Maine State Warning: "Brazen" Predator Spotted in Backyards

While Maine has always been a wildlife-heavy state, the behavior of these animals is shifting. Predators that once vanished at the sight of a human are now standing their ground in driveways and even hunting in broad daylight on manicured lawns.

1. The "Bangor Cat" Crisis: The Urban Coyote

The most alarming reports have centered on the Bangor area, particularly the Fairmount neighborhood. Throughout 2025 and into early 2026, residents have reported a staggering number of missing outdoor cats, with many sightings pointing to a pack of highly habituated coyotes.

The Sightings: Unlike their elusive cousins in the deep woods, these "urban coyotes" have been captured on security cameras patrolling sidewalks and jumping 6-foot fences with ease.

The Daytime Shift: In late 2025, multiple residents in Burnham and Greene reported seeing coyotes hunting small mammals on front lawns at high noon. This lack of nocturnal preference is a hallmark of a "brazen" predator that no longer views humans as a threat.

2. Black Bears: The "Largest Population" Challenge

Maine currently holds the title for the largest black bear population in the eastern United States, with estimates of 24,000 to 36,000. As natural food sources become scarce during the winter transition, these animals are moving closer to homes than ever before.

Residential Incursions: In Lewiston and Auburn, bears have been spotted investigating back porches and outdoor grills.

Breaking: Wildlife officials have warned of bears attempting to enter garages and sheds to access birdseed or pet food. Because Maine bears are so numerous, the competition for territory is pushing younger, more daring bears into suburban "greenways" where they encounter humans daily.

3. The Rare "Daylight" Bobcat

While coyotes and bears are the primary concern, the town of Greene and the surrounding areas have reported an unusual surge in daytime bobcat sightings.

• Bold Behavior: Residents have shared footage of bobcats lounging on garden stone walls or watching children from the edge of wooded lots. While bobcat attacks on humans are sporadic, their daytime presence in residential areas does prompt a significant increase in warnings about protecting small pets.

4. Why Are They So Bold?

Biologists attribute this "brazen" behavior to habituation. When predators successfully find food in a backyard—whether it's a "reward" from a trash can, a bird feeder, or a bowl of kibble—they lose their instinctual fear.

In Maine's harsh winters, a single "food reward" is enough to keep a coyote or bear returning to a specific street for weeks, leading to the "shadowing" behavior where animals follow residents at a distance, waiting for an opportunity.

5. How to Protect Your Property

The MDIFW and local authorities recommend several immediate actions for the 2026 winter season:

• The "Indoor Only" Rule: If you are in an area with active sightings (like Bangor or the Lewiston-Auburn area), keep cats and small dogs indoors at all times.
• Freeze Your Trash: If possible, keep smelly trash in a freezer or a locked garage until the morning of pickup. Odors are the primary "dinner bell" for bears.
• Remove Bird Feeders: While it's tempting to feed birds in the winter, the fallen seed attracts rodents, which in turn attract coyotes and bobcats.
• Secure Crawl Spaces: Check the lattice under your porch. A brazen bear or coyote looking for a winter den will view a crawl space as ideal shelter.

What to Do If You Encounter One

If you come face-to-face with a predator in your yard, do not run. This can trigger a chase instinct that you cannot win.

Instead, use "Hazing" techniques:

1. Stand your ground and make yourself look as large as possible.
2. Shout in a deep, aggressive voice.
3. Use noise-makers like an air horn or bang a metal spoon against a pot.

The goal is to convince the animal that your yard is an unpredictable and unpleasant place, restoring the "fear boundary" that keeps both humans and wildlife safe.