What to do if you see a black bear in Maine

PORTLAND, Maine — When a young black bear wandered through the bustling streets of Portland's Old Port earlier this year, it wasn't looking for tourist souvenirs or fresh lobster rolls. The wanderer was simply lost.

Caitlin Drasher, the black bear biologist for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, explained that such visitors are typical during late spring and early summer, when young males leave their mothers to establish their own territories.

"Typically, it's a young male bear that gets turned around because they're just zipping across the landscape, trying to find their own place in the world," Drasher said.

The Portland incident required intervention. After the bear found its way into a parking garage, wildlife officials established a perimeter and tranquilized the animal before relocating it to suitable habitat.

"It was very unlikely that he was going to find his way out by himself," Drasher said.

The episode drew attention to Maine's thriving bear population. The state is home to between 25,000 and 27,000 black bears—the largest population in the eastern United States. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife receives between 400 and 700 reports of bear sightings each year, ranging from backyard appearances to encounters in unexpected urban settings. The number fluctuates depending on berry abundance; fewer natural food sources mean more encounters with humans.

Despite their numbers, conflicts requiring intervention remain rare. Black bears are rarely aggressive, and attacks on humans are uncommon.

"You want the buffet to be closed," Drasher advised homeowners.

She urged residents to remove or secure common bear attractants, particularly bird feeders, which are active between April and November when bears are most active.

"Bird feeders are the first thing that they are going to experiment with in somebody's backyard. It's the gateway drug for bears," Drasher said.

The state recommends bringing bird feeders inside during these months and clearing spilled seed from the ground. Residents should store garbage cans in buildings, keep garage doors closed, and secure dumpster lids. Grills should be stored in secure areas with food residue burned off and wrappers disposed of properly. Pet food should be fed indoors, and livestock bowls should be cleaned daily.

When a bear does appear in a yard, Drasher advised making loud noises to scare it away while ensuring the animal has an escape route.

"Having a bear very comfortable in your backyard is not great for the bear," she said.

For hikers and campers, the recommendation is to stay aware of surroundings, keep children within sight, leash dogs, make noise on trails, and carry bear spray. If a bear approaches, people should make themselves appear larger by raising their arms and shouting, then quietly back away. During camping, food should never be stored in tents, and cooking areas should be kept far from sleeping sites.

Drasher emphasized that black bears generally want nothing to do with humans.

"Black bears are generally very harmless, and they don't want to interact with people," she said. "The times they do interact with people, it's because of our food."

Maine's "urban bears" appear once or twice yearly, typically young dispersing males. Female bears typically maintain home ranges around 10 square miles, while males may roam up to 100 square miles.

In Old Orchard Beach, officials confirmed two bears were spotted one morning in June. The animals were monitored and reported to the Maine Warden Service but returned to the woods on their own without intervention.

For those who spot a bear in a residential or urban area, the Department advises calling a regional wildlife office to report the sighting. Staff will assess the situation and determine whether intervention is necessary.

"If the bear is not stuck in an area, they can usually find their way out, especially if you wait for nightfall," Drasher said. "The best case scenario is that you don't need to handle the bear."

More information about living with black bears is available on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website and at BearWise.org. Contact information for regional wildlife offices can be found at maine.gov/ifw.