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Ways to Secure Garbage   web  |  pdf

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From the BearWise Article Bank

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What’s on the bear menu? Everything

Bears are attracted to anything that smells; it doesn’t even need to smell good. Garbage, compost piles, dirty diapers, pizza boxes, empty beverage cans...to a hungry black bear, it all smells like something good to eat. Bears are curious and always exploring. If a bear follows its nose to a ...

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The Bear Facts

black bear and cub crossing highway

What bears do in October

October at a Glance: Hyperphagia is in full-swing. Bears may be awake and searching for food up to 20 hours a day. Many bears also look for den sites. Some pregnant females may den up by the end of the month. As days shorten, vehicle collisions rise.    Bears Still ...

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BearWise in the News

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Black Bear activity increases in Maryland as they prepare for hibernation (MD, October 2026)

Black Bear activity increases in Maryland as they prepare for hibernation

October 1, 2026  |  The Garrett County Republican
MD

Tags: Maryland, October 2026
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Black Bear Activity Increases in Maryland as they Prepare For Hibernation (MD, September 2026)

“Black Bear Activity Increases in Maryland as they Prepare For Hibernation”

September 28, 2026  |  Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Maryland statewide

Tags: Maryland, September 2026
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Black bear spotted roaming around downtown Frederick (MD, July 2026)

“Black bear spotted roaming around downtown Frederick”

July 20, 2026  |  Fox 5 Washington DC
Frederick, MD

Tags: July 2026, Maryland
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Bear Crashes Severn’s Still Meadow Strolls As Cops Tell Neighbors To Back Off (MD, June 2026)

June 22, 2026  |  Hoodline
Baltimore, MD

Tags: June 2026, Maryland
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Spring Bears Are on the Move in Frederick County – Here’s How to Keep Your Yard Safe (MD, April 2026)

“Spring Bears Are on the Move in Frederick County – Here’s How to Keep Your Yard Safe“

Tags: April 2026, Maryland
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Maryland officials say black bears are back, searching for food (MD, April 2026)

“Maryland officials say black bears are back, searching for food”

April 7, 2026  |  Fox 5
Maryland statewide

Tags: April 2026, Maryland
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Not all black bears are black. The American black bear is a species (Ursus americanus); common colors include black, brown and cinnamon. Learn how to tell the difference between black bears and grizzlies.

infographic: How to tell a black bear from a grizzly

BearWise Brief: Meet the American Black Bear

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BearWise Brief:
Meet the American Black Bear

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