Frequently Asked Questions

• Are black bears dangerous to humans?
• Will hunting solve nuisance bear problems?
• What should I do if I encounter a bear?
• Is there an illegal trade in bear parts?
• What can my state wildlife agency do?

Are black bears dangerous to humans?
There has never been a single bear attack on a person in Maryland. Yet each year in our state, there are dozens of injuries and even some fatalities caused by hunting. The threat to public safety is not coming from black bears, but rather from the expansion of hunting.

Despite a sometimes shady reputation perpetuated by popular media sensationalism, the black bear is not aggressive. Cases of black bear attacks on humans are extremely rare. When humans come upon a black bear in the wild the bear’s behavior is commonly misinterpreted to be aggressive. For example, when a bear wants to get a better scent or see someone better, the bear may stand on his or her hind legs. If a bear feels threatened he or she may growl or even mock-charge a human. But these instinctive behaviors do not represent actual threats to humans.

While there have been a handful of people who have been killed by black bears in North America in the last century, people have a much greater chance of being killed by lightning, bee stings, dog bites, or hunting accidents. Black bears should, of course, be treated with respect, distance, and caution, but they should not be feared.

Will hunting solve nuisance bear problems?
Hunting bears at random for recreation is not an effective means of solving human/bear conflicts, and may actually exacerbate these conflicts. Hunters tend to take adult male bears, skewing the population in favor of younger sub-adult males who will be able to expand their range and fill the vacancies left by the adults. These sub-adult males are more likely to cause conflicts with people by looking for alternative food sources in homes, campsites, and dumpsters. Black bear hunting results in mortality for a random sample of bears, and does not target those individual bears actually responsible for damage. In fact, by killing a bear who is not causing problems, hunters may open the door for another bear—potentially one more likely to cause problems—to move into the vacated territory.

What should I do if I encounter a bear?
If you see a bear before he or she knows you are there, back away slowly and quietly, leaving the bear an avenue of escape. Do not run away, as this may awaken the bear’s instinct to chase. If the bear has seen you, back away slowly while facing the bear. Again, leave the bear an escape route.

If the bear exhibits an interest in you, make yourself seem larger and a possible threat by standing up, opening your jacket, waving your arms, and banging pots and pans. Pick up any small children or dogs, and stand in groups to appear larger. In the unlikely event that a bear attacks you, do not play dead. Fight back using any blunt objects available, such as rocks, cameras, and binoculars.

After any encounter with a bear, even simply a bear sighting, report the encounter to your state wildlife agency. A complete record of bear encounters gives the agency the data needed to develop an effective bear response plan.

Is there an illegal trade in bear parts?
Black bears nationwide continue to be poached for their gallbladders, paws, and other parts, which are illegally traded for use in the traditional medicinal products of some cultures. Bear parts are sold on the black market for thousands of dollars. The international trade of certain bear parts and derivatives is prohibited by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). While roughly 40,000 American black bears are legally hunted in North America each year, it is estimated that the same number or more are illegally poached to supply the illegal trade in bear parts.

What can my state wildlife agency do?
Your state’s wildlife agency is responsible for managing wildlife for the benefit of the entire population of the state. In many cases however, the agency acts primarily in the interest of the recreational hunting community when making decisions about wildlife management. While some progressive states have developed comprehensive bear response plans, the agencies often feel pressure to shoot first and employ non-lethal techniques for solving human/bear conflicts later. State wildlife agencies should be encouraged to take the lead in educating the public about techniques for peaceful coexistence with black bears. They should also develop a nuisance bear response plan and train their staff in responding to nuisance complaints quickly, using the full array of non-lethal solutions available (including capture and relocation if necessary).

In an effort to increase public tolerance for bears, the Maryland legislature authorized the Department of Natural Resources to create the Black Bear Conservation Stamp Program in 1996. The proceeds from sales of stamps and related merchandise are directed to a fund used to compensate farmers for bear damage. This program, the only one of its kind, serves as a model for other states by supporting humane black bear solutions and generating public awareness of the need to protect black bears in the state.