RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) \u2014 With more and more bear encounters with humans happening in western North Carolina, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is issuing a warning about bears’ appetites at this time of year.<\/p>\n
Wildlife officials say bears are now in the hyperphagia phase, which is a phase in the fall where bears will significantly increase their food consumption to prepare for the colder months when natural food becomes scarce. During this time, bears will actively search for any source of food, whether natural or human-provided, which makes securing attractants especially important, the Wildlife Resources Commission said in an Oct. 5 news release.<\/p>\n
NEW BEAR-FEEDING RULE IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY COULD BRING CRIMINAL PENALTIES<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDuring the hyperphagia phase, black bears increase their daily calories from 2,000 to 3,500 calories in spring and summer to approximately 15,000 to 20,000 calories a day.\u201d said Black Bear Biologist Jenna Malzahn in the release. \u201cTo put this into perspective, 20,000 calories is equivalent to 9 pounds of acorns, 70 pounds of wild cherries, or just one typical birdfeeder that can hold 7 pounds of black oil sunflower seeds.\u201d<\/p>\n Officials said for bears to satisfy this increase in appetite, they will consume a variety of hard and soft mast species, from acorns and hickory nuts to pokeberry, cherry, grape and black gum. The Wildlife Resources Commission said bears will also take advantage of human-provided food sources like bird feeders, outdoor pet food and unsecured garbage and compost, as well as agricultural crops, such as soybeans and standing corn. <\/p>\n With this level of food consumption, officials said bears can put on three pounds per day and gain anywhere from 20% to 100% of their summer weight.<\/p>\n