Black Bears Emerging In Massachusetts: How To Be Bear Aware

MASSACHUSETTS — The beginning of spring — the vernal equinox is Tuesday — also marks the start of bear season in Massachusetts, a time when sleepy adult bears and their cubs return to warm-weather activities, like raiding your garbage.

This year, state wildlife officials are warning residents in northern Middlesex County, Worcester County and western Massachusetts to be extra careful about leaving easy food for bears to grab. Items like bird feeders, pet food and trash can attract bears into human areas.

There are an estimated 4,500 bears living in the state. Established black bear territory (areas where they breed) ends on the east near I-190 and I-395, but bears forage as far east as Wayland, Andover and Milford. But it's very possible bears could make it farther east if food lures them. Bears have such a powerful sense of smell, they can detect food a mile or more away.

Here's what to know about black bears, and how to prevent unwanted encounters.

Black or brown bear?

Black bears are the only species that live in Massachusetts. But black bears can be colored brown or read. Grizzly bears are also called brown bears, but they are a different beaer subspecies.

The larger, scarier grizzly (brown) bears do not live anywhere near here, except maybe in a zoo. The closest wild population is about 2,300 miles away in Yellowstone National Park. Grizzly bears were almost hunted to extinction by settlers and trappers in the 18th and 19th centuries, but even their historic range only went as far east as Missouri.

Bear range in Massachusetts

If you see a black bear east of I-495, chances are it's a male.

The established black bear range — defined as the area where female bears are producing cubs —in Massachusetts largely ends at I-190 near the border of Worcester and Middlesex counties, according to MassWildlife.

Man made barriers like I-190, I-290, Route 2 and I-495 prevent female bears from setting up a den in, say, Marlborough or Burlington, according to MassWildlife Black Bear and Furbearer Biologist Dave Wattles.

The bears that slip past those barriers are typically wandering males seeking new territory and food.

What do they want?

Food. In spring, bears are feasting on emerging plants, but they switch to ripe berries in summer, and then tree bark and nuts in autumn.

Apart from natural food sources, the omnivores will eat pretty much anything that smells good. Backyard bird feeders and trash are two major food sources. A single bird feeder or suet block can provide thousands of calories. Bears will go for those foods even if they need to walk across your deck.

Other food sources include pet food, grills that haven't been cleaned, compost, bee hives and sometimes backyard chickens.

What if I like birdwatching?

State officials advise backyard birdwatchers to try other methods of attracting them.

"If you enjoy watching birds in your yard, MassWildlife suggests adding a water feature, growing native plants, shrubs, and trees to attract birds. Individuals should also secure bee hives, chickens, and livestock. Properly maintained electric fencing is the only way to protect chickens or bee hives from bears. Taking these actions may prevent the unnatural feeding of bears and other kinds of neighborhood wildlife," the agency said.

Fed bear, dead bear

It might be thrilling to see a bear in your yard, but it's very dangerous for them to get used to humans. Bears that spend a lot of time in urban areas are at higher risk of being hit by a car or dispatched by police.

Look no further than the story of Mink, a New Hampshire bear who kept returning to a town to feast on doughnuts supplied by a local resident. Mink was hit and killed by a driver several years ago, leaving three cubs behind.

Are they dangerous?

Experts say black bears, in most cases, will try to avoid contact with humans. Out in the woods, they use their powerful noses and keen hearing to get far away long before you'd ever see them.

But black bears can be dangerous. In very rare cases, humans have been killed by them — about 61 since 1900. If you encounter one on a trail, it's best to slowly back away while talking in a calm voice. Unlike grizzly bears where the advice is to play dead, experts advise fighting back if a black bear attacks. And black bear mothers are not more likely to attack if cubs are nearby — the opposite, according to the North American Bear Center.

In your backyard, hazing the bear by making loud sounds can be an effective deterrent.

What now?

The best way to keep yourself and bears safe is to remove food sources from your backyard, and keep your distance if you see one. As the season moves on, so will the bears.

"A bear’s first response to something unusual is to leave," according to the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. "If a bear is feeding in an area where it doesn’t belong, such as your yard, on a porch, or in a dumpster, step outside, yell, and make lots of noise. The bear will usually leave — accompanied by its young."

Here are more tips from MassWildlife:

Take down your bird feeders. Natural foods, such as acorns and other nuts, are usually available on the ground, but last year’s fall hard mast crop was meager. Bears will often ignore seasonally available natural foods, like skunk cabbage, in favor of an easy meal at a backyard bird feeder. Other species, including wild turkeys and coyotes, may also frequent bird feeders which can lead to more human-wildlife conflict. If you enjoy watching birds in your yard, MassWildlife suggests adding a water feature or growing native plants, shrubs, and trees to attract birds. 

Secure other human-associated food sources on your property. Store garbage in closed containers in a garage or outbuilding and put it by the roadside the morning of pick up. Individuals should also secure bee hives, chickens, and livestock.  Coops and chicken wire provide inadequate protection from black bears. Properly installed and maintained electric fencing is the only way to protect chickens or bee hives from bears.

Protect your pets. The presence of a dog could trigger a bear to be aggressive. Check your yard for bears before letting your dog outside. Keep dogs leashed when they’re outdoors and never let dogs chase or interact with bears.