Rare Black Bear Spotted in Hudsonville Neighborhood

Every so often, a bear is spotted in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula. Recently, one was captured on a security camera in a residential neighborhood in Hudsonville.

Bear Sightings Increasing in the Southern Lower Peninsula

Photo by Pete Nuij on Unsplash

Each year, sightings of black bears in the southern Lower Peninsula are becoming more common among Michiganders. Many of these encounters are thought to involve solitary bears that have been displaced by larger, dominant animals or are roaming in search of easily accessible food.

Photo by Geoff Brooks on Unsplash

Black bear sightings are increasing in southern Michigan, with roughly 2,000 bears now in the Lower Peninsula, expanding south towards areas like Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Flint. Recent sightings include Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center and in Bath Township which are both in Clinton County, and near Pinckney in Livingston County. Other reports indicate sightings near Metamora and Lapeer.

The most recent sighting is in Ottawa County.

Watch Out: Bear Spotted on the Move in Hudsonville

Tommy Carroll/TSM/Courtesy of Joel Matzke

Normally, the only bears you’ll find in Hudsonville are the taxidermy displays at Cabela’s. But recently, a real bear made an appearance around 6:30 a.m. April 17, 2026. According to WOOD-TV, Joel Matzke captured footage of a small black bear on his security camera. He wasn’t alone, either, as several other sightings were reported near Baldwin Avenue and 42nd Avenue.

Tommy Carroll/TSM/Courtesy of Joel Matzke

Ottawa County sheriff’s deputies responded to the area after multiple sighting reports but were unable to find the bear. As a precaution, recess was also canceled for students in Hudsonville and Jenison Public Schools.