Black Bears: Living Beside Big Neighbors

Discover how living beside black bears teaches us respect, balance, and small actions that keep wild neighbors truly wild.

The first time I found signs of a black bear on my land, it stopped me in my tracks. A broken branch in the orchard, fresh scat under a plum tree — clear evidence that I wasn’t the only one enjoying the fruit. My first reaction was awe. Bears are powerful, elusive neighbors, and knowing one had passed through filled me with a deep respect for the wildness still alive here. But right behind that awe came another feeling: caution. What would happen if they came back, drawn not just to fruit but to trash, compost, or grease in the grill?

Living with big neighbors like bears is both a gift and a challenge. They remind us that our landscapes are still shared, that humans are not the only ones with claims to the land. Yet their survival often depends on how well we manage our side of that relationship. Bears will always follow food sources. If our garbage, bird feeders, or orchards are easy pickings, they learn quickly — and too often, they lose their wildness in exchange for ours. When that happens, it rarely ends well for the bear.

Truth: Black bears are opportunistic omnivores, guided by seasonal food cycles. They thrive on berries in spring, fruit in summer, and anything calorie-dense as they fatten for winter. Human food sources can disrupt this natural rhythm and create dependency.

Why It Matters: A bear’s presence on your land signals a healthy, connected ecosystem. But if our habits invite them closer, we risk both their safety and ours. Coexistence isn’t about removing wildlife — it’s about adapting our choices so that wild animals can stay wild.

I’ve come to see bear sign not as a threat, but as a signal that I live in a place big enough to hold them. That feels rare and worth protecting. The challenge lies in maintaining boundaries — securing trash, managing fruit trees, rethinking how we store feed. These are not just chores but acts of respect. They are ways of saying: I recognize you live here too, but I will not make it easier for you to lose your wildness.

Field Note: Seeing tracks, scat, or claw marks doesn’t mean danger is imminent. It means you’re sharing space with a species that has been here far longer than we have. Their presence is a reminder of resilience and belonging.

Action: Take a walk around your house and property. Identify one possible bear attractant — garbage cans, fallen fruit, compost, bird seed, dog food, or an extra dirty grill. Choose one to secure or change this week. Small adjustments can prevent larger problems, and they help keep our big neighbors safe.

Categories: : native species, bears