With spring a week away and wild animals becoming more visible, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is offering tips on what to do when encounters occur.

Black bears

They emerge from their dens in spring and become more active.

Bearwise suggests securing garbage and taking down bird feeders, to help people prevent conflicts with bears. People become more active in the spring and may come across cubs that are alone — most likely waiting for their mothers to return from foraging. If someone suspects a cub has been orphaned, they are advised to not handle, feed or remove it, as this puts people and the cub at risk. Instead, note the location and contact the NCWRC helpline at 866-318-2401. 

If NCWRC biologists determine the cub is orphaned, they will place it with a licensed bear cub rehabilitator. 

Snakes

They become more active as the weather warms. NCWRC advises not to kill snakes because they help control rodent, slug and insect populations.

There are many ways to coexist with snakes. Ten of North Carolina’s 38 native snake species are listed as either endangered, threatened or of special concern. 

If you come across a snake, remain calm and give it plenty of room to move along. If it’s believed to be a rattlesnake or northern pine snake, please report it through the

HerpMapper.org mobile app, or by email with a photo — if safely possible — and location with GPS coordinates and date and time observed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or through the NCWRC pinesnake reporting tool

Coyotes

Sightings spike in the spring during the breeding season and peak in May as they search for food to support their pups. 

While they rarely attack people, they are opportunistic hunters, so smaller pets should be closely supervised when outdoors to avoid being preyed upon. 

Tips to protect pets include: 

Remove all outdoor pet food, fallen fruit, food waste and bird feeders. 

Keep cats and dogs on a leash or harness whenever they’re outside. 

Haze coyotes away by yelling, spraying with water hose, or throwing a ball.

Install fencing which is at least 6 feet tall and prevents digging underneath. 

Coyotes build dens in brushy or wooded areas to protect their pups when they are very young. If a coyote is staring or starts following you, her den may be nearby, so calmly leave the area and inform others to avoid the area for a few weeks. 

As soon as the pups can survive outside of the den, the coyotes will no longer use the shelter. 

Foxes

They give birth between late February and April. 

The pups or kits start exploring outside their den by late spring and early summer. 

Foxes are nocturnal, but it is not uncommon to see them during the day. 

They are shy and usually are not aggressive, unless people have been feeding them. 

Their appetite for mice and rats, and the occasional groundhog is of great benefit to most homeowners and farmers. 

Similar to coyotes, foxes are opportunistic and will take advantage of pet food left outside, garbage and small prey that is attracted to bird feeders. 

They are well adapted to living around people and thrive in neighborhoods. 

It is illegal to relocate foxes or any possible rabies vector species in North Carolina, in order to prevent unintentional spread of disease to both people and other wildlife. 

Removing these species from your property requires euthanizing the animal and either a license or permit.   

If a fox may be trying to den near your home consider these options to deter it: 

Place a spotlight or strobe light on the ground, pointed toward the den entrance.   

Play talk radio next to the den at high volume or frequently make loud noises in the immediate area.  

Install a motion-activated sprinkler near the den entrance or throw small objects in the adult foxes’ direction to assert that their presence won’t be tolerated. 

Rabbits

Rabbits give birth around this time of year. Many people see newborn rabbits in plain sight, or in shallow holes tucked among clumps of thick grass, under shrubs, or in the middle of open lawns. 

Rabbit nests often resemble a small patch of dead grass. 

Female rabbits actively avoid their nests and visit only once or twice per day for a few minutes to avoid attracting predators. 

If a young rabbit is outside its nest and appears to be healthy and unharmed, leave it alone. 

The mother will usually return after humans leave the area. If it is believed the animal needs help, leave it alone and call either the Wildlife Helpline or a legal, licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice. 

Deer fawns

They are born closer to late spring and early summer. 

They are born with spots and very little scent for protection. 

Does intentionally stay away for periods of time during the day to decrease the chance of predators finding the fawn. Therefore, it is advised not to move a fawn. 

A doe will usually look for a missing fawn for about 48 hours. After that time, or if it is bleating loudly, appears thin or injured, or has visible diarrhea, it is advised to contact a licensed fawn rehabilitator for advice or contact the helpline.

Songbird

Chicks will hatch throughout the spring and early summer. Knowing the difference between a nestling and a fledgling bird can help determine if a young bird found on the ground needs assistance. Nestlings do not have feathers yet and cannot survive outside of their nest for long. Return nestlings to the nest as quickly as possible, and if the entire nest has fallen, place it back in the tree or construct a makeshift nest. 

Fledglings have their feathers and are able to walk, hop or fly short distances. They may appear helpless, but in fact have left the nest and are learning to fly. 

Fledglings should be left alone unless they are obviously injured or in immediate danger. In those less common cases, contact a licensed rehabilitator. 

Keeping cats inside and dogs on leashes also help these young birds make it through this vulnerable learning stage.  

Hellbenders and mudpuppies

They are seen more frequently in early spring, mainly due to more people venturing into their habitats, specifically anglers, as hatchery supported trout waters open each year on the first Saturday in April. 

Neither the mudpuppy nor the hellbender is poisonous, venomous, toxic or harmful to humans, although they may try to bite if someone tries to pick them up. 

If sighted, they should be left alone. 

Both species are listed as a North Carolina species of special concern, and NCWRC requests reporting sightings to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It is a Class 1 misdemeanor with a fine and up to 120 days in jail to take, possess, transport or sell mudpuppies or hellbenders. If anglers happen to catch one by hook and  line, they should carefully remove the hook if possible or cut the line close to the hook and return the salamander back to the water.