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BearWise helps people live responsibly with bears

BearWise® is the program you can trust for sound information and smart solutions that help homeowners, businesses and communities coexist with bears.

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From the BearWise Article Bank

How to be BearWise

Seven Tips for a BearWise Spring

Chances are you may start noticing signs of bear activity sometime in March when some bears emerge from their dens. And many bears will be up and about and looking for food and water before the Easter Bunny arrives. So, it’s a great time to think about what worked and ...
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The Bear Facts

American black bear in water resting on log

What bears do in March

March at a Glance: Some black bears leave their dens to walk around, stretch their legs and then go back to sleep. Other bears leave dens for good. Bears emerge skinny, groggy and thirsty and soon go looking for roughage. Newborn black bear cubs keep growing in their dens. Yearlings ...
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BearWise in the News

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Michigan is bear country. And here they come! (MI, March 2026)

“Michigan is bear country. And here they come!”

March 12, 2026  |  Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Press Release
MI statewide

Tags: March 2026, Michigan
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NC Wildlife Resources Commission offers tips to protect livestock from bears (NC, March 2026)

“NC Wildlife Resources Commission offers tips to protect livestock from bears”

March 9, 2026  |  MSN / WNCT Greenville
Raleigh, NC

 

Tags: March 2026, North Carolina
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State, local agencies to host BearWise open house in Gatlinburg (TN, March 2026)

“State, local agencies to host BearWise open house in Gatlinburg”

March 3, 2026  |  WVLT8
Gatlinburg, TN

Tags: March 2026, Tennessee
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Colorado Reports Spike in Human-Bear Interactions (CO, February 2026)

“Colorado Reports Spike in Human-Bear Interactions”

February 25, 2026  |  GearJunkie
Colorado – statewide

Tags: Colorado, February 2026
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Colorado Bears Damaged Over 2,400 Properties in 2025 (CO, February 2026)

“Colorado Bears Damaged Over 2,400 Properties in 2025”

February 24, 2025  |  Unofficial Networks
Colorado – statewide

 

Tags: Colorado, February 2026
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Pennsylvania NE Office is offering four wildlife education programs (PA, February 2026)

“Pennsylvania NE Office is offering four wildlife education programs”

February 9, 2026  |  Outdoor News
Northeastern Pennsylvania region

Tags: February 2026, Pennsylvania
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Six At-Home BearWise Basics

Never Feed or Approach Bears

Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes like food teaches bears to approach homes and people looking for more. Learn More

Secure food, garbage and recycling

Food and food odors attract bears, so don’t reward them with easily available food, liquids or garbage. Learn More

Remove bird feeders when bears are active

Remove bird feeders when bears are active

Birdseed and grains have lots of calories, so they’re very attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears. Learn More

Never Leave Pet Food Outdoors

Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove bowls afterwards. Store pet food where bears can’t see or smell it. Learn More

Clean and Store Grills, Smokers

Clean and Store Grills, Smokers

Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out. Learn More

Alert Neighbors to Bear Activity

See bears in the area or evidence of bear activity? Tell your neighbors and share info on how to avoid bear conflicts. Learn More

Did you know that not all black bears are black? Black bear is a species; common colors include black, brown and cinnamon.

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…hiking, walking, cycling, jogging, camping?

Read how to Be BearWise Outdoors.

A black bear sow and her two cubs stand in a forest clearing - Ontario, Canada

Sampling of BearWise Educational Materials

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The Black Bear Comeback

Black bears once roamed over all of America’s forested lands. But after European settlement, their numbers and habitat dwindled. Thanks to new attitudes and enlightened conservation and management efforts, black bears are making a dramatic comeback over much of their historic home range. Now that bears are returning to areas they used to call home, it’s up to people and communities to learn how to peacefully coexist with these amazing animals.

BearWise shares ways to prevent conflicts, provides resources to resolve problems, and encourages community initiatives to keep bears wild.

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BearWise® is a program of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. Read more About BearWise.

Top photo courtesy of Steve Uffman
The BearWise® name and logos are registered trademarks of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies.