It is that time of year again. Our friends from the hills are looking for whatever their incredible noses search out — in West Asheville, from a trash can some left over Rocky's Hot Chicken. In Chunn's Cove, the bears were looking for comfortable seating (photo). In Fairview it was a bee hive. Oteen residents lost dog food, and well, you know the drill. (Photo courtesy of Appalachian Designs)

Bear safety is always a concern around WNC, but fall is when we see them most, it seems. As they search for the increased calories they need to hibernate, interactions with people are bound to occur. Make sure you know what to do when you see a bear. First tip, and most important — don't panic. The bear is as scared of you as you are of him.

Local rustic furniture maker Appalachian Designs is glad to see that bears enjoy lounging in its Adirondack chairs as much as people do, and as bear season is underway in the mountains there are sure
to be more bears in search of chairs — and food.

All fun aside, bears are a serious issue for residents of Western North Carolina. To protect yourself and the bears this season, Appalachian Designs owner Lang Hornthal advises “bring in your bird feeders and pet food at night; never confront a bear, especially one with cubs; and perhaps most importantly, make sure you have comfortable seating available to them.”