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The America black bear is native to North America and is the only bear species native to New England. Black bears were common in New England forests when the first Europeans arrived. Settlers hunted bear for food and fur and actively sought to reduce the bear population to prevent harm to livestock and crops. In 18th- and early 19th-century New England, some farmers set iron bear traps made by local blacksmiths. Those who set out traps would need to check the trap and shoot the bear if caught. Hunting and loss of habitat severely reduced the bear population as farmers cleared more and more land for agriculture. More recently, black bear populations are rebounding throughout New England due to reforestation and modern wildlife management.