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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has reported that bear complaints have gone through the roof this summer. Northwest Minnesota has been the hardest hit area.

Bears usually are more of a public nuisance in the early spring and late summer in accordance to their hibernation patterns, but with less natural foods available, bears have been raiding garbage cans as well as certain crops and bird feeders early. Their diet has had to consist of acorns, berries, oats and corn.

Reports have ranged from mothers with cubs, to lone males. The DNR in Bemidji expects a “busy time” for bear complaints from now until September 1.

The DNR states that property owners do have the right to kill any problem bears as long as it is immediately reported to the DNR.