As spring awakens in Maryland, so do its black bears. They’re emerging from winter dens and looking for food.

It’s increasingly common to spot black bears in busy suburbs around Maryland, lured to backyards by trash bins and bird feeders. Bear attacks in the state are rare, but officials warn they can be skittish and aggressive if they feel threatened.

“It’s really important for when people do see a bear, they respect its distance and don’t approach it,” said Jonathan Trudeau, the state bear biologist for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Black bears historically congregated in the westernmost counties — Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington — but sightings in Central Maryland are increasingly common. A bear went on a tri-county tour in the region last year, spotted in neighborhoods and shopping centers in Howard, Prince George’s and Baltimore counties.

The Department of Natural Resources, along with the University of Maryland, monitors bear movement in the state. The increased and consistent reports of sightings in Central Maryland are telltale signs the black bear population is expanding eastward and growing, Trudeau said.

After waking up, bears typically look for water first, then high-fiber food to kick-start their digestive system. Black bears are territorial, Trudeau said, especially male ones. Once bears reach 18 months old, which is considered teenagehood in bear years, they are kicked out and on their own. As temperatures rise, the young males begin to scout for a new home.

“As they get a little bit older, they start thinking a little bit differently,” Trudeau said. “Just like most teenagers.”

Bears are curious and intelligent, Trudeau said. They will remember where they found unsupervised trash bins. Green spaces in the suburbs, like in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, are actually “fairly decent bear habitat” from their standpoint, Trudeau said.

In the summer, these bears also begin to look for a mate. The mid-Atlantic region has some of the highest reproductive rates for black bears, Trudeau said, with an average of three cubs for each sow.

Come fall, bears will go into a state of hyperphagia, where they never feel full and will eat as much as 20,000 calories’ worth of acorns, hickory nuts or beechnuts in a day to prep for winter.

Avoid attracting bears to your yard

The Department of Natural Resources has a few suggestions for Marylanders looking to avoid bear visits.

• Remove bird feeders from yards through November. Birds will have plenty of resources to keep them fed during spring and summer.
• Take the trash out only on trash day, and try to leave as few food scraps as possible.
• Don’t leave pet food out, and avoid leaving bowls unattended.
• Cooking grills should be clean of any residue and stored inside a shed or building when not in use.

There are also plenty of people to call if you want to report a sighting. The state directs people to call 410-260-8888 in case of bear-related emergencies.