Episode notes
As summer approaches, bear sightings are on the rise across North Carolina, with reports coming in from both rural and urban areas. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission attributes the increase to seasonal movement patterns, as bears become more active in search of food. Commission biologist Greg Batts explained that a bear's age can be determined by examining its teeth—a key tool for understanding bear populations. Batts joined Jeff Hamlin to shed light on why encounters are becoming more frequent and how residents can stay safe.