Bear numbers have steadily increased in Western Maryland. Increasing bear populations and management efforts in surrounding states have resulted in the movement of bears into Maryland, while the increasing age and extent of Maryland's hardwood forests provide quality bear habitat. Encounters with bears are remembered and retold for years to come. It is refreshing to discover that a native wildlife species has returned when most current news of wildlife concerns habitat losses and associated population declines. The sight of a bear is proof that Maryland has extensive forest habitat for this wide-ranging animal.
Black bears can become a nuisance, particularly for people who live near prime bear habitat.
Conflicts between people and bears arise when bears damage personal property, beehives, livestock, and agricultural crops. Bears are common throughout western Allegany and Garrett Counties. Although bears live primarily in forested areas, they sometimes wander into cities and towns. A bear will take advantage of any foods available and will attempt to eat anything that resembles food in looks, smell, or taste. When natural foods such as nuts, meat, berries, insects, and tender vegetation are scarce, bears search actively for anything to eat.