Roger Perling of County Road 94 shot this photo of a black bear getting an easy meal from a bird feeder. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, bears often roam long distances in the fall, looking for food-rich areas, especially acorns, where they can fatten for winter. State officials encourage people to remove all sources of food, including garbage, bird and dog food, and other items that may draw a bear to their yards. Although they all don’t move in the same direction, travel together, or even go on such excursions every year, they typically return to their summer home range to den, so this “fall shuffle,” as it is commonly called, is actually a true seasonal migration. Bears hibernate in their dens during winter, for as long as six or seven months, living off their stored body fat. During this time they do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate, but recycle body wastes and arouse in spring with little loss of muscle mass or strength. Bears make huffing, snorting, and jaw-popping sounds when nervous or distressed, trying to repel intruders; cubs make humming sounds when nursing, an indication of being satisfied, and squealing when frightened or uncomfortable. Bears have reasonable eyesight and hearing, and an exceptionally keen sense of smell, even better than a dog.
Easy meal
Roger Perling of County Road 94 shot this photo of a black bear getting an easy meal from a bird feeder. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, bears often roam long distances in the fall, looking for food-rich areas, especially acorns, where they can fatten for winter. State officials encourage people to remove all sources of food, including garbage, bird and dog food, and other items that may draw a bear to their yards. Although they all don’t move in the same direction, travel together, or even go on such excursions every year, they typically return to their summer home range to den, so this “fall shuffle,” as it is commonly called, is actually a true seasonal migration. Bears hibernate in their dens during winter, for as long as six or seven months, living off their stored body fat. During this time they do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate, but recycle body wastes and arouse in spring with little loss of muscle mass or strength. Bears make huffing, snorting, and jaw-popping sounds when nervous or distressed, trying to repel intruders; cubs make humming sounds when nursing, an indication of being satisfied, and squealing when frightened or uncomfortable. Bears have reasonable eyesight and hearing, and an exceptionally keen sense of smell, even better than a dog.
