DNR Request for information on locations of bear dens
Greetings Friends of the Namekagon Barrens!
Our Wildlife Biologist Nancy Christel asked us to share information on bear research, and to ask for reports on locations of any bear dens found while folks are out and about this winter. Nancy has all of Washburn County and the eastern portion of Burnett County, but will forward any reports from other counties to the appropriate staff. There’s also a form on-line for reporting the locations:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7DSMFZS
Below is a link to a DNR news release explaining the research going on, and listing data to collect about the den locations. For your safety (and the bears’) observe the den from a distance to gather data, but don’t move in for a close-up view (30 yards away is recommended in the news release). Here’s the link to the news release:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/newsroom/release/100266
There’s a recent PBS video about Wisconsin bear research at this link, including footage of the Northern Region staff collecting data at a den:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/newsroom/release/100266
Lastly, if you are interested in watching the Sharp-tailed Grouse mating dance from our viewing blinds in the Barrens this spring, check the calendar on our website for openings (https://www.namekagonbarrens.org/viewing-blinds/). Some of the slots get opened up on short notice later in the season if DNR surveys are rescheduled or we receive cancellations.
Have a good winter!
Kathy Bartilson
for the FNBWA Board