While out in the field, hunters and trappers might come upon a denned black bear. The Department of Natural Resources is looking for those northern Lower Peninsula locations where denned bear are spotted, in order to fit them with radio collars for an ongoing bear research program.“Information gathered from bears assists in managing the black bear population,” said Mark Boersen, DNR wildlife biologist at the Roscommon Customer Service Center. “Currently, we have three female bears being monitored from both air and ground using radio tracking equipment.”
After locating a denned bear, DNR biologists will determine if the animal is a good candidate for radio-collaring. Bears that are selected will be sedated by a wildlife biologist and fitted with a radio-tracking collar and ear tags. Hair samples will be taken for DNA analysis, and a small, non-functional tooth will be collected to determine the bear’s age. Upon completion of the short procedure, biologists will carefully return the bear to its den, where it will sleep through the remainder of the winter months.
People who encounter bear dens are asked to record the location, with a GPS unit, if possible, and contact Dan Moran at 989-422-6572 or Katie Keen at 231-775-9727 with the specific location information. The DNR reminds the public that it is illegal to disturb a bear den or disturb, harm or molest a bear in its den.
