I was crashing through some heavy brush with a coworker looking for a duck pond this afternoon and we found a very defined trail. We also found some large paw prints in the mud and a big pile of poop loaded with undetermined berry seeds. He’s from up north and claims that these all point to a bear. Not that I don’t believe him, but bears are almost unheard of in the southern portion of Wisconsin. Could he be right?
La Crosse county has a number of bears. I don’t have any first hand experience outside of La Crosse county though.
FDR
Put out a trail cam.
WS
I’ve been just waiting to use this 
If your waiting for that then you’ll need to contact the DNR about getting some griz planted in the area 
Look for empty cans of Hamms beer laying around
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Look for empty cans of Hamms beer laying around
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If your waiting for that then you’ll need to contact the DNR about getting some griz planted in the area
Ruh roh, another invasive!
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If your waiting for that then you’ll need to contact the DNR about getting some griz planted in the area
Ruh roh, another invasive!
ummm that’s a big maybe there good buddy … some sources would indicate that Grizzly Bears are indigenous to the area
wonder if they’d provide good competition for the much maligned wolf overpopulation ?
There have been well documented black bear sightings in years past in SW Wisconsin: Verona, Mineral Point, Montfort & Livingston have all had sightings that were verified. I believe at the time it was explained that the bear population had increased signoficantly and these were bears that were roaming to establish their own territories. Unfortunately the habitat there is not condusive for them to do so.
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Look for empty cans of Hamms beer laying around
That only applies in the land of sky blue waters.
Grouse
Is anyone missing their “pick-a-nick basket”??
OK, being serious for a minute here.
It might well be a bear, but if you’re concerned about safety or the possibility of a bear attack, there’s nothing to worry about.
First off, if there IS a bear that far south, it’s a black bear, not a brown. Black bears will do anything possible to avoid human contact. Their combined senses of hearing and smell are going to tell them to get away long before you ever stumble on them.
In 30 years of living, working, hunting, and fishing in northern MN where there is an extensive population of black bears, I’ve seen about 12 of them. Most of these sightings were the bears simply walking past a deer stand I was in while trying get away from people somewhere else.
Just making a moderate amount of noise will be enough to make sure there are no issues.
Grouse
The poop you found is a good sign…cause we all know that’s where bears like to do it.
Bang a couple of sticks together, see if it gets Squatchy ??? If so call Bobo 
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There have been well documented black bear sightings in years past in SW Wisconsin: Verona, Mineral Point, Montfort & Livingston have all had sightings that were verified. I believe at the time it was explained that the bear population had increased signoficantly and these were bears that were roaming to establish their own territories. Unfortunately the habitat there is not condusive for them to do so.
This was in the Wisconsin river bottoms near Arena. Seems like there would be a lot of bear habitat along the river. We had one walk through town (mazomanie) last year so there is at least one around. Im not worried about safety, I’ve spent enough time up north to know that they mostly keep to themselves. Just was wondering how well the evidence built the case for a bear. Actually kind of think it would be cool to have them around.
There has been a few bear sighted just north of Richland Center – 50ish miles west. (Rock Bridge & Yuba area) No doubt that they can venture over to Mazo.
Maybe Jake is hitting the tequila a bit harder the last few days. I find posts like this one to be barely believable.
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Maybe Jake is hitting the tequila a bit harder the last few days. I find posts like this one to be barely believable.
barely believable ?
OR
bearly believable ?
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