CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH JANEL CROOKS, US FOREST SERVICE
Grand Island National Recreation Area is a popular destination for campers and day-trippers alike, and for good reason. The Island’s breathtaking overlooks, pristine beaches, deep hardwoods, fascinating cultural sites, and inland lakes provide recreation opportunities for everyone. Grand Island is also a great place to view a large number of wildlife species, the most impressive being the black bear.
This year, bear activity has increased around areas where humans frequent, including campgrounds and picnic areas. This increase is in part due to the drought that affected much of the region in late spring and early summer, which impacted the growing season of many species of the black bear diet, including plants, roots, berries, and nuts. Scarcity brought on by the drought leads bears to more scavenging, and human lunches are easy targets.
To minimize the likelihood of bear encounters, Wildlife Biologist Ashlynn Pryal suggests the following tips:
- Never intentionally feed a bear.
- Keep a clean camp. Minimize food odors and waste. Do not leave food laying out on picnic tables. Do not leave lunchboxes or coolers unattended.
- Food and toiletries should never be kept in tents. Instead, store them in airtight containers in a vehicle trunk or suspended in trees if possible. All campsites on Grand Island have either bear-proof lockers and/or bear poles to safely store food and scented items (sunscreen, ChapStick, etc.)
- Wash utensils shortly after eating to minimize odors.
- Don’t sleep in clothes that have cooking odors or blood on them.
- Store trash as you would food. Do not burn or bury it, as the odors can attract bears.
- If storing food in a vehicle/RV, keep it locked. Bears are very smart and can learn how to open doors.
While there have been relatively few incidents between bears and humans on Grand Island, there is always the potential for a dangerous encounter. The goal of the Hiawatha National Forest is to minimize this potential and to manage the island so that bears and humans can cohabit the island peacefully.
“Our top priority is to ensure the safety of visitors and employees,” commented Brian Hinch, Grand Island National Recreation Area Manager. “We have used education about bears to encourage people to properly store food but continue to see examples of people ignoring that advice. Unfortunately, this behavior habituates bears to people and campsites, putting others in danger. We hope that those visiting Grand Island will take our advice to heart and help us prevent this from becoming a larger problem. Bears are wild animals, and each visitor plays a role in ensuring that they remain wild.”
For more information about Grand Island National Recreation Area or about how to recreate safely in bear country, please contact the Munising Ranger District at 906-387-2512.
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