BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) approved an emergency rule to prevent black bear interactions in Buncombe County at a meeting Thursday, Oct. 1, as the state agency said the county saw more than 800 reports of bear activity in a five-month period alone.
The rule, which was approved in a unanimous vote, prohibits both intentional and passive feeding of black bears in Buncombe County. Passive feeding includes leaving unsecured trash and pet food outside or installing bird feeders in bear-prone areas.
Buncombe County and the city of Asheville already have ordinances prohibiting bear feeding that were developed with NCWRC’s support. However, the new emergency rule will carry criminal consequences for violators and, for the first time, allow the state to exercise wildlife enforcement jurisdiction when needed.
“Our priority is helping residents of Buncombe County understand how intentional feeding of black bears can create dangerous situations for both humans and bears,” Major Chad Arnold said in a statement. “When officers detect violations they will take appropriate action, which may include issuing warnings or citations, depending on the circumstances. The goal is not punishment, but prevention: reducing conflict, protecting public safety and ensuring that bears remain wild.”
Data
According to NCWRC, between May 1 and Sept. 30, residents and wildlife officials submitted 836 human-wildlife interaction reports involving black bears in Buncombe County alone: an average of 5.5 interactions a day…