Humans and bears can live in the same territory if people take steps to keep bears wild and prevent them from becoming a problem. When bears emerge from their winter sleep in March or April, they are very hungry. They will feed on almost anything including bird seed in feeders, grease on a backyard grill, or pet food. Do not feed them or allow them to eat garbage or anything other than wild foods. Bears are most likely to look for human food May through early July because wild foods are less plentiful.
Bears prefer berries, nuts, insects, carrion and roots.
When wild food is scarce, they may visit populated areas in search of food. In North Carolina, black bears den in November or December. Dens can be hollow trees, rock crevices or piles of leaves on the ground. Denning bears fall in and out of a deep sleep, but they can be roused quickly. June through August is breeding season for bears and during late summer and early fall, bears feed nearly constantly to fatten up for the winter.