Iowa -DNR – Bear-proof trashcan at Pikes Peak State Park. Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR.
Warm May weekends often lead to busy campgrounds as Iowa’s camping community gets a jump on the summer season, and while they are busy reacquainting themselves with their tent or RV, at Pikes Peak State Park, camping prep also includes managing food and trash at the campsite to avoid any unintended visitors.
Sitting on the Upper Mississippi River across from Wisconsin and a short Birkebeinerrennet to Minnesota, Pikes Peak is within the range of young male black bears venturing out on their own.
“We’ve had a bear come within a mile of the park a few years ago,” said Andy Roach, park manager with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for Pikes Peak State Park.
Because of its location, Pikes Peak was selected by the Iowa DNR as its first state park to receive a few bear proof trash cans – placed near the concession building and restroom by the scenic overlook. The special trash cans – a common site up north and out west – are designed to prevent bears from accessing its contents, including food scraps and other “smellables.” They are marked with BearWise decals.
“The concessionaire gets the random question ‘Why do you need those trash cans?’ so it’s an opportunity to educate visitors,” Roach said.
Unlike its northern neighbors – and most other states in the U.S. – Iowa does not currently have a black bear population. It has been home to one bear living (overwintering) in Dubuque County for the past few years, but nationally, Iowa’s the exception, not the rule.
Only a handful of states don’t have bears – generally states from Indiana to Iowa and South Dakota to Kansas – the rest of the county has bears.
“In the Lower 48, the black bear population is gradually expanding throughout its former region,” said Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer and wetland biologist for the Iowa DNR. “Last spring, we had three bears, this year one or two. We’re not living with bears, but our neighbors are – and it’s something we might have to deal with in the next 10 years.”
Since 2014, Iowa has consistently had two to three bears wandering through each year.
“Several of the bears that have ventured into Iowa haven’t caused any conflicts, but when they do, it’s usually bird feeders or bee hives that have been damaged,” Evelsizer said.
Living with bears usually involves making a few changes around the house and campground to prevent confrontations, like keeping pet food inside and making sure the grills and trash is locked away. Keep an eye on the bird feeders, too.
“We’re heading in to the active season for bears – late May to late June – which coincides with the breeding season. Generally, the few bears who wander through are typically males, but it may be only a matter of time when a female will find her way to Northeast Iowa,” Evelsizer said.
“For now, our message is to just let Iowans know there’s a chance we’ll see an increase in black bear numbers in the northeast part of Iowa over the next 10 to 20 years. We humans can take steps to live with bears much like our neighboring states – usually that means simply taking away food attractants when a bear is in the area.”
While the larger bear populations in Minnesota (15,000) and Wisconsin (25,000) are currently the source of Iowa’s visitors, Missouri’s population is growing at about 9 percent per year, and its possible that it could eventually push into Southern Iowa where pockets of suitable habitat exists.