"Honey! There's a bear in the backyard!"

A bear rummaging your patio may come as a surprise — but human encounters with these top predators are more common heading into summer.

On Saturday, June 8, a black bear was caught on camera strolling through a Tega Cay backyard around 7:15 a.m. Shortly after, Tega Cay Police issued a notice warning people in the area to keep a sharp eye.

The sighting in Tega Cay is one of three recorded bear sightings since Friday, May 31 near people's homes — including Huntersville and Lake Norman.

“Mother bears have emerged from their den with their cubs, one-year-old bears are leaving their family group and roaming to find a new home," said Colleen Olfenbuttel, a bear expect with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. "With breeding season just around the corner, male bears are starting to travel extensively searching for mates. Also, bears are hungry after hibernation, so they are all roaming around looking for food."

Want to avoid a possible bear encounter?

Never feed or approach bears
Secure food, garbage, and recycling
Remove bird feeders when bears are active
Never leave pet food outdoors
Clean and store grills and smokers
Alert neighbors to bear activity

There are currently two bear cubs in the refuge's care. | Photo via Appalachian Wildlife Refuge

Editor's note: Calls to NCWRC’s Wildlife Helpline about possible orphaned cubs also increase this time of year. Remember the Internet-famous bear cub taken from a tree by a group of people at an Asheville apartment complex for photos?

NCWRC advises that a bear cub seen alone is rarely orphaned or abandoned. You're advised to give the mother plenty of room and time to reconnect with her cub. To avoid harming yourself or the bear cub:

Don't handle it
Don't attempt to catch it
Don't remove it
Don't feed it
Take note of your location and call the NC Wildlife Helpline (866-318-2401)