MDNRE revisited bear population model

[Rooster Cogburn]

We have been receiving conflicting numbers on Michigan's 2009 bear population. Earlier, the Wildlife Division estimated 15,000 to 18,000 bears statewide. One of our resources just checked with the Wildlife Division and learned the number has been significantly reduced from its earlier estimate. Prior to the 2009 bear season the total statewide population is now estimated to have been 11,100. Hat's off to Chief Mason and his staff for digging deeper into this matter.

[Bearboy]

That does not surprise me at all. At the St. Ignace bear users group meeting all but one person(an older gentleman that hunted on private property) thought that bear numbers were down across the Upper Peninsula. It was standing room only(the St. Ignace meeting). A cross section of hunters, bait, bow, and hound all agreed numbers were way down. Personally, I can't believe this happened. In the long and short of it, I am glad the MDNRE revised the numbers. I sure hope the target harvest will be reduced by at least 50% to get in line with the more realistic census.

[Atchison]

Originally Posted by Bearboy

That does not surprise me at all. At the St. Ignace bear users group meeting all but one person(an older gentleman that hunted on private property) thought that bear numbers were down across the Upper Peninsula. It was standing room only(the St. Ignace meeting). A cross section of hunters, bait, bow, and hound all agreed numbers were way down. Personally, I can't believe this happened. In the long and short of it, I am glad the MDNRE revised the numbers. I sure hope the target harvest will be reduced by at least 50% to get in line with the more realistic census.

I'd like to hear from some people on population for the LP also! Hopefully in 3-4 years when I finally have enough points there will be bear left!

[Mickey Finn]

Originally Posted by Atchison

I'd like to hear from some people on population for the LP also! Hopefully in 3-4 years when I finally have enough points there will be bear left!

See, I thought their (lower peninsula) numbers were up actually. Running larger as well.
Good luck when you draw!

[UPHuntr]

Wow I thought the number was actually higher. I am not a "bear hunter" but do spend alot of time in the U.P. running our trail cameras. We had 9 trail cameras in 15 different locations out last year starting in July all cameras were within 1 square mile and every one of those cameras had bears on them. Every camera had a different bear also, you could see a trait in each one to tell differences. We also talked to a local guy that has a place right off the road we hunt and he talked to the bear guides in the area on a regular basis and they said that the area our cameras were in had produced 17 bears this season.

[yooperkenny]

Originally Posted by UPHuntr

Wow I thought the number was actually higher. ....the area our cameras were in had produced 17 bears this season.

What county you in? (if you don't mind...)

[UPHuntr]

Originally Posted by yooperkenny

What county you in? (if you don't mind...)

Schoolcraft

[hubbarj]

Must be southern schoolcraft. I hunt the northern portion and things are pretty slim up here. I am glad the MDNRE has revisited the population numbers. Hopefully they do the right thing and lower the tags accordingly. If they issue the same amount of tags as last year they would be issuing more tag than bear and that wouldn't be a good thing.

John

[Bearboy]

Michigan has 11100 bear issue's more than one tag per bear(I personally think that population number is still high)11453 tags

Wisconsin has over 30000 bear and issues 7310 tags

For everyone that thinks Michigan has a great population and management program....


Michigan over 100% bear targeted(in the form of issued tags)

Wisconsin about 20% bear targeted(in the form of issued tags)

[solohunter]

Originally Posted by Rooster Cogburn

We have been receiving conflicting numbers on Michigan's 2009 bear population. Earlier, the Wildlife Division estimated 15,000 to 18,000 bears statewide. One of our resources just checked with the Wildlife Division and learned the number has been significantly reduced from its earlier estimate. Prior to the 2009 bear season the total statewide population is now estimated to have been 11,100. Hat's off to Chief Mason and his staff for digging deeper into this matter.

East Red Oak is still a growing population with to few permits being issued,, tell Chief mason to face away from us, take his hat off and bend over,,, ALcona and Oscoda counties have a suprize for him!!
forget digging deeper,, it will take a surgeon and a magician to remove the boot,,

[solohunter]

Originally Posted by Bearboy

That does not surprise me at all. At the St. Ignace bear users group meeting all but one person(an older gentleman that hunted on private property) thought that bear numbers were down across the Upper Peninsula. It was standing room only(the St. Ignace meeting). A cross section of hunters, bait, bow, and hound all agreed numbers were way down. Personally, I can't believe this happened. In the long and short of it, I am glad the MDNRE revised the numbers. I sure hope the target harvest will be reduced by at least 50% to get in line with the more realistic census.

Seems like an only UP issue,, the DNR does not do proper surveys on the northern lower area, or has no clue on how to, they relie on college students doing the work for them as they sit on thier A(* in lansing and crunch numbers for papers.