Status and Distribution

In Maine, black bears are found nearly statewide, but are most common in northern, western, and eastern regions, and are less common in the heavily settled southern and central-coastal regions. Recently, the Department has developed an innovative model to take advantage of the extensive information from monitoring hunter harvest and bears in Maine. This model indicates that Maine's bear population has stabilized in recent years and is estimated to be between 20,000 to 30,000 bears statewide.