Comparing Wisconsin’s And Michigan’s Bear Management Programs. Concern Over Michigan Bear Population Numbers

Guest post by Rich Hare.

I have an update for you contrasting conditions leading to Wisconsin closing their bear season in 1985, and conditions in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula right now, in 2010.

Wisconsin’s bear season was closed in 1985 due to over harvest from 1981 through 1984. According to former Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Manager, Mike Gappa…biologists were concerned over the high percentage of bears 3 years of age and younger (48.5%) being harvested. Baits used for bear population census also identified a serious decline in the state’s bear numbers. They estimated the statewide population to be less than 7,000 bears. With full support from the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, WDNR went to the state legislature and got approval to close the bear season and revamp the state’s bear management program.

Contrast between Wisconsin in 1985 and Michigan in 2010 is alarming. Less than a year ago MDNRE estimated the statewide bear population to be about 19,000 including cubs. CCARE (Concerned Citizens Against Resource Exploitation…a pro hunting, fishing & trapping organization) received a letter from MDNRE’s lead fur bearer biologist, Adam Bump on 1/28/10 advising the statewide bear population had been revised down to 11,100 bears excluding cubs. The 11,100 was the estimate prior to the 2009 bear season. 2,026 bears were harvested in 2009…further reducing the estimate to 9,074 excluding cubs. Back in 1985 Wisconsin’s estimated statewide bear population was at about .5 bears per square mile. In 2010, Michigan’s estimated bear population in the Upper Peninsula, using the very generous number of 9,000 bears in the UP… figures out to be .5 bears per square mile. In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula the percentage of bears 3 years and younger being harvested is currently at 68.6%! Wisconsin’s DNR was alarmed when bears 3 and under was at 48.5%. To quote one of Wisconsin’s bear biologist’s, “that ought to throw up a red flag to somebody.” Yet, MDNRE’s Wildlife Division proposes issuing 12,375 kill tags for a bear population of 9,074 bears excluding cubs (cubs are not fair game in Michigan).

Concerned Michigan sportsmen need to contact the Natural Resources Commissioner representing their region and tell them to get back to managing the state’s natural resources using sound science.

Rich Hare
Ontonagon, Mi

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