Maryland is home to a thriving black bear population, particularly in the forested mountains of the western counties. As human development expands and bears move seasonally farther east into central counties, encounters between humans and bears are becoming more common. If you are wondering about the likelihood of a dangerous confrontation in the state, the data provides a reassuring look at bear behavior.
The Statistics on Bear Attacks in Maryland
According to wildlife experts and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), while sightings are rising, attacks remain incredibly rare.
- Maryland is currently home to more than 2,000 adult and subadult black bears.
- Breeding populations are concentrated in Garrett, Allegany, Washington, and Frederick counties, though bears frequently wander into other areas.
- Despite this healthy population, black bear attacks are extraordinarily uncommon. In fact, an incident in Frederick County in November 2016 was recorded as Maryland's first bear attack on a human in at least 81 years.
- Across all of North America, where hundreds of thousands of black bears live, there have only been approximately 100 recorded deaths over the last century.
Why Do Bears Attack?
Maryland's black bears are naturally timid and typically fear people, preferring to leave the area when humans are present. When a bear does become aggressive, it is almost always a defensive reaction driven by specific circumstances:
- Protecting Cubs: The most common trigger for a defensive attack is a mother protecting her young. The rare 2016 Maryland attack occurred when a resident unknowingly walked between a mother bear and her cubs in the dark while a dog was barking.
- Being Cornered: Bears will typically flee, but if they are cornered without a clear escape route, they may act defensively.
- Food Conditioning: Bears are intelligent, opportunistic feeders that will return to places where they have found an easy meal. When bears associate humans with food, they lose their natural fear, creating dangerous situations. The DNR handles an average of over 480 nuisance calls a year, often related to property and agricultural damage.
- Surprise Encounters: Startling a bear at close range can provoke a defensive charge, which may be preceded by warning signs like jaw-snapping, woofing, or slapping the ground.
Tips for Coexisting and Avoiding Encounters
The Maryland DNR and the teams at PhillyBite Magazine and WherePhilly recommend several strategies to reduce the chances of a close encounter and keep both humans and wildlife safe:
- Do Not Feed Wildlife: It is illegal and dangerous to feed bears in Maryland intentionally. Eliminate easy meals by securing your trash and removing outdoor pet food or bird feeders.
- Keep Your Distance: If you see a bear, do not panic and do not approach it. Ensure the bear has a clear escape route.
- Make Your Presence Known: Talk in a firm voice to make the bear aware you are there. If a bear refuses to leave your yard, make loud noises to scare it away from a safe location indoors.
- Back Away Slowly: If you surprise a bear, slowly and calmly back away while raising your arms to appear larger. Avoid direct eye contact.
- Know How to React to an Attack: Never run from a bear. If a black bear bluff charges, hold your ground. If a black bear actually makes physical contact and attacks, wildlife officials advise fighting back with everything you have, targeting the bear's face.
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