The spring is springtime, which means that hibernating bears are waking up from their winter dens in the states of Michigan, with over 12,450 black bears emerging from their dens, some with newborn cubs. Wildlife officials have warned that residents should be prepared for increased encounters with black bears in their neighborhoods. The biggest concern for wildlife officials is the presence of food attractants around homes, as bears can detect food from up to a mile away and often return repeatedly to human-associated food sources. The state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has advised Michganders to remove bird feeders for at least two weeks if a bear is spotted nearby and keep grills clean, store trash securely, and wait until collection day to place garbage bags outside. Most of Michigan's bears live in northern regions, with estimates of roughly 10,350 in the Upper Peninsula and about 2,100 in the Lower Peninsula.