Sharing the Woods with Black Bears: What Landowners Should Know
You’re walking your woods and notice a clawed-up beech tree, a big pile of berry-filled scat, or maybe even a paw print in the mud. These signs tell you what a trail cam might confirm: you’re sharing your land with black bears—and that’s something to celebrate.
Seeing a black bear in the wild is always a thrill—and a reminder that we’re not alone in the forest. As woodland stewards, our management choices can directly affect the habitat that bears and other wildlife rely on. With spring around the corner and bears emerging from their dens, now’s a good time to think about how to live with—and care for—the land that bears call home.
Meet the Black Bear
Black bears (Ursus americanus) are Vermont’s only native bear species. Intelligent and curious, they generally avoid people. Adult males can weigh more than 300 pounds, while females are smaller. As omnivores, bears eat berries, beechnuts, grasses, insects, carrion, and, occasionally, birdseed or garbage if it's accessible.
Bears Depend on Healthy Forests
Black bears need large, connected tracts of forestland for food, shelter, and safe travel. As a woodland owner, you can support bear habitat by maintaining:
Beech and oak trees, which produce high-energy nuts essential in the fall
Wetlands and forest openings, where bears forage for berries and insects
Secluded denning sites, such as hollow trees, ledges, and brushy slopes
If you’re managing your woods with native species, a healthy understory, and a mix of forest ages, chances are you’re already supporting wildlife—including bears.
What’s a Mast Year—and Why It Matters
“Mast” refers to nuts and fruits that trees produce. In a mast year, beeches and oaks may yield a bumper crop of nuts. Bears take full advantage, gorging to store energy for winter. In poor mast years, they often range more widely in search of food—and may come into closer contact with humans.
Paying attention to nut-producing trees on your land can help you anticipate bear activity and understand their movement patterns.
Coexisting with Bears: Tips for Landowners
Whether you live on your property year-round or visit occasionally, it’s important to reduce the risk of human-bear conflicts—especially in spring and fall when bears are hungriest.
Take down bird feeders by April 1 (It’s required by VT law!)
Secure garbage, compost, and pet food—even at camps or remote cabins
Never intentionally feed bears—doing so endangers both people and wildlife
Use electric fencing around chickens, bees, or other attractants
Clean up food scraps and avoid leaving bait or edible trash in the woods
When bears learn to associate people with food, they may become bold or destructive. Sadly, that often leads to relocation or even euthanasia.
Spotting Bear Activity on Your Land
Even if you don’t see a bear in person, they may be moving through your woods. Look for signs like:
Clawed or marked beech trees
Scat filled with berries, nuts, or seeds
Rolled-over logs or dug-up stumps (from foraging insects)
Five-toed tracks with visible claw marks
These signs are a powerful reminder: your woods are part of a living, interconnected ecosystem.
Stewarding for Bears—and All Wildlife
Caring for your woods with wildlife in mind doesn’t mean leaving them untouched. Thoughtful management—like maintaining mast-producing trees, limiting forest fragmentation, and protecting wetland areas—can enhance habitat while keeping your goals for the land in focus.
Want to Learn More?
Whether you’re new to land stewardship or looking to deepen your forest’s value for wildlife, Vermont Woodlands Association is here to help. We connect landowners with trusted resources and professionals, including licensed foresters, to support long-term, sustainable woodland care.
Visit Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s bear page
Explore wildlife resources from the Kilham Bear Center
