You are dispatched to a black bear causing property damage in a suburban backyard. A crowd of neighbors has gathered to watch. How do you manage the scene and the animal?

Prepare for the Maine Fish and Game Officer Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question features hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The main idea is to manage the scene with public safety as the top priority while using controlled, non-lethal methods to encourage the bear to leave. An agitated crowd can trigger unpredictable bear behavior, making both the public and the animal safer if you establish a clear safety perimeter and keep bystanders far away. Once the area is secured, observe the bear from a distance to gauge its behavior and avoid actions that could provoke aggression or cause it to bolt unpredictably.

Non-lethal hazing—using noise, barriers, and other approved deterrents—helps to encourage the bear to retreat back into the woods without habituating it to humans. The goal is to deter, not to punish or capture. Lethal force is reserved only if the animal poses an immediate, unavoidable threat to human safety, and even then it’s a last resort after all other options have been considered.

Arresting the bear, relocating it without proper authorization, feeding it to calm it, or ignoring it and waiting for it to depart are not appropriate responses. Bears should not be treated as criminals or pets, and feeding or waiting can lead to repeated conflicts or danger for people and the animal.