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Upper Midwest Halloween: Pumpkins May Draw Minnesota-Wisconsin Bears
Duluth, MN – Halloween pumpkins and discarded candy could attract black bears into residential yards across parts of the Upper Midwest this week, particularly in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin commu
By Jordan Mercer · 2026-10-25T16:45:54.356Z
Duluth, MN – Halloween pumpkins and discarded candy could attract black bears into residential yards across parts of the Upper Midwest this week, particularly in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin communities where wooded neighborhoods overlap with established bear habitats.
With Halloween approaching Saturday, October 31, families are being encouraged to secure outdoor food waste and remove seasonal decorations that could create unnecessary wildlife hazards.
According to general bear safety guidance from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, accessible food sources around homes can attract black bears and increase the likelihood of unwanted encounters.
Why Halloween Pumpkins May Attract Black Bears Black bears are opportunistic feeders with a powerful sense of smell, making discarded food and other edible materials potential attractants.
In Minnesota, communities around Duluth, Grand Rapids, Brainerd and the northern forest region share landscapes with established black bear populations.
Across Wisconsin, wooded areas surrounding Hayward, Rhinelander, Eagle River and communities near the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest are also within bear habitat.
Similar precautions apply to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, including communities near Marquette, Escanaba and Iron Mountain.
Although bear activity varies by location and season, leftover pumpkins, candy and unsecured garbage can provide potential food sources.
Halloween Cleanup Can Help Protect Upper Midwest Wildlife Families can reduce attractants by removing carved pumpkins, collecting discarded candy and securing trash after Halloween celebrations.
Residents should avoid intentionally leaving pumpkins outdoors for bears or other wildlife to consume.
Plastic pumpkin buckets, loose netting and hanging decorations should also be secured or removed to reduce potential entanglement hazards for deer and smaller animals.
Homeowners near forests, parks and rural subdivisions may benefit from checking yards and property boundaries for discarded seasonal materials.
Pumpkins should be managed through appropriate waste collection or secure composting methods that do not attract wildlife.
This seasonal reminder is preventive and does not indicate a confirmed increase in Halloween related bear encounters.
Across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, responsible Halloween cleanup can help protect wildlife while reducing unwanted animal visits.