Video shows up-close and personal encounter with bear

Viewer video shared with WRAL News shows an up-close view of a bear in a residential area. It was recorded Wednesday near Hyco Lake, near the North Carolina-Virginia border where Concord Church Road crosses the lake.

It shows the bear walking across a paved path outside of a home. The person recording the video did so from inside the house, safely away from the bear.

Bears are the largest wild mammal in North Carolina. Seeing one near you or your home can be both exciting and startling.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission officials offer these tips to bear-proof around your home:

Never feed or approach bears: Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes like food teaches bears to approach homes and people looking for more. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don’t risk your safety and theirs!

Secure food, garbage and recycling: Food and food odors attract bears, so don’t reward them with easily available food, liquids, or garbage.

Remove bird feeders when bears are active: Birdseed and grains have lots of calories, so they’re very attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears.

Never leave pet food outdoors: Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove food and bowls after feeding. Store pet food where bears can’t see or smell it.