Help the DEC Find New Black Bear Dens in the Hudson Valley and Across New York

Wildlife biologists who work for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation are seeking the public's help to learn about new black bear dens throughout New York this winter.

Why? As part of DEC's ongoing monitoring of black bears in New York, wildlife biologists periodically check on black bears during the winter den season. The bears may be fitted with a radio collar to help biologists track the bears' activities throughout the rest of the year and to relocate dens in subsequent years for monitoring cub production, condition, and survival.

Bears may den in a rock crevice, tree cavity, or under heavy brush or fallen trees. Since female bears generally give birth in January or early February, a high-pitched squeal from the cubs may be audible if you are near a den. Black bears can remain dormant for up to five months in winter.

Hikers and hunters typically cover countless miles of wooded terrain each year in New York. Most it is also traversed or inhabited by bears.

Black Bear distribution in New York

Primary range refers to areas where breeding bears were known to occur. Secondary range includes areas with routine bear sightings. Transient and dispersing bears may be found in all of upstate New York, including areas generally considered unoccupied by bears.

DEC urges anyone who finds a bear den to not approach or disturb the den, but simply to note the location and move away from the den site.

DEC requests that anyone locating a bear den contact their local DEC Wildlife office with specifics about the den location, including GPS coordinates if possible.

More information about black bears in New York is available at DEC's Black Bear webpage.

Images via DEC