Ted grazingOn this opening day of small game season and deer bow season, we saw no bear hunters. Bear trail walkers continued their work unfettered.
We learned of a couple bear observations we hadn’t heard of with everyone so busy filing their data sheets. A couple walking a trail where there was good visibility saw Fern far ahead and snapped a picture that we can use to pace the distance. Did she approach them for food? No. She watched them briefly and fled into the forest on her way to WRI.
Another observation was of Burt watching 2 people a little out of place here at WRI. The people were in the parking area instead of where he was used to seeing people. Burt was on his way in but stopped and watched the out of place people for several minutes. Eventually, he came to the feeding area. However, when another person appeared out of place over 200 feet away coming down the driveway, he bolted. We’ve seen that scenario before.
Ted looking good!
A conservation officer followed up on our complaints about trespassing hunters and guides. He cited the law and told us that any number of signs along a road don’t make a difference unless all four sides of the property are posted. Next year. It is fine that a guide has been walking past no trespassing signs to bait on a neighbor’s 40 acres without permission because the property was not posted on all four sides.
On a happier note, Ted is looking great at the Bear Center. The staff caught him in action.
On another happy note , our friends in the UK want to help the Hope Learning Center and Northwoods Ecology Hall which we plan to open by May. A UK-based non-profit called Wildlife Calling is hosting a fundraiser September 14 - October 31, 2014. Donations can be made at http://www.wildlifecalling.org.uk/index.php. The link gives details. Be sure to mention that your donation is for the Hope Learning Center and Northwoods Ecology Hall. The mission of Wildlife Calling is to raise awareness of wildlife issues around the world and hold fundraising events to help. Many thanks for much needed help as we focus on these educational efforts over these next months.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.