Another Residential Bear Sighting
A Harnett County woman woke up Monday morning to find an unwelcome guest in a tree in her backyard.
Janet Adams, who lives on Robin Hood Road between Dunn and Benson off Interstate 95, wasn’t happy about the black bear who took up residence in her tree.
“I’ve got chicken, livestock and dogs around here,” she said. “And my nephews come around after school and ride their bikes and play out here. What happens if it comes down and they scare it and it attacks?”
Ms. Adams said she called the North Carolina Department of Wildlife, but they told her to sit tight.
“What’s the point of funding them if they won’t come and deal with this,” she asked. “I can’t just wait for him to come down, what if he gets into the livestock or hurts my dogs?”
Ms. Adams said she didn’t know how long the bear had been in the tree, but she noticed the animal around 8 a.m.
“He doesn’t look like he’s coming down anytime soon,” she said. “Animal Control won’t come get him either!”
Last week a bear was spotted in the Town of Benson.
Lt. Sam Croft from the N.C. Wildlife Commission said the best advice is to leave bears alone when they’re spotted.
“Bears aren’t aggressive by nature,” he said. “They climb trees when they’re out of their element. Once the situation on the ground settles down, in most cases they usually climb back down the tree and return back to the woods.” 
Harnett County does have a bear season, which falls on or around Oct. 15 until Jan 1.
Lt. Croft said the spike in bear sightings near residential areas is due to the season.
“It’s mating season for them, so the young males are getting kicked out by their mothers,” he said. “They’re moving out on their own to establish their own areas and find a female.”
Lt. Craft said the bears often do not know where they’re going, and sometimes end up in neighborhoods.
“The best thing to do is just steer clear,” Lt. Craft said. Courtesy The Daily Record
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