Bear Safety

American black bear (Ursus americanus) swimming from Oak Island to Stockton Island.

NPS

Spotting bears in the wild can be a thrilling experience, but encountering one at your campsite can be alarming and potentially dangerous. Due to the high density of black bears in the Apostle Islands, visitors should remain vigilant and prepared as they hike, camp and explore. While islands like Stockton, Sand, and Oak often host resident bears, bears can swim to any of the islands. As visitors, your actions play the most crucial role in preventing bears from becoming habituated to humans.

Bear Safety Best Practices

• Prevent bears from accessing human food sources.
• Do not feed bears.
• Secure food and other attractants at all times by using bear lockers or bear-resistant cans.
• Give bears space. Maintain a distance of at least 50 yards and show respect for their presence.
• Travel in groups and make noise to avoid surprising bears.
• Supervise children and pets in bear country.

 

American black bear.

NPS

Understanding Bear Behavior

Black bears are integral to the ecosystem of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Awareness of their behaviors is essential for ensuring both visitor safety and bear conservation.

Natural Wariness

In the wild, bears typically avoid humans. Maintaining this fear is crucial for their survival and visitor safety.

Habituation

Bears can become habituated to human presence, leading them to approach visitor use areas. Signs include:

• Frequent visits to campgrounds or established routes.
• Lack of fear when encountering people.

Food Conditioning

This occurs when bears associate humans with easy food sources, prompting behaviors like investigating trash or food containers.

Defensive vs. Offensive Behavior

• Defensive Behavior: Typically a reaction to perceived threats, e.g., bluff charging or vocalizations like growling.
• Offensive Behavior: Involves unprovoked approaches toward humans, indicating potential danger.

 

Bear Box at campsite in the Apostle Islands.

NPS

How To Minimize Bear-Human Conflicts

Store Food & Scented Items Properly

• Use Bear-Proof Lockers: Use bear-proof lockers at campsites to store food and toiletries between meals.
• No Locker? Hang Your Food: Hang your food cache in a tree away from your tent at least 12 feet from the ground and five feet from the trunk.
• Proper Garbage Disposal: Do not bury, scatter, or burn food scraps. Bag your garbage, store it in the bear-proof lockers, and pack it out when you leave.
• Stay Attentive: Never leave food or water bottles unattended.

Pet Safety

• Proper Pet Food Storage: Store dog food items along with other food in bear-proof lockers.
• Leash and Monitor: Pets should be on leash or closely monitored to prevent them from harming wildlife.

Make Noise While Hiking

• Make Noise: When hiking, create sound to alert bears of your presence.
• Travel in Groups: Stick to established trails during the day and travel in groups.
• Be Bear Sign Aware: Look for tracks (paw prints), droppings (scat), and claw marks on trees.

Reduce Food Odors Where You Camp or Picnic

• Cook Away from Tent: Cook well away from your sleeping area if possible.
• Clean Quickly: Wash dishes and clean the kitchen site.
• Store Outside: Don’t keep food or toiletries in your tent.
• Wastewater Disposal: Use minimal water, strain food particles, and broadcast wastewater at least 50-yards away from camp or use a vault toilet.
• Pack Out: Take food scraps with other garbage.

 

Black bear investigates kayaks on a beach in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

NPS

If You Encounter a Bear

In the Backcountry

• Walk Away While Facing the Bear: Slowly move away and avoid direct eye contact.
• Speak Quietly and Act Passively: Remain calm and avoid sudden movements.
• If the Bear Approaches: Wave your arms and speak louder to identify yourself as a human.

In a Visitor Area (campsite, dock, or picnic area)

• Show that You are in Charge: Use a loud voice tone and upright body posture. Try to look as large as possible.
• Make Noise: Bang pots, yell, and make loud noises until the bear leaves the area.
• Report the Encounter: Report the encounter to park staff as soon as possible.
• If Bear Acts Aggressively: Leave the area immediately, do not run, and report the encounter.

Report a Bear Encounter

Visitor safety is our top priority. Please report bear encounters to help us monitor and manage bear activity effectively.

For Non-Emergency Encounters

If you observe a bear behaving unusually or if you experience a non-emergency situation, please report it to our resource management team. Contact us at e-mail us.

For Emergencies

If you feel threatened by a bear or you are in an emergency situation, please call 911 for immediate assistance.

Keep Wildlife Wild

A problem bear is one that has lost its fear of people. To prevent bears from causing property loss or personal injury, the National Park Service will use noise and various projectiles to deter bears from visitor use areas, close campsites and picnic areas, or remove problem bear(s). Please follow the suggested camping practices to protect yourself and the bears of the Apostles Islands National Lakeshore.