The 2023 'Bear Hunting' season for me is all but over!

And so, my bear 'hunt' for 2023 is over. I have found every one published on the latest Bear Town Bears Map (2022) Version 10.3.5

In the 2023 visit, I noted that some bears I have found in previous years were no longer where they were when I'd found them before. There may be a number of reasons for this, time or acts of nature leaving them in need of repair, damaged or tired.

There were also new bears not listed in the Bear Town Bears map. This will no doubt be remedied by my next visit, which will include more bears to find.

Already there are new bears being placed around, some listed here like:

• The bear at New Bern Chevrolet
• Patchwork Bear (the replacement for the retired Brier Bear, which I missed)
• Kia Bear
• Welcome Home Bear
• Yota Bear

I challenge you to paint your own New Bern Bear! This is possible at the Accidental Artist.

Before I leave you for this season, I would like to thank my son, Allyn, and everyone else involved for helping facilitate all my quests. 

Thank you to Kenneth Monroe at NBH as well as Tammy at the visitors centre for putting up with the crazy Welsh woman obsessed with all the bears.

Thank you for joining me on this, now the end of my nine year quest to find them all and, even though there are two I cannot find, my mission is an absolute success. 

#WhatsUpWithAllTheBears

See you again in 2025, probably around Halloween time when I know there will be new ones to find - probably

Niki aka Nicola

-x-

Taberna Bear

 

Artist: Cheryl Ashe

Taberna Way

 

This one was difficult for us to find. However, with some super sleuth work from Tammy at the New Bern Visitors Centre, we found it. In the nick of time as my stay in New Bern was due to end less than 24 hours later.

Welcome Home Bear

Artist: Sydney Gilgo

1000 Comet Drive

New Bern West

Yota Bear

 

If you are aware of it's correct name and the artist, please let me know in the comments below.

Artist: Unknown

5010 US-70

Technology Bear

 

Artist: Brandy Baxter

701 Industrial Drive

  

Fluffy Bear

 

Artist: Katie Wiggs

International Paper

1785 Weyerhaeuser Road

"Chevrolet Bear"

 

Name subject to change as this is a new and unlisted bear

If you are aware of it's correct name and the artist, please let me know in the comments below.

3405 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd

  

Patchwork Bear

 

Artist: Lee Hood

Pine Valley Drive

New and currently unlisted.

Replaced Brier Bear, who has officially retired due to being beyond repair.

Brier Bear

RETIRED

Year of retirement: Unknown

Artist: Nada Behr

Pine Valley Drive

Replaced by Patchwork Bear

Kia Bear

Located at 

Kia of New Bern

1715 US-70

Name of bear and artist unknown

As this is a newly situated bear, he was not listed and I do not have any details. If you find out the correct name, artist etc, please let me know in the comments below

  

Bearon de Colours

 

Artist: Molly Knazek

Inside the Carolina Colours Golf Club

at 3330 Waterscape Way

Was wearing a swanky scarf, sombrero and shades on the day of visit in 2023

A.V.I.D. Bear

This bear is not easily accessible 

 

At the time of visit and publication, 4th May 2023 this bear, called AVID* Bear, does not have a plinth or permanent position, neither is it listed on the current / 2022 publication of the Bear Town Bears map.

Thank you again to Kenneth Monroe and the staff at New Bern High for permission to access the school grounds and for the escort to view this new bear.

His eventual home will be

New Bern High School

on Academic Drive

This will mean he may not be easily accessible without prior arrangement. 

  

* AVID = Advancement Via Individual Determination

Champion Bear

This bear is not easily accessible, see below

Artist: Jane Needham

Inside the stadium at

New Bern High School

on Academic Drive

 

I would like to thank the Deputy Principle at New Bern High for allowing me access to this bare (by prior arrangement). 

I would also like to thank the staff for helping me out, especially my / our 'escort', Kenneth Monroe. Kenneth, a fire fighter and the Soft Ball Coach at NBH, was very knowledgeable about the history of New Bern. It's such a shame that he was very busy as I could have listened to him for hours. He did, however, manage to give me some advice on good places to visit, which I'm sure I shall.

 

Bury Bear

 

Artist: Ed Macomber

2201 Neuse Blvd

Wally Bear

Artist: Sandy Bruno

Sponsor: Walmart Neighbourhood Market

2915 Neuse Boulevard

 

Diverse Flag Bearer

 

Artist: Whitney Wallace

100 Bosch Blvd