NC Wildlife Commission Warns of Increased Bear Activity Due to Seasonal Eating Phase

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is advising residents to take preventative measures to secure potential food sources as black bear eating behavior intensifies during the late summer and fall. This period, known as hyperphagia, is a crucial biological phase when bears significantly increase their food consumption in preparation for colder months, when natural food becomes scarce. During hyperphagia, bears actively seek out any available food source, making it especially important for homeowners and community members to secure attractants.

Black Bear Biologist Jenna Malzahn elaborated on the dramatic increase in caloric intake during this time. "During the hyperphagia phase, black bears increase their daily calories from 2,000 to 3,500 calories in spring and summer to approximately 15,000 to 20,000 calories a day," Malzahn stated. To illustrate this, she noted that 20,000 calories is equivalent to about nine pounds of acorns, 70 pounds of wild cherries, or the contents of just one typical birdfeeder holding seven pounds of black oil sunflower seeds.

To satisfy this heightened appetite, bears consume a wide variety of both hard and soft mast species, including acorns, hickory nuts, pokeberry, cherry, grape, and black gum. However, they also readily exploit human-provided food sources. These can include bird feeders, outdoor pet food, unsecured garbage and compost, as well as agricultural crops like soybeans and standing corn. With this level of intense eating, bears can gain up to three pounds per day and accumulate anywhere from 20% to 100% of their summer weight.

The hyperphagia phase also sees black bears traveling extensively, foraging for food for up to 20 hours each day. This increased movement and activity significantly heighten the chances of close proximity between humans and bears. When bears repeatedly find and access human-provided food sources, the likelihood of such close encounters further increases. It also raises the chances that a bear will return to areas offering easy meals, such as unsecured garages, bird seed, and pet food left outdoors.

The NCWRC has observed an increase in reports of bears in both public and residential areas, within wooded environments, and on roadways during this period. The agency recommends adopting specific methods to avoid bear encounters, which help ensure the safety of both humans and bears.

Bearwise.org serves as a comprehensive resource offering proven methods to deter bears. This platform outlines "Six At-Home BearWise Basics" that provide important steps for keeping bears from searching for food in and around homes and public spaces.

Statewide BearWise Coordinator Ashley Hobbs explained the ultimate purpose of this seasonal eating frenzy. Hobbs noted that "All the extra fat bears build up during hyperphagia allows them to ride out the winter months when natural food becomes scarce." She added a crucial warning: if bears continue to have a consistent supply of human-provided food during the winter months, such as bird seed and garbage, they may not need to den at all, as their food supply would never become scarce. Bears will continue their search for food year-round as long as it remains available. Therefore, it is important to take extra care to remove human-provided food sources in the fall and to secure any potential den sites around homes, such as crawlspaces and decks.

Bearwise.org provides specific instructions on how to prevent bears from denning in crawlspaces or under porches and decks. Bears are known to den and give birth in various locations, including under bushes and brush piles, beneath piles of building materials, and in spaces under buildings, garages, storage sheds, or vacation homes that are vacant during the winter months.

For any questions or to report information about a bear incident, residents can contact the N.C. Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401, available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or reach out to their local district wildlife biologist. Further information on black bears, including guidance on how to behave during a bear encounter, is also available at Bearwise.org.