We use plate drag to study the response of granular media to localized forcing as a function of volume fraction Phi. A bifurcation in the force and flow occurs at the onset of dilatancy Phi(c). Below Phi(c) rapid fluctuations in the drag force F-D are observed. Above Phi(c) fluctuations in F-D are periodic and increase in magnitude with Phi. Velocity field measurements indicate that the bifurcation in FD results from the formation of stable shear bands above Phi(c) which are created and destroyed periodically during drag. A friction-based wedge flow model captures the dynamics for Phi > Phi(c).