Maryland Puts Its Stamp on Bear Protection

June 10, 2002

Nearly a half century ago, in 1956, only about 12 black bears roamed in all of Maryland. In 2002, thanks to improved habitat and some thoughtful state management efforts, the population has risen to an estimated 350. An unqualified success story, right?

Well, yes and no.

The successful conservation program has created a side effect: As the black bear populations rises, so do the unwelcome human interactions. In fact, the bear-human conflicts are such that the very species that government and citizens have worked hard to protect may find itself being labeled a "nuisance." Worse yet, hunters have used the conflicts to try to push the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) into establishing black bear hunts. (A bill on such hunts was killed this past legislative session.)

The fact is, MDNR already has an innovative solution at its fingertips: In 1996, the department launched the Black Bear Conservation Program, which, among other things, compensates those people who experience economic losses as a result of human-bear conflicts. The program is funded through the sale of bear related products and stamps.

Bear Buffets

The western part of Maryland—home to most of the state's black bears—is where the majority of the reported conflicts have occurred. Some farmers, homeowners, and beekeepers say that black bears can't keep their noses out of the fields or other areas that look appetizing. Like many other animals and humans, the non-aggressive black bear prefers to eat what is convenient. Unprotected crops, beehives, or other food sources look like an all-you-can-eat buffet to black bears.

That's where the Black Bear Conservation Program comes in. Think of it as the state picking up the tab for the bears' meals—at least until wildlife officials can teach the bears to dine elsewhere and teach humans to exclude the animals from the table.

According to the MDNR web site, black bears cause between $15,000 to $20,000 worth of damage annually to crops, beehives and livestock in western Maryland. While the state reimburses farmers and others for their damages, the Black Bear Conservation Program's overarching goal is to avoid these conflicts in the first place. It does so by educating people, subsidizing bear-proofing, and implementing non-lethal methods to teach bears to stay away from areas inhabited by humans.

Related Links

State Wildlife Management: The Pervasive Influence of Hunters, Hunting, Culture, and Money

Black Bears