Beware of Black Bears in Montgomery County

This post was reported and written by Senior Field Editor Brandie Jefferson.

Think you’re safe from bears because you live in Montgomery County? Think again. County officials began receiving reports of bear sightings in Gaithersburg on Saturday, June 15.

OK, so maybe you don’t need to panic. Black bears do not tend to be aggressive, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). But, DNR warns, suburbanites should be cautious and remember a bear sighting outside of the woods is not all that uncommon this time of year.

“In early summer each year, young bears disperse, or move out, to find territory of their own,” Harry Spiker, DNR game mammal section Leader said in a statement. “They have been known to travel 100 miles or more while searching for a suitable place. 

One of those “suitable places” is Montgomery County. In fact, DNR has confirmed sightings of black bears in Prince George's, Carroll, Baltimore, Howard, Harford, Cecil and Anne Arundel counties, too.

Although they’re juveniles, these babies get pretty big. The young bears can weigh between 65 and 200 pounds, according to DNR. So what do you do if you see one? According to the DNR:

• Back away slowly.
• Go inside and wait for the bear to leave.
• Remember that most bears fear people and will leave when they see you.
• If a bear woofs, snaps its jaws, slaps the ground or brush, or bluff charges: You are too close!
• Learn to tolerate bears. Many bears are killed or injured when not causing problems.
• DON’T PANIC! DON’T SHOOT! DON’T APPROACH IT!

That’s right. Don’t shoot. Maryland does have limited black bear hunting. But, in general, just give the bear some time and space. It'll find its way home.