July is the prime month for spotting bears in the Piedmont Triad, according to North Carolina wildlife officials. While residents in the high country are used to frequent bear encounters, sightings in places like Mebane and Greensboro often cause concern. Conservation biologist Bret Landrie advises that while seeing a bear can be surprising, the risk to humans is minimal. Bear attacks are extremely rare, and most bears seen in the region are young yearlings seeking new territory after leaving their mothers.

Residents are encouraged to coexist peacefully with these bears, who are usually just passing through. Landrie suggests simple precautions such as securing garbage cans and bird feeders to minimize encounters. Data from 2023 show that Guilford County had 30 bear sightings, Forsyth County 16, Alamance County two, and Wilkes County 24. If you encounter a bear, Landrie’s advice is clear: leave it alone and let it move on naturally.