INLAND FISHERIES &
WILDLIFE
Resource Assessment Section
650 State Street
Bangor, ME 04401-5654
Phone: (207) 941-4466
FAX (207) 941-4450
Memorandum
To:
From:
cc:
Date:
Subject:
Jennifer Vashon
Randy Cross
March 26, 2014
2014 Bear Den Summary
The 2014 den crew included contractors, Lisa Bates, Mitch Jackman and Jake Feener. We started visiting
dens on Jan 8th and ended on March 21st.
Coastal storms in early December provided good snow conditions in both southern study areas before we
started visiting dens. There was an ice storm on Dec 22 nd followed by 15 days of mostly below zero temperatures.
This cold snap ended with rain and temperatures in the 40’s on Jan 6 th and heavy rain and 50’s on Jan 11th with
warm temperatures persisting through the 16th, which removed most of the snow pack in both southern study areas.
The following week was extremely cold. There was no extended period of extremely cold or warm weather through
the rest of the winter. Snow depths gradually recovered through Feb and March and by the end of the field season
were substantial in all 3 study areas. No significant flooding was encountered after the middle of Jan.
Downeast Study Area
In the DESA, we visited 32 dens including 4 orphan dens (17 solo, 8 yearling, and 7 cub dens). We
handled 15 yearlings (6F, 9M) and 17 cubs (10F, 7M). The yearlings averaged 41.5 lbs. Cub survival was 11/15
(73%). Cub production is the highest we have seen on an even year in this study area since we established it in 2004.
One collar was retrieved that was slipped (2908) and one was found at a local guide’s hunting camp (2896).
We removed the collars from 3 male orphans including 2 Lotek Globalstar collars (all 2 years old – 2973, 2975 and
3079). As we began working dens, 12 of 38 dens here had not been found yet. Despite many hours of searching
from the air, 7 were still missing. We searched from the ground, locating 4 of these bears. We failed to find 2 male
orphans (3074, 3075) and one 3 year old female (3161).
3 orphan yearlings (2F, 1M) were taken from SCW in a den box and left in the center of the study area.
Spectacle Pond Study Area
In the SPSA, we visited 38 dens (16 solo, 8 yearling, and 14 cub dens). These include 2 orphans, both 3
years old. We handled 17 yearlings (10F, 7M; avg. wt. = 48.1 lbs.) and 29 cubs (17F, 12M). Cub survival was 81%
(17/21).
We recovered 17 GPS collars in the center of the study area. This is part of our ongoing effort to track
density estimates within the study areas through time. This is 5 years after the first GPS collar recovery in 2009.
We located 3 bears the pilot didn’t find with only 2469 missing since June with an experimental ST Iridium
collar. We handled 3007 twice (2-12 and 3-10) to correct a mistake on battery life. For the first time in 39 years, 2
bears that were only 3 years old gave birth to cubs (3027 and 3046). 3027 was pregnant when handled on 1-15 and
3046 had 2 cubs with her on 3-10. These bears weighed 64 and 76 lbs in last winter’s dens and weighed 117 and 90
lbs, respectively, this year. It certainly was a strong natural food year in this part of the state. 3037 denned
approximately 13 miles S of her home range (just N of Grand Lk Seboeis).
Bradford Study Area
In the BSA, we visited 15 dens (7 solo, 4 yearling, and 4 cub dens). We handled 7 yearlings (1F, 6M; avg.
wt. = 36.7 lbs) and 12 cubs (7F, 5M). Last year's cub survival was 44% (4/9).
One family (2265) was found to be heavily infected with the worst case of mange in the history of the
study on 2-27. The yearlings weighed 12, 19 and 20 lbs which pulled the average weight for yearlings down from
51.3 lbs. We decided to euthanize the 12 lb male to end his suffering as chance of survival appeared not possible.
During our last day of den work, we were notified of 3 cubs that had been left by their mother due to a
wood harvesting operation in Lagrange. We investigated and found that the crew had first disturbed the original den
2 weeks prior (saw 3 cubs lying on the snow). Apparently, the mother who turned out to be 1925 gathered up at least
3 of her 4 cubs and relocated into a pile of tops. The crew twitched this pile out noticing 3 cubs that rolled out of the
pile. At dark, we checked on the mother who was at least a mile and half away showing no signs of returning. Since
it was very windy and cold, we decided to take the cubs to surrogate mothers. We placed 2 females with 1574 (17
years old) and 1 male with 2450 (19) each of which had only 1 cub of their own in Spec Pond.
Outside the Study Areas
We visited 3 dens outside the study areas. One prime age female (3111), who was found by a cat hunter last
year in north Cherryfield, had 3 cubs. The crew helped Unity College handle their only bear (a 2 yo in a tree) on 222. The other den was found on March 8th by a homeowner in Orono just 45 yards from his home. The following
day we visited this den, handling a young mother and 3 large yearlings (2F, 1M) on our way back from the
Sportsman Show just 2 miles away. These yearlings weighed 77, 87 and 97 lbs.
Summary
We visited 88 dens this winter, handling a total of 194 bears. This includes 6 orphans and 3 dens from
outside the study areas. We handled 42 yearlings (19F, 23M) in 21 dens and 61 cubs in 26 litters (35F, 26M; 2.35
cubs/litter). No bears escaped capture for the first time in 19 years despite 18 individuals attempting to escape and
relatively little snow and noisy conditions during the early part of the season. All runners were captured on our first
attempt except at one den (mother and yearling). Cub survival from last spring was 71.1% (32/45). Yearling
weights averaged 46.6 lbs. for all yearlings except orphans combined.
We collared all female yearlings and only pulled collars from the 3 male orphans who are now 2 years old.
We now have 102 active collars (48 Spec Pond, 16 Bradford, 35 DE + 3 orphans, 1 OSA) including 17 yearlings.
We collected hair samples which include follicles from many adults and yearlings and ear plugs from most
of the cubs. We also collected foot pads to share with Unity College for genetic analysis.
We received 30 black on brown cervid collars a week before starting so we must deal with these awkward
collars for a couple more years. 2 bears reused dens from last year (2876 +2420). We handled 4 bears in trees.
We hosted 179 guests on 32 days including groups from UMaine (16), legislators and guests of the
Commissioner (3 groups - 48 total), 2 groups from fund raising auctions (legislative and UM Alum). We hosted
various news media teams on 2-18, John Holyoke (BDN) on 3-9 and Bill Nemitz (PPH) and Bob Duchesne
(92.9FM) on 3-12.
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