Southern Minnesota residents report black bear sightings

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:00]Black bears are on the move in Minnesota. Sightings are somewhat common in the north and central regions of the state, but pictures and video of black bears have been coming in from the southern [snorts] parts of Minnesota where sightings are rare. News 6 John Lauritsen found a woman who had two close encounters.

[00:00:18]Dodge County isn't known for black bears, but not only did this one make an appearance in the town of West Concord, it was almost close enough to touch as it strolled through a family's backyard.

[00:00:29]20 miles away in Owatonna, a black bear was spotted digging into someone's grill looking for lunch. And in Faribault, a woman took pictures of a bear leisurely walking across a field on the edge of town. These bears are likely yearlings kicked out of their home range by their mothers. The young males can roam far to find a new home, but sightings like these in southern Minnesota are rarer.

[00:00:51]The animals do become more visible as breeding season approaches. The DNR says black bears are typically looking for food sources. They like garbage, grills, and bird feeders. A family here in Kenyon, Minnesota learned that firsthand. I think it's pretty crazy. I mean, we've had some in our backyard.

[00:01:08]It's definitely a wild experience. I know that they're roaming around town a lot.

[00:01:13]>> The Metcalfs had a bear go after one of their bird feeders, but Savannah Metcalf says that isn't the only encounter she's had in recent weeks. While driving to work, she saw something on the side of the road that she thought was a dog.

[00:01:25]>> As I got up closer, it came right out in front of the car and I almost hit it.

[00:01:29]Ran down into a farmer's field, went past their cows, and had to tell them, "Hey, there's a black bear that just came past."

[00:01:36]>> Black bears are usually shy and can be scared away by loud noises, but if one becomes a nuisance, it's recommended that you remove bird feeders, clean and store grills, secure trash cans, and move pet bowls indoors. It's very unusual that they're coming closer and closer and popping up even more often.

[00:01:54]In Kenyon, John Lauritsen, WCCO News.

[00:01:58]It's estimated there are more than 15,000 black bears in Minnesota with the majority of them in the northeastern part of the state.