Panthertown-Bonas Defeat Bear Sanctuary

The Panthertown backcountry recreation area has been designated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission as part of the Panthertown-Bonas Defeat Bear Sanctuary.

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

Bear hunting is currently prohibited year-round anywhere within the bear sanctuary.

RELATED NEWS ARTICLES:

View video of a stakeholder meeting held April 5 in Murphy where a roomful of hunters in attendance discuss the issue with Sen. Kevin Corbin, Rep. Karl Gillespie and Wildlife Commission staff. Gillespie asked for a show of hands from those in support of the rule — and not a single hand went up.

• Panthertown bear hunting legislation stalled in committee
  (8/2/22 Crossroads Chronicle)

• Bear canister rule aims to reduce bear conflicts in Panthertown
  (6/9/22 The Biltmore Beacon)

• Bear canister rule aims to reduce bear conflicts in Panthertown
  (6/6/22 The Mountaineer)

• Wildlife in the legislature: Bill seeks to halt expanded bear sanctuary hunting
  (6/1/22 Smoky Mountain News)

• Bear canisters required in Panthertown Valley
  (6/1/22 The Sylva Herald)

• Bill seeks to prevent new bear sanctuary hunts
  (5/25/22 Smoky Mountain News)
  
  
• Panthertown Valley campers now required to use bear-resistant canisters or face fine
  (5/24/22 Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Bear hunting rule change at Panthertown Valley faces new hurdle
  (5/11/22 Crossroads Chronicle)
  
  
• Bear sanctuary hunting rule now up to legislators (part 2)
  (5/4/22 Smoky Mountain News)
  
  
• Bear sanctuary hunting rule now up to legislators (part 1)
  (4/28/22 Smoky Mountain News)
  
  
• Controversial rule change allows bear hunting in 3 former sanctuaries
  (4/20/22 Mountain Xpress)
  
  
• Bear hunting on sanctuary stirs backlash far and wide
  (4/20/22 The Sylva Herald)
  
  
• Bear hunting to proceed in Panthertown
  (3/9/22 The Sylva Herald)
  
  
• Bear hunting measure moves forward at Panthertown sanctuary
  (3/9/22 Crossroads Chronicle)
  
  
• Outcry as North Carolina allows bear hunting in sanctuaries
  (3/5/22 The Guardian)
  
  
• Bear hunting approved for sanctuary areas
  (3/2/22 Smoky Mountain News)
  
  
• Bear sanctuaries no more: NC Wildlife OKs hunting, critics plan to appeal decision
  (3/1/22 Asheville Citizen-Times)
  
  
• Opinion: Bears are counting on us to protect sanctuaries
  (2/14/22 Mountain Xpress)
  
  
• Opponents claw into bear hunting proposal at Panthertown Valley
  (2/10/22 The Highlander)
  
  
• Balance of bear country: Wildlife Commission takes input on future of WNC bear sanctuaries
  (1/26/22 Smoky Mountains News)
  
  
• Residents criticize NC Wildlife bear sanctuary proposal, say it’s a human problem.
  (1/26/22 Asheville Citizen-Times)
  
  
• Opinion: Renowned bear researcher say ‘sanctuary’ bear hunting a bad idea
  (1/23/22 Asheville Citizen-Times)
  
  
• Proposed hunting season changes impact Panthertown Bonas-Defeat bear sanctuary 
  (1/13/22 The Highlander)
  
  
• Hunting in bear sanctuaries on the table
  (1/12/22 The Sylva Herald)
  
  
• A shift for sanctuaries: Wildlife Commission considers opening new areas to bear hunting 
  (1/12/22 Smoky Mountain News)
  
  
• Friends of Panthertown Objects To NCWRC Proposed Rule Changes; Does Not Support Bear Hunting In Panthertown
  (1/7/2022 Friends of Panthertown)
  
  
• NC Wildlife Commission proposes opening 3 WNC bear sanctuaries to hunting
  (1/5/22 Asheville-Citizen Times)

You may also wish to contact your legislative representatives.

At their February business meeting, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission voted unanimously to allow bear hunting by permit in Panthertown, Pisgah, and Standing Indian Bear Sanctuaries. The Commission also voted to amend the name of these areas from Designated Bear Sanctuaries to Designated Bear Management Areas. 

Unless delayed by legislative review, as of August 1, 2022 the Panthertown-Bonas Defeat Bear Sanctuary would no longer be designated as a bear sanctuary, or provide a safe haven for black bears. The rule has since been sent back to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission by the Rules Review Committee, and NCWRC had pulled the rule back and resubmitted.

Friends of Panthertown does not support bear hunting in Panthertown or the NCWRC rule changes (15A NCAC 10D .0106 BEAR SANCTUARIES) to allow bear hunting by permit here.

We do not believe allowing bear hunts in Panthertown will solve bear/human interaction concerns, or is an appropriate solution. View our objections.

To help prevent human/bear interactions, Friends of Panthertown installed two bear-proof food storage vaults in Panthertown Valley during the summer of 2020, and the U.S. Forest Service now requires bear-proof containers for overnight camping food storage. Plans are underway to install three additional vaults Panthertown Valley this year.

NCWRC reported they “received significant public comment” about the proposed rule change. 2,744 people sent comments to NCWRC. 86% were opposed. Hundreds of objections were also sent to the Rules Review Committee.

UPDATE (AS OF MAY 13): Rules Review Committee Meeting Agenda May 2022

F. Wildlife Resources Commission – 15A NCAC 10D .0106 (Duke)

1. Final Rules for RRC Review
2. Communication with agency Updated 5/13/2022
3. Letter of Objection to Rule 15A NCAC 10D .0106 from April meeting
4. Original Submission of Rules for RRC review *No changes
5. Public Comments Updated 5/16/2022
6. Letters Requesting Legislative Review Updated 5/16/2022
7. Media Inquiry

UPDATE (AS OF MAY 27): 

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2021/H1072