MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Biologists work with developers, conservation commissions, and land trusts to conserve important bear habitats, including bear-scarred beech stands, wetlands, and travel corridors.
The number of bears taken by hunters each year is regulated so that the bear population remains healthy and stable. The methods of regulation include altering season lengths and timing, bag limits, and methods of harvesting. These hunting regulations are made by wildlife officials who oversee the health of the bear population. Bear hunting is regulated with over 26 Vermont laws, and are enforced in the field by state Game Wardens.
Bears are excellent indicators of other wildlife species that need large tracts of neighboring forests. If we can keep bears in the environment, we can also keep many other species of wildlife in Vermont. The greatest threat to Vermont’s bear population is the fragmentation of large connected blocks of forestland. Forests can be broken up by highways, residential and resort development, and suburban sprawl. Such uses of the land threaten bear populations by restricting the large-ranging animal to smaller blocks of habitat, which lowers their ability to reach critical foods. Diverse forestland habitat with limited human disturbance is the best way to maintain healthy bear populations.
Biologists work with developers, conservation commissions, and land trusts to conserve important bear habitats, including bear-scarred beech stands, wetlands, and travel corridors.
The number of bears taken by hunters each year is regulated so that the bear population remains healthy and stable. The methods of regulation include altering season lengths and timing, bag limits, and methods of harvesting. These hunting regulations are made by wildlife officials who oversee the health of the bear population. Bear hunting is regulated with over 26 Vermont laws, and are enforced in the field by state Game Wardens.
Bears are excellent indicators of other wildlife species that need large tracts of neighboring forests. If we can keep bears in the environment, we can also keep many other species of wildlife in Vermont. The greatest threat to Vermont’s bear population is the fragmentation of large connected blocks of forestland. Forests can be broken up by highways, residential and resort development, and suburban sprawl. Such uses of the land threaten bear populations by restricting the large-ranging animal to smaller blocks of habitat, which lowers their ability to reach critical foods. Diverse forestland habitat with limited human disturbance is the best way to maintain healthy bear populations.