AUTRYVILLE — Western Sampson resident Barbara Green fears for the safety of her animals and herself after, she said, bears were sighted around her home on multiple occasions.
During a recent interview from her Autryville home last week, Green said she first noticed signs of a bear or bears in her yard on July 22; however, an animal was actually caught on video July 29, causing her concern.
Green contacted North Carolina Wildlife, as well as other government officials at the state and local levels, hoping someone would help her. She had open-heart surgery earlier this year and walks with a rollator, making the threat of bears at her door all the more terrifying, she attested.
The Autryville resident has lived in her home for 30 years, but she said this is the first year she has worried about bears on her property.
“I’ve never encountered a bear in my life,” she pointed out, explaining how scared she is now that she is repeatedly seeing bears so close to her home.
“It’s hard for me to breathe and move around,” she noted, wondering aloud how she would be able to get away from a bear.
“They’re going to get me,” she emphasized. “I think that every time I go outside.”
When Green’s neighbor, Ron Ballard, was interviewed by phone, he explained he had been seeing bears on his camera for years and isn’t concerned about their presence.
“You’ve got to learn to live with them,” Ballard stressed, sharing the steps he takes to avoid bear problems. He explained that he can go back years on his camera and see bears, but they have kept away from people and the residence in his experience.
“There’s plenty of food in the field for them,” Ballard explained, sharing that he doesn’t worry. As long as he doesn’t have pet food or trash out, he explained, the bears stay out of his way.
When faced with a bear, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission does not trap and relocate the animal, as that would “simply move the problem,” according to the commission’s website.
The Wildlife Resources Commission names habit modification as the main advice for dealing with bears.
Six BearWise Basics:
1. Never feed or approach bears. Feeding bears, intentionally or unintentionally, trains them to approach homes and people for more food. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don’t risk your safety and theirs.
2. Secure food, garbage and recycling. Food and food odors attract bears, so don’t reward them with easily available food or garbage.
3. Remove bird feeders when bears are active. Birdseed and other grains have a high calorie content, making them very attractive to bears. The best way to avoid conflicts with bears is to remove feeders.
4. Never leave pet food out. Feed outdoor pets portion sizes that will be completely eaten during each meal, and remove leftover food and food bowls. Securely store these foods so nothing is available to bears.
5. Clean and store grills. After you use an outdoor grill, clean it thoroughly and make sure that all grease and fat are removed. Store cleaned grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out.
6. Let neighbors know. Share news with your friends and neighbors about recent bear activity and how to avoid bear conflicts. Bears have adapted to living near people; are you willing to adapt to living near bears?
If you think you have a problem with a black bear, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission instructions are to implement the six BearWise Basics, consider using a bear-resistant trash container, try frightening the bear from a safe distance with loud noises and install electric fencing to keep bears out.
Black bears can be hunted during bear season, with Sampson County’s season opening Nov. 9. If a black bear has caused property damage, contact the Wildlife Resources Commission at 866-318-2401. The agency may issue a depredation permit after conducting a site visit, which would allow the bear causing the damage to be killed.