Michigan Black Bears Are Pushing Further South, Here’s How To Coexist

It's no secret that Michigan black bears continue expanding their Lower Peninsula territories. The DNR has offered ways to coexist safely.

Michigan Black Bears

Hundreds of years ago, black bears were a common sight in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan.

👇BELOW: What black bears want, and how to deter them👇

During the 1800s, black bears were nearly wiped out due to overhunting and habitat loss.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has worked hard to get the black bear population reestablished. Since the 1990s, there has been a steady increase in the number of bears in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Over 10,000 bears are in the U.P., and over 2000 are estimated to be in the L.P.

Read More: You May See Black Bears More Often In Lower Peninsula

Tips on Coexisting With Black Bears in the Lower Peninsula

Black bear sightings in Michigan have occurred along the Michigan/Ohio and Indiana borders. Just last year, a black bear was spotted in Owosso, which is located between Lansing and Flint.

The DNR recently offered ways for those encountering bears further south in Michigan to coexist.

• Bird Feeders - Are like fast food to a bear. A black bear can smell them a mile away and will remember where they are located and return year after year.
• Garbage - It is important to keep garbage secured or bears will seek it out.
• Grill - keep your grease bin emptied on your grill. You may want to put your grill away to keep from bears paying it a regular visit.
• DO NOT FEED THE BEARS - The DNR says, "A fed bear is a dead bear." Feeding bears will make them return and even try to get into your house to find food. Feeding bears will often lead to their being euthanized.
• If a bear approaches you - Stand your ground, back away only when the bear stops its approach. Make yourself look bigger by raising your arms or standing on a rock or stump. Yell, "HEY BEAR!" loudly.
• If a black bear makes contact with you, DO NOT PLAY DEAD (that trick is for grizzly bears). FIGHT BACK with anything you can grab (knife, sticks, rocks, binoculars, backpack, or by kicking).

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