South Portland, Maine

Laura Turner, Tom Rossetter

We’re passionate about birds and nature. That’s why we opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in our community.

South Portland, Maine

50 Maine Mall Road
South Portland, ME 04106

Phone: (207) 771-2473
Email: Send Message

Store Hours:
Mon - Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Map This Location

Wildlife Feature - the Maine Black Bear

As noted in the June Nature Happenings page, we are now into the black bear mating season through about mid-July and thought it might be a good idea to pass on some information regarding the black bear species.

Maine Black Bear at a glance

Black or brown mostly.  They are about 3-4 feet tall on all fours, and 5-6 feet when standing.  Black bears can weigh as much as 425 pounds!  They can live 20 years, and have an incredible sense of smell; eyesight is similar to humans, and can run surprisingly fast.

Bears, with their ability to smell things from a distance, are often attracted to an area by the smell of garbage.  We highly recommend putting your garbage out on the day it is to be picked up, or using a bear-proof container to hold it until pick up.  Spraying Lysol (not a fruit scented odor cover-up) in your can or garbage bags may help alleviate wildlife visits.  And, keep in mind that if your neighbor down the road has a compost pile or has garbage cans out, this may be the culprit of a visit to your yard.

Birdfeeding tips

Don't forget all of the other ways to attract birds to your yard- birdbaths, nestboxes, providing birds with shelter and protection from predators- these are all ideas that can attract a wide variety of birds to your yard, including species that do not prefer seed. 

Use feeders that are easy to open, to alleviate damage.  If you use a pole system, consider a patio base bottom that is sturdy, but easy for a bear to pull over with little damage.  Try foods such as hot pepper suet that bears avoid (we do not recommend putting pepper powder in seed; it can be dangerous for birds).  

As nature enthusiasts, we may all find it fascinating to view bears at close range, however it is in their best interest, as well as yours, to discourage repeated visits, and we would regretfully recommend taking down feeders that are not bear proof for a while, and not just at night- bears visit during the day, too.  Respect wildlife at a distance for their sake. 

Bear Sense

The following information is provided courtesy of the Francis Small Heritage Trust, Inc., Limerick ME. 

You can find more about the trust by visiting their website at www.FSHT.org. Please note that different bear species require different reactions.  These tips pertain to the black bear.

While normally you're more likely to see their tail ends running away from you than their snouts pursuing, it is a god idea to know what to do if you come into contact with a curious bear, and to know of ways to avoid getting into that uncomfortable situation.

Always be aware of your food waste. Make sure you pack out (or eat) everything you bring into the woods ...

If you see a bear in the distance, make a wide detour or leave the area. Usually bears will leave the area before you even see them.  If a bear approaches you:

  • Pick up small children (this makes you look bigger as well as appearing to be a nice adult), and slowly back away from the bear.
  • Keeping the bear in sight, face it, but don't look directly into its eyes as this can be taken as a threat.
  • If it continues to approach, yell at it, make yourself look bigger by waving your arms, and throw things, but don't run away! You cannot outrun a black bear.  They are extremely fast on the ground or climbing a tree.
  • Warning signs of an attack include:  a steady glare, ears laid back, smacking of the jaws, stomping of the front feet. Contrary to popular lore, playing dead isn't a good idea. In the highly unlikely event that a bear attacks, fight back with anything available. Act aggressively. Throwing rocks or hitting a bear with large sticks has been effective in some cases.

We want to thank the Francis Small Heritage Trust for allowing us to reprint part of their Bear Sense article.