Those have to be "garbage dump" bears...there is no way they could grow to that size on natural forage in the Eastern swamps or hardwoods.
Dead wrong. The area has thousands of acres of peanuts, soybeans and corn. Most growing in river bottom fertile soil. These bears do not hibernate either. They do lay up when it's really cold.
Lots of food + lots of cover (look up pocosin) + no hibernation + no baiting (very strict) = potential for a big ass bear.
Don't forget, we are talking weight not skull measurements. The vast majority of bears killed are run by dogs because these bears are for the most part nocturnal.
