Michigan is bear country. And here they come!

As spring approaches and Michigan’s estimated 12,450 black bears emerge from their dens — many with new cubs in tow — here are a few important things to remember:

• Bears have an extraordinary sense of smell and memory. They can smell food from a mile away and remember food locations for years, including that backyard bird feeder or grease-spattered grill.
• When bears get used to human-associated food sources, they are more apt to roam neighborhoods — not flee when harassed by people — and even break into homes and outbuildings for food.
• A bear raiding your bird feeder is not cause to contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to request the animal be relocated. Remove the bird feeder for at least two weeks and the bear should stop coming around and move on to other food sources. Talk to your neighbors about taking the same action.

“Michigan is bear country,” said Jared Duquette, human-wildlife interactions specialist for the DNR. “And as bears come out of their winter dens, it’s important to remember that we can live responsibly with these magnificent animals and avoid conflicts by following some basic best practices. Take down bird feeders, especially in the spring and summer, clean grills after use, don’t leave pet food outside and wait until collection day to put your trash out.”

People in high-density bear areas should consider using bear-resistant trash bins. Ask your trash company if they provide these containers.

There are an estimated 10,350 black bears throughout the Upper Peninsula, while the Lower Peninsula is home to 2,100 bears, according to a 2024 DNR survey. Lower Michigan’s bear population is concentrated mainly in the northern part of the peninsula, although bears have been pushing south into urban areas of mid-Michigan.

In March, some black bears leave their dens to walk around, stretch their legs and then go back to sleep. Other bears leave their dens for good. Drowsy and lethargic, they drink plenty of water and eat lightly at first — mainly old berries, rose hips and acorns along with winterkill deer carcasses.

Eventually, bears will go searching for more substantial meals, so now is a good time to make sure anything around your home and property that could possibly attract a hungry bear is stored out of sight, smell and reach, according to BearWise.

If you see a bear in the woods before it notices you, stand still, don’t approach and enjoy the moment. Then move away quietly in the opposite direction.

If you encounter a bear that’s aware of you, don’t run, as running may trigger a chase response. Back away slowly in the opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave. Bears prefer to avoid people whenever possible, but they are powerful wild animals and may defend themselves when surprised or feeling threatened.

Many sows will emerge from their winter dens with new cubs. Female black bears typically produce offspring every two years, giving birth to two to three cubs in January or February while still in their winter dens. Black bear cubs typically stay with their mother for 16-18 months.

As the cubs get older and more mobile, mother bears often leave their cubs to go forage for food as much as two miles away. But as cute as bear cubs are, if you see one in the wild, do not approach it or pick it up, BearWise warns. Further, never get between a mother and her cubs. If you find yourself in this position, move away from the cubs in a direction that allows the mother to quickly reconnect with them.

To learn more about preventing conflicts with bears, visit BearWise or Michigan.gov/Wildlife or contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453.

Accompanying DNR photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

• Bear cub 1: A DNR wildlife representative holds a female bear cub during a den check near Cadillac on Feb. 27. Yes, they're cute, but if you see cubs in the wild, don't approach them or pick them up. Mom is likely foraging for food and will be back for them.
• Hungry bears: Hungry black bears are emerging from their winter dens and can smell bird seed and the grease on a backyard grill from a mile away.
• Bear cub 2: A female bear cub voices her displeasure at being separated from her mother for a short period during a routine winter den check near Cadillac on Feb. 27. The cub and her two sisters were soon reunited with mom back in their den, although as the weather warms, they'll be out and about for good.