I grew up in eastern NC. Never hunted bears. It was a protected animal when I was a child. I use to follow what we called bear tracks all the time playing. I never even saw a bear, but now they have a hunting season near where I played in the woods and I understand they kill some rather large animals. (Craven County)
Craven, Hyde and Pamlico counties are known for big bears.
When I would first drive to the farm. I noticed these roads into the corn with a huge circle cut out. It was large enough for me to drive my Jeep in and the circle at the end I was able to turn around. I asked the farmer why he cut them in. He said it was from the bears. They strech out thier arms and start scooping up corn. When the bear can no longer push the corn any further they sit down and eat it and roll around collecting more till they are full.
The farmer asked if I would come back and hunt a bear and bring a couple friends. The bear was big enough to make a path way wider than my car and push the corn in 15 to 20 yards. It scared me to try to hunt it with a 308 Win.
With my uncle living there now I may be able to hire him to scout for me for this upcoming season.