Anyone familiar with the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin knows this is bear country.

But with this being a free weekend to go to state parks on both sides of the border, it doesn’t hurt to hear ways to better avoid attracting a large, hungry visitor when out in the woods or on the trails.

In the Hiawatha National Forest, bears are most frequently sighted on Grand Island, so officials there have provided some best practices that certainly make good sense at other outdoor locations as well.

“In the last couple of years, we’ve seen significant bear activity near areas where people have left food and garbage out,” Brina Hinch, area manager for Grand Island National Recreation Area, said in a news release. “When bears become habituated to the presence of people, the level of risk increases for both parties. Last year, three bears were relocated from Grand Island.”

Guidelines to help prevent an unwanted encounter include:

— Prepare for camping before arrival by packing trash bags and bear-resistant canisters.

— Watch for bear sign — scat, tracks — at or near day use areas and campsites.

— Never intentionally feed a bear.

— Keep eating areas clean. Minimize food odors and waste. Keep cooking, eating and cleaning activities downwind of your tent or picnic area. Wash utensils shortly after eating to minimize odors. Do not leave food laying out. Do not leave lunchboxes or coolers unattended.

— Do not keep scented items in tents. According to the National Parks Service, black bears have one of the keenest sense of smell among all animals, estimated to be about seven times greater than a bloodhound’s. All campsites on Grand Island have either bear-proof lockers and/or bear poles to safely store food and items such as sunscreen and lip balm.

— Don’t sleep in clothes that have cooking odors or liquids on them.

— Store trash as you would food. Do not burn or bury it.

— Use caution to avoid surprising bears. Be extra aware when approaching blind curves, dense vegetation or noisy streams where a bear may not see, hear, or smell you approaching. Simple precautions, such as speaking in a louder voice than normal or whistling, can allow a bear to hear you approaching. Do not carry bear spray unless you know how to properly use it.

— Day users should also be mindful of their personal belongings, especially during stops at recreation sites such as picnic and viewing areas around the island, Hiawatha National Forest staff advises.

“We hope that our visitors will exercise a high level of personal preparedness, so humans and bears stay safe,” Hinch said.