Bear dogs poisoned
By RALPH ANSAMI
Globe News Editor
With the opener of bear dog training season only two weeks away, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is warning hunters of two instances of bear dogs being poisoned.
The DNR is investigating poisoning of dogs in both Ashland and Price counties.
One of the poisoned bait areas is on U.S. Forest Service land in the Chequamegon National Forest, west of Glidden. The second site is south of Phillips in Price County.
Iron County is in prime bear hunting territory and one of the area’s most avid hunters, Jerry Brauer of Saxon, was shocked to learn of the poisonings when told about them Thursday.
Brauer said he has been in contact with a bear hunter from the Glidden area, but the hunter wasn’t aware of the danger there.
“That means they could be poisoning wolves, bobcats and eagles, too,” Brauer said, referring to poison that’s being mixed with bear bait.
Agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are assisting DNR conservation wardens in the investigation.
“It is important for bear dog trainers to be sure of the area they are entering to ensure their dogs do not eat poison,” said DNR warden Dave Oginski, of Park Falls. Poisoned baits in the woods also pose a danger to anyone who may take a pet dog into the woods for a hike, he noted.
While poisons have been found in the two locations, it’s uncertain whether any others have been placed elsewhere, he said.
Oginski said this morning that he was not sure whether the poison was targeted at bear dogs. He said several dead foxes were found in one area, but it hasn’t been determined whether they were poisoned.
“We have no clue who placed out this poison and we’re not sure how widespread it is,” he said. The fact the poison was found at two different areas, far apart, is of key concern, he said.
Brauer notes there seem to more bears than normal this year and hunting prospects look bright.
“It looks great. We’ve got a lot of bear,” he said.
Sows with three and four cubs are being spotted throughout the north, the DNR said in its weekly report issued Thursday.
Bear dog training in Wisconsin begins July 1 and runs through Aug. 31. Dogs are not allowed to kill bears during the training period.
The DNR sets specific rules regarding the training of bear dogs. One person in the training group must have tags in his or her possession showing that all of the dogs have had rabies vaccinations, as well as appropriate dog licenses.
Dogs also must be tattooed, or wear a collar with the owner’s name and address.
Training packs are restricted to six dogs.
Anyone with information about the dog poisoning case can contact (800) TIP-WDNR to provide information that can be provided anonymously.