As winter settles in, wildlife begins preparing for the cold months ahead, and in some cases, that includes bears seeking shelter near human homes.
While many of us are tucked indoors this time of year, bears in our region are beginning to enter hibernation, but some are still active, looking for shelter and food. I spoke with wildlife experts who explain the risks of bear encounters and how homeowners can stay safe.
According to Falyn Owens, an extension biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, bears are known to seek out quiet, warm spots to hibernate, and sometimes that means areas near homes or cabins…