Wildlife officials handling bear reports from the North Shore to the BWCA

Reports of bears guzzling rancid barrels of oil, tipping garbage cans in Grand Marais, and breaking limbs off of apple trees all reached the WTIP News Desk as autumn arrives to the North Shore.

Official notifications of problem bears ranged from the Middle Gunflint Trail and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, to the recreation park and campground in Grand Marais near Lake Superior.

Already this month, the U.S. Forest issued a special warning about problem black bears on several lakes in the BWCA near the Gunflint Trail. Forest Service staff say they have received several reports of bears taking or damaging camping gear, including food packs.

All wilderness visitors are urged to use proper food storage practices in the Boundary Waters, the Forest Service said this week. That means either hanging the pack from a tree or using a bear-proof container.

Warning notices abut bears have been posted at several entry points in the area where problems have occurred: Lizz & Swamp Lakes, Meeds Lake, East Bearskin Lake, Daniels Lake, Duncan Lake, Clearwater Lake, South Lake.

In this episode of the WTIP Outdoor News Podcast, host Joe Friedrichs talks with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Bear Project Leader, Andrew Tri.  In the episode, the DNR official shares reminders on how to stay ‘Bearwise’ during this busy time of year for local wildlife.

Joe Friedrichs September 29, 2022