More than 50 years ago, black bears began visiting the remote North Woods home of Vince Shute. As his only neighbors, the bears would occasionally attempt to break into the young logger's cabin.

Just like everyone else, Vince shot the bears as a means of deterring the intruders. However, Vince said he gradually realized, "The bears were not mean, just hungry." So one day he decided to place food outside to see if that would keep the bears from breaking into his cabin. And it worked - there were no more break-ins. A special relationship gradually developed between Vince and the bears - one that has endured more than forty years.

At the age of 84, Vince now lives in the town of Orr, but you can experience the thrill of viewing the wild bears, which have been visiting his homestead for so many years. Sandy, Goldie, Duffy, Brownie and many more still come and go freely. You can learn so much about bears and their behavior with just one visit. Frequently, mother bears will bring their small cubs within easy viewing range for all to see.

Today, Vince and his friends at the American Bear Association, operate the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary as an educational facility where people can watch and learn all about the incredible black bear. Volunteers interpret various bear behavior observed while providing interesting details about specific bears.

"Nobody should ever begin a program of feeding wild bears," said Bill Lea, one of the group's founders and President of the American Bear Association. "However, Vince's feeding of the bears began as a way of survival and ultimately turned into an act of love."

Vince Shute's extraordinary relationship with his bears over the past 40 years has created what has been described by one bear expert as "the best place in North America to view black bears."

Want to watch wild bears? The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary is located 13 miles west of Orr. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. until dusk. The sanctuary is closed Mondays, except holidays. Stop at the Orr Area Visitor Center on Highway 53, or call 1-800-357-9255 for more information. The American Bear Association is a non-profit organization and operates totally on donations received. To learn how you can help. please write: Bears, P.O. Box 77. Orr Minn. 55771.