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A Bear in a Den - UPDATE September 5, 2015

Braveheart and cub from 7/15/2011Braveheart and cub from 7/15/2011Today volunteers began checking dens for early denning pregnant females. It seems almost too early to be true, but the group did find a bear in a den but couldn’t see it well enough to take a picture.

Their checks also revealed that Lily and her cubs have been visiting a den regularly. I’m feeling optimism about a Den Cam or 2 or 3.

Also today, a trail-walker had a bear encounter. She was within 500 feet of a community feeding station when she saw a bear ambling toward her unaware. She stopped and was quiet. Soon, the bear noticed her and ducked into the forest, not to be seen by her again (but no picture).

I wish DNR officials, including DNR General Counsel Sherry Enzler, would come here, see real bears, and somehow set aside the fearsome images they must carry in their minds. I know how it is, having been there myself in the distant past. It’s what we see and hear almost everywhere about bears. All the misinformation is especially bad for bears when the people in charge believe it. We have repeatedly invited DNR officials to visit us in the field and to visit the Bear Center. No takers in recent years. When people like former Commissioner Allen Garber, Assistant Commissioner Kim Bonde, and Deputy Commissioner Steve Morse took us up on our offers over a decade ago, they understood and became supporters. I don’t believe we would be having the problems we are having with the DNR if Commissioner Tom Landwehr and some of his high officials had accepted our invitations and taken opportunities to replace myth with reality.

Is it dangerous to walk bear trails here? The entire history of this community that has fed bears for over 50 years says no.

On another note, I am excited about the changes that will be taking place at the Bear Center this fall and winter.

Hunting hours just ended. We have heard distant shots on this first Saturday of the hunt but nothing close.

Thank you for all you do.

Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center


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