Coexisting with Black Bears
Black bear standing in the woods
Let me tell you a story from my days as a Wildlife Assistant Biologist. One morning, I received a call from a concerned woman about a bear problem. Her husband had spotted a bear climbing their fence to get at their chickens. Now, most bear stories end with the person wisely retreating indoors - but not this one. Instead, as the bear was making its escape over the fence, her husband ran up and... smacked it on the rear end. Yes, you read that right! He gave a wild bear a pat on the behind. After I managed to stop laughing, I had to explain that while the bear incident ended without injury this time, "I do not recommend smacking bear butts" would need to be filed under "Things I Never Thought I'd Have to Say at Work."
This story perfectly illustrates how we sometimes forget that we're dealing with powerful wild animals, not oversized teddy bears. While this particular encounter ended without incident (aside from a very surprised bear and an equally surprised wildlife biologist on the phone), it highlights why we need to talk about properly coexisting with these magnificent creatures.
Black Bear Habits and Native Range
Black bears (Ursus americanus) are the most widely distributed bear species in North America, found in forests, swamps, and other natural areas from Canada to Mexico. They are highly adaptable and can live in a variety of habitats, including those near human settlements. Black bears are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet includes fruits, nuts, insects, small mammals, and carrion (dead animals). They are also known to forage for human food and garbage, which is typically what leads to conflicts.
Black bears are generally solitary animals, except for mothers with cubs. They have large home ranges and can travel long distances in search of food. Bears are most active during the early morning and late evening hours, especially in the spring and summer when they are building up fat reserves for winter hibernation (remember 20,000 calories a day!).
The Nose Knows (Like, Really Knows)
Here's a mind-blowing fact: bears have a sense of smell that's approximately 10,000 times stronger than ours. To put that in perspective, while you might smell that pizza cooking next door, a bear can smell it from several miles away. They can literally smell your leftover burrito through your walls. Think about that next time you leave food out "just for a little while."
During fall, when bears are preparing for winter (a period we call hyperphagia), they need to consume up to 20,000 calories per day. That's equivalent to eating about 40 large pizzas – daily! No wonder they're motivated to check out your trash can or raid your bird feeder.
Your Backyard Buffet: What's Actually Attracting Bears
If you've ever thought, "But I don't leave food out!" I hate to break it to you, but you probably do. Here's what bears consider a five-star dining experience:
Bird feeders (aka bear candy dispensers)
Pet food left outside
Garbage cans (yesterday's leftovers are today's bear feast)
Fruit trees and berry bushes
Beehives (honey AND protein-rich bee larvae – it's a bear's version of surf and turf)
Compost piles (one bear's trash is... still a bear's treasure)
Chicken coops (eggs and chickens – the ultimate breakfast combo)
Bear-Proofing: More Than Just a Strong Fence
Remember our fence-jumping friend from earlier? While regular fences might slow bears down (and apparently provide an opportunity for ill-advised rear-end slapping), they're not nearly enough to deter a determined bear. Here's what actually works:
Electric Fencing: Your New Best Friend
Electric fencing is like a bouncer for your property – it keeps unwanted guests out while being surprisingly cost-effective. A proper electric fence setup might cost you around $200-300, which is a lot cheaper than replacing livestock or rebuilding a damaged coop. Plus, one zap is usually all it takes for a bear to learn that your property isn't worth the trouble.
Secure Storage: Think Like a Bear
If a 300-pound food-motivated athlete with incredible strength and problem-solving skills wanted to get into your storage, could they? That's basically what you're up against. Here are some bear-resistant strategies:
Store garbage in a secure building or bear-resistant container
Keep pet food inside
Clean your grill after each use (those tasty drippings are like bear magnets)
Remove bird feeders during bear season (yes, ALL of them)
Harvest fruit as it ripens and clean up fallen fruit immediately
You can find DIY kits online to help lock on your trash can to prevent wildlife from getting into it.
What to Do When You See a Bear (Besides Taking Selfies)
First, let's be clear about what NOT to do:
Don't run (unless you want to trigger their chase instinct)
Don't play dead (that's for grizzly bears in specific situations)
Instead:
Stay Calm: Do not run. Running can trigger a bear’s predatory instincts. Instead, stand your ground and slowly back away while facing the bear.
Identify Yourself: Speak calmly and firmly to the bear to let it know you are a human and not a prey animal. This can help the bear recognize you as non-threatening.
Make Yourself Look Bigger: Raise your arms, open your jacket, and stand tall to appear larger. This can deter the bear from approaching.
Do Not Approach: Never approach a bear, especially a mother with cubs. Give the bear plenty of space to retreat.
Use Bear Spray: If the bear continues to approach, use bear spray as a deterrent. Aim for the bear’s face and discharge the spray when the bear is within 20-30 feet.
The Reality Check
Here's the thing: bears aren't out to get us. They're just trying to survive, and unfortunately, our habits often make their lives easier in ways that create conflict. When I designed my American Black Bear t-shirt, I specifically chose to surround the bear with delicate pink wildflowers and evergreen trees to capture this duality - these are powerful predators who can bench press 500 pounds, run at speeds of up to 35 mph, and climb trees better than your cat, but they're also an integral part of our natural ecosystem who prefer foraging for berries to any interaction with humans. They're not oversized raccoons or troublesome pets – they're wild animals that deserve our respect and distance.
The Bottom Line
Coexisting with bears is actually pretty simple if we follow the rules. Keep your property clean, secure your food and garbage, and give bears their space. And please, please don't smack their behinds. Trust me on this one.
Want to learn more about living with bears? Contact your local wildlife agency for resources and guidance. They'd much rather help you prevent bear problems than deal with the aftermath of poor choices.
Remember: A little prevention goes a long way in keeping both you and our wild neighbors safe. Besides, explaining to your insurance company that a bear destroyed your property because you left out a bird feeder is an awkward conversation you probably want to avoid.
