DNR Warning on Ely Bear...

[Muthagoose]

Seems the humanization of "research bears" did the bears a lot of good... The DNR has Issued a warning of aggressive bears in the Ely area.

Several of these are collared bears. Apparently they are not so tame..

The sad part its not the bears fault,its the humans creating the problem...

Maybe they will be impossing Human endangerment laws next?

[x1957x]

Kinda like the moose thing in mn. Had a some what decline but since the DNR has started collaring and studying moose it has declined dramaticaly to say the least..

[Muthagoose]

A guy posted over on FB that a person was swatted in the face while feeding a bear and ended up in the emergency room at the Ely hospital.

Anyone else hear of this??

If its true its a result of the the researchers encouraging the locals in the area to do "Supplimental feeding"

All that hand feeding removes the common sense factor in both the bears and the humans. Funny how most states have laws against this....

Again the sad thing is its NOT the bears fault its the humans on MANY levels..

[SouthSide]

DNR urges caution after bear incidents near Ely

Article by: Associated Press Updated: August 29, 2011 - 6:53 PM

ELY, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging people to be careful after recent reports of aggressive behavior by black bears in the Ely area.

The DNR says some reports involve collared bears that are part of research being conducted by biologist Lynn Rogers.

A collared bear at Bear Head Lake State Park reportedly has approached occupied vehicles and put its front paws on vehicles. Another report involves a collared bear within three feet of a 2-year-old child near the open door of a vehicle. The child's mother scared off the bear with a wheelbarrow.

Rogers disputes that the collared bears are aggressive.

Early Monday, a homeowner killed a non-collared bear that refused to leave the homeowner's porch. That bear is not believed to be part of a research project.

[Steve Foss]

That's too bad!

It's never a good idea to feed wild predators. Many, many aggressive wolf/human encounters involve animals habituated to being fed by people. Not surprising that it happens with bears, too.

The article mentions two reports involving collared bears and one involving a bear not part of the study. To be fair, three reports aren't enough data to conclude that the collared and hand-fed bears are any more aggressive than non collared bears. But common sense tells us it's likely so. And I suspect that people treat those collared bears more casually, as though they are friends instead of bears, which is largely because of the widespread media coverage (and Facebook) surrounding Lynn's research bears.

The farther from the land we get, the more we tend to humanize the predators that occupy the land. Not a good thing.

[Bear55]

The sad part its not the bears fault,its the humans creating the problem...

[Muthagoose]

Its not just the "collared bears" they consider and treat different..

I beleive one of the bears they "feed" is shadow? Dont think she is collared.They have posted pic of hand feeding those bears on the lily page a while back. AND they allow the WRI pay per view people making the LARGE donations to join in. Where is that considered research?. In most states its considered Human endangerment....

Steve you know there have been more complaints than just the 3 mentioned in the report..Heard of problems in the park and I know of 3 residents on Trygg that dont like whats going on but fear the retaliation if they complain..

Just read another post on FB of the bear swatting so its probably real..

Steve since you live in ely whats the word on this? If anyone should have the true facts it should be you. So whats the word??

Ill say it again.. The bears are the ones being served an injustice.....

[Bear55]

Good point Muthagoose, I guess I didn't know they were hand feeding other bears. Like I said it's only a matter of time before something bad happens.

[mrklean]

reading the facebook page of those bears makes me sick, i think half of those people are delusional they think those bears are like there kids

[Kim1212]

First off, I want to say that while I follow the research I am not one of "those" fans on the Lily FB page. I do not follow the page but I follow the research from the WRI site. I grew up in Ely, and live there now. I grew up in a hunting and fishing family, and I still hunt and fish, and I teach my children to do so as well. So please do not lump me in with those who dress the bears in tutus, because I am not part of that group.

I saw a few things on here that prompted me to speak up. First, for those not in the area, the problems with the bears are not limited to collared bears. There have been several reported bear sightings within the Ely city limits, and elsewhere coming into contact with people. I realize that in central and southern MN, there has been a lot of rain but up here in the north, there hasn't. The berry crop was mediocre, and once the choke cherries were done, we started seeing bears coming into town. So this is not a problem with research bears, but with many other bears in the region as well. I do believe Steve Foss is right about people seeing collared bears more casually than regular wild bears, and that that can cause a problem. I suspect that is why they chose to focus on those bears in the article even though the problem is not limited to them.

Secondly, Lynn did not teach the neighbors to feed the bears. They taught him. They were feeding the bears for decades, far longer than Lynn has had property there, or done his research there. It was the lower number of reports of bear nuisance calls that prompted him to set up his research there. I find it hard to believe that after decades, the bears are suddenly "tame bears" who are habituated to people. The bear shown in the photo on the Duluth News HSOforum, is a bear who has been collared for many years now. It's not as if she suddenly realized that people=food years later. She just is more desperate than normal, especially having cubs to help feed, when the normal bear foods are just not in supply right now. The behavior is not out of the norm for bears who live in state parks.

Anyhow, I just wanted to correct some things I read here that I thought weren't quite correct and were unfair. I don't agree with everything Lynn does, or the things he says. I personally have no problem with protecting research animals of any sort, if the research is beyond mortality and population studies. Several people mentioned that there is nothing new to study, and at the same time mentioned that we have to live in harmony with nature and losing that spells trouble. Studying animals and getting to know their habits and intelligence helps us to do that. Claiming to understand the need to live within the circle of life goes beyond aiming a gun at an animal in attempt to collect a nice trophy, IMO. Hunting certainly can be part of it, and it is for myself and my family. But it should always be done with a reverence for taking another life, and when that is lacking that is part of the problem.

[picksbigwagon]

Kim, thanks for the updated information. I can see where the natural foods are not there and the bears are forced (by mother nature) to seek out new avenues. Thanks for the information and welcome to Hot Spot Outdoors.

[Jarrid Houston]

This is a crazy issue, and I think people that are feeding these beasts are not helping the situation...

[Kim1212]

In many cases, the well-meaning wild life watchers are the worst offenders. I realize Lynn and his team make the news a lot, but there are locals feeding the wildlife to the detriment to the animals themselves, and in some cases pets and property.

I actually live a few miles from Ely, and based on the droppings, we have a bear frequenting an area near our house. Within 2 blocks. It has also been spotted near an outfitter. Last night, my husband spotted a pile of goodies clearly meant for a bear, right alongside the main road. It was at the bottom of a trail that leads up the hill where the bear has been. There is a long row of houses across the road, and 2 yards within 50 feet of this pile. The lady who lives right there, is an avid wildlife fan, and I suspect it is her. She is knowingly feeding a bear and purposely bringing it closer to town so that she can see it. It astounds me that locals do these kinds of things. Surprises me in the same way that people feed dozens of deer by hand in their yards, and then wonder why the wolves came and took their pet cat overnight. When you feed the deer, the wolves are going to follow. When you leave food for a bear, he's going to come, eat, and keep going. He's not going to know he's supposed to stop and ignore the garbage on the porch.

So, while it's understandable based on the press around Lynn and "his" bears, that people blame him for problem bears, this problem is not limited to him. I'd hazard to guess that locals feeding the wildlife cause more problems than Lynn does with his research methods but the collared bears are easy to identify.

Thanks for the welcome It's been quite a while since I went deer hunting but my oldest son nagging me to take him so I'll have to read up on the forums as we get closer so I can brush up! Been a long time since I've shot anything other than my .22! I look forward to exploring the site a little more.

[Steve Foss]

Kim, welcome as well from a fellow Ely area resident. You have an excellent perspective on the feeding problem, IMHO.

Goose, I actually do not know much, only the short report I just read in this thread. Since getting out of the news business, it's been quite a luxury to be able to go for a few weeks without picking up a newspaper or watching the TV news.

[Muthagoose]

I just read the news and it happened however theres a excuse along with it..

Kims hit the nail on the head.. This whole ordeal is based on so many people that have lost common respect for a possible dangerous animal.All due to someone saying its safe..

We live in a state thats sometimes over looks public safety for rights and usually its a good thing but this isnt one of those cases>JMO.

In any other state with a black bear population its against the law to feed bears. However with a expert claiming suplimental feeding is a good thing your going to see more issues because people just cant help themselves monkey see monkey do....

Funny tho we can make people wear seat belts but we cant see the developing Human endangerment. With the research and pay per view based on hand feeding its not going to change...

Its better to allow people to continue feeding the bears and call it research.A catastrophy will happen,then the state will realize what they have allowed...

[Steve Foss]

Steve, I know you're not a big fan of Lynn, but it's probably worth pointing out that people were feeding wild bears in Minnesota LONG before Lynn got all this attention. In all fairness, I don't think we can lay this problem squarely at his feet.

Although I believe his practices, and the celebrity they have brought, contribute to the problem. And I do find the whole Facebook Bear Fable repulsive.

I do wish more people were as levelheaded as Kim about feeding wild predators. There are one or two people who feed meat and meat scraps to one of the local wolf packs, too, which is one reason the so-called "Black Pack" out the Fernberg usually has some individuals that are not at all shy around people. I had one of those wolves come within 20 feet of me at one point and give the head-down assessment stare.

Last summer I followed a bear around our Finn Hill neighborhood for about an hour with my camera. Came out of the woods into our back yard just after sunrise and went from house to house raiding whatever garbage cans it could find. If I kept my distance, it did not get nervous. That's the third time in about 6 years we've seen a bear wandering the neighborhood.

Given the spotty berry crop (and I'm not seeing many hazelnuts around Ely, either) and the fact that we have a lot of berries and crabapples in our yard, I suspect I'll have to keep an eye out when we're working in the back yard and gardens. Oh, and we've got a bumper crop of hops, too. I wonder if bears like hops as much as people do?

Good looking bear from last year, too.

[Muthagoose]

AWESOME photos..

Lynn.. He's the reason we have a good population of bears. People used to and some still shoot and shut up.

As a person I respect his passion and dedication. but not whats being done to the bears its gone wrong. Its gone from research to the obvious.....

Yep they were feeding bear in that area for years. but nothing like recently and not with the peer pressure to keep quiet if you disagree,... This wouldnt go on another day if it was any other state with a black bear population....... It would have been shut down..

Its all about $$$$$$ bottom line...

Ya know once the wife crushes her bear I may donate my remaining bait to a local whos feeding the bears NO hunters...

[SkunkedAgain]

This wouldnt go on another day if it was any other state with a black bear population.

It does happen in other states like Pennsylvania, Vermont, and others.

[Muthagoose]

Good for them Oregon,Montana,Alaska and Idaho dont.

Wisconsin,California and Washington the last I heard they had common sense.....

Heres a little off the Wi regs.

Regulations on Feeding:

1. It is not legal to place or deposit feed for bears for purposes other than legal bear hunting or bear dog training.

2. If any bear begins to use a deer feeding site, the owner must stop the feeding and remove all feed for a period of not less than

30 days.

Gee go figure wonder why???...

[Archerysniper]

news release

Public urged to use caution around black bears after recent incidents

(Released August 30, 2011)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is investigating several recent incidents of aggressive or threatening behavior by black bears in the Ely area.

The reports have involved some collared bears that are part of research being conducted by Dr. Lynn Rogers and some that are not. There have been recent reports of a collared bear at Bear Head Lake State Park approaching occupied vehicles and putting its front paws on vehicles. Another report involved a collared bear within three feet of a two-year-old child near the open door of a vehicle. The child’s mother scared the bear away only after pushing a wheel barrow toward it.

Around 4 a.m. on Monday morning, Aug. 29, a homeowner killed a non-collared bear that refused to leave the homeowner’s porch. The homeowner fired a warning shot, and then legally shot and killed the bear after it refused to leave. A conservation officer responded to the incident and took possession of the bear carcass. The bear is not believed to be part of a research project.

DNR officials have asked for Dr. Rogers’ assistance in preventing the bear-human conflicts involving collared bears. The DNR has informed Rogers that under DNR policy, bears that pose a threat to public safety can be destroyed by local enforcement authorities.

The DNR urges the public in the Ely area not to feed bears, an activity that can cause the animals to become fearless of people. Home and cabin owners can reduce bear problems by reducing garbage can odors, removing bird feeders and keeping pet food inside. If you are approached by a bear, back away slowly and try to go indoors and wait for the bear to leave. If a bear refuses to leave, make loud noises and throw something to scare it away. Always allow the bear an escape route.

People in the Ely area can report aggressive bear behavior to a local conservation officer, or to the State Patrol non-emergency telephone number at 218-748-2426.

More information about living in bear country is available online.

[creepworm]

I have a question, isn't baiting bear technically feeding them. You put food out and hope they eat it, much the same as these terrible people that are feeding them are doing. You may not be feeding them from you hand but your scent is still around the bait site so you are still, somewhat, conditioning them to relate humans with food.

It is kind of funny how different people have different perceptions of things, but from my point of view, it is a bunch of pots calling a bunch of kettles black.

And just for the record, I am not against baiting or hunting bears and would like to try it someday, I just don't believe there is a whole lot of room for bear hunters to complain about people feeding bear.

Alright, it should be interesting to see the bashing I get.

[Archerysniper]

There should be no bashing. When you are hunting and baiting bears you are doing it in the bears habitat which is normally away from humans and the person doing the baiting is there to harvest a bear and trying to keep the bear from knowing they are their so they can harvest the bear.

[Double D]

Baiting will also have a definite beginning and ending date. Not so with feeding.

DD

[Muthagoose]

Creep good questions and any debates on here is only little typed words. When I get people riled up its not like I give a rats azz what they write back..BUT its how ya get people to think sometimes.

So here goes....

I understand the base to the privates need to feed to collar without drugs.. Im ok with that because a bear is smart enough to know whos who.. But its the encouragement of others to do so,the big$ private tours joining in and the latest supplimental feeding thats gone from research to making only making $$$ and that where they've bred the wannabbes.

Used to be in this state that if a "wild animal" hurt anyone it was destroyed. I dont buy the line of [PoorWordUsage] about lost food sources this was a un collared research bear being it was next door and the guy knew the bear and was feeding it.... Now its not fair that the bear pay the price and being that these bears are almost as popular as the pope its got people thinking WAY out of the common sense box.

Steve Foss brought up a good point YES people have been feeding them for years without the promotion BUT when a problem occurred it was delt with and without the glamorized peer pressure developed by the opinions of people from the UK and florida.

WTH this is Minnestoa NOT the United Nation of HUGGER.

Its a crime in most states that have wild bears to feed them. Gee wonder why??? When you bait you are in the animals enviroment and NOT next to your house and your NOT feeding them by hand.

Look at how long it took to get to use a barrel on private or leased land for baiting.. For years it was said that it would get bear to relate to humans for food. OMG thats a brain storm in the wind..Yet feeding by hand dont? Who figures this stuff out Homer Simpson. I laugh when I read stuff like "Im ashamed of how people respect the DNR" geee buddy ever wonder why?

Seriously we are talking an animal that should be left a wild animal not altered to be a cash cow to an area and legacy. 12-15 years ago the research was not that welcomed in the area.

The privates and all they promote should be reeled in a LOT.. The only reason Ive been screaming end it is its the only way you will ever get enough people to consider options,ending it is a option that most likely will not happen..

[wannafish2]

Very Very well said Kim1212. Bravo!