NC Wildlife Resources Commission offers tips to protect livestock from bears
Black bears tend to consume a mostly plant-based diet and are attracted to livestock feed, such as grains and corn. However, they are omnivores and opportunists and will feed on eggs, small livestock (such as chickens and rabbits) and larger animals (including goats, miniature ponies and alpacas).
Raising livestock of any species in bear country requires BearWise® husbandry practices, even for small-scale, backyard operations.
'It's one of the most common calls about bears that we get and it's also one of the most preventable,' NCWRC BearWise Coordinator Ashley Hobbs said. 'Especially in the summer and fall months, I respond to many calls from the public reporting their goat herd or chicken flock have been completely wiped out by a bear. Unprotected coops and pens provide accessible food all in one convenient spot.'
BearWise is an Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies program dedicated to helping people live responsibly with bears. It offers information and instruction on protecting chickens and helpful information for livestock owners and beekeepers. Proper husbandry practices are key to coexistence, and BearWise recommends the following proactive measures:
Always store livestock feed and pet food away from the animals in a locked, bear-resistant shed or building, or in a bear-resistant container.
Place livestock pens and bee hives at least 50 yards away from wooded areas and other cover that could protect bears from view. Confine livestock in buildings and pens, especially during lambing or calving seasons.
Consider bringing livestock, particularly smaller animals, inside at night.
Remove carcasses from the site and dispose of them by rendering or deep burial.
Install electric fencing or own a guard animal.
To learn more about safely raising livestock in bear country, please visit BearWise.org and contact NCWRC's Wildlife Helpline for assistance at 866-318-2401, Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Yahoo
Video shows black bear brawl in Asheville: Here's what to know during bear mating season
USA TODAY published a video of two bears fighting on an Asheville roadside. Here's what to know about the area's bear population. The bears featured in the short USA TODAY clip caused a dramatic scene with their scuffle. While the majority of Western North Carolina may not have witnessed a bear brawl, most residents are far from strangers to the black bear population. In fact, many of the animals aren't particularly shy, perfectly comfortable rifling through trash cans or even taking casual strolls through downtown Asheville. With the warmest months of the year upon us, bears are growing particularly bold in many areas, ready to roam and explore in search of food. Here's what to know about black bears in WNC, including common misconceptions, safety rules and more. NC Wildlife Commission BearWise coordinator Ashley Hobbs said in a 2024 news release that, while black bears are not generally dangerous and are rarely aggressive toward humans, people sharing territory with the animals should do their part to reduce the potential for conflict. Black bear safety program BearWise recommendations include: Never feed or approach bears. Secure food, garbage and recycling. Remove bird feeders when bears are active. Never leave pet food outdoors. Clean and store grills and smokers. Alert neighbors to bear activity. If you encounter a black bear, the National Park Service suggests: Remain watchful. Do not approach it. Do not allow the bear to approach you. If the bear is at a distance, feeding, or walking by and notices you but continues its natural behavior, no action is needed on your part. Proceed while continuing to observe the bear. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.), you are too close. Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. The bear is demanding more space. Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Increase the distance between you and the bear. The bear will probably do the same. The NPS says that black bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer, with mating usually taking place in July. According to BearWise, the record weight for a black bear is over 800 pounds. Male black bears generally weigh between 130 and 500 pounds, while females are smaller at around 90 to 350 pounds. Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Video: See black bears fight by Asheville road. Bear safety tips
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Yahoo
Alligator sightings increasing across Arkansas
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark. – When an alligator came across Trey Moss's job at a Jefferson County cotton field, it was not the sighting that excited him but the gator's size. 'Us living down here in the south, it's just a normal day for one that's small, but you get one that big and it's just like oh my gosh, that joker is massive!' Moss said. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission joins other agencies on website for tips on living with alligators He estimated the gator he photographed on May 18 was 12 feet long. When he posted the picture online, it went viral. Moss said more people near him have been seeing more gators lately, which is no surprise to Amanda Bryant of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Bryant as the AGFC's conservation herpetologist, is responsible for all the state's reptiles and amphibians. She explained that alligators were one of the inaugural endangered species in the early 1960s. Due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting, alligators were relocated to southern and central Arkansas by the thousands over a generation, building a healthy enough population to reintroduce a permitted hunting season in 2006. 'There are many, many many people in the state that didn't grow up having to be aware of alligators that didn't grow up with alligators in their backyard yard even though they would have been there 100 years before,' Bryant said. Many states have seen an increased number of nuisance calls due to alligator sightings in recent years. It is why 11 southeastern states launched The site teaches six alligator basics to educate people on how to respect and coexist with alligators. For example, don't leave food near their habitat because it can make alligators interested in humans. GatorWise is following the success of the website which 15 southeastern states launched for black bears in 2018. Bryant admitted many of the tips are consistent, but alligators are usually harder to spot and lack that cuddle factor people may associate with bears. 'People's immediate jump is there's an alligator here it must be a problem, when the alligator lives there. It's totally fine to see an alligator as long as it continues to show no interest in people it's perfectly safe. You've just got to be aware,' Bryant added. Hunting seasons have also played a part in reducing nuisance calls according to Bryant. Hunters looking to bag an alligator in The Natural State can apply for permits for public land hunts from June 15-30 each year. Alligator hunting on private property is managed through a quota system. Anyone may purchase a private land alligator hunting permit, but hunting season ends early if the quota for the alligator zone is met. Arkansas hunters bring in 181 alligators during hunting season Alligator hunting in Arkansas is open from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise during the last two weekends each September. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
30-05-2025
- CBS News
Bears spotted in Minnesota suburbs, DNR shares tips
Bear warnings are popping up at a popular park in the West Metro and across the state. The DNR says sightings increase this time of year. At Elm Creek Park Reserve, there's about 5,000 acres of forest and trails. "It's also not far from the rivers, which the bears use as a travel corridor," said Andrew Tri, the Bear Project Leader for the Minnesota DNR. Tri says bears aren't only up north, they're in the burbs. "We've had bear sightings in Saint Louis Park, Purgatory Creek in Eden Prairie, in Washington County there's tons of bear sightings," said Tri. "And then even over in Afton and Rochester." Three Rivers Park District says a group of the state's 14,000 - 18,000 cubs were recently spotted at Elm Creek Park Reserve. New signage warns park goers like Dillon Dryja who walks his pups daily. WCCO "It doesn't worry me at all. Black bears are usually docile," said Dryja. "I'm perfectly find with black bears sharing nature with us here in Minnesota." "We're more inter-city than most," said Jos Moss, who was enjoying the park with his family. "So it's a little shocking more than being where we're from up in Elk River." The Three Rivers Park District says that bears have been spotted in Elm Creek since 2020. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, who keeps track of these sightings across the state, partners with national organization BearWise — who both have tips: Never feed or approach bears Making noise when you're out and about Hike in groups Keep your dogs on a leash Secure your trash and recycling (in a locked building or shed) Take your bird feeders down when bears are active Never leave pet food outdoors Clean and store grills Alert neighbors to bear activity Three Rivers Park District told WCCO in statement: "The resident bears at Elm Creek Park Reserve, spend the vast majority of their time in the portions of the park that are off-limits to people, and, should you encounter one, you have no need to fear. Bears are not a threat to people if they don't feel threatened. If you leave the bear alone, it will leave you alone. Most bear sightings that are reported in the park are of the bear running away." Per the DNR, black bears are the only bears in Minnesota. For more information and to report a sighting, click here.
