If you have never been on a bear hunting trip in Wisconsin, you may be wondering whether or not this traditional sport is for you. In this article, you’ll learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of this inhumane, illegal practice. In addition, you’ll discover how to hunt a bear responsibly. In this piece, you’ll also learn about the history of this sport, why it’s not recommended and whether or not you should even attempt it.
Bear hunting in Wisconsin
There are several things to consider before going bear hunting in Wisconsin. For starters, you must have the right license. A Class A license is a coveted license, and it can be difficult to obtain. It takes years to get one, and there are usually more applications than there are licenses. The good news is that the population of bears in Wisconsin is one of the best managed in the country. However, you must be patient and make sure you are prepared.
Bears in Wisconsin average 200 pounds, though some weigh up to 400 pounds. That is why the state has been known as a top big bear hunting destination for many years. The DNR’s Bear Management Plan states that the goal is to keep the population at around 24,000 bears. It is important to note that dogs are allowed during the bear hunting season, and only about a quarter of the bears killed during the 2021 season will be shot with a gun.
The DNR is working on ways to track bear hunter conflicts. A December meeting addressed this issue and the DNR is working to come up with solutions. Randy Johnson, DNR’s large carnivore specialist, said that it was unlikely that local legislators would do much to rein in hunters. However, he said the bear hunters are well-represented by the powerful lobby Wisconsin Bear Hunters’ Association. This is where the DNR must do the most to prevent conflicts between hunters and bears.
The bear season in Wisconsin lasts from September 8 through October 12. The harvest will depend on the weather and the amount of acorns and other natural sources of food. If you hunt bait during this time of year, you can have a better chance of catching a bear than if you wait until late fall. If you have a good chance of success, the bear season in Wisconsin is worth it. There are no limits to the number of bears you can catch, and the Wisconsin state has a lot to offer hunters.
It’s a tradition
In Wisconsin, bear hunting has been a tradition for generations. While most hunters have the right to kill bears, they also have a responsibility to respect private property. As a result, bear hunting in Wisconsin has become a controversial topic among local residents. While bear hunting is still legal in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign has spent nearly $360,000 on state lawmakers to end the practice. This campaign aims to change the law so that bear hunters can hunt in peace.
Despite some criticism, the state’s DNR is not taking any steps to curtail this tradition. The department is working on a way to keep track of conflicts between hunters and bears. In a recent meeting, DNR officials discussed ways to reduce the use of bear bait. This practice is important for 67 percent of hunters without hounds, and limiting baiting will not be popular with many hunters.
Black bears were common during the time of statehood, when black bears were found in every county. The bears were prized by early Native Americans, who valued their hides and meat as robes. Even today, Native American tribes in Wisconsin revere black bears. White settlers also valued bear meat and sought bearskins for clothing. While the tradition of bear hunting in Wisconsin has been around for centuries, the modern sport has only recently become widely available.
While the sport has been gaining popularity in recent years, there are a few regulations in place to protect the environment. In Wisconsin, bear hunters must be aware of these regulations and apply for a bear permit before the season begins. For those who wish to apply for a bear permit, they must follow the application process through GoWild. As a result, new zones will be implemented in 2021, and hunters should carefully review the map before choosing a hunting zone. Despite these changes, the tradition of bear hunting in Wisconsin remains strong, and interest in this activity is continuing to grow.
It’s illegal
Although Wisconsin is a great place to hunt bears, getting a Class A Bear License isn’t an easy task. The state first implemented a quota-permit system in 1986. There were 840 permits issued out of 68,821 applicants, and that number has only increased since then. The number of hunters has risen, and so have the number of bears. In 2006, a statewide poll found that about two-thirds of Wisconsin residents opposed to hunting bears.
The WDNR defends baiting bears. According to the agency, the average age of bears harvested in Wisconsin last year was 2.4 years old. That means that 59% of bears harvested were 1-2 years old. Bait sitters monitor the number of “hits” to bait sites, as well as the size of the bears that “hit” them. The bait sites are supposed to be inaccessible to other wildlife, but deer, martins, and wolves have been sighted at bait sites.
Law enforcement officials say they’re facing logistical issues enforcing the laws. Residents say that law enforcement is turning a blind eye. Some deputies treat bear hunting violations like traffic stops, and they use discretion when issuing citations. The burden of proof has increasingly fallen on the victims of these incidents. However, there are many ways to ensure that bear hunters don’t get away with hunting. If you’re planning on hunting, check with the DNR to see if you’re allowed to hunt bear.
A Class A bear license is required for the pursuit of a bear in Wisconsin. A Class B license is required for the assistance of a bear hunter, such as tracking, baiting, and training dogs to locate bear. In recent years, the statewide long-term success rate for hunters with Class A licenses was 56 percent. In 2013, it was 45 percent. However, bear hunters with a Class B license had an average of five dogs.
It’s inhumane
Wisconsin bear hunters have a right to hunt black bears for trophies, but some of their practices are downright inhumane. In a recent video posted to Facebook, a Michigan bear hunter, Paul Robachek, verbally encouraged his hounds to kill a coyote, and Wisconsin bear hunter Walker Jones posted a similar video on Facebook. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has continued to turn a blind eye to the cruel practices of hound hunters. Hound hunters in Wisconsin are even comfortable sharing these videos on social networks, despite the aforementioned criticisms.
These complaints have led to conflict between hunters and residents in several rural Wisconsin counties. The situation has turned sour in recent years, with conflict raging between residents and hunters. Law enforcement has limited resources to deal with conflict resolution, and the power of the bear hunting lobby means that many of the conflicting parties cannot reach an agreement. Many local officials and state agencies are trying to reach a compromise, but the situation is far from clear.
There are several reasons why bear hunting in Wisconsin is inhumane. Firstly, bears are vulnerable to being killed while still in their infancy. And second, the practice is cruel to all other wildlife, including deer with cubs, birds, and small mammals. Additionally, it is not part of ethical hunting practices, and is not a sustainable way of hunting bears. For this reason, the Wolves of Douglas County, Wisconsin, are starting a legislative campaign to end the practice.
Another reason why bear hunting in Wisconsin is inhumane is because it involves the use of radio-collared dogs to kill black bears. The dogs are then followed by hunters in trucks. The dogs attack the bears as they are dying or wounded. After the kill, the hunters take home a baby bear rug. The entire process takes less than two minutes and can be considered inhumane. Even children as young as 10 are part of this game. Moreover, grown-up men and women pay nearly $50 for the privilege of killing a bear. It is shocking that more bears are killed in Wisconsin than in any other state in the country.
It’s regulated
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regulates black bear hunting for both its economic and ecological benefits. Before European settlement, black bears lived throughout most of forested North America, including most of the state. As their numbers declined, they were heavily hunted for their fur. Fortunately, the state implemented a new system of bear management in 1986, which resulted in a significant increase in the population. Despite the new system, black bears remain a major concern, and hunting will be banned until the population recovers to pre-infested areas.
There are also statewide regulations for baiting bears, and the Wisconsin DNR summarizes them below. The law states that feeding bears for non-hunting purposes is illegal. However, it does allow bear baiting, and Wisconsin residents can place up to 10 gallons of legal bait in their backyards. However, they must be surrounded by a fence or enclosure to prevent deer from accessing them.
When it comes to bear hunting, it’s important to note that the dates for the season vary by region. In Baldwin and Gladwin, the season for archery-only hunting will last from October 8 to 14. The ban on bait barrels is only for DNR-managed lands, but can continue to be used on private lands. If you are a licensed hunter, you must obtain a permit before you begin hunting.
A state license is required for bear hunting. A Class B license is required to trap a bear, and a bear hunting permit is needed to use a bear baiting device. If you have a dog training permit, you must also obtain a Class A license from the DNR before you can hunt. These licenses also have specific requirements for removing carcass and back tags. If you want to hunt bears in Wisconsin, you should contact the DNR directly to find out the regulations in your area.
