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. Read more