The Finger Lakes region of New York, characterized by its eleven glacially carved lakes and surrounding forested hillsides, supports a wide range of wildlife. This landscape includes dense woodlands and areas where natural cover meets rural development. Expanding forest cover across New York State over the past several decades has created suitable conditions for the return and establishment of larger mammals.
Black Bear Presence and Distribution
The species present in the region is the American black bear (Ursus americanus). While the Finger Lakes area is not a high-density habitat like the Adirondacks or Catskills, it is considered a peripheral region where the population is expanding northward. These bears primarily inhabit the forested areas along the Southern Tier of New York, having expanded their range from the Pennsylvania border since the 1990s. Black bears are found most frequently in the southern portions of the Finger Lakes, particularly in counties with extensive state forest land and less development. Occurrences in the central Finger Lakes are less common, often involving transient young males dispersing from established territories.
Seasonal Behavior and Activity Patterns
Bear activity follows a distinct seasonal rhythm dictated by survival and reproduction. Black bears enter a period of dormancy, or denning, typically beginning in late fall (November/December) and emerging in early spring (March/April). Females with cubs enter their dens earlier and remain longer than males, giving birth during mid-winter.
Spring and Summer Activity
The spring emergence marks a time of intense foraging, as bears need to replenish systems after months of fasting. They initially graze on tender vegetation to acclimate their digestive systems before shifting to a varied, generalist diet. This diet means they will consume almost anything, including insects, native berries, and human-associated food sources like bird seed and unsecured garbage.
The mating season generally occurs during the summer months of June and July. Adult males, or boars, roam widely in search of females, sometimes covering up to 100 square miles. This increased movement, combined with young males dispersing from their mothers’ territories in the late spring, contributes to more frequent sightings in new locations.
Hyperphagia and Den Preparation
Late summer and fall bring a period of intense feeding known as hyperphagia. Bears consume massive amounts of calories to build up the fat reserves necessary for denning, sometimes increasing their weight by 30 percent. The drive to find high-calorie foods makes them especially drawn to residential areas where unsecured bird feeders, pet food left outdoors, and uncleaned grills present easy meals.
Guidelines for Coexistence and Safety
Securing Attractants
Coexisting with black bears relies on prevention and maintaining distance by eliminating potential food rewards. Most human-bear conflicts arise from unsecured attractants, making securing all food and garbage the most effective preventative action a person can take. This diligence is necessary because bears learn quickly where easy food sources are located.
To minimize conflicts:
Keep garbage in a secure container or closed vehicle until collection day.
Clean outdoor grills thoroughly after every use.
Remove bird feeders, especially those containing sunflower seeds, between April 1st and December 1st when bears are active.
Never leave pet food outside.
Keep compost in a secure container to prevent easy access.
Use bear-proof enclosures or electric fencing for livestock, such as chickens or bees.
Safety While Hiking and Camping
When hiking or camping in forested areas, maintaining awareness is important for avoiding surprise encounters. Hikers should make noise by talking or periodically calling out to alert bears to their presence, especially when traveling through dense cover or along streams. All food, toiletries, and scented items must be stored properly to prevent attracting bears to the campsite. Storage options include bear-resistant containers, a closed vehicle, or suspension at least 12 feet above the ground and 6 feet horizontally from any support.
Responding to an Encounter
If a bear encounter occurs, remaining calm is the first step, and the individual should never approach the animal. Identify yourself as human by speaking in a calm voice and waving your arms to appear larger. Slowly back away from the bear, ensuring it has an escape route, and refrain from running, as this can trigger a chase response.
A bear may perform a bluff charge, huff, or chomp its teeth to indicate it feels threatened and wants space. If this happens, continue to back away slowly while talking. If the bear makes contact or attacks, fight back immediately and aggressively, concentrating the attack on the bear’s face, eyes, and nose with any available object or weapon.