offered by
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
related to
Wild Massachusetts

Black Bears in Massachusetts

Black bears are becoming increasingly common in Massachusetts and are moving further to the east.

As fascinating as black bears are, on occasion they can cause problems for people. With the increasing number of bears found in many areas of Massachusetts, it is important for residents to brush up on their bear knowledge. Learn how to avoid conflicts by making sure your property and neighborhood are not attracting black bears.

What would you like to do?

Top tasks

Prevent conflicts with black bears 
Learn about black bears 

What you need to know

Homeowners' and pet owners' guide to avoiding conflicts with black bears 
Landlords', restaurants', campgrounds' guide to avoiding conflicts with black bears 
Hikers' and campers' guide to avoiding conflicts with black bears 
Protect your bees and chickens from black bears 
Protect your crops and orchards from black bears 
Protect your livestock from black bears 

Related Services

Additional Resources

Frequently asked questions about black bears
What to do if you encounter a black bear (PDF 452.03 KB)
Printable quick tips for avoiding bear conflicts (PDF 398.5 KB)
Electric Fence Guide to Prevent Bear Damage (PDF 611.47 KB)
Image credits:  MassWildlife
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