PISGAH FOREST, N.C. (WLOS) — Increased reports of bear activity in Bent Creek and Black Balsam have prompted the U.S. Forest Service to warn visitors to take precautions.
The U.S. Forest Service says, during this time of the year, black bears are opportunistically looking for food that campers and trail users bring on their trips.
Officials said while black bear attacks on people are rare, such attacks have resulted in human fatalities.
To avoid bear attacks, experts recommend the following:
Visitors are encouraged to prevent bear interactions by practicing these additional safety tips:
The large number of bear sightings and encounters in the past few years has led to required use of bear-proof canisters in the Shining Rock and Graveyard Fields areas. Backcountry users must use commercially-made canisters constructed of solid, non-pliable material manufactured for the specific purpose of resisting entry by bears.