‘Three Bears’ trip proves worthwhile State program collects data

While growing up I’m sure we all heard the bedtime fable of “The Three Bears” dozens of times. Recently, all these many years later, I had the opportunity to actually experience a real-life three bears story, and while it was a unique and very rewarding event, it was certainly no fairy tale.

Three weeks ago, I joined a team of wildlife biologists on a visit to a winter den as part of the annual black bear monitoring program. I actually got to hold a cub, participate in the information gathering, and learn how vital this yearly study truly is to the bear population and regional sportsmen. It was an exciting, rewarding, and truly eye-opening experience.

Jackie Lundeen is in her seventh year as a state representative from District 6 and in her third session as a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. We grew up in the same town and have known each other all our lives, so when plans were initiated for a handful of state legislators on the IF&W committee to accompany the bear biologists, I got a phone call. It seems that several friends and family members would be accompanying the monitoring team, local biologists, commissioner Danny Martin, and the committee members. Jackie, knowing my love for new outdoor experiences and that I’m always seeking new story material for the several newspapers and magazines I write for, invited me to join the group. Thrilled, I jumped at the opportunity, but on a couple of occasions during the outing I wondered if she’d really done me such a great favor. But I’ll explain more about that later.

Getting there

Jackie and her son Trent picked me up at 7:30 a.m. and I loaded my snowshoes and gear into the pickup bed alongside their equipment, and we headed for Ashland. Despite being a bright, clear morning, temperatures hovered near freezing and a brisk, chilly breeze made for icy travel conditions and the necessity for hats, gloves, and warm jackets. Slowly but surely, expedition members arrived over the next half hour and gathered in the large parking lot of the IF&W Regional Headquarters. Introductions were made where necessary, greetings exchanged, and conversations enjoyed, although most were short and occurred in the lee of the large garage, away from the cutting wind. Finally when everyone was properly outfitted with gear and clothing, our seven-truck caravan headed for Spectacle Pond, a slow, hourlong, body-jostling trip over icy, washboard-rough roads.

During the drive, Jackie, Trent, and I caught up on friends, family, and local goings on, and then we bandied about some thoughts, ideas, and current events regarding hunting and fishing in the Pine Tree State. Thanks to enjoyable and stimulating conversation, our bumpy trip passed quickly. After parking along the plowed logging road, everyone gathered out of the wind between vehicles and snow banks to meet the four bear monitoring team members. Team director Randy Cross introduced his crew, Kendall Marden, David Pert, and Eric Rudolph, a competent, tough trio of men outfitted with large backpacks and heavy gear bags.

A warden pilot had recently overflown the area and picked up the signal from a radio collar that gave the crew a rough idea where the female bear was denned up. Now the three team members would use a hand-held tracking antenna to pinpoint the exact location, then crawl into the den to tranquilize the sow. Since the drug takes a while to achieve its full effect, the crew got a 30-minute head start while Randy updated the rest of us on the whys, wheres, and hows of black bear monitoring. Even with my many years as a sportsman and the last 10 as an ardent bear watcher and sometimes hunter, I was unaware of the extent of this program and how vital it really is to the future of black bear populations and hunting opportunities.

After a brief fact-filled tutorial on black bears in general and the Maine monitoring program in particular, and a question and answer exchange, Randy suggested it was time to put on our snowshoes and head up the “hill.” Let me tell you here and now that this was no hill, and as proof I refer you to Delorme’s Maine Atlas and Gazetteer which lists it as Spectacle Mountain. Perhaps to a younger person it might be considered a hill, but a couple of relevant facts soon became apparent: First, as we all harnessed up our snowshoes, I noted that most in the group were markedly younger than myself. Second, about 15 minutes later as I bear-hugged a tree to stay upright and gasped for breath, it became apparent that this was an all-uphill hike! And not just a mild incline either. There were several stretches so steep, if you stood up straight without grasping a tree trunk or bush, you’d tumble all the way back to the trucks – or the first large tree that got in the way. I was in awe that the monitoring men made this and much longer treks every day to snowed-in dens while lugging heavy backpacks of equipment.

Whoever had suggested it was about a quarter of a mile to the den was a long, long rifle shot short, a very steep rifle shot at that. On the other hand, as I stopped every few minutes to replenish my blood oxygen levels, the picturesque view of the frozen lake and white-coated wilderness was breathtaking, as if I needed something more to hinder my breathing.

When I finally reached the den, watched the monitoring crew gently bring the mother bear out, and then glimpsed the set of cubs, a 5-pound male and a 7-pound female, every grueling step became worthwhile. And when I actually got to hold one of the real-life teddy bears and hear their mini growls and gurgles after they had each been ear-tagged and processed, it was gratifying, fulfilling, and humbling all at the same time. A rare experience that most outdoorsmen never get to appreciate, but each one should if the opportunity arises.

The den was a huge pile of brush and slush from a previous logging venture, and passersby would scarcely give it a second glance such spots are so common. Momma bear was an 18-year-old veteran to these winter visits, having been radio-collared herself as a cub and checked out every year since. While adult bears hibernate during cold weather, new- born cubs are wide awake and active in the den, feeding, frolicking, and napping occasionally while waiting for spring and mom to arise and show them the ropes of survival outside their winter retreat.

All three bears were carefully returned to their sheltered haven after all the monitoring equipment was checked over and the required data noted, none the worse for wear from our time shared together. Nor would they realize the long-term benefits their information would provide for future Pine Tree bruins and humans.

The facts

Outside of department personnel, few Mainers realize the magnitude, longevity, and scope of IF&W’s bear monitoring program, nor do many understand the long-term importance of the gathered information. Black bear studies actually were begun in 1975 by Roy Hugie, and one of the two original areas of investigation was Spectacle Pond, which continues to be a viable site to this day. In all, 82 bears are currently radio-collared in three locales, and each and every sow as well as all newborn cubs are sought out, checked over, and have specific data recorded every winter. A compilation of this information in conjunction with annual records of natural food availability each fall, weather conditions, and snow arrival dates, as well as bear mortality due to natural causes and hunting, provides state biologists with a slew of very important information.

This past winter 68 dens were investigated, with adults, yearlings, and cubs being checked for weight, chest and neck measurements, temperature, pulse, and respirations. Blood and hair samples along with X-rays were obtained from all adult and yearling bears. In all, 150 black bears were handled, and during May and June, live-trapping efforts will take place to replace any monitored bruins lost due to premature battery failure, technical problems with equipment, and of course, mortality.

Since cubs born this winter will return to dens with their mother next fall as yearlings, as happens each year, one-year survival rates are simple to determine by comparing the 2007 and 2008 census of monitored dens. By tracking these annual birth and death statistics in specific areas, numbers can be extrapolated to encompass the statewide bear population. Utilizing natural mortality figures along with the number of hunter harvested bruins, biologists can knowledgeably adjust hunting seasons and methods of hunting to assure a stable population of black bear. Enough game animals to yield good hunting, but not so many that urban encroachment and pest bear problems occur.

Along with sportsmen, there are many outdoorsmen, guides, and tourists who seek to view bears in natural habitat with no intention of shooting with anything but a camera. Current monitoring studies help officials maintain enough healthy black bear to fill everyone’s needs and desires. Presently the bear population hovers around 23,000 in Maine, and with continued monitoring the biologists will assure the population remains stable, not just for the outdoorsmen of next year but those of the next generation.

For those who still think that black bear studies are only beneficial to the sporting community, let me offer a thought for consideration. Put a human in outer space for a month, or get laid up in a hospital bed for a prolonged period, and muscles deteriorate rapidly. A black bear, however, can go into hibernation for up to six months, yet be up and in full flight within seconds of danger with absolutely no effects from the long-term inactivity.

If the underlying basis for this muscle and bone density phenomenon could be discovered and somehow applied to humans, the medical ramifications would be extraordinary. With this hope in mind, a regional physician supplied a $13,000 stipend to help fund this year’s bear monitoring efforts in exchange for certain data from their studies. End results from this endeavor could far outreach the initial purpose of black bear monitoring and perhaps yield a real boon to medicine.

Each year a handful of individuals from the general public are invited to join the bear survey crew on an outing. If this chance ever arises, don’t miss it.

Outdoor feature writer Bill Graves can be reached via e-mail at bgravesoutdoors@ainop.com