Early black bear sightings in Southern Wisconsin

News Release Published: April 7, 2009 by the South Central Region

Contact(s): Becky Roth, Wildlife Biologist, Spring Green: (608) 588-3432

SPRING GREEN – Black bear sightings within the last week have prompted Department of Natural Resources’ wildlife biologists to point out that their visitations are becoming more common each year in southern Wisconsin.

June is the breeding season for bears in Wisconsin and “most bear sightings we receive in southern counties occur during late May and June when sub-adult bears, mostly young males, are forced out of breeding territories up north and disperse long distances in search of new habitat,” explained DNR biologist Becky Roth, Spring Green.

“But this year, we’ve already begun fielding reports (of bear sightings) in early April,” she added.

Ms. Roth noted that black bears and people have coexisted for centuries in northern Wisconsin and “there’s no cause for alarm.”

“Black bears are normally very timid and avoid all contact with people. They may cause problems by damaging bird feeders or foraging through unsecured garbage containers and they may return to the same area if food is readily available.”

“So, if possible, keep your garbage, grills, compost, pet foods and bird feeders out of reach if a bear has been reported in the vicinity,” advised Ms. Roth.

She added that “although we’ve had a few instances in past years when bears have stayed around southern counties through the summer, most leave the area and presumably return north as the breeding season ends.”

“However, last year we are getting reports of sows with cubs and sows with yearlings which resulted in continued bear sightings throughout the summer. This is because female bears with their young cubs or yearlings are less likely to move long distances over a short time period.”

“The wooded hills, coulees, creeks and river bottoms southwestern Wisconsin’s Driftless area provide abundant food and cover for bears as well as potential winter den sites, so it’s possible that wandering bears will find it to their liking and some may decide to stay,” pointed out Ms. Roth.

Wildlife biologists note that the best way to avoid trouble with bears around your home is to follow these steps:

Don’t knowingly feed a bear
Reduce garbage odors by rinsing food cans before putting them in recycling containers or garbage cans.
Compost vegetable scraps.
Keep meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day and garbage cans in a closed building until pick-up.
Keep pet food inside or don’t feed in the evening.
Keep barbeque grills and picnic tables clean.

General guidelines for campers include don’t sleep in clothes you wore while cooking, don’t bring food into the tent, don’t dump food scraps by your campsite and make sure all food, scraps and cooking utensils are in critter proof containers.

If a bear is near your home, wave your arms and make noise to scare the bear away. Then back away slowly or go inside and wait for the bear to leave. If the bear found food such as bird feed or garbage one or more times, it will return. When food is no longer available, the visits will stop.

If you encounter a bear while in the woods – stay calm, don’t shoot the bear or approach it. Give it space, walk away and watch from a distance. Do not approach sows with cubs.

Brochures better explaining bear habitats and ways to void them are available from the Spring Green or Dodgeville DNR offices. If you have bear troubles and are in need of assistance, please call the USDA Wildlife Services 24-hour hotline at 1-800-433-0688. To report bear sightings, please call Becky Roth at 608-588-3432 or email at Rebecca.Roth@Wisconsin.gov.

Last Revised: April 7, 2009