Despite the state being home to about 18,000 bears, since 1984, just 18 people have been hospitalized after a bear attack in Minnesota, and all have survived.

Black bears, the only species in the region, are docile and shy, according to Andy Tri, a bear project researcher with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Breanne Barney, who manages the Minnesota Zoo’s Tropics Trail.

“Ninety-nine percent of the time, they’re most likely to flee when they encounter people,” Tri said.

Barney said that a number of things can provoke a black bear to become aggressive, such as being cornered or even having a disease.

Tri said most attacks in Minnesota are related to dogs or food.

The DNR has bear safety resources online, but here are some of Tri’s top tips for staying safe in bear country.

Storing food safely

Whether at home or a campsite, don’t leave food outside, Tri said.

Any kind of food, including leftovers, dog food, bird seed and even residue on grills should be secured, as bears will eat “basically anything we or our dogs would be interested in,” he said.

Related Coverage

News & Politics

Woman attacked by black bear in Wisconsin is ID’d, hospitalized in Twin Cities in critical condition

Outdoors

‘Owen was a hero’: How a 12-year-old saved his dad’s life with a clutch shot during a bear attack

At home, best practice is to clean up food residue, take waste inside and secure garbage bins by storing them in a garage or shed, behind an electric fence or with bear-proof straps.

While camping, a good option is to store food out of sight in a locked vehicle with the windows rolled up or in a bear-proof container.

Food can also sometimes be suspended above the ground, but Tri said it’s important to hang it from a tree that’s tall and wide enough.

Barney also advised being mindful of how animals might react differently if you have food with you while, say, hiking.

“Be mindful of the fact that you may come across wildlife in general, and what the consequences could potentially be if you were to interact with an animal,” she said.

Dogs and bears

It’s important to keep dogs inside if a bear is near your home, and on a leash while camping and hiking, Tri said.

Several bear attacks in Minnesota occurred after an unleashed dog ran toward a bear and then fled, triggering a chase.

“Bears have evolved with wolves, and so what tends to happen is that even if it’s a Jack Russell or something, they’re going to see any sort of canid as some sort of threat,” he said.

If a bear approaches

Bears rarely approach people, but if one takes an interest in you, it’s important not to run.

First, try moving away from the bear slowly. If it doesn’t back off, Tri advised “escalating” the situation by making yourself appear larger and making loud noises.

Barney said to be thoughtful about how you try to intimidate the bear, though. Don’t wave arms, sticks or belongings at the animal in a threatening way if the goal is to get it to walk off.

“There’s a fine line [between] appearing bigger, making sure that you feel as though you’re calm and larger ... versus, like, actively throwing rocks at something, or waving sticks or arms in a way that the animal thinks that you may be a threat,” she said.

If the bear does attack, fight back.

And forget the “if it’s black” rhyme. Black bears come in multiple colors, including brown. If the encounter is taking place in Minnesota, it’s a black bear, and you should fight back.

“Oftentimes it’s just trying to defend itself, and will make a scratch and then roll off,” Tri said. “In the off chance that it wants to persist, adding that extra pressure is helpful.”

Overall, though, both Barney and Tri emphasized that seeing a bear doesn’t mean it’s going to attack. In all likelihood, it will run off.

“You’re actually very lucky because of the fact that you do get to actually have that moment of seeing that animal in its wild state,” Barney said.