Bear safety tips for visitors and vacation rental guests in Black Mountain, NC
Yesterday, my husband and I were walking our dog through downtown. As we passed by a family of six, the two youngest members ran up to us and asked if they could pet our dog (of course!). While they did, they excitedly told us that they were visiting from Ohio and that their mom saw a bear right outside their vacation rental home up in the mountains.
Bear sightings are not uncommon in our neck of the woods, so we asked what happened next.
“Mom went inside the front patio and watched him walk by!” one boy said. “She figured out later that the bear had tipped over the garbage can and threw trash all over the yard!”
Source: ncwf.org/blog/black-bear
If I had a nickel for the number of times I’ve heard a version of that story, I could buy everyone in North Carolina a locking garbage can.
🐻 Meet the Black Bear
This family had an encounter with one of Western North Carolina’s favorite furry residents—the black bear. Black bears are awake from spring through fall, and mostly asleep in winter. They generally explore their habitat alone, except when gathering at places with plentiful food or when supervising young cubs. Bears tend to be most active at dusk and dawn. You can learn much more about black bears at bearwise.org/all-about-black-bears
🏠 Why Bears Love Vacation Rentals
Because they have home ranges (rather than territories), black bears know their neighborhood because they travel through it daily. Bears also have excellent noses, so they easily learn vacation homes often mean:
Full trash bins
Leftover food on decks
Bird feeders
Unattended coolers and grills
To a bear, that’s basically room service.
🔑 Bear Safety Checklist for Vacation Guests
Black Mountain is a certified BearWise Community, which means the town works hard to keep humans and bears safe. But for that to work, we need visitors like you to follow a few simple rules. Here’s how you can protect yourself, your property, and the bears:
Trash Matters. A Lot.
Only put garbage out on pickup day—not the night before.
Use bear-resistant containers if provided.
If you’re unsure, store garbage inside a secure area (garage, sturdy shed).
Don’t Feed the Bears
Bring in all food, drinks, pet food, and coolers at night.
Clean the grill thoroughly after each use.
Never leave food (even wrappers or empty cans) in your car or on patios or decks.
Don’t Feed the Birds
Birdseed is like candy for bears. Please take feeders down during your stay—especially from April to November, when bear activity peaks.
Don't Try to Meet the Neighbors
Do not approach or feed bears. Ever. Even from a “safe” distance.
Taking selfies with wildlife is dangerous, and it’s actually illegal in many parks and public lands.
🚶♀️ Walking and Hiking through Bear Country
If you’re heading into the woods or even walking the neighborhood, take a long a little bear awareness:
Hike in groups and make some noise (talk, sing, clap).
Carry bear spray if hiking in backcountry areas. Know how to use it.
Keep dogs on a leash (unleashed dogs can provoke bears).
🚨 If You Encounter a Bear
Black bears are usually shy, but curious. Here's what to do if you encounter one:
If a bear wanders through the yard, you should: Quietly go inside. Let it pass. Don't yell or try to scare it.
If you see a bear while hiking, you should: Back away slowly and talk calmly. Don’t run. Don’t scream.
If a bear approaches you, you should: Stand your ground. Raise your arms. Yell firmly. Slowly back away.
In the unlikely event a bear makes contact or attacks, you should: Do not play dead. Fight back. Aim for the bear’s face.
Please report any bear sightings or issues to your rental host or local authorities. This helps wildlife officials track and address bear behavior before it becomes dangerous. Visit bearwise.org for more information.
🧳 Be a Good Guest (for the bear’s sake, too)
Vacation rental hosts often provide BearWise materials, trash instructions, and signage. These aren’t just rules—they’re part of keeping you, the next guest, and local wildlife safe. Ignoring bear safety can:
Result in fines (yes, really)
Lead to a bear being euthanized
Spoil your peaceful retreat when a 300-pound visitor shows up for dinner
🐻 Part of the Adventure
Black bears are part of what makes our Western North Carolina home naturally wonderful. Keeping bears—and all wildlife—wild is the best way to protect them and you. With just a few precautions, you can relax and enjoy your stay, respect the local ecosystem, and avoid a surprise furry visitor on your back porch.
More information available at ncwf.org/blog/black-bear and bearwise.org
About the Author
This blog story was written by Amy J. Schultz, an award-winning author, brand/marketing strategist, and overall creative type. She, her husband Brian, and their giant dog Bentley love their downtown Black Mountain neighborhood.
