Montgomery County residents may start to see black bears in the area as the bears leave their winter dens in search of food, according to a recent Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) release.
The department said that “after months of not eating or drinking, bears are hungry and in search of easy food.” Black bears are attracted to anything that resembles the scent of food, like birdseed, chicken feed, dog food and trash, according to the statement.
Montgomery County is no stranger to black bears. There were multiple bear sightings in the county last year around this time, including ones in Kensington on April 24 and 25 and in Rockville on May 8 and June 13.
The DNR provided numerous tips for residents on not attracting bears, including removing bird feeders from April to November, locking garbage in a bear-proof trash bin or putting trash containers in a locked garage or shed, rinsing out trash cans with ammonia to get rid of odors, storing pet food inside and storing cooking grills inside and cleaning food residue off of them.
The department said that these things could draw the bears to residential areas and that once a black bear finds an “easy meal,” they are likely to return to that spot.
“Bears are wild creatures that do not rely on humans for survival, and we want to keep them that way,” DNR Wildlife and Heritage Director Karina Stonesifer said in the release. “Just a few simple actions taken by our residents now, like removing food sources and other attractants, can reduce the chances of attracting bears and ensure the bears stay in their more natural habitat throughout the year.”
Black bears are most common in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties in western Maryland, but they can also be seen in central and southern parts of the state, especially young male bears who are looking for new areas to establish as their own territories, the statement said.
According to BearWise, a program created by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to help educate communities on how to coexist with black bears, they “rarely become aggressive when encountered.”
BearWise advises that if someone encounters a black bear, they should remain calm, back away slowly and leave the area.
To report a bear sighting, Montgomery County residents can contact their Wildlife Service Office at 410-356-0941 and for bear-related emergencies, they can call 410-260-8888. Residents can also call their local police department.