What US states have black bears?
Sophia Koch
Updated on February 17, 2026
There are an estimated 300,000 black bears in the U.S. Alabama, Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming have less than 1000 black bears each, while Alaska has about 100,000.
Are there black bears in every state?
The black bear is found in all provinces and territories in Canada excluding Prince Edward Island and in 40 of the 50 U.S states. There are about 900 thousand black bears throughout North America.What states don't have black bears?
9 U.S. states that do not have Black Bear populations:
- Delaware – Extirpated.
- Hawaii – There are no bears in the state of Hawaii.
- Illinois – There is no known Black Bear population in the state of Illinois.
- Indiana – No breeding populations, some reports of sightings.
Where do most black bears live in the US?
In the United States black bears are common in the east, along the west coast, in the Rocky Mountains, and in parts of Alaska. They are also found in a few small areas in the southwest and southeast. Black bear are the most timid and least dangerous of the bears found in North America.What states in the US have bears?
Most of the U.S. brown bears live in Alaska with a small population of about 1,500 in the lower 48 states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington.5 FACTS | Black Bears (True Facts)
Are bears in Texas?
The black bear is a protected and rare species in the state of Texas. Male bears weigh 150 to over 350 lbs., and females weigh 120 to 250 lbs. Male home ranges average 20,000 acres, while females average 5,000 acres. Denning can start as early as November and continue until late May.Does Florida have bears?
Black bears are the only species of bear found in Florida. FWC biologists estimate that there are approximately 4,050 black bears in Florida.Are there bears in Tennessee?
Tennessee has two main black bear populations: the Appalachian Population along the Tennessee-North Carolina border and the Cumberland Population in the northern part of the Cumberland Plateau along the Tennessee-Kentucky border.Does Michigan have bears?
The black bear (Ursus americanus) is the only species of bear found in Michigan. In Michigan, most black bears have black or extremely dark brown fur. Other color variations, including brown, cinnamon, grayish-blue and blonde, are found mostly in western North America.Which state has the most bear attacks?
Alaska is the US state with the most bear attacks.The most updated bear attacks in Alaska statistics reveal that Alaska accounts for 29.6% of all fatal bear attacks in the US. Alaska is one of the few places in the country that has all three species of North American bears living in it: Black Bears. Grizzly Bears.
What state has the biggest black bears?
Top 10 All-Time List
- Alaska — 232.
- Minnesota — 181.
- California — 165.
- Colorado — 153.
- Arizona — 142.
- North Carolina — 141.
- Michigan — 116.
- Washington — 76.
Which states have grizzly bears?
RANGE: Grizzly bears are found today in Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and possibly southern Colorado, as well as in western Canada. Historically they ranged from Alaska to Mexico and from the Pacific Ocean to the Mississippi River, but their numbers were vastly reduced by western expansion.Does Kentucky have bears?
Today, Kentucky is home to a growing bear population that offers widespread viewing opportunities in the wild. While the core population is concentrated along the Pine, Cumberland, and Black Mountain areas, bears may now be found throughout the eastern portions of the Commonwealth.Are there bears in Georgia?
Sound wildlife management practices have restored Georgia's black bears to a thriving population estimated at 4,100 bears statewide. Black bears may legally be taken during the hunting season, which occurs each fall in Georgia ().Do grizzlies eat black bears?
Bears are cannibalistic and will eat other bears of their own species, as well as bears of other species, such as grizzly bears who will hunt down, kill and eat black bears. One of the reasons that bears kill other bears, including their cubs, is for food.Are there bears in Mississippi?
Wildlife & HuntingMississippi is home to two subspecies of black bears. The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is found in the northern one-third of the state and the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) occurs in the southern two-thirds.