As MD Black Bears Emerge From Dens, Here's What You Should Know

MARYLAND — Black bears are emerging from their dens after winter hibernation in parts of the state, which means they'll be on the hunt for food and could wander closer to people, according to Maryland wildlife officials.

Black bears in Maryland are concentrated in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties; however, they can be found anywhere in central and southern Maryland, particularly during spring, when young male bears tend to wander into new areas looking for a place to establish their territory. A bear that hunkered down in a tree on the National Institutes of Health campus in Bethesda several years ago even gained fame as the supposed author of a Twitter, as X was known then, account.

Homeowners who leave human-generated food sources out in the open — like birdseed, chicken feed, dog food and even trash — may unintentionally draw bears to residential areas.

“After months of not eating or drinking, bears are hungry and in search of easy food,” said Jonathan Trudeau, game mammal section leader for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service. “Black bears rely on their powerful sense of smell to locate food and are attracted to anything that resembles the scent of food. Once a black bear finds an easy meal, they are likely to be repeat visitors.”

Young bears striking out alone can travel 150 to 200 miles as they search for a territory of their own, the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service says. That occurs in late spring and early summer, and that's when urban residents can see bears.

When young bears are exposed to easy human-generated food sources, officials said the bears learn that the tastiest food comes from people. Exposure to these easy food sources can, and does, lead to a lifelong change in behavior that puts bears at risk due to their proximity to humans.

To avoid attracting bears, Maryland wildlife officials strongly encourage residents who live in and near bear habitats to:

• Remove backyard bird feeders from April through November (birds have plenty of wild food sources during this time).
• Lock garbage in a bear-proof trash bin or store trash containers in a locked garage or shed until the morning of trash pickup. Rinse out trash containers with ammonia to eliminate odors.
• Store pet food inside and avoid leaving food bowls unattended.
• Store cooking grills inside and keep them clean of food residue.

“Ensuring Maryland’s bears stay wild is a large-scale effort that benefits our bears and the Maryland public,” Wildlife and Heritage Director Karina Stonesifer said in a statement. “Taking small steps now and integrating it as part of your routine throughout the year helps to keep our bears wild.”

For more information on living with black bears and bear behavior, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources black bear page or partner organization BearWise.