Yearling females frequently settle near their mother's home range. The black bear is an intelligent animal with keen senses of smell and hearing. It can detect the slightest aroma of food, which may lead the bear to campsites and near homes. Odor from carelessly stored food and garbage can lure bears long distances. Climatic factors, such as drought may result in a food shortage, and bears will travel many miles in search of food.
Black bears are generally shy and secretive and usually fearful of humans.
Unlike grizzly bears, black bears are seldom aggressive towards humans. If they regularly find food near houses and human activity, they can lose their fear of humans. Black bears travel and feed primarily at night. Females with cubs tend to have restricted home ranges which average six to 19 square miles, while males move about widely in home ranges of 12 to 60 square miles. The size of a home range varies geographically and often depends on the type of habitat.