(WWJ) While Michigan hunters are out looking for deer in the coming weeks, wildlife officials are asking them to look for signs of bears as well.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters and others who spend time outdoors to keep an eye out for bear dens while in the field; and, if they find one, to report the location to the DNR.
What's the deal with bear dens?
In Michigan, black bears (the only bear species found in Michigan) typically enter their den by December and come out in late March or April. Bears are not true hibernators because they only drop their body temperature by a few degrees...and they are easily awakened, the DNR said. Bears will den in rock cavities, root masses, standing trees, openings under fallen trees or in brush piles.
How to report bear dens
If you find yourself near a potential den site, stay quiet and listen for any sounds coming from within. You may be able to hear cubs nursing or crying.
If you believe you have found a bear den, keep a safe distance away and avoid disturbing the den or the bears inside. Record the location, using GPS coordinates if possible, and report the information to one of the following DNR staffers:
- Upper Peninsula: Cody Norton at 906-202-3023 or NortonC3@Michigan.gov.
- Northern Lower Peninsula: Mark Boersen at 989-275-5151, ext. 2722730 or BoersenM@Michigan.gov.
Why to report bear dens
To help little bears! The DNR is looking for locations of denned bears in the northern Lower Peninsula to grow the surrogate sow program, which places orphaned bear cubs with mother bears. After locating a bear den, DNR wildlife biologists will determine whether the animal is a good candidate to join the program and, if so, will fit the bear with a radio tracking device.
The DNR reminds hunters and other in Michigan that it is illegal to disturb, harm or molest a bear or bear den. Those who think they have found a den should report it and allow DNR biologists to further investigate.
"Information gathered from the bears assists in managing the black bear population," said Boersen, wildlife biologist working out of the DNR Roscommon Customer Service Center. "The goal is to have eight or nine sows in the program. We currently are monitoring four females from aircraft and the ground."
Bears selected for the program will be sedated and fitted with a collar and ear tags. A small, nonfunctional tooth will be collected to determine the bear's age and to provide a DNA sample. Upon completion of the short procedure, biologists will carefully return the bear to its den, where it will sleep through the remainder of the winter months.
Do not disturb the bears!
The DNR urges anyone who finds a den leave it alone. It is illegal — not to mention dangerous — to disturb a bear den or to disturb, harm or molest a bear in its den. Those who think they have found a den should report it and allow DNR biologists to further investigate.
Michigan deer archery season runs from October 1 to November 14, 2026 (early segment) and December 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027 (late segment). It is followed by regular firearm season from November 15 to November 30, 2026
Visit this link for more information.
Learn more about bears, bear management and bear hunting in Michigan at Michigan.gov/Bear.
