Bear Spotted on Rattlesnake Island
 

I just received an email from friends who were hiking at the top of the island. They saw a bear heading up island.

Just thought you fellow islanders would want to know.

IG

Looks like he is about 6 miles south east of where he should be.:D

I can bearly believe it! :D:D

Dan

Not here
 

I don't recall ever hearing of a bear on Welch, although there were a couple of instances of mistaken identity when our Newfoundland, Emily, sometimes went into the woods for a little privacy. She never attacked bird feeders, but we had some workmen around one year; one of them lost his lunch bag three days in a row. Bears, Newfies, doesn't matter. Don't leave food out. And raccoons can open any kind of barrel or other container.

Wandering Bear
 

The bear is obviously lost. Please direct him to Bear Island [or if it's a cub, to Little Bear Island]. 🐻

Just curious: who will remove the lost bruin, and when?

Can't very well leave him there over the summer.

Good to know
 

We have a place on Sleepers. Is it unusual to find bears on the islands or is it pretty common? Have wondered about that ever since we bought our house last year. I know that deer can swim, but do bears swim or walk across on ice?

Bear Transportation
 

They take the Bear Buggy or, if not available, they ride on PWCs. 🐻

They swim. When the lake is frozen, they are typically still snoozing.

We had one on Whortleberry a few years ago. He stayed a few days and then swam off.

Absolutely they swim...
 

I've seen a couple times in Minnesota. I saw one adult island hopping to the mainland.

The key is that they need to not find a food source on the island... They can swim and will.... but if they find a good food source, they will stick around I am sure... like any wild animal......