Finding Signs of Black Bears

Despite being large mammals, black bear sign is not always easy to find. Bears walk flat footed and may not leave a trail or print in the forest floor. When seeking signs of bear activity look for footprints around loose soils or muddy areas. In fields and grassy areas, or a patch of ferns, trails can be seen in areas of frequent activity. Large scat piles are easily found, especially around a food source. Typically, the larger the scat, the larger the bear. A black bears scat will reflect their changing diet and will often contain bits or vegetation and leaves, seeds, and the shell or husks of beechnuts and acorns. You might find that their scat is jet black, and even blue or purple depending on if they are eating blueberries or blackberries.

Black bears climb trees easily and will often nap or find protection in tree tops. Softwood trees such as pine, fir, and spruce may show visible scratches or black hair in the bark or sap. Beech trees have a smooth gray bark and you may find fresh scratches or dark scars from a bears claws. These scars will often be present for the life of the tree. Other signs include saplings that are broken or trees with chew marks at about 5-6 feet high as bears mark their territory.