Maryland Issues Bear Warning As Temperatures Rise

Officials urge residents to remove bird feeders and secure trash to avoid attracting hungry black bears emerging from hibernation.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A dramatic landscape painting in muted tones, with a lone black bear silhouetted against a towering, misty mountain range, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural environment.As black bears emerge from hibernation in search of food, Maryland's vast wilderness serves as a reminder of the bears' natural habitat and the need to coexist safely.Frederick Today

Maryland's Department of Natural Resources has issued a warning to residents about an increase in black bear activity as temperatures rise and the animals emerge from hibernation. Wildlife officials are advising people to take precautions like removing bird feeders, securing trash, and keeping grills clean to avoid inadvertently attracting the hungry bears searching for food.

Why it matters

As black bears leave their winter dens, they are focused on finding water and high-fiber foods like skunk cabbage and grasses. However, they will also target easy sources of food in residential areas, like bird feeders, trash, pet food, and grill residue. Once a bear finds an easy meal, it often returns, which can lead to dangerous human-bear conflicts if the bears become accustomed to accessing food from people's homes.

The details

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, black bears are most commonly found in the western part of the state, including Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. However, sightings can happen anywhere as younger bears roam in search of new territory. Wildlife officials warn that feeding behavior, even unintentionally, can change how bears act long-term and increase the risk of dangerous encounters.

  • As temperatures rise in the spring, black bears are emerging from their winter dens.

The players

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

The state agency responsible for managing and protecting Maryland's natural resources, including its wildlife populations.

Jonathan Trudeau

The Game Mammal Section Leader for DNR's Wildlife and Heritage Service, who provided guidance on the bear activity.

Karina Stonesifer

The Wildlife and Heritage Director for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, who emphasized the importance of keeping bear activity as natural as possible.

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What they’re saying

“After months of not eating or drinking, bears are hungry and in search of easy food.”

— Jonathan Trudeau, Game Mammal Section Leader, DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service

“Once a black bear finds an easy meal, like a bird feeder or trash, they are likely to be repeat visitors.”

— Jonathan Trudeau, Game Mammal Section Leader, DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service

“It is important to ensure bear activity stays as natural as possible and not inadvertently promote human-bear conflict through our own actions.”

— Karina Stonesifer, Wildlife and Heritage Director, Maryland Department of Natural Resources

What’s next

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will continue to monitor bear activity and provide updates to residents on how to safely coexist with the animals as they emerge from hibernation.

The takeaway

This bear warning highlights the importance of being proactive in removing potential food sources from residential areas to avoid dangerous encounters between humans and hungry black bears. By taking simple precautions, Maryland residents can help keep the bears wild and prevent conflicts that could lead to harm for both people and the animals.