MICHIGAN - Michigan residents know black bears are part of Michigan's Up North landscape. Though you're unlikely to encounter one at Sleeping Bear Dunes directly, these majestic beasts are regularly found roaming Northern Michigan forests.
12,000 Bears Across Michigan; Most Live In The Upper Peninsula
DNR wildlife biologists estimate about 12,000 bears across Michigan; most live in the Upper Peninsula, but some also exist in northern Lower Peninsula regions.
Biologists in the Lower Peninsula are alarmed by an increase in nuisance bear complaints over the last two years, up from less than 160 at their peak a decade ago. DNR biologists believe multiple factors may cause this rise; to mitigate further attractants like bird feeders, garbage, and beehives near homes, they suggest that people reduce these attractors like bird feeders or garbage cans that attract nuisance bears to reduce these complaints in future years.
Dwayne Etter is a bear researcher in Michigan. Using GPS collars and other tracking technology, he tracks the state's bear population. Recently, he noticed an intruding bear near the Saginaw-Midland county line he believes may have come from up north. However, bear migration from these northern locations into southern Michigan is common and usually remains within established territory boundaries.
Etter stresses the importance of keeping bears as wild animals by not feeding or leaving attractants around their houses and reminds all to remain aware of bears in the woods and report any unexpected sightings to DNR immediately.
