Bears Pushing Farther South In MI: Here’s How We Can Coexist

MICHIGAN — More Michiganders are likely to come across bears this spring as they push farther south into the Lower Peninsula, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

While most black bears in Michigan live in the Upper Peninsula, officials said their population in the Lower Peninsula has been growing steadily since 2000.

Officials now believe roughly 2,000 black bears are living in the Lower Peninsula, specifically in areas around Traverse City and as far south as Grand Rapids and the Thumb regions. Officials believe there are roughly 10,000 black bears living in the Upper Peninsula.

With bears moving into more populated areas, officials said we must learn to live peacefully alongside them, as they have lived in the area for millions of years. That begins with not letting the bears get too comfortable near humans.

Officials recommend keeping food sources, such as bird seed, unsecured garbage or a food-splattered grill off the property. If there's nothing tasty to eat, the bears are likely to just pass through.

"Bears eat a variety of fruits, berries and nuts, making them terrific seed dispersers," DNR Wildlife Biologist Jared Duquette said. "Their droppings help spread seeds across large areas, promoting plant growth and forest regeneration. As opportunistic omnivores, bears help control populations of small mammals and insects. They also scavenge on carrion, which helps recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem."

Officials went on to say that most bear complaints they receive aren’t necessary. They said a bear simply passing through someone’s property does not warrant action from the DNR.

Mike Kowalski, a wildlife expert for 25 years at DNR's Traverse City office, said officials will not necessarily show up and take a bear away from a neighborhood.

Instead, officials suggest scaring the bear away by making loud noises, such as banging two metal pots together or using an airhorn.

"We had a homeowner who wanted us to trap a bear because it was coming by their home every day," Traverse City area DNR Biologist Stephen Griffith said. "But if a bear is coming by every day, there’s a problem. You need to fix the problem. Bears have a very, very good memory."

Officials added feeding bears is a bad idea and it may take up to two weeks for it to stop showing up after food sources are removed. Some conditioned bears may have to be euthanized, officials said.

Griffith also said two other residents in the Traverse City area decided to leave food out for the bears every day and even named them. He said that is not good because as bears become more conditioned, they risk getting shot by another resident or euthanized by animal control officers.

"As the saying goes, a fed bear is a dead bear," Griffith said.

The American black bear (Ursus americanus) comes in black, brown and cinnamon and generally weighs between 100 and 500 pounds. Black bears typically avoid people whenever possible, but they are wild animals and may defend themselves when surprised or feeling threatened, according to BearWise.

If a black bear approaches you, DO NOT RUN. Instead:

• Stand your ground.
• Back away only when the bear stops its approach.
• Make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump.
• Yell “HEY BEAR!” loudly.
• Always provide a clear, unobstructed escape route for the bear.

If a black bear makes contact with you:

• Do not play dead (that’s for a grizzly bear).
• Fight back with anything at hand (knife, sticks, rocks, binoculars, backpack or by kicking).