LIVING WITH BEARS IN WISCONSIN

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LIVING WITH BEARS IN WISCONSIN

Black bears are commonly found in the northern third of Wisconsin, but are being sited more frequently in the central and southern counties of Wisconsin as they expand their range. As the black bear population continues to grow so do an increasing number of human-bear conflicts.
In order for bears to coexist with humans, we have to understand normal bear behavior. Black bears tend to be shy, solitary animals, but at some times of the year, particularly in the spring when bears emerge from their winter dens and food is not abundant, bears may be on the lookout for opportunistic food sources. This might be your garbage can, or the bird feeder in your back yard. Nearly all human-bear conflicts are a result of the animals’ search for food. There are lots of simple things you can do to avoid conflicts with bears.
With your help we can continue to live together with this great animal, enjoying their presence in the woods around us and at the same time reducing conflicts with bears around our homes and our campsites.

Source: Wisconsin DNR Website

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REDUCING BEAR CONFLICTS

Black bears are attracted to numerous items around
homes including: bird feeders, compost piles, grills, pet
food, gardens, and garbage. Here are some simple
recommendations to avoid problem bears:
Bird feeders
• Make bird feeders inaccessible to bears by hanging
them at least 10 ft off the ground, and 5 ft away
from tree trunks, or on a limb that will not support a
bear. (You can still refill the feeder easily using a
pulley system.)
• Consider taking bird feeders down at the end of
winter (mid-April) when bears emerge from their
winter dens.
• During spring and summer bring feeders inside at
night, a time when bears frequent stations.
• Clean up spilled bird seed below feeder stations.
• If you see a bear at a bird feeder during the day,
take the feeder down and discontinue all feeding for
at least two weeks.
Garbage cans
• Keep your garbage cans tightly closed, and indoors if
possible.
• Pick up loose or spilled garbage so that it doesn’t
attract bears.
• Occasionally clean out your garbage cans with
ammonia to make them less attractive to bears.
And a few more . . .
• NEVER FEED A BEAR! Intentional feeding will
create a bear that is habituated to humans, and may
become a possible nuisance to you and other people
in the area. The bear will not forget the feeding
experience, and will tend to get more demanding
with time.
• Bring in pet food at night

Source: Wisconsin DNR

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BLACK BEARS AND AGRICULTURAL DAMAGE

With a healthy black bear population, it is inevitable
that black bears may damage agricultural crops in some
areas. Particularly tasty treats are apiaries (beehives)
and corn fields in the milk stage. Bears also occasionally
attack livestock. The Wildlife Damage Abatement &
Claims Program (WDACP) is available to help Wisconsin
farmers whose crops or livestock are damaged by
bears. If you would like more information on this
program, please contact the Wildlife Damage Specialist
at (608) 266-8204 or write us at WI DNR, 101 S. Webster St. (WM/4), P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI
53707-7921. You can also check out the WDACP
website at:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/damage/

Source: Wisconsin DNR

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Facts about Wisconsin’s Black Bear

Weight: Males, 250-350 lbs; females, 120-180 lbs.
Body Characteristics: Bears appear bulky and are
glossy black, with a tan patch across the nose. Brown
and cinnamon colored bears appear less often.
Reproduction: Black bears are sexually mature at 3 yrs
of age. Females will breed every other year from then
on. Mating takes place from June to early July. During
the 225-day gestation period, the fertilized egg
experiences delayed implantation until late November
or early December. Females then give birth to two to
three cubs in January or early February while they are
still in their winter sleep!

Cubs: At birth the bear cubs weigh 7-12 oz. Their eyes
are closed and fur is sparse. Growth takes place
quickly. Cubs will first venture into the world with their
mother in late March. They remain with their mother
through the summer and usually den with her the
following winter. In the springtime, the mother will
chase off the cubs so she can breed again.

Diet: Bears are omnivorous, meaning they will eat
almost anything! Their diet generally consists of
vegetation, insects, berries, and nuts. Occasionally they
eat carrion and small mammals. They also target
livestock, beehives, garbage, and agricultural crops.

Habitat: Large forested areas with swamps and stream
bottoms, and areas with minimal development are good
habitat for black bears. They are also found around
thick ground vegetation with lots of trees and bushes
that produce nuts and berries. Fallen trees provide
bears with locations to dig a winter den.

Behavior: Bears are typically shy animals and secretive, most go to great lengths to avoid humans. Bears typically wander over long distances. Home ranges are about 27 square miles for males,
and about 8 square miles for females. Black bears are most active around
dusk, but may be out and about any time of the day or night. Mid-May to late September is the period of most activity.
Winter sleep: Bears are not true hibernators! During the winter months bears “den up” where they will fall into a deep sleep. During this time bears live off the body fat they have accumulated during the fall. Their body temperature, heart beat and respiration decrease, but not to the level where hibernation occurs. Dormant bears can be easily awakened from their winter sleep!

Source: Wisconsin DNR

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IF YOU SEE A BLACK BEAR:

• Make noise and wave your
arms-let the bear know
you are there so you don’t
surprise it. Bears normally
leave an area once they
know a human is around.
• If you happen to surprise
a bear at close range, back
away slowly.
• If you are near a vehicle
or building, go inside until
the bear wanders away.
• Enjoy watching bears from
a distance. Respect them
and their right to live in
Wisconsin too!

Source: Wisconsin DNR

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WEBSITES WITH ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:

• Wisconsin DNR bear management and hunting
website:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/HUNT
/bear/
• Michigan DNR bear management and general facts:
http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/wildlife/landowners_gui
de/species_mgmt/black_bears.htm
• Alberta Fish & Wildlife general bear facts:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/fw/bearfacts/
• Defenders of Wildlife guidelines for bear proofing
your property:
http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/bears/bearcount
rybook.htm

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WHEN YOU ARE CAMPING:

• Don’t cook, eat, or store food in your tent! The smell
of food may attract bears.
• Store food and cooking utensils away from your
campsite, preferably in a vehicle or hung in a tree at
least 10 ft off the ground and 5 ft out on a limb
that will not support a bear.
• Dispose of scraps in closed containers away from
the campsite, not in the fire.
• Keep your campsite clean.

Source: Wisconsin DNR

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IF A BEAR IS CAUSING A NUISANCE IN YOUR AREA:

Contact the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Wildlife
Services. In the northern half of Wisconsin, call 1-800-
228-1368, or in the southern half of Wisconsin call 1-
800-433-0688. They can help you by providing
additional information on reducing or eliminating your
specific problem. If the situation is severe and
presents a threat to health and human safety, they can
also remove the bear from the area.

Source: Wisconsin DNR