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Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Black Bears

Black bear standing on trail

The black bear (Ursus americanus) is the only bear species living in California today. Black bears occur in a diversity of habitats, including natural, rural, and residential areas. Black bears are sometimes mistaken for grizzlies due to their wide range of fur color ranging from blonde or cinnamon to black). Grizzly bears have been extirpated in the state with the last documented sighting in 1924.

Black bears provide many ecosystem benefits by serving as seed dispersers, scavengers, and predators. They are omnivores and will consume nearly anything, including seeds, plants, berries, other animals, pet food, human food, and trash.

Black bears may cause concern due to property damage, loss of small livestock or pets, or public safety as they search for food, as they can become habituated to and lose their fear of humans.

Black bears provide many ecosystem benefits by serving as seed dispersers, scavengers, and predators. They are omnivores and will consume nearly anything, including seeds, plants, other animals, pet food, human food, and trash. Black bears may cause concern due to property damage, loss of small livestock or pets, or public safety as they search for food, as they can become habituated to and lose their fear of humans.

Prevent Potential Conflicts

Preventing Conflicts

Whether you live in a residential, rural or remote area of California, wild animals are our neighbors. As our human population expands into wildlife habitat, human-wildlife interactions have increased. Most wild animals, including black bears, naturally avoid or fear humans. However, black bears are at increased risk of becoming food conditioned or habituated due to increased access to non-natural food sources. Some people do not realize the harm in feeding wild animals or preventing access to attractants.

Stash Your Food and Trash

  • Use bear-proof containers to secure trash, recycling, and compost.
  • Pick ripe fruit off trees, and promptly collect fruit that falls off trees.
  • Keep doors and windows closed and locked when unoccupied.
  • Clean BBQ grills after each use and store in a secure shed or garage when not in use.
  • Remove unsecured trash, food, and strongly scented items (e.g., sunscreen) from vehicles and yard.

Prevent Potential Conflict

  • Bring pets inside at night.
  • Keep livestock in secure pens at night. Install electric fencing around chicken coops and enclosures.
  • Eliminate access to potential den sites (e.g., crawl spaces under decks).
  • Install motion-activated lights, noise makers, or alarms.
  • Install electric mats (‘unwelcome mats’).
  • Use sensory deterrent to deter potential access to attractants (e.g., place ammonia in shallow bowl).
  • Remove bird feeders from yard.

Do NOT feed black bears or other wildlife. Feeding big game animals is prohibited in California (Title 14 CCR § 251.3. Prohibition Against Feeding Big Game Mammals).

Resources

Outdoor Safety Tips

Black bear encounters resulting in human injury are rare in California. Bears can be unpredictable. Most black bear "attacks" are defensive actions if the animal is protecting cubs, becomes startled or scared. In some cases, a food conditioned, or habituated bear may become too bold and act aggressively towards people. Each situation is different.

Be Bear Aware

  • Know the area you are hiking and be aware of your surroundings on the trail.
  • Leash pets outdoors. Dogs can startle or scare bears and provoke defensive behaviors.
  • Keep pets in view and secure at all times. Do not leave pets unattended or sleeping outside.
  • Watch for signs of bears in the area and along trails – Scat, tracks, den sites, bark stripped off trees.
  • Make your presence known (e.g., talk loudly, whistle) – A scared or startled bear may react defensively.

Be Bear Smart

  • Remove unsecured food from inside your vehicle.
  • Remove unsecured food or strongly scented items in your tent.
  • Securely store human and pet food, toiletries, and scented items (e.g., sunscreen) inside bear-resistant food canisters or bear lockers.
  • Remove trash regularly - Check with camp host or park staff about removal or storage options.
  • Clean fish or field dress animals away from campsite.
  • Clean grills, dishes, and eating area after each meal.
  • Change out of clothes you cooked or ate in before going to bed.

If You Encounter a Bear

  • Keep a safe distance. Back away slowly.
  • Let the bear know you are there.
  • DO NOT RUN. Do not make eye contact.
  • Keep small children and pets close to you.
  • Make yourself look bigger and make noise (e.g., yell, clap, use a whistle).
  • Let the bear leave the area on its own.
  • Carry bear spray and know how to use it properly.
  • If a black bear makes contact - fight back! Then - Call 9-1-1

Resources

Additional Resources

Wildlife Health Lab
1701 Nimbus Road Suite D, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916) 358-2790 | WILAB@wildlife.ca.gov