Radio Collared Bears

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Personally I would not have shot the collared bear but the bear was legal and the hunter should not feel bad. I disagree with the agency that allowed this type of research to be done in the first place (bear given a name, ribbons tied on it, people walking with the bears, disrupting bears during hibernation). You are setting the bear up to be accustomed to humans. Legitimate research yes but this disney type of game being played is not right. I question the end result of this research. What is it? Bears are thriving in Minnesota. Is it studying hibernation, range, mortality? Or is it a step to end bear hunting?

I couldn't agree with this post more. I don't personally bear hunt, and probably never will (it's just not for me). As soon as I read this story, I couldn't help but wonder "what is the true motivation here"? It doesn't take a genius to realize that conditioning a wild bear to humans is doing the bear absolutely no favors. If this was shot early morning, or late evening, the hunter may not have seen the "pink streamers". The media is going to take "pink streamers" and run wild with their sensationalized story, giving all hunters a bad name in the process. The person that should feel most guilty about Sarah the Bear is ""research" guy".

[Boar]

When they collerd that bear they must have forgot that it will grow out of teddy bear stage.

[HooknHorns]

I read a story once that a grizz that was shot and to the surprise of the hunter it was collared. He mentioned that the collar was so old that it was digging into the skin of the bear. It stunk very bad cause of the constant moisture and infection. The hunter then notified the game and wildlife dept. and they told him the collar went dead and they could no longer track the bear figure the collar just fell off. So who knows that the collar could have eventually lead to the demise of the bear. Maybe they should have given that bear a facebook page, that way he could let everyone know about the collar he wore for almost 20 years.

[Random guy]

Who said it was a hunter? From what I have gathered at previous meetings and functions is much debate and disgust has been created against the bear center and the research group for several reason other than just the bear themselves. It could have been a pure act of defiance from anybody and has the dead bear been found or did it pull the collar loose? Also if a licensed hunter shot the bear it is perfectly legal even if it was a poor choice as it will just fuel the anti engine to full speed now. Basically the entire operation is out of control and has forgotten they are SUPPOSED to be researching wild animals and not pets.

I do feel those bear are glorified pets, expensive and very dangerous pets with cute names. I could go down to Louisiana and catch one of those alligators like they do on TV, put a collar on it and name it Fluffy. Unfortunately "Fluffy" is still going to try to escape or kill me no matter what; it is a wild animal after all. To hear statements such as "She had a gentle trusted and trustworthy nature that we can walk with her and she could be a window for us and the world into bear life." is so frustrating. I am watching over several real bears right now via cameras and I highly doubt they will go for a walk with me; I also highly doubt the wild sow with cubs will be happy to see me.

I should acquire a large grant, build a fancy building and follow the old man’s dog around with a camera. Heck he gets fed by humans, wears a collar, receives medical attention, shelter built for him and even holds still allowing people to pet him as long as you offer him some food…I may even build him a Facebook page for donations.

[HooknHorns]

When I was up by Orr, I visited the shute sancuary for the second time. For those of you that have been up there how do you think most kids and non-hunters portrait those bears. Most have names and been hand fed for all of their lives. Its nice to see bears but I leave there kinda disgusted.

[nonteepical]

i wonder what is the "mystery" of bears' behavior that needs studying. what is it of the bear we don't yet understand? the black bear (Ursus Americanus) is a very perplexing creature it must be studied to the fullest extent!

I work part time DNR forestry and for the USfish wildlife and trust me when i say this, about 80% of wildlife biologists are treehugger and antihunting. they only accept hunting because they know it's needed for population control ect. we're lucky lou is an avid hunter.

[walleyefisher0990]

amazing how people can feel so attached to these bears, that they will literally cry because it has been killed, when all they ever saw of it was pictures and a warm fuzzy story about it. Its funny these are the same people that love to view wildlife at a computer on a facebook page in the comfort of their house, but when that bear comes into their yard, gets into their trash, messes with them they go straight to the dnr, or police and have it killed, or taken away. I would love to see these people go "walk" with these bears, ever heard of grizzly man?

[goblueM]

i wonder what is the "mystery" of bears' behavior that needs studying. what is it of the bear we don't yet understand? the black bear (Ursus Americanus) is a very perplexing creature it must be studied to the fullest extent!

I work part time DNR forestry and for the USfish wildlife and trust me when i say this, about 80% of wildlife biologists are treehugger and antihunting. they only accept hunting because they know it's needed for population control ect. we're lucky lou is an avid hunter.

hahah WHAT? I've worked for the MN Dnr and worked with USFWS, NPS, WI DNR, and VA Game and Fish, and in my estimation, a majority of the biologists are hunters and fishermen.

heck, thats WHY these people get into the business in the first place - because they love the outdoors. sure isn't because of the glory or the pay

[nonteepical]

thats not been my experience with biologists, maybe not as high as 80% but the majority, most of employees aren't biologists. i understand your argument the love of the outdoors and animals, but the shoe fits on the other foot to. when our hunting and fishing rights are being infringed upon do you see them lined up in support of the sportsman? wolves in minnesota for example. don't believe my experience but if you ever see a seminar by Dr. James Kroll (dr deer) go listen and bring up the subject. you will have a hard time discrediting his experiences and opinions.

[CANOPY SAM]

goblueM nailed it again. Virtually every wildlife official I know, or have known, is an avid outdoorsperson. Their passion for wildlife is what drives them to their chosen field of work. I don't think they go into wildlife research so they can have big fuzzy pets. I'm sure there are exceptions. I just don't know any.

I also don't know if the research center in question is doing everything exactly right, but I also doubt very much that they're a bunch of uneducated, tree-hugger activists. There's little doubt they've collected a ton of valuable data, and information on bear behavior and life-cycles that is used to contribute to the better management of the resource.

The number of collared, or study bear out there is only a tiny fraction of the total bear population. They're not in cages.

It's unfortunate when something like the tight collared bear story above happens, but it's likely unavoidable. These animals, like so many others out there, have large ranges, and travel thru nearly impenatrable forest. Without some connection to them they would be virtually impossible to study.

Like JP said above, it's not illegal to shoot a collared bear, it's simply discouraged.

Study, observation, and sound data collection is beneficial not only to us, but to the bear population as well. Some mortality is part of an acceptable risk with any wildlfe study group. It's not desirable, but it's expected. There's a lot, lot worse things being done to animals all over the world, in the name of science.

I agree though, that it's the media that blows that tiny segment out of the water. The media out there doesn't give a hoot about the story itself. They're out to boost ratings, and up their advertising fees. If that means rattling a lot of chains, and ringing everyone's bells, then believe me, they'll do it in a heartbeat - regardless of the bias.

[InTheNorthwoods]

...

I also don't know if the research center in question is doing everything exactly right, but I also doubt very much that they're a bunch of uneducated, tree-hugger activists. There's little doubt they've collected a ton of valuable data, and information on bear behavior and life-cycles that is used to contribute to the better management of the resource.

...

Study, observation, and sound data collection is beneficial not only to us, but to the bear population as well. Some mortality is part of an acceptable risk with any wildlfe study group. It's not desirable, but it's expected. There's a lot, lot worse things being done to animals all over the world, in the name of science.

I agree though, that it's the media that blows that tiny segment out of the water. The media out there doesn't give a hoot about the story itself. They're out to boost ratings, and up their advertising fees. If that means rattling a lot of chains, and ringing everyone's bells, then believe me, they'll do it in a heartbeat - regardless of the bias.

Is that what is going on here? That is my big question. I don't know, and I won't pretend to act like I know, but my perception is that these animals are being treated differently than wild bears. That they are being conditioned and influenced by human activity. And that they are being portrayed to the public in a light that is not scientific or realistic (see facebook page), but rather in a "disney" or "care bears" type light.

It is my opinion that a researcher with true research motivations should strive to collect unadulterated data and to present it in the most accurate and scientific light. A true researcher tries to eliminate any personal bias and potential human manipulation in collection and presentation of their data. Based on the surface alone, to me that does not appear to be what is happening.

[nonteepical]

what do you think is the percentage of biologists or students at the bear research center that are pro bear hunting? just to make the point i never said wildlife officials, activist or uneducated. i also reread my original post and didn't mean to imply only DNR and USFW biologists as treehugger types it was meant biologists as a whole private and public sector.

i'm not against research and education but am still curious what is unknown of black bears that needs years of study to find out? we know they'll eat almost anything, they reproduce every other year, hibernation length will vary depending severity/length of winter, they are unpredictable and can be trained to be in a circus. i'm assuming they're studying just to study.

[TylerS]

What a crock. Collared bear = The Bambi of this generation.

[pureinsanity]

what do you think is the percentage of biologists or students at the bear research center that are pro bear hunting? just to make the point i never said wildlife officials, activist or uneducated. i also reread my original post and didn't mean to imply only DNR and USFW biologists as treehugger types it was meant biologists as a whole private and public sector.

i'm not against research and education but am still curious what is unknown of black bears that needs years of study to find out? we know they'll eat almost anything, they reproduce every other year, hibernation length will vary depending severity/length of winter, they are unpredictable and can be trained to be in a circus. i'm assuming they're studying just to study.

They love beer and black berry brandy as well

[pureinsanity]

Past blue ribbon to be exact!

[CANOPY SAM]

[Matt Breuer]

I watched Lily this past spring, very cool thing to see. Did I think it was cool? Yes! Did I think the cub sounded cute? Yep. Do I want to shoot bears still? Oh yeah.

The collared thing will be a never-ending debate and speculation will always run wild. "The collar was so tight I couldn't see it!" It's bright orange or red, pretty sure at 12 yards you could see it. It's perfectly legal, so no excuses should be made, and people shouldn't gripe.

I heard one was shot up by Fourtown that was collared this year as well, heard the collar was so tight there were maggots in the skin. Disgusting. I also heard that the DNr confiscated the animal and refused to give the hunter another tag. All probably [PoorWordUsage] put forth by anti-DNR people.

Anyone else heard anything about this animal? I'd like to see pics...

As for DNR and their views on wildlife. I know a biologist who views them from blinds in their natural environment one day, and cooks them for dinner the next. They appreciate both the beauty of nature, as well as what it can provide in most cases. I work with a ton of biologists through the MSGS, and they all hunt and fish.

[bogwalker]

The collared thing will be a never-ending debate and speculation will always run wild. "The collar was so tight I couldn't see it!" It's bright orange or red, pretty sure at 12 yards you could see it. It's perfectly legal, so no excuses should be made, and people shouldn't gripe.

Matt, The collars have not always been orange. This may have been before you became involved with bears. Why get so angry?

[HooknHorns]

I'm amazed when I got back from my bear hunt trip how many people asked "So did ya take the ribbons off before the pictures?". I think alot of people that know hunting blow this off as just another news story and thats it. it happens.

[CANOPY SAM]

I don't sense that Bruer is angry in his statement. I think he's just saying it like it is.

[bogwalker]

I don't sense that Bruer is angry in his statement. I think he's just saying it like it is.

Okay.

[Matt Breuer]

Matt, The collars have not always been orange. This may have been before you became involved with bears. Why get so angry?

No anger whatsoever. I am referring to the bear I heard of that was harvested this year in NW MN. I know that many have brown or even black collars. Our land butts up against Thief Lake, seen plenty...

[jkcmj]

bog walker, was the tight collared bear harvested in 2008 hunting season? We were at the Tower gas station with researchers when they picked up a collar that year, very small cub size, smelled like puss real strong from growing into the flesh. They expressed relief it had been shot. It had been put on a female bear cub that did not return to the researchers station a year or two earlier. Batteries had died on it long ago. Not sure how long it had it on. Wonder how often that happens?

[jkcmj]

The collar picked up was reported to the media by researchers as covered in blood.

The CO I spoke with who had the collar stated that there were no ribbons on it, and that no blood was visible on the collar.

It could have been found, pulled off a road kill or legally harvested by a hunter. Nobody seems to know, but either way they did the right thing and turned it in.

Research bears frequently lose collars while scent marking, during den hibernation, and a recent research bear hit by a car lost the collar in the vehicle accident(bear survived). So either scenerio is possible, if not likely in this case.

[mrklean]

once again the media jumps on something without any facts