Wis 2010 Bear Kill, Another Big Whoop

From JSOnline. and Paul A Smith

Hunters killed a record 5,040 black bears in the 2010 Wisconsin hunting season, according to preliminary results from the Department of Natural Resources.

The previous high was 4,009 bears registered in 2009.

"From all signs, the bear population in Wisconsin is doing very well," said Linda Olver, assistant deer and bear biologist for the DNR.

The harvest record was not a surprise - the DNR issued a record 8,910 bear permits and set a harvest quota of 5,235 this year. Through last week, hunters had achieved 96% of the quota, Olver said.

The department expects the final kill number to be slightly higher as registration receipts trickle in over the coming weeks. The 2010 Wisconsin bear hunting season ended Oct. 12.

The department expects the final kill number to be slightly higher as registration receipts trickle in over the coming weeks. The 2010 Wisconsin bear hunting season ended Oct. 12.

First I have to say , "BIG WHOOP" for the second time this month."

Can I ask a stupid question? The bear season ended on Oct 12, Paul A Smith's article appeared in JSOnline 12/4 and they say "final kill number to be slightly higher as registration receipts trickle in over the coming weeks."

Do we still have pony express? Sorry, that's a slam at the pony express. They actually moved the mail pretty fast. With it being now winter even dog sleds would be faster.

So if some bear were killed in October , some people didn't register it yet? What's the hold up? Am I missing something here? Are Bear hunters from Tipler making there way down to Green Bay by foot?

Second point, can we trust the WDNR with estimates, counts and projected kills for 2011 with how they handle deer management?

Based on the most recent study, the DNR estimates Wisconsin has a population of between 26,000 and 40,000 bears.

Population has a 14,000 count spread in the estimated numbers? So what is it, 26, 30, 35 or 40,000? If private companies were run like this, they would be out of business. Since moving to the Nicolet Forest this past February, I seen one 4 to 500 lb bear in May and one cub back in June. A second Big Whoop from me! Scott Walker has his work cut out for him.

Well if you are interested in the 2011 bear hunt,

Friday is the deadline for 2011 bear season application.