Rising bear population creates problems for humans and animals The Associated Press 7/13/2003, 12:31 p.m. ET GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Wildlife officials say the state's bear population is on the rise, increasing the number of southern Michigan residents who have experienced a close encounter of the bruin kind. Sharon Kanouse remembers the night a black bear wandered through her Stanton yard, pulled down one of her bird feeders and proceeded to lounge on the lawn eating its newfound snack. It was June 20, and the second time the young intruder had visited the home. "It was fun to watch,...