The DNR told News 10 the bears usually move along pretty quickly and head back north where they came from. Gray wolves are protected in Illinois as a state endangered species and as a federally endangered species. The most recent data indicates the bear population is currently estimated to be a little over 24,000 bears. Friday, the Ottawa National Forest in the western Upper Peninsula said there have been more frequent bear sightings in the national forest. This situation is not unique to Michigan, and has been occurring in many other mid-western and eastern states as well. 'Homesick' black bear treks 90 miles back to Northern Michigan town Volunteer Opportunities; If children are present, pick them up so they cannot run. The hunter was near the Belle River in the mudflats southeast of . Yellowstone's first bear sighting of 2021 - Standard Journal Well keep our fingers crossed.. Report a Wildlife Sighting - Ct Michigan sees nearly a dozen cougar sightings in 2021 Theyre also opportunistic and will look for food sources when waking from hibernation. Click the box above for tips and tricks to fill your basket. According to DNR, in 2006 when hunters were killing as many 2,000 bears in the Upper Peninsula and when the northern Lower Peninsula bear population had fallen to 1,300 in 2011. Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every morning. But hopefully hes a little bit reformed, Griffith said. Cougars are primarily nocturnal although they can be active during the day. Michigan is edge by 3,000 miles of Great Lakes coastline, all popular bird migration routes for hundreds of bird species. But hopefully hes a little bit reformed, Griffith said. A bear in Willoughby: Why bear sightings in Ohio are not as unusual as Report a Bear Sighting. Minnesota's black bear range has been slowly expanding southward and westward. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. This is about 36 miles from where the January 12 photo was captured in Schoolcraft County.