BearWise helps people live responsibly with bears
BearWise® is the program you can trust for sound information and smart solutions that help homeowners, businesses and communities coexist with bears.
From the BearWise Article Bank
How to be BearWise
Will bears find a good winter den at your place?
The Bear Facts
Bear den locations may surprise you
BearWise in the News
“Bear Appetites Spiking to Prepare for Denning Season”
August 30, 2024 | North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission News
Raleigh, NC
“Bears in ‘eat mode’ to become more visible in North, South Carolina in coming months, officials say”
August 30, 2024 | Nowcast WYFF News 4 Today
Greenville, SC
“Bear appetites spiking, officials warn residents in western NC”
August 30, 2024 | Fox Carolina
Asheville, NC
“Protecting chickens, bees and more”
August 30, 2024 | The Valley Reporter
Mad River Valley, Vermont (serving Waitsfield, Warren, Fayston, Duxbury, Moretown, and Mad River Glen and Sugarbush)
“Four bears euthanized in Swannanoa after breaking into homes, causing extensive damage”
August 28, 2024 | Asheville Watchdog
Asheville, NC
“Here’s how you can learn more about coexisting with black bears”
August 26, 2024 | 105.9 The Mountain Rocks (WTMT)
Buncombe County, NC
Six At-Home BearWise Basics
Remove bird feeders when bears are active
Birdseed and grains have lots of calories, so they’re very attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears. Learn More
Clean and Store Grills, Smokers
Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out. Learn More
Do you spend time outdoors
…hiking, walking, cycling, jogging, camping?
Read how to Be BearWise Outdoors.
The Black Bear Comeback
Black bears once roamed over all of America’s forested lands. But after European settlement, their numbers and habitat dwindled. Thanks to new attitudes and enlightened conservation and management efforts, black bears are making a dramatic comeback over much of their historic home range. Now that bears are returning to areas they used to call home, it’s up to people and communities to learn how to peacefully coexist with these amazing animals.
BearWise shares ways to prevent conflicts, provides resources to resolve problems, and encourages community initiatives to keep bears wild.
BearWise® is a program of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. Read more About BearWise.
