Black Bear Sightings in Southern Wisconsin on the Rise

Posted: Monday, September 13th, 2010

MADISON - Black bear sightings are becoming more common in southern Wisconsin as bruins find areas previously considered occasional or rare for bear sightings suitable for occupancy.
"Wisconsin's bear population is considerably higher than it was 20 years ago, " said Linda Olver, acting DNR bear biologist. "Bear distribution in Wisconsin has shifted further south and southwest, facilitated by the increase in the bear population and areas of suitable habitat available in southern Wisconsin"

A 2008 bear population study estimated Wisconsin's current bear population at between 26, 000 and 40, 000 bears. This is up from 1989, when the population was estimated at 9, 000. The newer population study is scheduled to be repeated in 2011 to check against the 2008 results.
Black bears are not evenly distributed throughout Wisconsin. Bears are abundant in the northern third of Wisconsin and in the forested areas of Clark and Jackson Counties. Bears are less common in the southern half of Wisconsin. The following map shows the relative distribution of black bears in Wisconsin.

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