips:

• Never store food or scented items in your tent, including toothpaste, deodorant, beverages, or snacks.
• Securely store food and scented items in bear-proof canisters.
• Clean up food and garbage around fire rings and around your campsite.
• Do not leave food or coolers unattended.
• Never run away from a bear – back away slowly and make lots of noise.
• More safety tips here: U.S. FOREST SERVICE – BLACK BEAR SAFETY

To avoid bear attacks, experts recommend the following:

• If you notice a bear nearby, pack up your food and trash immediately and vacate the area as soon as possible.
• If a bear approaches, move away slowly; do not run.
• If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it.
• If you are attacked by a black bear, try to fight back using any object available. Act aggressively and intimidate the bear by yelling and waving your arms. Playing dead is not appropriate.

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Article: Outside Magazine
Bear Bags Are Ineffective

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Protect the bears. Don’t feed the bears.

When visiting a national forest in North Carolina, including Panthertown and Bonas Defeat, seeing a black bear can be a thrill. But, if the black bear rips through your tent for a granola bar, a bag of chips or a tube of toothpaste, a carefree camping trip can turn deadly.

Experts estimate the average weight of a black bear is around 300 pounds. Despite their size, black bears are very agile tree climbers. During times of danger or threat, bear cubs will take shelter in trees.

Bears by nature are opportunists. In the wild, they will feed on whatever is readily available. Food odors and improperly stored garbage will attract bears to campgrounds and picnic sites.

Bears become habituated to human food if they find it readily available. Although they are naturally afraid of humans, the animals lose this fear as they begin to associate human scents with the reward of food. Black bears can become a threat to humans, property and themselves—a pattern that normally ends with death. Protect yourself and protect the black bears by following these safety guidelines. Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear.

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Safety Checklist

The U.S. Forest Service has provided the following checklist:

• Avoid camping and hiking alone in the backcountry.
• Make noise to avoid surprising a bear.
• Never approach a bear or other wild animal.
• Do not hike in the dark.
• Carry EPA registered bear pepper spray.
• Keep a clean camp site by properly disposing of food scraps and garbage. For more information, visit Leave No Trace.
• Do not leave food or garbage inside fire rings, grills or around your site.
• Never leave food or coolers unattended, even in developed picnic areas.
• If bear-proof containers are not available, store food and garbage inside a hard-top vehicle or trailer.
• Never store food inside of a tent.
• Wipe tabletops clean before vacating a camp or picnic site.
• If a bear is observed nearby, pack up your food and trash immediately and vacate the area as soon as possible.
• If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it.
• If a bear approaches, move away slowly; do not run.
• Get into a vehicle or a secure building.
• Never run away from a bear—back away slowly and make lots of noise.
• If you are attacked by a black bear, try to fight back using any object available.
• Act aggressively and intimidate the bear by yelling and waving your arms. Playing dead is not appropriate.

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Never feed or approach a bear!

While black bears can be tolerant of people, they should always be treated as the wild animals they are, whether in a residential or backcountry area. Black bears are rarely aggressive towards people and typically go out of their way to avoid contact. However, as more campers and visitors arrive in Panthertown and bear numbers increase, interactions will be unavoidable. For bears, Panthertown is a safe place to live, roam, and look for food. This is their home. Humans are the guests here.

Black bears are extremely powerful animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable.

Black bears are very curious animals and this should not be confused with aggression. If a bear approaches you in the wild, it is likely only trying to assess your presence. Bears will often stand upright to obtain a better sense of smell. If you see a bear from a distance, alter your route of travel. When camping, keep all food stored properly and away from tents.

Never run from a bear!

Slowly back away while facing the bear at all times. Running from a bear will often trigger its natural instinct to chase. If approached by a bear – stand your ground, raise your arms to appear larger, and yell until it leaves the area. Shouting and making noise may help.  If a black bear attacks, fight back aggressively and do not play dead! If cornered or threatened, bears may slap the ground, “pop” their jaws, or “huff” as a warning. If you see those behaviors you are too close!

We recommend you review these Bear Smart tips on what to do if you encounter a black bear in Panthertown. If camping, we also recommend tips on securing food and garbage.

Link to International Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) website (same recommendations apply for American Black Bears)