Black bear I encountered in NH
On Wednesday school officials put two schools in Garner on lock down because a bear was seen in the neighborhoods around the schools. I guess the threat of a bear pulling a Columbine is one that I had not considered. I guess I should give the officials a break because like snow falling from the sky bears wandering through the area is an event that will bring all other activities to a halt.
“I was surprised, because you don’t usually hear tell of bears around here,” said Lenwood Hunt, who lives near Garner Magnet High School where the bear was spotted.
Police who saw the animal said it appeared to be an adult black bear, about 4 feet tall when walking on all four legs. They said it didn’t appear to be aggressive but urged people to leave it alone.
“I’m guessing (it weighed) about 200 pounds. It wasn’t no Boo-Boo Bear, by any means,” said Clint Ferrell, referring to the animated Yogi Bear’s smaller friend.
Police said they believe the bear lives in a wooded area along Old Stage Road, near Hall Boulevard, and was trying to head back there after wandering away.
Animal Control, wildlife and police officers were keeping tabs on the bear but weren’t planning on chasing or capturing it.
WRAL
I guess it shouldn’t surprise me but a number of folks have asked me about the recent bear sightings and what they should do. I guess they figure I’m some type of an expert because I’ll grab my camera and wander into the brush after a bear about every chance I get. For the most part if you leave them alone they’ll just move on. A number of people I’ve talked to feel the bear should be captured and moved and a few feel the authorities should shoot it. Neither of these are very good ideas the days of moving bears are for the most part over because no matter how far you move them they’ll find their way back. If they don’t make it back whatever attracted them to an area will just attract others.
If you don’t want bears around remove as much food sources you can from around your home. Granted our burgeoning deer population and the fact the does are dropping fawns right now is a ready food source for the bears. The majority of the bears we see around here are young males forced out of their home range looking for a new home.
They have little desire to live in our suburbia and are just passing through.
Today brought additional sightings in Raleigh of a bear. Officials believe it is a different bear then the one seen yesterday that was less than 5 miles from where this bear turned up. I think it is more likely the same bear trying to figure how the heck to get out of here.
All of these sightings are near my house so trust me I got my camera ready and I’m ready to get some photos. I’m not afraid of snow nor am I afraid of bears but maybe I better stock up on milk and bread in case I get beared in this weekend.
