The page contains links to Yellowstone National Park bear sightings. The cougar typically weighs between 90 and 180 lbs, with a few large males topping 200 lbs. The DNR occasionally receives reports of illegally owned large pet cats including cougars, and has confiscated these animals. The Minnesota DNR verified 31 cougars, mostly on trail cams or dead as roadkill, from 2004 through 2018. Meet the Black Bear This map shows the concentration of black bears in the US by state. Ive been looking for him outside my windows but I have not seen him, she said. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Legal Status. ** Quick note, we are a research project so if for some reason you need assistance on how to deal with a bear in your backyard etc., you should contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife at 508-389-6300 or . In the northern Lower Peninsula, the season is one week in September and one week in October. It was very exciting to see and I didnt really feel threatened.. This is about 47 miles from where a May 24 photo was captured in Marquette County. These methods haven reduced bears ability to obtain human food by preventing them from entering human development and proactively educating visitors about bears and enforcing food storage requirements. Remember to leave wildlife alone. THOMAS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJRT) - There are more sightings of bears in mid-Michigan and the DNR is advising people to make sure their backyard isn't a buffet for bears. Registration protocols may changedue to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic; hunters are asked to call registration stations prior to visiting to learn of protocol changes. According to Thorman, hunters pushed for short hunting seasons and lower license quotas when they noticed people were killing a lot of bears and populations were struggling. On September 16, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in southern Dickinson County. Below: Bears bulk up for winter in Colorado's northeast parks, published in September 2021: * NOTE: When reporting a bear. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Unlike other animals, bears take a while to reproduce, and it can take years to see how changes to hunting regulations impact their population. Heres what the laws are now, Michigan State shooting update: 2 more students released from hospital, Michigan has far more power outages this week than other Midwest states, Michigan outraged toxic waste from Ohio derailment shipped to Belleville, MSU shooting: fourth victim identified, discharged from hospital, Michigan lawmakers send Whitmer tax cuts; $180 payments are dead, Michigans lousy infrastructure has many begging: Fix the damn noisy roads, Michigan State shooting: Alerts to students delayed as police rushed to campus, Michigan OKs expanded bobcat hunting season over activists concerns, DNR announces fishing regulations for Michigans 2022 season, Federal judge kills chances of Michigan wolf hunt, Jack Timothy Harrison, Capital News Service. Welcome to the Mason County Bear Sightings (Michigan) Facebook Group page! Read: Michigan DNR: 10 confirmed cougar sightings in 2021 2019 sightings On July 7, 2019, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Gogebic County, northwest of Ironwood. New this year, the archery-only season has been expanded in the Northern Lower Peninsula. Michigan UFO Sightings in 2021: 4/2/21 - Clarkston, MI : Two instances of a formation of three lights moving rapidly across the sky. The Michigan DNR has confirmed 51 cougar sightings since 2008. TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. An apparently homesick bear who was moved from an area in northwestern Michigan where he had raided bird feeders and trash cans has traveled about 90 miles (144 kilometers) back to the same location. Aug 24, 2022. 1,912 . This enables them to be more informed on the movement, behavior and activity of select bears, which in turn allows the team to quickly respond to a bears presence in a developed area. On July 20, 2021, a trail camera video was captured of a cougar in southeastern Baraga County. Bear advocates are not the only ones who want to see the populations increase across the state. Seven sightings were verified in 2019. This is about 50 miles from where a June 25 photo was captured in Houghton County. A radio collar placed on the bear indicates hes back in Grand Traverse County following his removal in April to the Alpena area, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported Friday. Based on documented evidence, cougars observed in Michigan could be escaped or released pets. The DNRs team of biologists that investigates cougar reports had seen the photo but initially could not confirm the source or location where it was taken. Please consider joining today. We work to keep Michigan's Black Bear population healthy and protect the species' habitat within the state. Typically, hunters can easily buy a license to kill a bear in the Upper Peninsula whereas hunters in the Lower Peninsula have to enter into a drawing system that can take years to get a license. . Tips for bear-proofing your Michigan campsite this fall, Where to find rare antique apple varieties this fall? This year continues a three-year trend of the highest number of cougar reports confirmed over the past 14 years. The previous high of seven confirmations in a single year was surpassed in 2019 when 11 reports were recorded, followed by 15 in 2020. He was given a lip tattoo, ear tags and fitted with the electronic collar before being carted to the eastern Lower Peninsula. 2023 Michigan Economic Development Corporation. . . Cougars are primarily nocturnal although they can be active during the day. LANSING Michigans black bear population in the northern Lower Peninsula is exploding up 88 percent since hunting season was restricted in 2012. Black bears are an important resource in Missouri for their value as a game species and their contributions to regional biodiversity and ecosystem health. 25, 2021 at 9:01 PM CDT March 15, 2014 - Grand Rapids, Michigan - 10 PM EDT. 3/12/21 - Battle Creek, MI: Triangular lights. Glen Lile said for the first time in 49 years of living in Holiday Hills he recently came across a black bear while out walking his neighborhood, a daily habit hes kept for about the last seven years. A place to post photos, videos and comments of bear sightings in Mason County, Michigan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said bears wander from northern Michigan looking for food. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE RAM HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Visitor Centers across the state provide education programs, field trips, archery, fishing, trails and much more. It definitely makes a difference, Oswald said of limiting the season. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. On Sept. 16, 2021, a trail camera photo was taken of a cougar in southern Dickinson County, said Cody Norton, the DNRs large carnivore specialist. 2019 Ted Fund Donors; 2018 Ted Fund Donors; 2017 Donor List; 2016 Donor List; Annual Report; News & Events; Camps; Get Involved; Contact; Donate! The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. View List. Copyright 2021 WLUC. Campsite prices vary, a Recreation Passport gives you access to every state park in Michigan for a year and is a . Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below. Find cross-country ski, ice fishing , snowmobiling info and much more. Belbeck said she hasnt noticed much out of the ordinary, except the back corner of her yard. Use #PureMichigan onInstagramorTwitterto share your photos. 3, 2021 at 2:10 PM PST. Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the states trove of natural resources. A black bear like this one was captured by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in Traverse City in April after making mischief for months. After gathering and preparing data from several years, the following map depicts the areas within the city which have the highest numbers of conflict issues. For more information on bear sighting safety, click here. According to DNR, in 2006 when hunters were killing as many 2,000 bears in the Upper Peninsula and when the northern Lower Peninsula bear population had fallen to 1,300 in 2011. He was looking off toward the hillside as he walked along and when he turned his head back straight ahead, there was a small bear standing near a house about 50 feet away from where Lile had stopped. The population of black bears in the northern Lower Peninsula has tripled since 1992. Most of those, about 1,300, were in the Upper Peninsula. 0:38. sightings in Traverse City resume . Michigans nonpartisan, nonprofit news source. The Michigan DNR has confirmed 10 cougar sightings in 2021, all in the Upper Peninsula, continuing an upward trend in sightings over the last few years. Wherever your nature-rich quest takes you, you'll be joined by bird song-one of Michigan's most treasured soundtracks. 2018-2021 sightings. Lastly, bear registration is mandatory and by appointment only -- within 72 hours of harvesting a bear,huntersmust contact a bear registration station to schedule an appointment to have the animalregistered andsealed. Definitely rare for having a bear around this area. Let's take a look at some common questions. OLIVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WILX) - A young black bear was spotted in Olive Township. The shade of the park's established ash/maple/elm forests provides fertile ground for these tasty mushrooms and visitors are allowed to harvest any they find. This is about 30 miles from where the January 26 photo was captured in Delta County. . . MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - With the arrival of warmer temperatures the Michigan Department of Natural Resources warns that black bears will begin to emerge from hibernation over the next several weeks. Report a Bear Sighting. Black bears are doing so well in the northern Lower Peninsula that nearly half of hunters who get a license, 48 percent, kill one, compared to 28 percent of those who do so in the Upper Peninsula. We understand that there has to be population management, that goes without saying, but were worried that were taking too many (bears).. The goal of their project was to develop a regional map that highlights suitable habitat and . trend upwards in Michigan's bear population since 1993, said Cody Norton, the DNR's large carnivore . This is about 50 miles from where a July 20 video was captured in Baraga County. Here's the ultimate guide to bear counts in 2021. This is about 10 miles from where a July 19 photo was captured in Marquette County. There are occasional black bear sightings in the state, but these bears are probably passing through from other states. All rights reserved. law enforcement, legislation, rules and regulations. South of that line, bears are not as common, but they do occur.". To further our efforts to raise awareness of the conflict levels here in Prince George, the following maps have been prepared. The Ohio Division of Wildlife is advising residents, as peak time for bear movement approaches.Officials said summer will bring more black bear sightings in the state.Officials said dispersing . . Sightings rose during that decade, helped by improved technology such as trail cameras and camera phones, they said. "You've got young males that . The hunter was near the Belle River in the mudflats southeast of . 888-784-7328, Prince Conference Center at Calvin University, Hessel School House - Avery Learning Center, The Headlands, an International Dark Sky Park. Click on a home range polygon or map marker to reveal additional information. The DNR reminds residents to take down bird feeders and ensure any and all garbage is stored in a safe and secure manner. Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. The National Park Service has conducted road and trail surveys and trail camera surveillance in the past, designed to detect cougars in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Bear sightings in the U.P and the "tip of the mitt" are fairly common occurrences. Bear sightings are once again popping up in parts of mid-Michigan, in . Black bear sightings map. In addition to the Red Oak bear management unit, Gladwin and Baldwin bear management units will also have an archery-only season; the archery-only season dates for all three units will be Oct. 8-14. In the early 20th century Grizzly Bears were common in the state, but now only the American Black Bear remain. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. June 30, 2021. More than 25,000 bald eagles, red-tailed hawks and other raptors soar high aboveWhitefish Pointduring spring migration, and showy songbirds follow closely behind. Local Big Bear news sources have recently highlighted more frequent bear sightings. The DNR told News 10 the bears usually move along pretty quickly and head back north where they came from. Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every morning. The most recent data indicates the bear population is currently estimated to be a little over 24,000 bears. salting the battlefield locations. 0:04. Black . March 1, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Bear sightings rose in the Northeast region, which includes Boulder County, in 2022, according to data provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 2021. Elissa Slotkin announces bid to succeed Debbie Stabenow. Class 4 (not a grizzly bear) rating was given to an observation that was reported as a grizzly bear, but which, upon investigation, was verified to be a species other than a grizzly bear. Public Meetings; But hopefully hes a little bit reformed, Griffith said. Whether your preferred accommodation is a cozy tent or a fifty-foot RV, there are sites available at state parks. bobcats are not rare in southwest Michigan but seeing one is. 4,441 Hotspots. The bears learned habits in familiar territory across Traverse Citys west side likely is the reason for his return, Griffith added. It has been illegal to own a cougar or large exotic cats such as African lions, leopards, and jaguars, in Michigan since 2000. Hunting . We are trying to better document this expansion and need your help. A deer hunter near the border of Macomb and St. Clair counties reported to the state he saw a black bear last month. If children are present, pick them up so they cannot run. 2009 2016. Hes stubborn. Black bearing hunting is legal in all Upper Peninsula counties and in 33 Lower Peninsula counties north of a line stretching from Muskegon to Midland counties. On March 31, 2021, a trail camera video was captured of a cougar in northeast Dickinson County. LANSING Michigan's black bear population in the northern Lower Peninsula is exploding up 88 percent since hunting season was restricted in 2012. This is about 125 miles from where tracks were found on May 12 in Luce County. Group together and pick up small children, Continue to face the bear and back away slowly, talking calmly to identify yourself as a human, If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by making yourself as large and imposing as possible by stretching your arms overhead andmaking loud noises, Carry and know how to use bear spray, which is available at many outdoor retailers and can be used to deter a charging bear, Wisconsin man killed in snowmobile, groomer collision in Iron County, 1 killed in head-on US-2 crash in Iron County, Two Marquette restaurants prepare for CCHA playoffs, UP organizations partner to research electric vehicle batteries, Drugs believed to be factor in collision that killed Michigan road worker, Escanaba hosts district FIRST Robotics Competition.