10/28/2026
The bears are making their rounds before winter. 🐻
Wildlife officials count more than 140 home break-ins by bears in Buncombe County over the last three years, and they're calling for stricter enforcement of feeding ordinances. Fall is when it peaks, since bears are eating around the clock to pack on winter weight.
A few small moves make your property a lot less interesting:
🖤 Trash cans latched and stored inside a garage or shed until pickup morning
🌸 Feeders down for the season, or brought in nightly
🧹 Grills and fire pits cleaned after every use
🍓 No pet food, bird seed or compost scraps left outside overnight
🏡 Vacation rental owners: add a one-line "secure your trash" note to the guest guide, plus your county's pickup day
It protects the property, and honestly it protects the bears too, since a food-conditioned bear rarely gets a second chance.
Have you had a bear visit yet this fall? 👇