Going to Shining Rock? Beware the bears, says Forest Service

Press release from the U.S. Forest Service

PISGAH FOREST, N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service encourages campers and visitors to Shining Rock Wilderness and other parts of the Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest, to store their food securely and be on the lookout for black bears.

The alert comes on the heels of a recent bear encounter in which a bear accessed food that was hung from a tree. No injuries and other property damage were reported.

Campers are encouraged to prevent bear interactions by taking the following steps:

• Do not store food in tents.

• Properly store food by hanging it in a tree or in another secure container 150 feet away from camp.

• Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills or other areas of your campsite.

• Do not leave food unattended.

For more tips, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5300252.pdf

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About Margaret Williams
Editor Margaret Williams first wrote for Xpress in 1994. An Alabama native, she has lived in Western North Carolina since 1987 and completed her Masters of Liberal Arts & Sciences from UNC-Asheville in 2016. Follow me @mvwilliams

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