Preparing for Winter: The NCWRC Urges Proactive Bear-Proofing to Prevent Denning
By Marge | Published 2025-11-22T20:21:49.72+00:00
Lifestyle
WNC- November 22, 2025: As the transition to winter rapidly advances across Western North Carolina, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is issuing a renewed and vital alert: secure all potential food and shelter attractants now to prevent black bears from denning on your property.
While the sight of a wintering bear family may seem charming, denning on or under human-occupied structures—such as decks, sheds, or crawl spaces—can lead to property damage, dangerous close-range encounters, and, most critically, the potential abandonment of newborn cubs if the sow is disturbed.🏠 The Denning Danger: Why Bears Choose Human StructuresAccording to NCWRC experts, black bears are resourceful and opportunistic when choosing a winter home. While natural dens include rock cavities or