Conservation Status and What It Means for Landowners
State Status: Threatened
The American black bear is listed as state threatened in Texas. It has no federal listing. The state listing means bears cannot be hunted, trapped, or killed in Texas without a depredation permit from TPWD. Black bear recovery in Texas depends almost entirely on private land stewardship, as the species requires large, connected tracts of habitat for range expansion from its Trans-Pecos stronghold.
Habitat Requirements
The American black bear in Texas historically occupied most forested and mountainous regions of the state. Today, resident populations exist in the Chisos and Guadalupe Mountains of the Trans-Pecos and are expanding into the Davis Mountains and adjacent ranges. Dispersing bears from Mexico and New Mexico are increasingly documented in South Texas brush country and the western Edwards Plateau. Black bears require large tracts of woodland or shrubland with diverse food sources including acorns, berries, prickly pear fruit, and insects. Denning sites in rocky outcrops, dense brush, or tree cavities are essential for winter dormancy and cub rearing.
Wildlife Management Plan Implications
Including the black bear as a target species is most appropriate for properties in the Trans-Pecos, western Edwards Plateau, or South Texas regions where bear occurrences have been documented. Your plan should focus on maintaining diverse food sources through mast-producing tree retention and native plant management, protecting potential denning sites, and reducing human-bear conflict through proper garbage management and livestock feed storage. Bear management on private land contributes significantly to species recovery because over 95 percent of Texas land is privately owned, and bear range expansion depends on private land habitat connectivity.
Texas Ecoregions
- Trans-Pecos
- South Texas Brush Country
- Edwards Plateau (western)
Texas County Distribution
77
of 254 Texas counties with documented occurrences
30% of Texas counties
Recommended Management Practices
These practices from the 7 pillars of wildlife management are most relevant to black bear conservation.
Habitat Control
Maintain diverse mast-producing vegetation including oaks, madrone, and prickly pear
Providing Shelter
Protect rocky outcrops, dense brush, and large tree cavities suitable for denning
Census
Trail camera surveys at water sources and known travel corridors to document bear activity
Supplemental Food
Retain natural food sources by avoiding herbicide use on berry-producing shrubs
Include black bear in Your Wildlife Management Plan
Our interactive plan builder walks you through selecting target species, mapping your property, and meeting TPWD intensity standards for your ecoregion. Flat rate pricing, any Texas county.
Start Your Wildlife Management PlanFrequently Asked Questions
Are black bears actually in Texas?
Yes. Black bears are documented residents in the Chisos, Guadalupe, and Davis Mountains of far west Texas. Breeding populations have been confirmed in the Chisos Mountains since the 1990s. Dispersing bears, particularly young males, are increasingly reported in the western Edwards Plateau, South Texas, and even the Hill Country. Over 70 Texas counties have documented bear occurrences, though most are transient individuals.
What should I do if a bear is on my property?
Report the sighting to TPWD. Do not attempt to feed, approach, or relocate the bear. Secure garbage, pet food, and livestock feed that might attract bears. Black bears are state listed as threatened in Texas and cannot be hunted, trapped, or harassed. Their presence on your property is a positive conservation indicator and, if documented, strengthens your wildlife management plan.