In a letter to Detroit Lakes' newspaper, Wolf, bear populations need to be controlled, state representative Steve Green, R-Fosston, writes:
. . . Over-population of animals has reduced their fear of humans. Only last week a black bear was not 50 feet away from my grandchildren who were playing in their yard.
Although I could not get a confirmation, I have been informed the DNR has transplanted around 300 bears from the metro area to northern Minnesota. . . .
In response to our tweet, John Harrington responded:
According to this, MNDNR doesn't relocate nuisance bears https://t.co/2YAdE02duu https://t.co/yUEw4fUCQl
— John Harrington (@JohnHthePoet) June 30, 2019
Here's the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' webpage about Killing and trapping of problem bears:
Sometimes a bear causing problems must be killed. This method should be used only after exhausting all other options. A person may kill a bear to protect their property; however this option should be used only if the bear is causing immediate danger or significant property damage. A bear may also be killed by local law enforcement officers or a Conservation Officer if it is determined a public safety issue. Bears are the property of the State of Minnesota. The killing of a problem bear must be reported to a Conservation Officer within 48 hours. When feasible bears killed will be salvaged
In some rare situations, trapping and/or chemical immobilization by trained people may be used to remove a bear from an urban area. Trapping or chemical immobilization should be used mainly as a means for killing the bear (e.g. in situations where it is unsafe to discharge a firearm). The DNR does not relocate problem bears to another location. Relocated bears seldom remain where they are released. They may return to where they were caught or become a problem somewhere else. Bears will not be trapped for causing minor property damage, such as tearing down bird feeders or tipping over garbage cans. Trapping bears does not resolve the fundamental problem, which is an abundant food source provided by humans. Research and experience has shown that removing the food that attracts bears resolves bear problems much more effectively than attempting to trap and relocate the bear.
Some trained people might be relocating bears, but they're not "the DBR."
Earlier in April, Minnesota Public Radio staff reported in Minnesota's bears are out, and they're hungry:
Minnesotans of all shapes and species are rushing out to enjoy the spring. That includes black bears, which have begun stumbling out of hibernation and onto your bird feeder.
As their metabolisms ramp up, the bears will start looking for food at a time when berries and green vegetation can be scarce, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Monday as it implored citizens to bear-proof their homes and yards.
"Bears are roaming around now with the loss of snow and warmer weather, so interactions with people have started in many areas of Minnesota," Eric Nelson, the DNR's wildlife damage program supervisor, said in a statement.
Property owners should secure bird seed, garbage, livestock feed or compost to reduce potential conflict, the DNR said, noting that it does not relocate problem bears.
And while black bears are usually shy and flee when encountered, the DNR wanted to remind people that because of the potential danger, they should "never approach or try to pet a bear."
No wonder Green couldn't confirm the story of the agency relocating 300 problem bears. But maybe his talebearers can document the secret of the metro bears' relocation.
Photo: A bear in downtown Duluth on May 6, 2015. Photo by Andrew Krueger, MPR, 2015.
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