Living with Black Bear in the Area

The black bear, Ursus Americanus, is the only bear species that inhabits Minnesota today. It is the smallest, yet most common, of the three bear species. Black bear weight varies depending on age, sex and time of year. They can be 30% heavier in the fall than they are in the spring. Adult bears can weigh anywhere from 100 to 550 pounds. They typically like areas with dense cover but will wander into clearings when food is present. The black bear feeds predominately on fruit, nuts, shoots and vegetation. 

Black bears are excellent climbers and are often photographed scaling trees. Their relatively short, non-retractable, claws give them great grip. They are also strong swimmers and will readily enter the water in search of fish.  Black bears tend to shuffle along slowly when walking but are able to run at speeds of around 25-30 mph however tire quickly and cannot keep this pace for long. The average lifespan of a black bear is 18 years in the wild although the oldest captive black bear was 44 years old when it died.

The breeding period usually occurs in June and July, though it can extend into August in the northern range. Gestation period is 235 days with litters born in late January to early February. Female black bears can give birth to up to six cubs but typically have two to three and usually breed every other year. Cubs stay with their mother for about 18 months.

Males have a home range of 15 to 80 square miles. Black bears have better eyesight and hearing than humans. They will leave the forest and travel many miles to seek food entering gardens and campsites and, with a sense of smell about seven times greater than a dog's, will easily find food in rubbish bins and outdoor storage facilities. They are also perfectly capable of breaking into a car. It is advisable to keep trash containers in the garage or protected building and to not leave food in outdoor containers, coolers or vehicles. Black bears may be active at any time of day or night although mainly forage at night. Bird feeders can also attract bears to your yard. Taking them in at night can help keep the bears and other critters at bay. Pet food and dishes left outside is also a potential bear enticement. When cooking meat on the grill, don't leave your food attended. Thoroughly clean your grill after use including the grease can and drip tray. Clean up spills on your deck and patio and don't at pungent items such as meat, melon rinds or sweet-smelling foods to your compost pile. Even non-food items can attract bears. Take scented items such as suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap or candles indoors when not in use. Infrared motion detection water sprays can humanely scare off all kinds of animals including bears. Motion-activated sound or lighting systems can also scare them off. Liberal application of pine-scented cleaner around doors, window frames and porch steps has also proven successful.

When winter comes, the black bear will hibernate in a den made in hollow trees, under the root mass of a tree or in rock crevices. Hibernation typically lasts 3-6 months.

If you come across a black bear at close range, it is advised to retreat slowly without turning your back on the bear. Do not run. Black bears are known to make mock-charges to within a few meters. If they do this, stand your ground, make yourself as big as you can and shout in a commanding voice, clap your hands, bang pots and pans, or whatever you have to make noise.

DNR manages the black bear population and will provide assistance with bear problems if necessary.

Bear can be hunted. Crow Wing County, Area 45, is a quota permit area. Application deadline is the first Friday in May. Baiting season begins around August 16 and the hunting season is September 1 thru mid October. Any bear taken must be registered. Registration may be done online but a tooth sample is still required. Hunters must pick up a tooth envelope at a bear registration station. Stations in Crow Wing County are as follows:

Mills Fleet Farm, BaxterThe Corner Store, BrainerdPine Square, BrainerdWeidell Hardware, BrainerdWild Rice Depot, BrainerdHoliday Stationstore, BrainerdOars and Mine, BrainerdMoonlite Square, BrainerdHoliday Stationstore, CrosslakeHoliday Stationstore, DeerwoodRedding's Sports and Spirits, EmilyFort Ripley Store, Fort RipleyJM Speedstop, JenkinsSpeedstop, Pequot Lakes