The answer to whether brown bears, also known as grizzlies, currently live in Arizona is no. These large omnivores were once part of the state’s natural landscape, inhabiting high-elevation forests and mountain ranges. Arizona’s diverse terrain, including “sky island” mountain ranges and high desert ecosystems, is capable of supporting bear populations. However, the brown bear has been extirpated, and no wild population exists in the state today.
The Historical Absence of Brown Bears
Brown bears were historically distributed throughout the mountainous areas of Arizona, coexisting with indigenous populations for thousands of years. Their range extended from the San Francisco Peaks southeast along the Mogollon Rim and into the Sky Island mountain ranges near the Mexican border. Conflict with Anglo-American settlers, primarily due to livestock depredation, led to a systematic eradication campaign beginning in the late 19th century.
The vast majority of the state’s grizzly population was killed off between 1860 and 1910, driven by intense hunting, trapping, and poisoning. Most remaining grizzlies were eliminated by the 1930s. The last confirmed grizzly bear in Arizona was killed in 1935 near Nutrioso, marking the end of the species’ presence in the state.
The extirpation resulted from human intolerance and ecological changes brought by settlement. The loss of native food sources and subsequent reliance on livestock catalyzed the conflicts that led to their demise.
Arizona’s Current Bear Population
The only bear species currently residing in Arizona is the American Black Bear, which is the smallest and most widely distributed bear in North America. Unlike the grizzly, the black bear population in Arizona is considered stable to increasing. Adult males typically weigh between 125 to 400 pounds, although some can reach up to 600 pounds, and they stand about three to three-and-a-half feet tall on all fours.
Not all black bears are black; in Arizona, they display significant color variation, including brown, cinnamon, and dark blond fur. These bears are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that shifts seasonally. They consume grasses and forbs in the spring, soft mast like berries and tree fruits in the summer, and a mix of hard and soft mast in the fall. Only a small amount of their diet consists of animal matter, usually insects or carrion.
Black bears are generally solitary animals, except for females with their cubs, and are shy and secretive. Cubs, typically one to five per litter, are born in winter dens during January. They remain with their mother through the first summer and fall, denning with her again during their second winter. Black bears are most active around dawn and dusk, but their activity patterns can become nocturnal in areas where they exploit artificial food sources like campground trash.
Where Bears Live in Arizona
Black bears are found across most of Arizona’s woodland habitats, concentrating in the central and southern mountainous regions. Their preferred environments include chaparral, pinyon-juniper, oak woodland, and coniferous forests. The bear population is particularly concentrated in high-elevation areas, such as the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains, where the habitat is continuous.
Significant populations also inhabit the isolated mountain ranges of Southern Arizona, known as the Sky Islands, including the Huachuca and Patagonia mountains. These areas, characterized by rugged terrain, provide the necessary cover and food sources. Although their home range is typically between 7 to 15 square miles, periods of drought or food scarcity can push bears to lower elevations and into areas where human development meets the wilderness.
Living Safely in Bear Country
Minimizing human-bear conflict depends on removing attractants that draw bears into populated areas. A bear that learns to associate humans with food is often a bear that must be removed. Residents and visitors should secure all trash in a locked area until collection day. If necessary, keep food waste in a freezer bag and place it in the trash just before pickup. Pet food, bird seed, and scented lotions or perfumes can attract a bear due to their excellent sense of smell.
When camping or hiking, food and attractants must be kept secured and inaccessible to bears, never stored inside a tent. If an encounter occurs, running away should be avoided, as this can trigger a chase response. Instead, individuals should stand their ground, make themselves appear as large as possible by waving their arms, and make loud noises such as yelling. If a black bear attacks, fighting back with every available means, including fists, sticks, or bear pepper spray, is the recommended course of action.