BOUNDARY WATERS — There was a dramatic decline in bear and human interactions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in 2024.
According to a Superior National Forest news release, less than 10 encounters were reported in the wilderness, compared to an average of 40 to 50 reports during the previous four years. This is despite the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reporting record high bear encounters elsewhere in the state.
One notable change last year was the implementation of new food storage requirements in the BWCAW. Visitors are required to hang items in a tree or using approved bear-resistant containers or face possible penalties.
Forest staff reported issuing no violation notices last year and instead focusing on education, with wilderness rangers reporting very good compliance.
But several factors can influence the number of bear and human encounters and forest staff say it is too soon to say how much the food storage order played a part in the decline.
Superior National Forest reported it will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the food storage order and any unintended consequences.
-
Plus: Red Lake Nation boy wrongly listed as dead by feds; Rock Ridge, Pequot, Thief River Falls to compete in girls state tennis tournament. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXENevaeh Kingbird, 15, was last seen October 2021. Jeremy Jourdain, 17, was last seen October 2016. Both cases remain unsolved as families find ways to cope and connect. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesIn this contributed essay, Majority in the Middle Executive Director Shannon Watson explores the people who bridge people together, even in turbulent political times. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEAn ongoing study from the Center of Rural Policy and Development found the importance of local college options and high school professional and technical classes. -
Contributed/Mark SauerRock Ridge and Pequot Lakes tennis players also qualified for the individual tournament, as did athletes from Staples-Motley and Crookston. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri / Minnesota ReformerDemuth argued that Klobuchar is aligned with Gov. Tim Walz and would govern similarly, while Klobuchar argued that Demuth would not stand up to President Donald Trump. -
Contributed/iNaturalist user David R. HolmenDuring the Phenology Report for the week of Oct. 20, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on migrating birds, the taste of cranberries, and first frosts. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEKlobuchar has spent decades building her own brand to become one of the state’s most recognizable figures, but voters will still have to decide how they want to view her past. -
Plus: Rural pathway studies show regional education retains young people in Northern MN.
-
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionMinnesota officials and clean energy organizations feel confident state law will serve as a shield from federal rollbacks of greenhouse gas emissions in the power plant sector.
