Hopeful - UPDATE September 10, 2014
Today, according to pictures sent to us from passersby on roads near WRI, the local guide who apparently was baiting yesterday was removing his tree stands late afternoon today. His pickup was seen at two of the bait sites with the tree stands in the back. Both sites were within a few yards of WRI property. We wonder if the DNR will look away or act on recent trespassing violations captured with photos.
We heard of only one shot today, and the witness wasn’t sure how far away. Hopefully it wasn’t a research bear.
Grouse and archery deer seasons open September 13. Those openings typically mark a shift away from bear hunting. We are hopeful that no more research bears will be taken.
Bear trail mappers saw no bears today.
It’s easy to fall in love with this area and its wildlife. Several of the trail walkers talked about finding land and moving here. We hope they do.
An indication that migration is in progress was a flock of geese that landed in the local gravel pit. When a truck approached, the geese walked (rather than flew) away from it. We don’t know where the geese would have come from north of here to be that accustomed to vehicles. We see few geese here except during migration.
Sunset found Woods Lake calm and beautiful.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.