AmmoLand.com

Wisconsin 2012 Black Bear Permit Application Deadline Dec. 10 2011

Wisconsin 2012 Black Bear Permit Application Deadline Dec. 10 2011

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, WI --(Ammoland.com)- Black bear hunters have until close of business on Dec. 10 to apply for available permits for the 2012 black bear hunting season.

Applications for the black bear permit drawing cost $3 and may be purchased through the Online Licensing Center on the DNR website, at all authorized license agents, at DNR Service Centers (Hours for service centers vary; check the DNR website for service center days and hours of operation; DNR Service Centers are not open on Saturdays), or by calling toll-free 1-877-LICENSE (1-877-945-4236).

The 2012 black bear season begins Sept. 5, the first Wednesday after Labor Day, and runs through Oct. 9. The opening week of Wisconsin’s bear hunting season alternates – allowing those who hunt over bait to go first one year and those who hunt with the aid of dogs to go first the next year.

In 2012, hunters who hunt over bait will go first in all management zones; the season for those hunting with the aid of dogs or using other methods will open Sept. 12 in zones that allow hunting with the aid of dogs (A,B, and D). In Zone C, where hunting with dogs is prohibited, hunters may hunt bear over bait or by other means not using dogs from September 5th through Oct. 9.

There were 27,793 hunters who submitted applications for the 9,005 Class A bear harvest permits available for the 2011 bear season. A total of 103,853 hunters applied for either a harvest permit or a preference point in 2011.

Applicants currently need to have collected between four and nine preference points in order to successfully draw a bear harvest permit. Hunters can check their preference point status in one of three ways: by visiting the Online Licensing Center, by calling Customer Service & Licensing toll-free at 1-888-WDNRINFo (1-888-936-7463), or by contacting a local DNR Service Center.

The bear drawing is held each year in early February. Drawing winners will be notified via U.S. Mail shortly after the drawing. Drawing winners may purchase their 2012 Class A bear license beginning March 7, the start of the 2012 license year.

Total permit availability for the 2012 black bear season has not yet been determined. Proposed quota and permit levels will be taken up by the State Natural Resources Board at its January 2012 meeting.

More information on black bear hunting is available on the DNR website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Linda Olver, Assistant Big Game Specialist – (608) 261-7588

Filed under: Hunting News by Ammoland No Comments »

Volunteers Needed For Bear Population Study

Volunteers Needed For Bear Population Study

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, WI --(Ammoland.com)- Are you knowledgeable about the outdoors? If so, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources needs your help with an upcoming bear population study.

It’s easy, fun – and purposeful.

Participants will help DNR scientists update the state black bear population estimate.

Last completed in 2006 by the DNR with help from the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the study is used to sustainably manage the bear population.

Here is how to get involved — and what you’ll be asked to do as part of this important study:

• Contact the DNR biologist in your county. Check the list of bear study wildife management contacts (pdf) for names.
• Talk about the process with the biologist. You’ll determine how much time you can donate. Any amount is appreciated.
• If you are working on private lands, you’ll need to get the OK from the landowner to place baits on the property.
• Baits will be placed between April 23 and May 15. You’ll receive directions from the DNR biologist about how to handle the baits.
• Leave the baits for two to three weeks. Then, you’ll check the baits and remove them from the woods by May 31.

The baits are loaded with food containing the antibiotic tetracycline. Tetracycline leaves a mark on bone tissue. During the bear hunting season, hunters will be asked to provide a rib sample which will show if the bear ate the tetracycline. DNR scientists will use information on the number of baits eaten by bears, bears harvested and harvested bears marked tetracycline to estimate the population.

The 2006 study showed the bear population was much larger than other studies had suggested. In an effort to keep current on bear population trends, the DNR’s bear management plan calls for repeating this population study every five years. The final results of this upcoming study will be available in 2013.

The DNR sends an early thanks to the Wis. Bear Hunters Association whose members already have volunteered to set and to check baits as part of this spring’s study. They also will build about 4,000 bait boxes and help find baiting material.

Their participation was critical to the success of the 2006 research, and the DNR looks forward to working with the group and – and the new volunteers – again this year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave MacFarland – 715-365-8917

Filed under: Hunting News by Ammoland No Comments »