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Black bears are thriving in eastern North Carolina, 20, strong in the state. Over the past 30 years, black bear populations in North Carolina have increased tenfold. Больше информации, the population is estimated to be 20, Not only are bears growing in density, a recent article by the Virginian Pilot of Norfolk Virginia put forth the idea that black bears in North Carolina are источник bigger thanks to abundant food that allows them to skip hibernating.
That data shows overall the bear weight in coastal North Carolina have remained stable. Olfenbuttle says wildlife officials have identified a few larger bears being harvested in the eastern part of the state. Those could be reasons why these particular bears are larger. And maybe it is reflecting, at least in that area reflecting some bears getting larger. There is data to show that black bears grow bigger in eastern North Carolina, compared to bears from the mountains which can grow to be about lbs.
The current world record black bear, from Craven County was bagged in and weighed lbs. This year, a man from How many bears in north carolina County harvested the second largest black bear in North Carolina records, weighing in at lbs.
Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Biologist Mike Carraway says agricultural lands provide a reliable and plentiful source of food, allowing bears in eastern North Carolina to grow larger.
He says another reason why bears are bigger in eastern North Carolina is because we have a longer growing season. Since bears have more to eat and more time to graze and forage, wildlife officials are noting the effect on hibernation, with fewer bears hunkering down for the winter.
Carroway says black bear reproduction patterns are also evolving. Not only does access to an abundance of food means bigger bears, it means more offspring. So I know here in the how many bears in north carolina, we have seen quite a bit of evidence that females that have had three, and four and even five cubs.
Back how many bears in north carolinathe state created 28 bear sanctuaries, encompassing nearlyacres in North Carolina, most of them in eastern North Carolina. Black bear biologist Colleen Olfenbuttel says the current population increase stems from a planned effort on the part of Wildlife Resource Commission three decades ago.
These areas are off-limits to hunting. Most sanctuaries are located on federally or state protected areas with habitat management objectives, ensuring how many bears in north carolina beneficial environment for black bears. Now that their numbers have returned to a healthy level, the Wildlife Resources Commission is hoping to sustain that growth.
In most cases, that means loosening how many bears in north carolina on bear hunting, which is considered to be the best way to control their populations. New regulations went into effect during the first week of bear hunting season, November 10th to the 15 th that allowed hunters to bait bear. Wildlife Officer Sergeant William Cane says hunters could use only non-processed foods, like peaches, apples, and meat scraps.
The second week of bear season starts Monday and will run through Christmas Day. Bear baiting during this time is not permitted. The new law also prohibits baiting bear in sanctuaries.
Because prior to this year, unless you were coming from out of state, you had to buy a special license to hunt bear. This year, everyone is going to have to buy the e-stamp and that just gives us an actual number of people that are bear hunting. A safer way to see the black bears in their natural environment is during an eastern North Carolina bear watching tour.
The Friends of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge occasionally hold bear tours throughout the year, but mostly in the spring and summer months. How many bears in north carolina more information and to see pictures from their black bear tours, go to pocosinlakesfriends. Search Query Show Search. About Us. Show Search Search Query. Play Live Radio. Next Up:. Available On Air Stations. All Streams. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email. NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
Jared Brumbaugh. When not at the station, Jared enjoys hiking, traveling, and honing his culinary skills. See stories by Jared Brumbaugh.
How many bears in north carolina. North Carolina set to lift decades-old black bear hunting ban in sanctuaries
They eat meat and grasses or other rough vegetation only when their favorite foods are not available. In the farming country of northeast North Carolina, black bears have adapted their tastes to corn, soybeans and peanuts. Most farmers have learned to live with the bears in spite of their foraging in their fields. Hunting helps control the numbers of bears damaging crops. Gail Harrison Hodges' family has farmed in Washington County since the s.
In the beginning, her father had only a few acres of corn, and a bear family in his corn was a real financial blow. In those early days, traps controlled bears that damaged crops. In those days, Gail says, "When my Dad trapped or shot a bear, we ate it, as we did anything Daddy hunted or killed. Gail says her brother who now farms the family land feels more protective of the bears, understanding that humans have encroached into what was once the bears' territory.
Jess Spruill, who also farms in Washington County, says bears can have a financial impact on both corn and soybeans in his operation. Bears will eat the corn ears when they reach full maturity and graze on newly emerged soybeans. Jess watches for the bears and tries to run them out of the soybeans.
Once the beans mature, the bears do not seem as attracted to them. Bears are harder to spot in the tall corn. Jess says it is very common to lose up to 40 yards from the woods of any harvestable crop. The bears are very interested in the plastic-wrapped modules. Some say they like the glue in the wrap. Whatever the case, during their inspection of the bales their claws pop holes in the plastic and the compression of the lint inside causes an explosion, leaving a busted bale and cotton all over the ground.
Bears typically roam from daybreak until dusk. Their territory ranges from one to two miles for young bears and up to eight to 15 miles for adult males. Females range two to six miles. There are records of bears traveling up to miles. If not killed, black bears can live up to 33 years.
According to "Bear Facts," published by the North American Bear Center, very few black bears outside of those in national parks die of natural causes. Most are shot or hit by motor vehicles. The average age of bears killed by hunters is 3 to 5 years old. Young bears sometimes die of starvation and accidental causes; seldom do bears die of disease. Black bears are rather quiet animals, but do have a range of sounds.
They grunt as they look for food. They make a low blowing sound and clack their teeth when afraid. Apr 29, — Updated p. Apr 29, Occasionally, a black bear will have a white patch on its chest, also called a "chest blaze. The oldest male documented was Bears in eastern North Carolina enter dens as early as November and as late as January.
Weather and food availability can affect timing of den entrance and den emergence. Females with cubs emerge from their dens last in spring. An average of two to three blind and hairless cubs, weighing less than 1 pound, are born in winter dens. Of these, human-induced mortality is the greatest source of black bear mortality in North Carolina. However in , the North Carolina General Assembly enacted new legislation that allows dogs to be released in the vicinity of any unprocessed food product.
The use of dogs to "strike" and "tree" bears has been a technique that goes back centuries. Biologists believe that about 1, bears live in and around Great Smoky National Park. North Carolina is home to about 20, bears. To reduce and prevent dangerous bear encounters, North Carolina Wildlife encourages residents to remove bird feeders from their yards, keep garbage secure, and to clean and store grills in a safe location.
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Mountain Bear Management Unit (MBMU): The reported harvest (n=1, bears) in the MBMU increased by 89% compared to the season (n= bears; Table 3). The MBMU . Jun 12, · The hunting record comes as the state’s bear population has expanded tenfold in the past 40 years to about 20,, according to a state chart. In rural eastern North Carolina, . Bears roamed only in the most remote areas of western and coastal North Carolina. In the s, an effort began to manage wildlife, including black bears, and to enforce wildlife laws. .