DULUTH, MN (KDAL) – All visitors to the Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) management area, will need to store their food properly to help protect wild bears and humans alike.
This food storage order is the result of increases in human-bear interactions, some with negative outcomes.
Superior National Forest Wildlife Biologist Cheron Ferland says the rise in interactions is the result of a number of factors including the drought which has led to a poor berry crop.
This year, there are several areas with reoccurring bear sightings and interactions in the forest. Areas include Rose Lake, Duncan Lake and Daniel Lake in the Gunflint Ranger District; the Moose Lake Chain and several campgrounds including Birch Lake, Fall Lake and Fenske Lake on the Kawishiwi Ranger District; and Agnes Lake on the La Croix District.
The food storage order requires visitors to properly store food unless in the process of eating, preparing or transporting food. Proper storage reduces the chance of bears being rewarded when in campsites, trails, portages, landings or other recreational areas.
Proper food storage can be done in two ways:
The preferred method is using a bear canister or bear-resistant container and placing it 50 feet away from your tent on the ground. You can also hang your food pack at least 12 feet above the ground at all points, six feet horizontally from any pole or limb and four feet vertically from any pole or limb.
Please be mindful of the weight of your pack while hanging it to avoid breaking branches and damaging live trees.
If you have questions about bear resistant food storage, please call the Ranger District closest to you or log onto the National Forest Service website.
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