Bear Safety Tips for the UP
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A drop in temperatures indicates that bears are going through hyperphagia (excessive eating for winter fat stores). Hyperphagia can drive bears to travel long distances, first to known food sources and then far out of their way to scout for new food sources as well. This can lead them into more urban areas or out along trails. Black bears, however, are a lot less confrontational than other North American bears which means you have more options to avoid unwanted bear encounters.
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When you are outdoors hiking, it is best to be aware of your surroundings. There is a trail near my house where some apple trees are growing in some tall grass prairie pretty far back on the trail. When I was hiking on it, I could smell the sweet smell of apples before I saw the trees- just think, a bear will smell that from much farther away. Through that section, I am very alert and talk loudly and frequently to my hiking partner to give fair warning to any bears, if they are around. That way they can leave the area before I see them as they know humans are coming. Especially in fall when food is the main draw, you have to be really alert in areas like this. It's also best to not hike alone and to keep with your group. Another thing to note is that we always hike with my dog, and he is ALWAYS on a leash. This is the best safety measure you can do for pets, if your dog is like mine and very curious when on trails it would be really easy for an off leash dog to find and provoke a bear. I have heard stories where these dogs actually wander off to find a bear, get scared and run, thus provoking the bear to chase it, and bring the bear running right to the dog's owner. If you think you are going hiking in an area with bears, it may even be best to leave your dog at home. Another thing that is often forgotten but can be life saving is bear spray. Chances are you won't even need to use it, but it's something you'd be really sorry if you forgot to bring it and needed it. Bear spray has been known to be over 90% effective in stopping attacks of aggressive bear encounters when used correctly (data from a study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management). Fore more information on bear spray click here.
If you are camping this fall in a bear inhabited area then the general rule of keeping your camp clean is paramount. You want to chose a campsite that isn't somewhere bears would like to be- for example don't backcountry camp and set up near apple trees or ripe raspberries and make sure the underbrush isn't too thick. Then, you have to think about all the smelly things you have like food, toothpaste, deodorant etc. all that will have to be stored away from your tent and hang it in a tree or, if you are near your car, just put everything in there while you sleep. Click here for more information.
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Lets say you have made all the precautions and you do have a bear encounter; they don't seem to be aggressive but it's nearer to you than what is comfortable around wildlife, what do you do? First give it space, you want to make sure the bear can get away. Don't run. Try to make yourself look big and make noises to show you're not afraid and not to be messed with. Chances are the bear won't be interested in picking a fight with you and should leave the area, that is your chance to get out of there, too, once you know it's safe. For other scenarios and tips on an aggressive bear encounter click here. And remember...bear spray.
Black bears really aren't in the business of being aggressive to humans and chances are you have a basic knowledge of bear safety. Bears would rather stay away from humans and try to keep a good distance. If you see a bear consider yourself lucky and enjoy the experience.
Here are some resources specific to Michigan black bears:
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