Wisconsin's Natural Resources Board this week approved a record number of bear harvest permits.
DNR wildlife biologist Dave MacFarland of Rhinelander told the board the goal is to maintain populations in the Northwoods. They would also like to stabilize the population south of Highway 64, and reduce the population in northwestern Wisconsin. He says bear population numbers and conflicts are the highest in that part of the state. MacFarland says the DNR would authorize 11,500 permits with a bear harvest quota of 4.750. He says interest in bear hunting continues to grow...
"....interest in bear hunting in Wisconsin continues to grow. Every year seems to be a record year for the number of (hunter) applicants. 2016 is no different. This year we had over 109,000 people apply for a hunting permit..."
MacFarland says quotas were developed through the evolution of population monitoring, harvest conflict and input from key stakeholders.He did note in some wooded areas near Highway 64, there have been conflicts as a large number of hunters are using the area. He says it doesn't appear as if these conflicts are widespread.
Wisconsin is harvesting far more bears than any other state in the nation while keeping a stable population.
