Baxter State Park Wildlife Listing

Baxter State Park is located in the heart of Maine’s Black Bear habitat. The park has a well established bear population of approximately 160-200 individuals.

In a wilderness area, bears seldom have contact with man. However, campers and campgrounds can attract bears because of the presence of food. For some bears, that attraction is stronger than their fear of man and they will enter an occupied campground to obtain food. Under these circumstances, bears can become a hazard to people.

Baxter State Park has taken management actions to minimize black bear hazards. But, THE SUCCESS OF OUR EFFORTS DEPENDS LARGELY ON YOU.

REMEMBER: Bears enter camping areas for food. If food is not available, they will soon get discouraged and turn to natural food.

The following steps will assist us in protecting you and the black bear:

Place all food and other items with an odor (toothpaste, insect lotion, soap, deodorant, etc.) in a sealed container and keep it in your motor vehicle.
If you are camping in the backcountry, put all food and other “smellable” items in a “bear bag” and hang it between two trees so a bear cannot reach it. Cubs climb well, but adult bears are usually reluctant climbers. Check with resident rangers about where to place your bear line in BSP backcountry campgrounds.
Practice “clean camping” techniques. Plan your meals carefully to avoid excess food. Store leftovers in containers or plastic bags and hang with all other food supplies. This is imperative at night because bears usually feed at night. Don’t leave leftovers behind, pack out with all trash.
Be sure sleeping bags and tents are a good distance from the bear bag and cooking area.
Never store food in your tent or sleeping quarters. A bear’s sense of smell is excellent and it may be tempted to pay you a nighttime visit if you do not heed this tip!
No wild animal should ever be fed and this includes bears! Beggar animals are extremely dangerous and destructive when in pursuit of food. Dropping food on trails or leaving food behind is feeding animals! Pick up and pack out any food that is dropped on trails or discarded.

Hand feeding wild animals is dangerous, will cause them to become undernourished, will make them less apt to seek food from their own natural surroundings, and may result in life-threatening injury to the next campers visiting your site.

A beggar bear is a dangerous bear and, for public safety reasons, we will have to dispose of the bear. So, if you love the bears, DON’T FEED THEM!

Welcome to Baxter State Park

Our Natural Setting

Bears and You