In this photograph, the Maine black bear is sniffing the ground near the small birch marking tree. Bears have an excellent sense of smell. While the experts are not in full agreement on the subject of a bear's sense of hearing, smell and eyesight, it is generally agree that the bear's sense of smell is the strongest, followed by its hearing. Some experts claim that the black bear has poor eyesight, while others disagree, but all agree that the bear's sense of smell is the most highly developed.