Comments from Recent Participants

"This was an amazing experience. I'm so glad I got to be part of it. The bears and the staff were so entertaining and knowledgeable. It was an unbelievable chance of a lifetime. A great opportunity to see bears up close and personable. My #1 vacation."
Cindy - Wisconsin 2024

"I attended a Bear Study Course at the Wildlife Research Institute. I love bears and have read a number of books about them. I knew facts, but this course went way beyond facts. I had the opportunity to observe their behavior, showing their intelligence, gentleness, and power. My respect for them has grown immeasurably, but my fear has diminished.
Dr. Rogers is one of the kindest people I've ever met. He was so excited to share his expertise with us and there are few people who have his level of experience with black bears.
The volunteers who took care of us were wonderful! We enjoyed guest speakers, presentations, delicious meals, and great conversation.
I highly recommend attending one of these classes."
Janet - Tennessee 2024

"From the first moments of experiencing BEARCOURSE, I was transfixed, amazed, and in awe to be in the presence of such amazing creatures. I learned so much about the true nature of black bears and busted many long-held myths. In addition to the bears themselves, I have been deeply impressed by the love, dedication, and sacrifices made by the team at WRI and their commitment to the bears and educating people. BEARCOURSE has to be one of the top adventures in my lifetime and I have loved it so much that I just completed my 8th BEARCOURSE."
David - AZ 2024

"I have been to 4 bear courses over 15 years and each time it has been an enlightening experience. I learn something new every time. The lectures and slide presentations are informative and educational. Depending on the weather and time of year you come you can observe several adult bears and cubs, sometimes as many as 20 at one time! Being among other bear lovers makes it a very comfortable and entertaining experience. It is a chance to be among the bears in their natural habitat. In addition to bears you may also encounter other wildlife including loons, deer and numerous chipmunks!"
Irma - Delaware 2024

"I am an avid animal lover and teach others to put love over fear in their interactions with horses. However, when I signed up to attend the Bear Study course in Ely, Minnesota, I wasn't sure I would be able to do that with bears. The first thing I teach my students is to observe the horses in the herd. So, I followed this protocol with the bears. I watched them with each other and with the humans who moved among them. It did not take long to see their true nature and before long I was able to move comfortably among them snapping pictures of older bears, moms with cubs and yearlings without any fear. The bears were content to be bears displaying their own various personalities. Some ate out of our hands. The softness of their muzzles tickled my palms they gently licked up a special trail mix. I never felt a tooth or witnessed any aggression towards the humans.
The constant humor and knowledge offered by Dr. Lynn Rogers was unsurpassable and busted many myths about bears. If you are thinking about going, GO! You will come away a different person- a person who can put love over fear by respecting the nature and perspective of another beautiful, sentient being."
Gail - North Carolina 2024

"Participating in the Black Bear study was one of the most fulfilling and exciting things I’ve ever done. I told my wife when I got home, I now measure my life BB (before bears) and AB (after bears). I learned more about black bears in 4 days than I thought I knew my whole life prior. Black bears are innocent, docile, and precious creatures. I want to thank Dr. Lynn Rogers and his whole crew at the Wildlife Research Institute for all their efforts in teaching us so much about the life of the Black Bear. Meeting all the other participants and sharing our stories was also very enjoyable. The whole experience was incredible, and I hope to do it again. Next time maybe my wife will join me."
Tom - North Dakota 2024

"The setting in the Minnesota forests surrounded by lakes is breathtaking. Having so many close encounters with different bears is incredible. There should be many more places like Wildlife Research Institute where humans and black bears can become acquainted, and the true nature of the bears witnessed. Everyone has the right to share in this activity. The entire staff was wonderful to be around and very knowledgeable. The housing was very comfortable, and the meals were tasty and well prepared. The boat ride around the lake and the chance to enter a real bear den was a treat."
Jean - Pennsylvania 2024

"In my opinion, learning to respect and be respected in a gentle way by such fascinating and powerful beings as bears is a gradual and ongoing process. You soon go from black to white. From fear to fascination. I think it is important to acquire the skills to properly interpret the context of the interaction between the two. This is only possible at WRI. Each year is different and cumulative. I am sure that I will continue to make my annual bear pilgrimage indefinitely. Thanks to Lynn, the WRI team, and all the bear-friendly neighbors in the Eagle Nest community."
Inigo - Spain 2024

"I live in black bear habitat and want to coexist with them. The Black Bear Field Study course significantly improved my understanding of these magnificent animals. Research-based presentations covered their feeding, denning, vocalization, body language, social organization, ecology, and effects of an increasingly urbanized environment. They refuted widely held misconceptions. Daily close-up observations of bear behavior and reactions to humans reinforced the presentations. Time with Dr. Rogers, his associates, and others who appreciate bears was a pleasure, and it was a genuine treat to observe these timid, intelligent creatures as they go about the business of being bears."
Allan - Tennessee 2024

"We participated in the Bear Course mid-July. We took the course to feel less scared and more comfortable being around black bears while camping, hiking and biking in known bear areas. When we first arrived, there was a bear sitting on the deck and we were excited and shaking, too scared to get out of the car. Within the first 5 minutes though we were hand feeding a BEAR!! It was so overwhelming and wonderful. Our fears disappeared over the course from all the knowledge we received from everyone. By the end they had to tell us to quit feeding them because it was time to leave. All the staff and course participants were all so friendly. We really connected with the guest speakers too. Planning on going again in 2025! We can't wait! Best, most memorable experience of our lives!"
Craig and Melita - North Dakota 2024