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New England Halloween Alert: Pumpkins May Draw Bears to Maine, New Hampshire Yards
Portland, ME – Halloween pumpkins and leftover candy could attract black bears into residential yards across parts of New England this week, particularly in Maine and New Hampshire communities borderi
By Tessa Morgan · 2026-10-25T16:43:28.610Z
Portland, ME – Halloween pumpkins and leftover candy could attract black bears into residential yards across parts of New England this week, particularly in Maine and New Hampshire communities bordering forests and established bear habitats.
With Halloween approaching Saturday, October 31, families are being encouraged to consider how outdoor decorations, discarded pumpkins and food waste could affect wildlife moving through nearby neighborhoods.
According to wildlife safety guidance from state agencies, black bears are opportunistic feeders that may investigate accessible food sources around homes, including unsecured garbage and other edible materials.
Why Halloween Pumpkins Could Attract Black Bears Black bears have a powerful sense of smell and may investigate pumpkins or food scraps left outdoors, particularly in neighborhoods where natural bear habitats overlap with residential development.
In Maine, communities around the Lakes Region, western mountains and wooded areas outside Portland may encounter bears moving through residential properties.
Across New Hampshire, the concern is especially relevant near Conway, Laconia and communities bordering the White Mountains.
Similar precautions apply to parts of Vermont and western Massachusetts, where black bears also inhabit wooded landscapes near homes.
Halloween Cleanup Can Help Prevent Wildlife Encounters As families prepare for trick or treating Saturday, wildlife conscious cleanup can help reduce opportunities for unwanted animal encounters.
Residents should collect discarded candy, remove food wrappers and avoid leaving carved pumpkins outdoors where bears can access them.
Plastic pumpkin buckets, loose decorative netting and other Halloween materials should also be secured or removed to reduce potential entanglement hazards for deer and smaller animals.
After Halloween, pumpkins should be placed in appropriate waste collection systems or managed through secure composting methods that do not attract wildlife.
Residents should avoid intentionally feeding bears, which can encourage animals to associate residential areas with food.
The reminder is preventive and does not represent a confirmed surge in Halloween related wildlife incidents.
For families throughout New England, removing seasonal food waste and securing decorations can help protect wildlife while reducing unexpected encounters around homes.