Michigan Black Bear Population Map

Biologists have been researching black bear in michigan for nearly one half century and know more about michigans black bear population and distribution than many other wildlife speciescurrently michigan contains approximately 12000 bears statewide with an estimated 10000 living in the upper peninsula and 2000 residing in the northern lower peninsula. On thursday a black bear climbed a tree in grand rapids while on monday another bear spent.

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Black bears can be found as far south as central mexico and as far north as northern alaska and most of canada.

Michigan black bear population map. These animals prefer large hardwood or pine forests intermixed with wetlands and they can be colored black brown or cinnamon. Other color variations including brown cinnamon grayish blue and blonde are found mostly in western north america. Michigans northern lower peninsula is experiencing a bear boom.

The black bear ursus americanus is the only species of bear found in michigan. Males live in areas that can be larger than 100 square miles while females. In the united states black bears are common in the east along the west.

The black bear population in michigan has increased over several decades with an estimated 19000 adult bears and cubs living in the state. In michigan most black bears have black or extremely dark brown fur. Our study area 134124 km 2 comprised the michigan mainland ie excluding islands such as isle royale and mackinac island except counties in east central michigan as no bear incidents were reported there and they are outside the black bear population range our study area contained a human population of 566 million 37 38 with 55 72 peoplekm 2 residing in the upper.

Our map can help wildlife. The american black bear is the most commonly seen bear in north america and it has the largest geographic range. This week two black bears wandered into two michigan cities and found themselves surrounded by people.

For many people the opportunity to see a michigan black bear in the wild is an amazing experience. Black bears are michigans only bear species. Bear hunting season dates.

Bear season varies greatly depending on where you are hunting. The up was mostly medium risk despite having a denser black bear population and a landscape that contained more forest cover. Bear licenses are limited and only available through a drawing.

In contrast southern michigan a highly agricultural landscape with few black bears ranked relatively low for bear incident report risk with small patches of relatively greater risk. The black bear population has risen 29 percent in the region since 2012 and almost 50 percent since 2000. For a full description of bear hunting dates in both the upper and lower peninsulas as well as a map of the bear management units please see below.

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