Yearling bear sightings in Grand Marais lead DNR to urge securing bird food and attractants
Over the past week, a small yearling black bear has been spotted around Grand Marais, checking bird feeders and garbage in search of food.
Several Grand Marais residents have spotted the yearling bear in the vicinity of 11th Ave. and 8th Ave, near Homestead Cooperative. Sightings of a yearling bear have also been reported farther east on 3rd Ave W, north of Cook County Higher Education.
The bear has been “fairly active during the day and hitting people’s bird feeders during daylight hours,” said Nancy Hanson, the Two Harbors area wildlife manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Yearling bear sighting in Grand Marais near 3rd Ave W | Photo by Kalli Hawkins
The Two Harbors office received several calls regarding the yearling bear in Grand Marais on Thursday and Friday of last week.
Hanson said there are several ways homeowners can discourage bears from becoming habituated to food sources and potentially requiring to be dispatched. The DNR does not trap and relocate bears, Hanson said.
“It would be best for the bear’s sake if everyone made an effort to take down bird feeders and store bird food, pet food, and garbage securely,” she said. Fruit trees and gardens may also attract bears.
The DNR recommends scaring the bear away, removing all food sources, and, if a homeowner can, installing an electric fence around food or attractants.
In addition to removing seeds from bird feeders, homeowners can reduce nuisance bears by cleaning and storing grills, and alerting neighbors to bear sightings. Find more information about being bear aware at bearwise.org.
From the reports the Two Harbors office has received, Hanson said the bear is still “young enough that people can do their part and change its behavior.”
“Tough love is better for both the bear and the homeowners,” Hanson said.
Throughout Cook County, other DNR officials have been receiving nuisance bear reports.
Hovland Area Conservation Officer Hudson Ledeen stated in his June 1 weekly report that he had received several nuisance bear complaints, each involving an available food source that attracted the bears.
Conservation Officer Thomas Wahlstrom, based in Grand Marais, also responded to several bear complaints this past week.
Learn more information about being BearWise on the Living with bears | Minnesota DNR website.
Two Harbors DNR Wildlife Staff can be reached by phone or email at: 218-834-1453 or TwoHarbors.wildlife@state.mn.us
Kalli Hawkins June 1, 2026
