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Traditionally, northern Wisconsin has always been considered “bear country.” But over the years some of that region’s black bears would occasionally wander southward to create a sensation around the Coulee Region.

Well, get ready for a new paradigm. According to DeWayne Snobl, U.S. Department of Agriculture wildlife specialist, and Ron Lichtie, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wildlife supervisor, La Crosse County now has up to four black bears that apparently consider this area their permanent home.

Keith Warnke, DNR big game specialist, confirmed recently that bears have indeed moved into southwestern Wisconsin. Management of bears in the northern and central parts of the state has gone so well that they have been expanding toward this area for the past decade or so.

They have been returning to their natural homes along wilderness corridors such as the Black and La Crosse rivers. “Two thirds to three fourths of the state now have some bears,” Warnke said.

Black bears lived across what is now Wisconsin for thousands of years before being pushed north in the last century. Snobl noted that conditions in the Coulee Region are still ideal for black bears, and he has heard reports of bears around here since 1993. Now that they’re here, they will move over fairly sizeable territories along the wooded ridges and valleys.

It’s a good idea now for residents in La Crosse County to understand bear behavior and learn how to live with these wild neighbors. Naturally, some people are concerned about large, powerful animals living in close proximity, especially those who live in the country.

In the first week of April, for instance, several neighbors in rural La Crosse County between Holmen and Mindoro were visited by a large black bear that apparently just emerged from hibernation. The hungry animal had probably lost around 30 percent of its body weight over the winter.

Black bears usually eat a lot of grass and other vegetation in spring to get their digestive systems going, but this year the Holmen area bear had to seek out food from dumpsters, suet bags, bird feeders and dog food around rural homes.

For several days he made the rounds resting on decks and porches between meals until folks finally removed any temptations the bear might have missed. Fortunately, he did little real damage, but he did carry off some bird feeders and upset garbage containers.

That bear demonstrates why Warnke, Lichtie and Snobl all give the same firm advice to anyone with bears around. Rule No. 1 in bear country, they all insist, is simple: DO NOT FEED THE BEARS.

This means not only resisting the temptation to purposely put out scraps for them, but to remove garbage, dog food and any other potential food items that are in the open around the property. Even if fed well away from homes, the bears are alert enough to detect the human connection and could afterwards habitually associate people with food.

That’s when they become problem bears. They become too familiar with humans, lose their natural fear of people and could indeed become a danger or at least a nuisance. Snobl emphasized that in the worst case scenario, he and others could then have to remove or kill problem bears.

The wildlife experts assure residents, though, that wild untainted bears will live unobtrusively in the woods and take care of themselves. Typically they will avoid people and pets and run away unless provoked or if a sow feels her cubs are threatened. Warnke’s advice is to “just treat the bears like wild animals.”

An occasional glimpse of a black bear in the wild could become a rare and treasured sighting of a part of the area’s natural heritage. People who accidentally get a little too close, though, should remain as calm as possible and give the bear ample space to retreat. Don’t run, and remember that black bears are expert tree climbers.

If the bear does finally approach, some suggest people should stretch out their arms to “look big,” hold their ground and yell, “Go away bear!” A truly wild bear will avoid confrontation if it can.

Now that vegetation and insects are finally appearing, bears should be switching to a more natural diet. Black bears, while omnivorous like people, eat a mostly vegetable diet — up to 90 percent.

In late April and May, females with yearling cubs send them away to fend for themselves and the exploring cubs might be a little more likely to bump into people once in awhile. June and July might also bring about slightly more bear activity during the breeding season.

People having trouble with a problem bear should call DeWayne Snobl at (800) 433-0663. People who see a bear or see other signs of them should report to Ron Lichtie at (608) 785-9000 so he can get a better handle on their territories. Include a ruler or other recognizable object to help determine size if you take a photo of a track.

Contact Jim Solberg at nitefrogger@charter.net or (608) 782-2560.