Feeding black bears in Buncombe County will soon carry criminal consequences under an emergency rule approved by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, wlos.com reported. “Emergency rules are reserved for serious and unforeseen threats to public health or safety,” Carrie Ruhlman, the commission’s policy manager, said in a news release covered by Blue Ridge Public Radio.
Emergency Rule Targets Intentional and Unintentional Bear Feeding in Buncombe County
The newly approved rule prohibits both intentionally feeding black bears and leaving out food sources that attract them, including unsecured trash and outdoor pet food. While bird feeders are not automatically banned, they fall under restrictions if they draw bears that threaten human safety or cause property damage, according to wlos.com. FOX Carolina News reported that the measure was developed as wildlife officials tallied 836 reports of bear activity in Buncombe County between May 1 and Sept. 30.
That tally includes 71 reports of bears entering homes. Spectrum News noted that Buncombe County accounts for more than 40% of all human-bear interactions reported statewide, with concentrations in Asheville, Black Mountain, and Swannanoa. Over the past three years, 72% of reported forced home entries by bears statewide occurred within the county, according to wlos.com.
Enforcement Strategy Focuses on Compliance Rather Than Citations
Violating the emergency rule could result in a warning or a citation carrying a fine, with any law enforcement officer having jurisdiction in Buncombe County able to enforce it. Capt. Shawn Martin with the N.C. Wildlife Law Enforcement Division told wlos.com that the agency’s primary goal is education and compliance rather than punishment. Maj. Chad Arnold similarly told Blue Ridge Public Radio that the approach emphasizes prevention over penalties.
Wildlife officials already investigate complaints about residents feeding bears, but Capt. Martin noted that the state rule provides an additional legal tool to resolve neighborhood disputes when a fed bear spills over onto neighboring properties. State BearWise coordinator Ashley Hobbs explained to wlos.com that repeated access to human-provided food causes bears to lose their natural fear of people, creating dangerous proximity that frequently ends with state wildlife staff euthanizing the animal to protect public safety.
Local Ordinances and Prior Incidents Prompted State Action
Asheville and Buncombe County already enforce local ordinances prohibiting bear feeding, but the state-level rule adds criminal penalties and grants direct enforcement authority to state wildlife officers, according to Blue Ridge Public Radio. The policy discussion intensified following an Aug. 18 incident in which a bear entered an unlocked door in North Asheville and injured a woman inside. Blue Ridge Public Radio reported that the same bear subsequently forced its way into nine other homes.
To curb attractants, wildlife officials point to bear-resistant trash containers as a proven deterrent. At a Buncombe County commissioners briefing, Hobbs urged local leaders to expand the use of bear-resistant trash cans, noting that only a small fraction of residential garbage customers in unincorporated areas currently use them, as reported by Blue Ridge Public Radio.
Office of Administrative Hearings Review and Public Comment Schedule
The emergency rule requires final approval from the Office of Administrative Hearings before taking effect. Wildlife officials told wlos.com they hope the measure will become active by Oct. 13. Concurrently, an identical temporary rule is moving through a separate process that includes a public hearing and a public comment period, with details scheduled for announcement at ncwildlife.gov/proposedregulations, according to Blue Ridge Public Radio.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buncombe County Bear Regulations
What specific penalties do violators face under the new state rule?
Violators can receive a warning or a citation carrying a fine from any law enforcement officer with jurisdiction in Buncombe County, though enforcement officials emphasize education and compliance over immediate punishment.
Are bird feeders completely outlawed under the emergency rule?
Bird feeders are not automatically prohibited, but they fall under the restriction if they attract bears that threaten human safety or cause property damage.
Who should residents call to report concerning bear behavior or emergencies?
Residents can report concerning bear behavior to the N.C. Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401, while immediate emergencies involving a bear entering a home or threatening a person require calling 911.