Northern MN Bear / Wolf Sanctuaries: I am a hobbyist photographer and will be driving to Minot, North Dakota in May. I am considering taking a route into northern MN visiting either...

BigDogGuy

I am a hobbyist photographer and will be driving to Minot, North Dakota in May. I am considering taking a route into northern MN visiting either the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, the North American Bear Center or the International Wolf Center. I may have time for two but not all three. Any comments from those familiar with any of the sites is appreciated. A fellow hobbyist thought that any photographing at the wolf center is through glass. Any suggestions for ND is appreciated as well.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

BigDogGuy wrote:

I am a hobbyist photographer and will be driving to Minot, North Dakota in May. I am considering taking a route into northern MN visiting either the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, the North American Bear Center or the International Wolf Center. I may have time for two but not all three. Any comments from those familiar with any of the sites is appreciated. A fellow hobbyist thought that any photographing at the wolf center is through glass. Any suggestions for ND is appreciated as well.

I can't help you with making a choice but the Shulte thing is not to be missed. If the wolf center is the one that I visited then the comment about glass is correct and while it is a very good visit, it's not so great for photography. At Shulte you will get all the bear shots you could want.

My wife had the only decent camera back then but it was one of the Coolpix super zooms (P100 2013). Sample attached.

(Download)

BigDogGuy

Thanks much; obvious personal choice but I don't take photos through glass so I can scratch that as a photo stop. Nice bear shot.

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

You can do both the North American Bear Center and the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in the same day. Visit the NABC in the morning and then drive to Orr for the evening shuttle to the viewing platform at the Shute sanctuary. For the ultimate experience, if the timing works out, skip the NABC and sign up for a guided ground-level shoot at Shute during the day and then go back for the evening and shoot from the viewing platform. Either way, you will get plenty of bear shots.

At the Shute sanctuary, you will be elevated, so you will often be shooting downward. Your best shots, however, will be looking straight out from the platform into the trees. The mothers chase the cubs up into the trees to stay while mom feeds down below.

Bring your best low light lens, as the light fades quickly that time of year. You can bring a tripod, but I found using a monopd gives me the best combination of stability and mobility.

Dug E Pi

Sullys Hill National Game Preserve near Devils Lake ND is an often overlooked area with few tourists. The mosquitoes shouldn't be out yet (unless it is unseasonably warm). It could be muddy because the snow usually melts in late April depending on weather.

mac430 Loc: NE Wisconsin

BigDogGuy wrote:

I am a hobbyist photographer and will be driving to Minot, North Dakota in May. I am considering taking a route into northern MN visiting either the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, the North American Bear Center or the International Wolf Center. I may have time for two but not all three. Any comments from those familiar with any of the sites is appreciated. A fellow hobbyist thought that any photographing at the wolf center is through glass. Any suggestions for ND is appreciated as well.

BDG:
I have been to the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary several times - twice on a photography workshop (ground level) and a few more times during the regular business hours (observation deck). Spring time offers great views of sows and their cubs, while late summer visits usually have more bears to see. Great photo opportunities present themselves from both the ground and observation deck.

There are VSWS volunteers on the deck that are very willing to share information on the bears as well as the sanctuary. As you most likely read, this isn't a zoo or fenced in area, just an area with a high concentration of black bears which the sanctuary offers supplemental food resources.

It is a great experience IMHO. I have visited with my kids, grandkids, other family members and friends. Everyone leaves VSWS highly impressed. It's a 7+ hour drive from where I live, but worth the side trip if our travels take us anywhere near the sanctuary.

I'm including a link to some images I've taken the last few years, for your viewing. Enjoy your time there, if you go! -Mike

https://mchoudoir.smugmug.com/Black-Bears/

BigDogGuy

I appreciate the advice, i am rethinking my travel time schedule.

BigDogGuy

Thanks much, I missed that on my initial ND travel search. It appears to be on or near the Hwy 2 route I am considering taking.

BigDogGuy

Your photos and information make this stop a "gotta-go-there." Thanks for providing them.

ychow8

There is a resort on Gunflint trail - they are able to, wth luck, lure wolves by mimicking howling Wolfe. Wolves come out to check the source of sound. Try that. I forget name of the resort.

BigDogGuy

Good to know. A few years ago we drove north from Duluth to Grand Marais where we ate and headed back south. I asked one of the wait staff and a gas station attendant about areas for wildlife photography and they were not very knowledgeable. From a web search the Gunflint Trail looks promising; even a road referred to as "Moose Viewing Trail." Thanks for the reply.

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

BigDogGuy wrote:

From a web search the Gunflint Trail looks promising; even a road referred to as "Moose Viewing Trail." Thanks for the reply.

As you walk from the parking area to the viewing platform on the Moose Viewing Trail, keep your eyes peeled to your left. There, in the middle of the woods just a few yards off the trial, is a 50' era Cadillac with a giant rock dropped onto it. It has been there so long that there are trees growing out of it. I have asked around, but nobody seems to know the story of how or why it is there. It makes for an interesting side note.

JBruce Loc: Northern MN

I live about 75 miles from Orr, MN and visit there every other year or so. It will be opening on May 23 this year. Generally the bears are a bit sparse early in the season. The best viewing is during July and early August. here is the current link for the hours and admission. https://www.americanbear.org/contact/hours-of-operation/

BigDogGuy

Thanks for the tip.

BigDogGuy

I may have to change my travel plans by 2 months as I would be very disappointed to make that early drive to not see many bears, along with my wife being upset because I sold her on the extra travel and time being worth the northern MN bear visit. Thanks for your insight.