Minnesota DNR Seeks Reports of Bear Dens for Research

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to report sightings of bear dens in the Duluth, Grand Rapids, and Brainerd areas this fall.

Researchers aim to use these locations to equip more bears with GPS collars during the upcoming winter season. This data collection is part of a University of Minnesota Duluth study tracking how black bears move between rural areas and increasingly developed urban environments.

“We’re hoping to collar a few more bears this winter, so it’s extremely helpful when hunters report bear den locations they encounter,” said Andrew Tri, leader of the DNR’s bear project, in a news release.

The research seeks to understand the intersection of wildlife habitats and human infrastructure. By tracking movement patterns, scientists hope to gain insights that could eventually reduce the frequency of bear encounters with people.

Michael Joyce, a wildlife ecologist with the university’s Natural Resources Research Institute, said that the Duluth-based study aims to use this movement data specifically to mitigate human-bear conflicts. The project’s research in the Duluth area is supported in part by funding from Minnesota’s Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Beyond urban movement, the study is also investigating biological shifts within the population. Specifically, researchers are looking at the age at which bears first reproduce, a metric that helps the state manage the species effectively.

Monitoring reproductive age is vital for the long-term stability of the ecosystem. According to the DNR, determining this age allows the agency to monitor overall populations and establish accurate hunting quotas.

Data suggests that the age at which bears reach reproductive maturity appears to be changing in certain parts of Minnesota. The DNR is currently investigating the underlying causes of this shift.

The agency has maintained long-term study sites for bears over several decades, specifically within the Brainerd area and the Chippewa National Forest.

The DNR has provided specific instructions for those who may come across a den while spending time outdoors. If a den is located, the agency requests that individuals note the GPS coordinates if they are able to do so.

To assist with the research, the DNR suggests that people take photographs of the dens from a safe distance, as these images can help researchers pinpoint the exact location of the animals.

Anyone who finds a den in the designated study areas can contact the DNR by calling 218-328-8879 or 218-328-8874.

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