Mild winter brings bears out early, experts warn

BEDFORD, N.H. (WHDH) -- Wildlife experts are warning that a mild winter has brought bears out of hibernation early, and a spate of recent bear sightings would seem to support that claim.

Most recently, a New Hampshire family had a close encounter with a family of black bears in their own back yard.

That family didn't have to venture anywhere - to see the wildlife. They took video of a mother bear and her two cubs raiding the birdfeeder just feet from their Bedford, New Hampshire home.

The woman who took the video says she and her daughter stayed put and watched the animals through the window. She says it was an amazing experience to see the wild animals up close.

"Just the way they interact with each other, you can see the details of their bodies, their fur -- just their looks to each other -- you could see so much more right through the glass, rather than through the camera to the glass to them," Judy Mueller said.

In Hubbardston, Massachusetts on Friday an officer took pictures of a bear in the Mount Jefferson area.

Police are telling people to not approach the bears, who are likely looking for food. They're also suggesting people in the area secure all their bird feeders and trash cans.