Seeing bears can be very enjoyable, and when you are in black bear country, there's a good chance you'll see bears even if you never go into the woods. Minnesota's black bears are seldom aggressive and rarely injure people - they are naturally cautious animals that usually try to avoid human contact. The presence of a bear in the area is not a threat to your safety, but having a bear in camp can lead to human-bear conflicts.
Six outdoor BearWise basics
Stay alert and stay together
Keep kids within sight and close by.
Make noise periodically so bears can avoid you - try clapping, or a quick shout.
Leave no trash or food scraps
Double-bag your food when hiking, and pack out all food and trash.
Don't burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill. Leaving wrappers or scraps - even "harmless" items like apple cores - teaches bears to associate trails and campsites with food.
ALWAYS keep dogs leashed
Dogs and bears don't mix. Letting dogs chase, lunge or bark at bears is asking for trouble - don't force a bear to defend itself.
Keep your dogs leashed at all times or leave them at home. (This will help keep your dog safe, but also helps you avoid a citation - remember that state park rules require all dogs to be leashed at all times!)
Camp safely
Bears have an exceptional sense of smell. Keep a clean campsite, and cook downwind and as far from your tent as possible.
Do not store food, trash, clothes worn when cooking, or toiletries in your tent or camping hammock. Store in approved bear-resistant containers, or out of sight in a locked vehicle. Local regulations vary. Download a free pocket guide to backcountry food storage.
Know what to do if you see a black bear
If you see a bear before it notices you, don't approach or corner it. Give the bear an escape route. Stand still, enjoy, then quietly move away.
If a bear sees you, back away slowly. Never run.
If a bear approaches, hold your ground, wave your arms and yell "Hey Bear" until it leaves. Try to scare it away by making lots of noise, yelling or banging pots and pans together from a safe distance. Always stay with your group. If the bear keeps approaching, use bear spray.
If a black bear makes contact with you, do NOT play dead. Fight back aggressively.
Carry bear spray and know how to use it
Bear spray is the easiest and most effective way to deter a bear that threatens you.
Bear spray doesn't work like bug repellent, so never spray your tent, campsite or belongings.
Learn more about bear spray at BearWise.org.
Downloadable PDFs
Downloadable fact sheets, checklists and more from BearWise. Visit the BearWise tools and resources page for even more.
Six outdoor BearWise basics - at home, on vacation, and outdoors
Seis consejos básicos de BearWise - en casa, al aire libre, y para vacacionar
BearWise at home checklist - how BearWise are you?
BearWise bulletin - dogs + bears = problems!