Black bears are present and thriving throughout California. They are the only wild bear species found in the state, inhabiting diverse ecosystems. Their populations have seen a notable increase across a wide range of habitats, from dense forests to areas bordering human communities.
Black Bear Presence in California
Black bears now inhabit much of California, a significant expansion from their historical range. Before European colonization, grizzly bears were the dominant species, but after their extinction in the early 1900s, black bears gradually moved into formerly grizzly-occupied territories, particularly along the central coast. This natural expansion was supplemented by translocation efforts in the 1930s, where the California Department of Fish & Game moved 28 black bears from the Sierra Nevada into Southern California.
The black bear population in California has grown considerably, from an estimated 10,000-15,000 individuals in 1992 to approximately 49,000-71,000 today. These bears are found across roughly 40% of the state’s land area, with the densest populations residing in the northern North Coast/Cascade and Sierra Nevada regions. They also occur in the Central Coast, South Coast, and increasingly, in the urban-wildland interface, adapting to various landscapes including forests, grasslands, and deserts.
Understanding California’s Black Bears
California’s black bears are omnivores, meaning their diet consists of both plant and animal matter. They forage on a wide variety of foods, including berries, nuts, acorns, grasses, insects, and occasionally carrion or small mammals. Their diet shifts with the seasons, capitalizing on available resources. Despite their name, black bears exhibit diverse fur colors, ranging from black to brown, cinnamon, or even blonde.
Adult male black bears typically weigh between 150 and 400 pounds, though some can reach up to 500 or even 600 pounds, while females usually weigh 100 to 300 pounds. While naturally active during dawn and dusk, bears in areas with human presence may become more nocturnal to avoid encounters. Black bears are primarily attracted to human-populated areas by easily accessible food sources such as unsecured garbage, pet food, bird feeders, compost piles, and ripe fruit. Although generally timid and prone to avoiding humans, bears can become habituated to human presence and food, which may lead to bolder behavior. Most encounters with black bears are not aggressive; they are more likely to be defensive if startled or protecting their cubs.
Coexisting with Black Bears
Living in or visiting areas with black bears requires adopting practices that minimize human-bear interactions. Preventing bears from accessing human food sources is important for their safety and yours. Always store trash in bear-proof containers and wait until the morning of collection day to place it outside. Regularly clean barbecue grills and store them securely, and avoid leaving pet food outdoors. Bird feeders can also attract bears, so remove them, especially between March and November.
If you encounter a black bear, remain calm and avoid running, as this can trigger a chase response. Instead, make yourself appear as large as possible by waving your arms and making loud noises, such as yelling or banging pots and pans. Slowly back away, allowing the bear ample space to escape, and never corner it. If a bear enters your home, move to a safe location and call 911, ensuring the bear has an unobstructed exit path.
Bear spray can be an effective deterrent in remote areas and is legal to carry in most parts of California, though it is banned in some national parks like Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon. It is formulated specifically for wildlife and should never be used on humans. Never feed bears, either intentionally or unintentionally, as habituated bears that associate humans with food can become a danger and may ultimately need to be euthanized.