Another Bear Spotted In Charles County — Nearly An Hour-Long Visit Caught On Camera July 29 [VIDEO]

Photo courtesy of Nora D.

PORT TOBACCO, Md. — Another black bear has been spotted in Charles County, this time caught on camera roaming a Port Tobacco farm in the early hours of Tuesday morning, spending nearly an hour on the property. The sighting follows similar bear activity reported just days earlier in Bel Alton and earlier this month in St. Mary’s County.

Signs Before the Bear: Strange Cat Behavior and a Snorting Doe

Before the encounter, Nora D., who lives on a farm off Simms Landing Road, noticed something wasn’t right. The community feral cats were on edge — one even hid beneath the grill. She also saw a doe snorting sharply into the woods, clearly agitated by something nearby. Deer may act this way when fawns are present, but black bears are also known to prey on young deer. Nora would have never guessed that what triggered the commotion would later appear on her video feed.

Overnight Visit Confirmed by Home Security Footage

Photo courtesy of Nora D.

The next morning, Nora found her birdseed container dumped and spilled across the porch. Curious, she checked her security cameras and was shocked to see a black bear on her front porch. The footage, timestamped between 2:28 a.m. and 3:14 a.m., showed the bear dragging her container and eating bird seed for nearly an hour before disappearing back into the darkness.

Photo courtesy of Nora D.

Related Sightings: Bel Alton and St. Mary’s County

This sighting follows a confirmed bear report in Bel Alton Estates on Friday night, July 25, when a black bear was seen near Dove Drive. The BayNet first reported the incident, citing that Maryland DNR believes the bear is a juvenile male dispersing from western Maryland or northern Virginia.

Earlier in the month, another bear was spotted in St. Mary’s County — knocking over feeders. These sightings occurred around July 17, prompting a countywide caution notice.

Screenshot of St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services Facebook Post

DNR: Bear Movement Is Normal, but Public Should Stay Alert

The BayNet reached out to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a follow-up on the recent activity and to ask whether the region could support a long-term bear presence. According to a DNR spokesperson, it is most likely the same bear seen in all three locations. Although tagging could be considered, bears are difficult to trap during exploratory movement phases, especially when they are navigating unfamiliar areas.

“This bear appears to be in a novel environment, likely searching for other bears or new food sources,” the spokesperson shared. “They cover large ranges and can be difficult to capture.”

DNR noted that black bears historically lived across all of Maryland before human settlement pushed populations into the mountains. Southern Maryland, they confirmed, does have viable habitat, with forested cover, summer berries, and acorns in the fall that could support a bear’s seasonal food needs.

To prevent bears from returning, residents are urged to follow BearWise practices:

Remove bird feeders, especially at night

Secure trash containers with lids or store them indoors

Feed pets indoors and clean grills after use

DNR encourages residents to remain aware and informed. More information about bear safety is available at dnr.maryland.gov.

Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
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