Are There Grizzly Bears in Minnesota or Were There Ever? (2024)
Have you found yourself asking the question, are there grizzly bears in Minnesota?
This is a great thing to wonder since Minnesota seems like the perfect habitat to house bears, with all of our dense forests.
Especially to those looking to spend some time in our great outdoors, you may be speculating whether or not grizzlies roam our forests.
Well, I’ve lived in Minnesota for my entire life and until this point, have never seen a grizzly bear here. In fact, I don’t think that anyone else has either! (I have seen 3 black bears though!)
But that doesn’t mean that you won’t come across a bear or two in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!
In this post, I’m going to cover everything that you need to know about encountering grizzlies in Minnesota.
Are There Grizzly Bears in Minnesota?
To keep it short, no there aren’t any grizzly bears in Minnesota, and there haven’t been for quite some time!
By the early 1900s, grizzlies were pushed out of the prairies and grasslands of Minnesota and into the mountains of the west.
Since then, we haven’t had any grizzlies roaming our land, and unfortunately, it’s unlikely that we ever will again, unless humans help restore the land they once called home.
Did Grizzly Bears Ever Live in Minnesota?
Yes, grizzly bears did at one point live in Minnesota, but it was quite some time ago that they did.
In fact, so long ago, that no one who lives in the lively state now would ever remember seeing them here!
Thousands of years ago, there may have been grizzlies roaming the land that we know today, but you won’t find them here anymore.
Back in the 1800s, grizzlies were killed as settlers turned the prairies into farmland. And as the 1900s came around, grizzly bears were completely gone.
In fact, grizzly bears used to thrive in the prairies of Minnesota and our surrounding states, but then were pushed out into the mountains where they now live.
Will Grizzly Bears Ever Live in Minnesota Again?
While I would love to say that yes, grizzly bears will someday make a comeback, it’s really unlikely at this point.
Grizzly bears thrive in diverse landscapes with rivers, grasslands, and mountainous areas, which we don’t have as much of in Minnesota.
Back in the 1900s when grizzlies were basically ‘kicked out’ of our state, settlers destroyed their habitat by human settlement and hunting them.
Human settlement in Minnesota has continued to cause reason for grizzlies not to make a return since they need wild lands with dense forests or open grasslands to thrive.
This would require humans to stop logging and tearing down forests that create homes for these large mammals.
Grizzlies also would need the habitat that they lived in to be a place for their food to thrive, which includes things like berries, small mammals, fish, and nuts.
Without these things, it will be unlikely that there will ever be grizzlies in Minnesota again.
Today, grizzlies are also listed on the ‘threatened’ species list, so we as humans need to do what we can to save them.
What Types of Bears Are There in Minnesota?
So if you asked yourself, are there grizzly bears in Minnesota, but now know that there aren’t, you might be wondering what kinds of bears there are here.
The only species of bear to live in Minnesota is the black bear, and we actually happen to have a pretty healthy population of them.
Although it may not seem like it, since they’re rarely seen and live in forested areas of Minnesota.
Don’t be fooled though, because black bears can come in all shapes, sizes, and even colors! They can be black, brown, or blonde, but in Minnesota most are black.
They also are typically pretty harmless, since they avoid humans.
Of course, if you were to bother one, it could become aggressive, but they tend to mind their own business and leave humans alone, as long as we leave them alone.
Where Do Bears Live in Minnesota?
Black bears call Minnesota home, and they tend to live in forested areas that are densely covered in trees.
They live near swamps, so they can drink and bathe when they need.
Sometimes, you might see a bear crossing a road or in a prairie feeding on grass, but they’re pretty scared of humans, so if they see you, they may bolt.
Most of our black bears live in the Northern and Eastern parts of Minnesota, and you’ll almost never find one down in the south or the far west.
How Many Bears Live in Minnesota?
There is a surprising population of bears that live in Minnesota!
DNR conservation officers have estimated that there are likely between 12,000 and 15,000 black bears in Minnesota.
You may not ever see one though, since they do tend to hide from us humans! In my entire life that I’ve lived in Minnesota, I’ve only ever seen 3 bears!
What US States Have Grizzly Bears?
Grizzly bears tend to live in mountainous areas and they only live in 5 out of 50 states in the United States.
With a majority of those grizzly bears living in Alaska, it makes it even less likely to see one in the contiguous United States.
Although, if you head over to the western half of the country, your luck is heightened!
Grizzlies live in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming.
Behind Alaska, Montana has the next highest concentration of them, with most being found in the Northern Continental Divide area. This is near Glacier National Park.
Many people question if there are grizzlies in Colorado, but it’s unlikely since they haven’t been seen there since the 1950s.
You will not find any grizzly bears in the eastern half of the United States, although Great Smoky Mountain National Park is home to lots of black bears!
Where Do Grizzly Bears Live?
Grizzlies have a habitat that you won’t find anywhere in Minnesota, and you also won’t find it outside of the western side of the United States.
But they are fairly adaptable and can live in unique places like tundras, grasslands, forests, and coastal areas.
Mostly though, grizzly bears live in high mountain forests with lots of space to roam and find food to eat.
This is why you see most grizzly bears in mountainous areas like Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska.
In these states, you’ll most often find them in prairies digging for food, or along streams searching for fish.
Safety for Bears in Minnesota
While it’s uncommon, since bears are pretty scared of us humans, you may come across a bear in the wilderness of Minnesota.
Don’t be too afraid though, because there’s no fatal bear attack in Minnesota on record, although they do occasionally happen. Black bears are also rarely aggressive unless they’re a mother defending her cubs.
Because of this, you should know some safety tips for tackling bear encounters or attacks.
Here are some tips for keeping yourself safe if you were to ever come across a bear. These tips are for black bear encounters, as they may vary for grizzlies.
Never Approach a Bear
One of the easiest ways to keep yourself safe is to never approach a bear, since they may take it as a threat.
If you see a bear, stay still and slowly begin to back away. Wait for the bear to leave, and be sure they’re gone before you continue.
Never Run From a Bear
While it may be very scary to come into contact with a bear, one of the worst things that you can do it run from them.
Running may trigger an attacking instinct in a bear and it may run towards you, thinking that you’re prey.
Instead, slowly back away, and if they start to walk towards you, make yourself large and make large noises.
Get Big and Talk to Them
If a bear starts to walk toward you, make yourself large by holding up sticks or something else that you have nearby and stand still.
Then start to talk to the bear, by saying things like ‘hey bear’ to let the bear know you’re a human.
Only yell at the bear if it knows that you’re there, because loud noises may scare an unaware bear.
If a Bear Attacks…
While there are no grizzlies in Minnesota and black bears are rarely aggressive, attacks can still happen.
If a black bear were to attack you, do not play dead, but instead fight back for your life, using anything nearby that you can find.
This could be anything from hiking poles to your backpack or your own arms and legs. Make yourself big, and make noise by yelling.
Use your bear spray if you are able.
Note: For a grizzly bear attack, you should play dead and leave your backpack on. Remain still and fighting back can make the grizzly more aggressive.
Carry Bear Spray
While it isn’t entirely necessary in Minnesota, I do sometimes carry bear spray just for my own peace of mind.
Bear spray is essentially a giant pepper spray that is designed to deter bears and give you time to escape.
If a bear were to approach or charge at you, you can use your bear spray to deter them and then get out of the area.
Note: Bear spray should only be used if a bear is aggressive toward you. Never spray a bear that is not acting aggressively.
FAQs
Yes, Minnesota had grizzly bears at one point, but there are no grizzlies that live here anymore.
The state with the most grizzlies is Alaska, with over 30,000 of the 50,000+ you’ll find in the United States.
Grizzly bears do not live in Minnesota, and have not since the early 1900s.
Brown bear is a nickname that is often given to grizzly bears, and there are no grizzlies in Minnesota. But, you might see a black bear that is colored brown.
Black bears that live in Minnesota are very rarely aggressive in Minnesota. There has never been a fatal bear attack in Minnesota’s recorded history.
Wrap-Up: Are There Grizzly Bears in Minnesota?
So if you’ve found yourself wondering, are there grizzlies in Minnesota, now you know your answer.
While they did at one point call the state home, they aren’t here anymore, and you’ll only find black bears in Minnesota.
Now that you know, you can go out into the wilderness and understand how to protect yourself.
