Keep it Wild – Being Bear Aware
The Superior National Forest is home to black bears, who are smart, have a good memory and most often prefer to keep to themselves. With increased human activity in the Wilderness, there is a chance that visitors to the BWCAW may encounter a wild bear. In this edition of Keep it Wild, Cheron Ferland, acting regional wildlife program manager for the Superior National Forest shares best practices and resources to help campers be “bear aware” as we move into early spring in the BWCAW. Keep it Wild is a Boundary Waters Podcast monthly feature.
Blue barrel destroyed by a black bear on Clearwater Lake. Courtesy of Rocco Bonello, SNF.
For bear-human conflict reports on the Superior National Forest contact the USFS: www.fs.usda.gov/main/superior/home (call one of the Ranger District offices or email the Tip Line: sm.fs.suf-tipline@usda.gov)
More information on living with bears and where to find bear-friendly food containers:
- Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Bear-resistant Products https://igbconline.org/programs/bear-resistant-products/
- MNDNR BearWise Living with Bears https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/livingwith_wildlife/bears/index.html
- US Forest Service Bear Aware https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/bears
- Bear Canisters 101 https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bear-resistant-canisters.html
Keep it Wild is supported in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
