Bear Management Plan FINAL4-8-09 - michigan.gov

1 1 michigan BLACK BEAR Management PLAN michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife Division Report No. 3497 michigan BLACK BEAR Management PLAN Approved: michigan Department ofNatural Resources Lansing, michigan Date: t /~ /09~i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) appreciates the valuable contributions offered by many individuals, agencies and organizations during the development of this plan. We thank the thousands of michigan residents who helped shape the content of this plan through their participation in public meetings held throughout the State and through the input and opinions they shared during public-comment periods and through communication with wildlife Division field staff.

2 We express our appreciation to the members of the michigan Bear Consultation Team for their dedication and hard work as they developed a set of recommendations to help guide bear Management in michigan . Those principles are directly reflected in the Management strategies outlined within this document. We extend a special thank you to Dr. Patrick Lederle, Kelly Siciliano Carter, Anna Hamilton, Danielle Sonier (DNR) and Jordan Burroughs (MSUE) for their assistance in the planning process. We thank our Federal, State and Tribal agency partners for their cooperation in bear Management and for the information and feedback they offered during the development of this plan.

3 Finally, we thank members of the DNR Bear Management Work Group (Dwayne Etter, Tim Reis, Terry Minzey, David Jentoft, Doug Wagner, Nik Kalejs, Larry Visser, John Niewoonder, Mark Boersen, John Cischke, Dick Shellenbarger, and Julie Oakes), whose sustained efforts to coordinate all phases of the planning process have resulted in the production of this document. The plan was compiled by Adam Bump. A contribution of Federal Aid in wildlife Restoration, michigan Project W-147-R Equal Rights for Natural Resource Users The michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) provides equal opportunities for employment and access to michigan s natural resources.

4 Both State and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, sex, height, weight or marital status under the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, as amended (MI PA 453 and MI PA 220, Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act). If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire additional information, please write the MDNR, HUMAN RESOURCES, PO BOX 30028, LANSING MI 48909-7528, or the michigan DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS, STATE OF michigan PLAZA BUILDING, 1200 6TH STREET, DETROIT MI 48226, or the OFFICE FOR DIVERSITY AND CIVIL RIGHTS, US FISH AND wildlife SERVICE, 4040 NORTH FAIRFAX DRIVE, ARLINGTON VA 22203.

5 For information or assistance on this publication, contact: MDNR, wildlife DIVISION, BOX 30444, LANSING, MI 48909-7944, -or- through the internet at . This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. TTY/TTD (teletype): 711 ( michigan Relay Center). COVER ART BY JENNIFER KLEITCH TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Purpose of Current Management Authority and 2. PLANNING Intra- and Inter-Agency Public Issue Scoping Review of Science Relevant to Bear Management in michigan Bear Consultation Plan Public Review and 3. BEAR BIOLOGY AND Physical Social Structure and Reproduction and Causes and Rates of Mortality and Home Range, Movements and Bear Food Bear 4.

6 BEARS IN Current Population Status and Range in 5. BEAR Management Maintain a Sustainable Population Within Biological Carrying Sustainable Facilitate Bear-Related Benefits Valued by michigan Minimize Bear-Related Need to Minimize Effective Conflict Management ..16 Conduct Science-Based and Socially Acceptable 6. BEAR Management Use Hunting as the Primary Tool for Maintaining a Sustainable Bear Population Within Social and Biological Encourage agency and public participation in development of harvest strategies and regulations..18 Maintain bear populations at desired levels through a tiered Management approach that uses eco-regional goals as well as bear Management unit Use bear Management units to distribute hunters and bear harvest within Set license quota to achieve regional harvest.

7 19 Allow bear population to expand naturally into southern michigan to the extent social acceptance Manage Social Aspects of Bear Recreation to Reduce User-Conflicts and Maintain Recreational Season structure and timing changes and evaluation related to recreational conflict..21 Reduce trespass conflicts between bear houndsmen and private landowners..22 Reduce conflicts relating to bear baiting Encourage the retention of hunting Increase Public Awareness and Understanding of Bears and Bear-Related Coordinate with partners to develop and implement a bear-based information and education Support training opportunities for staff and partners involved in the bear-based information and education program.

8 26 Evaluate the effectiveness of the bear-based information and education program..27 Maintain Active Bear Research and Monitoring Monitor the abundance of bears in michigan ..28 Monitor the health of bears in Investigate biological and social factors relevant to bear Coordinate with partners to support a bear research program..30 Maintain Habitat Necessary to Sustain Desired Bear Promote maintenance of large ownership blocks and large contiguous forest areas..31 Maintain habitat linkages to allow bear Provide direction for local, regional, and statewide habitat planning efforts within the DNR and with other agencies and private landowners on bear habitat requirements.

9 33 Achieve Compatibility between Bear Distribution and Abundance and Social Carrying Promote consistent public understanding and appreciation of the benefits and costs associated with particular bear levels..34 Manage bear-related interactions to increase public tolerance for bears..35 Manage Negative Bear-Human Promote accurate public perceptions of the human-safety risks posed by bears and minimize actual human-safety threats..37 Provide timely and professional responses to reports of bear damage..38 Minimize the occurrence of negative human-bear interactions..39 7. PLAN MONITORING AND 8.

10 9. LITERATURE 10. APPENDIX A: A REVIEW OF BEAR Management IN 11. APPENDIX B: michigan BEAR CONSULTATION TEAM 12. APPENDIX C: FEBRUARY 9TH MEMORANDUM TO THE NATURAL RESOURCES 13. APPENDIX D: IMPORTANT BLACK BEAR HABITAT CONSIDERATIONS FOR USE IN HABITAT PLANNING 14. APPEDIX E: michigan PROBLEM BEAR 1 1. INTRODUCTION Purpose of Plan This plan provides strategic guidance for the Management of black bears (Ursus americanus) in michigan . This guidance will help: 1) maintain a sustainable michigan bear population; 2) facilitate bear-related benefits such as hunting; 3) minimize bear-related conflicts; and 4) conduct science-based bear Management with socially acceptable methods.