Bears pushing farther south in Michigan. How we can coexist

Residing close to Black Bears is a part of the Life on the higher peninsula of Michigan, the place about 10,000 of the bears dwell. However about 2,000 black bears now additionally dwell on Michigan’s decrease peninsula, and they’re increasing their assortment to the south and west, to locations comparable to Traverse Metropolis, Grand Rapids and Midland, DNR Wildlife managers mentioned.

Studying to exist along with black bear keys to not make them too snug in individuals, and that begins with not presenting them about plentiful, desired meals sources. A bear will in all probability proceed to maneuver if there’s nothing tasty to eat, or that’s fowl seed, unsecured waste or a meals unfold grill, mentioned biologists for animals within the wild.

DNR officers mentioned they’ve acquired round 285 complaints from bears per 12 months over the previous 20 years, with 303 complaints in 2024. Touchdown with most bear complaints In 2024, Higher Peninsula Counties Marquette (41 complaints), Houghton (29), Chippewa (24) and Delta embody; But additionally northern decrease peninsulas Oteego (26), Charlevoix (19), Leelanau (16) and Grand Traverse (13).

The DNR arranges a searching season for bears within the fall to assist the inhabitants managed and maintain it sustainable.

Complaints usually see a bear of their backyard or neighborhood and name DNR expects the Bureau De Beer to come back and take away. However that’s normally not the way it works, mentioned Mike Kowalski, a nature professional for 25 years at DNR’s Traverse Metropolis Workplace who supervises Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Benzie, Leelanau and Manistee Counties.

“A bear that merely goes by means of somebody’s property justifies no motion from the DNR – keep in mind that the bears additionally dwell right here,” he mentioned.

“If we take steps to maintain meals sources from our property, they may in all probability proceed.”

DNR officers urge the general public to not confront or get too near a black bear. To scare a bear, make loud sounds comparable to two metallic pots collectively or use an airhorn.

Chook meals, together with Suet, is as a quick meals on a bear that may odor the feed from a mile additional away and bear in mind the place the 12 months after 12 months, DNR officers mentioned. A resident who has issues with bears that rose or drain fowl feeders should contemplate eradicating the feeder and all spilled seed from the bottom and changing it with a fowl tub. Different suggestions are defending waste in a storage or shed, using bear -resistant rubbish cans and waste containers for corporations and defending beehives with an electrical fence, officers mentioned.

Two residents within the Traverse Metropolis space left meals for bears daily and even referred to as them, mentioned Stephen Griffith, an skilled DNR biologist within the Traverse Metropolis space. Permitting bears to be acclimatized and interested in human populations usually results in these bears being euthanized by animal management officers, he mentioned.

The DNR even has a saying for it, Griffith mentioned, “A Fed Bear is a lifeless bear.”

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The American Black Bear is provided in black, brown and cinnamon colours and usually weighs between 100 and 500 kilos. Bears are omnivoren and an vital a part of the state’s ecosystem, mentioned Jared Duquette, a DNR wildlife biologist who makes a speciality of interactions between individuals and wildlife.

“Bears eat quite a lot of fruit, berries and nuts, making them nice seed dismayers,” he mentioned. “Their excrement helps to unfold seeds over giant areas, which promotes plant progress and forest regeneration. As an opportunistic omnipresent, bears assist management the populations of small mammals and bugs. In addition they see ace, which helps to return to the ecosystem.”

The DNR can transfer a bear or fall Hazeen and a bear if the animal turns into problematic or a possible risk is for public security. Hazing contains scaring the bear with rubber buckshot or pyrotechnics.

A captured bear may be moved to a extra appropriate habitat within the forest of Noord -Michigan. However that habitat turns into scarce as extra land is developed, mentioned DNR officers.

Black bears choose to keep away from individuals the place doable, however they’re wild animals and may defend themselves after they really feel stunned or threatened, mentioned DNR officers. When a black bear approaches, it isn’t operating, however as a substitute:

• Stand your floor.
• Solely again when the bear stops its method.
• Let your self look greater by lifting your arms and jacket, or standing on a rock or stump.
• Scream to the bear.
• At all times provide a transparent, unobstructed escape route for the bear.
• If a black bear makes contact with you, do not play lifeless (that is for a grizzly bear, a species that doesn’t dwell in Michigan). As an alternative, struggle again with fists and ft or one thing within the hand – a knife, sticks, rocks, binoculars or a backpack.

Go to for extra info Bearwise.org.

Please contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@freepress.com.