Bear expedition in the Sproul with the PGC

[BTBowhunter]

My family and I were extended the privelege of particiapting in one of Joe Nevilles Bear trips to Renovo PA. The trip is primarily for our Senators and Representatives in the interest of better understanding some of Pa's wildlife issues but Joe and the PGC also invite a few other folks along when there's room. It was a great experience for everyone. We met in Renovo Thursday for dinner and a presentation by Mark Ternent, the PGC's bear biologist.

Some interesting things we learned about PA bears....
[ul][*]Pa bears are bigger on averagethen anywhere in North America (most of us knew this one)[*]Pa bears have an average litter of three cubs, also the highest known average in North America ( this one surprised me )[*]Bears dont hibernate int the true sense. They can lower their metabolism while still being aware of their surroundings and capable of getting up and about any time through the winter and are actually awake often in the den[/ul]
The next day we got to accompany Mark Ternent to a den site while he tranquilized an adult female and performed all his research relatedfunctions on the female and her cubs for the PGC's ongoing research. All of us on the trip were allowed to hold the cubs for photos. The little guys weighed 2.8 pounds and didnt even have their eyes fully open. This was obviously an educational and aPR event but the welfare of the bear and her cubs were priority one with Mark andthe entire PGC staff that was present.

here are some pics from the trip. the first couple are my boys and the last one is Mark Ternent and of course the bears!

I also got an eye opener regarding the some of the habitat in area 2G but thats for another thread....

[Neville]

Thanks BT. I think we all had a great time. The weather was fantastic, good friends and of course the bears!

[DougE]

Wish I could have been there but my daughter had to do a reconciliation at church on saturday.

[Neville]

There's always this week Doug.

[AJ52]

That's really Cool! Great for the Kids

[Neville]

Thanks AJ. These trips are also a great way to educate people on how and why we manage wildlife the way we do. Population estimates for bears is obviously easier than deer, but many of the concepts are the same. The Sproul State Forest is also a perfect laboratory for showing the public and our elected officials how deer can impact a forest to the point that it is virtually a biological desert - at least from a wildlife perspective.

[germain]

sounds like an awesome experience BT.

[DougE]

Joe,what do I have to do to make it this weekend?My daughter was really disappointed that we couldn't go.

[T_in_PA3]

All you have to do is buy me dinner Thursday night. Joe's on his own.

[T_in_PA3]

Hold the umbrella for me Friday too