bear country

8/9/2019 Bear Country

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For more information, contact:

Department of Natural Resources500 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul, MN 55155-4040(651)296-6 157 (M etro Area)1-888-MINN DNR (646-6367) (Toll Free)Teleconmunication Device for the DeafITTY: (65 1) 296-5484(Metro Area) or 1-80 0-657 -3929 (Toll FreeTTY).www.dm.state.n~n.us02 00 2, S tate of M innesota, Departnlent of Natural ResourcesEqual opportunity to participate in and b enefit from programsof the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is availableto all indiv iduals regardless of race, color, creed, religion,national orig in, sex, marital status, status with regard to pub licassistance, age, sexual orientation, mem bership or activity in alocal com mission, or disability. Discrimination inquiries shouldbe sent to M N-DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-403 1; or the Equal Opp ortunity Office, Departnlent of theInterior, Washington, DC 20240.

COVER PHOTO BY BILL PETERSON

DESIGN BY AM Y BEYER, DNR GRAPH IC DESIGN UNIT, BUREAU OFINFORMATION, EDUCATION, AND LICENSING.

Printed on recycled paper con taining 20% post-consumer wasteand soy-based ink.

This document is available in alternativefoimats to individuals with disabilities.

BEAR (OUNTRY

Learning to Livewith Beam

DEPARTMENTOFNATURALRESOURCES

Minnesota Department ofNatural Resources


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Bears are commonthroughout northernMinnesota (see Figure 1).Although bears liveprimarily in forested areasthey sometimes wanderinto cities and towns, or theyards of rural residences andfal-ms.A bear will take advan-

tage of any foods availableand will attempt to eatanything that resembles foodin looks, smell or taste.When natural foods such asberries, nuts, insects, tendervegetation, and meat arescarce, bears search activelyfor anything to eat. This iswhen bears most often comein contact with people. Whenbears find a source of foodthey will usually returnregularly.

The black bear is a symbol of Minnesota's wildforest lands. Yet black bears also can live successfullyin close proximity to people. Conflicts between peopleand bears can arise when bears, usually seeking food,cause damage to personal property, beehives, livestockand agricultural crops. Such conflictshave increasedas more people build homes and cabins and recreate innorthern Minnesota. However, people can learn howto prevent most conflicts fiom occurring. As they do,and more appreciative of these fascinatinganimals.they can become more tolerant of the presence of bears

CC-This brochure will help people learn to get along betterwith bears.

Figure I . Bear range map.

Primary HabitatSecondary Habitat


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P'bfetzmand eom: .,.,: .Bears and people meet under a variety of circum-

stances. Most bears are wary of people and willusually leave when encountered.Although seeing abear can be a memorable experience, some people arefrightened when they encounter these animals.

Bears can become a nuisance when they visithomes, resorts, campgrounds and restaurants.Although some bears become used to people, theyare still wild animals no matter how "tame" they mayappear. People must always be cautious around bearssince they may react unpredictably.

Food odors around the home may attract bears.

usually causeproblems forpeople. Iears in town

The M innesota Department of N atural Resources(DNR) has the respon sibility to reduce conflictsbetween bears and p eople. This is important to avoidunnece ssary loss of bears and to m aintain publicsupport for sound bear management.The DNR manages bears by:

Providing quality bear habitat through soun dforest management practices.Cond ucting research to increase knowledge ofbear biology.Educating the public on how to live with bears.Assisting people with bear problems.Ma naging the size of the bear population withhunting seasons.People sh are in the respon sibility to avoid conflicts

with bears. Lea-ning effective measures to preventbear problem s will help both bea rs and people. Thebest way to avoid bear problems is to not attractthem in the first place.

Thefollowingmeasures will helpprevent bear problemsaround the home,farm, business andwhen outdoors in bearcountry. If a problemcontinues, contactyour local DNR Areg 2Wildlife Managerfor additionalinformation.


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Homes ana cm tn s !Bears are attracted to honies and cabins by garbage If a bear comes in your yard:

and bird feeders. Pet food, charcoal grills, fruit trees DON'T PANIC! DON'T SHOOT! DON'Tand gardens may also attract bears. Once a bear finds APPROACH IT!food around your home it will likely return. Most bears fear people and will leave when they

NEVER FEED BEARS-They will associate see you. If a bear woofs, snaps its jaws, slaps thepeople with food and may become a problem. ground or brush, or bluff charges:YOUARE TOOCLOSE!To minimize bear problems on your property: Back away slowly.

Reduce garbageodors. Rinsefood cans andwrappers beforedisposal.Compostvegetable scraps.Keep meatscraps in yourfreezer untilgarbagepickupday.Wash garbagecans regularlyand use lime tocut odors.--Keep garbageBird feeders and bears DON'T MIX. cans in a bear-

proof container (see Figure 3, page 5 ) , or in agarage until mol-ning of pickup.Remove bird feeders in the spring. If you persist infeeding during summer, remove seed, suet andhummingbird feeders at night.Keep pet food inside.Keep barbecue grills and picnic tables clean.Use an energized fence* to keep bears out ofbeehives, sweet corn, fruit trees and berry patches.Barking dogs, bright lights and noisemakers willsometinlesdiscouragebears from coming into anarea.

*An energized fence is powered by a low-impedance, high-voltage I

Go inside and wait for the bear to leave.If a bear refuses t o leave:Make loud noises or throw something to scare itaway.Always allow the bear an escape route.If a bear i s treed:LEAVE ITALONE! The bear will usually goaway when it feels safe.Have people leave the area.Remove your dog from the area.Learn to tolerate bears.

Many bears are killed or injured when not causingproblems.

Bears in treesshould be leftalone.

energizer, which provides a short-duration, high-energy impulse. m


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When outdoors, you may encounter a bear, espe-cially while camping. If you are planning a campingtrip to bear country, a telephone call to inquire about

Throw rocks or pieces of firewood or use aslingshot.It is rare when a bear cannot be chased away. Bears

bear activities is recommended. If you confront a bear may make threateningsounds, stand upright or possiblywhile in the outdoors,remain calm. DON'T PANIC! bluff charge. These behaviors are signsYOUARETOO CLOSE!To reduce the chances of bear problems: Spray repellents containing capsaicin (hot pepper

Move to another campsite if fresh bear sign is liquid) are available to discourage bold bears. Thesepresent. repellents are effective and will NOT injure the bear'sNever have food in your tent. eyes or make the bear aggressive. CAUTION! CareUse canned anddried foods to minimizefood odors. must be taken when using these products. Be sure toStore foods out of a bear's reach (see Figure 2). follow label instructions.DO NOT discharge repel-- Use airtight or bear-proof containers. lents around a campsite except to repel a bear attack.Burn waste paper in your campfire. Residual capsaicin may actually serve to attract bears.DO NOT BURN OR BURY FOOD SCRAPS!Remove all garbage and fish remains from campEVERY EVENING.

Seeingbears can be very enjoyable. However,having a bear in camp can lead to problems. If aproblem becomes serious, the bear may be killedunnecessarily.

Z2LY393Z:50

Figure 2. Tie your food bag so it hangs10 ee t above the ground, five feet belowthe branch and 10 ee t away from thetree so bears can't reach it.

Having a bear in camp can ruin your trip.If a bear comes into camp:

DON'T FEED IT! Scare it away.Make loud noises, bang pans, yell or use air horns. ~rDON'T BE GENTLE! Chase it away. td -


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'Cesorts,Campgrounds anti Restaurants

Side View

A me"mhwat& pip&!!zu@ rjbldeiwrbmM Srandk and n0tmbi tn &CIS d rib,S8& p"lpe ou t tQa p n U.

Drill holes for pipeto f i t through.Garbage can.Wood decking.Crib is four sidedand open at the top.You can make th ecrib Longer t o ho ldmore cans.

te Bears can be attracted to establishments that have5 food because of odors and garbage.W% Problems may arise when:

People are in close contact with bears.Bears danlage personal property.Bears become dependent on a food source.Bears scatter garbage.

To help reduce bear problems:Use bear-proof cans and dum psters (seeFigures 3 & 4).Move cans or dunlpsters away from areas used bypeople.Pick up g arbage and fish remains pronlptly everyevening.Wash cans and dum psters frequently.Use lime to cut odors.Teach people to:NOT FEED BEARS.NOT STORE FOOD IN TENTS !Store food out of sight in a car trunk or cabin.Rinse containers before disposal cud recycle.These precautions will help reduce bear problenls.

When you find a system that works, stay with it.Fi,gure 4. Bear-proof dumpsteu: Dum psterlids must be steel (notplastic).

Id nw b

I L I -4locks


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Landowners sometimes experience bear problemswith livestock, crops, orchards, berry patches andbeehives.To control problems:

Corral animals close to buildings at night.PronlptIy bury dead animals or take them to arendering plant.Eliminate on-farm garbage dumps.Encouragehunting in problem areas.Monitor crops to detect problems early.

Because of potentially large financial losses,bearsare especially troublesonle in orchards and beehives.Energized fences are the best long-termcontrolmeasure for these situations.These fencing systemswill prevent wildlife damage when installed andmaintained properly. If damage occurs, contact yourlocal DNRArea Wildlife Manger immediately fortechnical reconmendations.

.~".: 4 -Sometimes a bear causing problems must be ,:- - 1,:-;,L ,trapped and destroyed by the DNR. This should be .

done only after exhausting all other options.Your localD M AreaWildlife Manager may attempt to trap abear if he or she determines this is the best solution.Bears will not be trapped for causing minor propertydamage, such as tearing down bird feeders or tippingover garbage cans.

Most bears that are trapped because they havebecome a nuisance, are destroyed rather than relocatedto a different site. Relocated bears seldomremainwhere they are released. They may return to wherethey were caught or become a problem somewhereelse.

Trapping bears does not resolve the fundamentalproblem, which is an abundant food sourceprovidedby humans. Research and experiencehas clearlyshown that removing the food that attracts bearsresolves bear problems much more effectively than

z attempting to trap and destroy, or& relocate the bear.When it is determined that a bear

I must be killed, the DNR can assign alicensed hunter or issue a specialpermitto shoot it.A person may kill a bear toprotect their property,however, thisoption should be used only if the bear is

--Beehives protected by energized jencing system.

causing immediate danger or significantproperty damage. Bears are the propertyof the State of Minnesota. The killing ofa problem bear must be reported to aConservation Officer within 48 hours.

bear country

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