Bears prefer to eat these natural foods over other foods, and therefore aren't as attracted to non-natural foods. In 1997, when acorn crops were virtually non-existent in Western Maryland, bear nuisance complaints were at record levels. Bears turned to corn crops as a food source for preparation for the winter of 1998, as acorns could not be found. Nuisance complaints during April and May of this year were also high, as natural foods were still scarce. As natural foods such as blackberries, crabapple and acorns became available, bears had a ready source of food and did not bother unnatural sources such as garbage.
Black bears feed primarily on natural foods such as acorns and berries.
These foods provide the nutrients necessary for bears to survive. In years of abundant mast crops, such as this year, bears will forage extensively on high quality foods such as acorns. It's only in years of mast failures do bears turn extensively to agricultural crops as a primary food source. In 1998, bear damage to crops should theoretically be low due to the preponderance of acorns throughout Garrett and Allegany counties.