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    Camp Lejeune had been a part of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s Black Bear Sanctuary System from 1971 until 1984.  Sanctuary Status was lifted because of an apparent increase in bear-human interactions at sanitation bins and around field mess locations.  A baseline study of bear ecology and dynamics was conducted on Mainside Camp Lejeune and in combination with Greater Sandy Run research, is the longest research and monitoring effort for bears occupying the coastal plain of North Carolina.  

    The black bear population on Mainside is estimated at 6-10 individual bears.  On the west side of New River the bear population is estimated at 4, and 40 for Verona and Greater Sandy Run, respectively.  Bear harvest quotas are set by Camp Lejeune Game Managers.  Currently, bear harvest is permitted only in Greater Sandy Run. 

    Management strategies for black bears are divided into three basic components:  habitat monitoring, harvest management, wildlife damage/control and management.  Current practices for black bear management are as follows: 

·         Establish annual harvest objectives for GSRA based upon sound scientific data.

·         Continue prohibition on bear hunting on Mainside.

·         Coordinate enforcement of wildlife regulations with harvest and population objectives.

·         Delay the start of the regular hunting season to reduce potential harvest of parturient females.

·         Monitor and manage habitat to provide improved forage conditions across the landscape through the use of prescribed fire.

·         Monitor the condition and extent of pocosin habitat and adjacent ecotones as vital to long-term population viability for black bears.

·         Monitor bear damage complaints in residential and adjoining lands under a comprehensive wildlife damage control/management program.

For information on Human/Bear interactions and nuisance bear control click here!

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Environmental Management Division	Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Installations & Environment Department	Last Updated:  September 26, 2002