There’s cold weather ahead for all of us residents of the great state of Maryland. Small towns have started to come alive with fall color, and the chilly nights tend - for some of us - to mean more opportunities for spooky festivities. But for some of the wilder residents of the Old Line State, this turn towards the frigid means only one thing: relentless prepping for hibernation. As the black bears of Maryland begin their period of increased feeding activity, there’s a chance they’ll start to seek out more human-provided food sources. They’ll also start to ignore their natural fear of people, which can be dangerous for both us humans and the bears. Here are some tips from me (and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources) to help you stay safe and avoid any unnecessary run-ins with these furry food-seekers this fall.

While black bears in Maryland are mostly concentrated to the west - in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington Counties - during the fall and early winter they have been known to roam further from their usual haunts. If you’re in other northern and central counties of Maryland, make sure you stay alert when wandering through the woods.

During this time of increased feeding activity, bears become more attracted to human-provided food sources. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recommends that Marylanders delay refilling their bird feeders until the winter months, since black bears love bird seed.

Keeping your trash cans, bird feeders, and any outdoor pet food out of a bear’s reach is the best practice to avoid any issues. However, when placing these food sources, one should keep in mind…

…That black bears are talented climbers, able to scale rough surfaces quite quickly. While the bears may not bother making the climb usually, during the autumn they get bolder in their decision-making.

Since bears may travel many miles in search of food, the Department of Natural Resources warns motorists to keep a watchful eye on highways, especially during October and November. In addition, if you happen to see a bear cub while out and about this fall, take extra caution not to place yourself between it and its mother, and never attempt to approach the cubs.

Bears will begin entering their dens in mid-November, however, and by mid-December most of them will be nestled snug and sound, dreaming of all the tasty food they’ll be out grabbing next year!

Have you spotted any black bears in Maryland yet? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

For all your other autumn adventure preparations, head over to Backcountry and check out their deals on camping gear, travel necessities, outerwear, and more!