Should I worry about wild predators in WI? (Ladysmith, Johnson: live, backyard)

[wanderlusting]

Yep, there's lots of bears in Wisconsin. I have encountered them when vacationing in the Three Lakes/Eagle River area. There's even a bear hunt season. Here's a range map from the DNR.

WDNR - WDNR - Bear Population and Distribution

[karfar]

This is all I'm going to say.....if you're smart you won't have any problems. Do not leave small pets outside w/out attendance, that's it. Just like in any other area. Other than that, you're fine.

[dreamhunter65]

Originally Posted by Chelito23

I think we are making a mountain out of a molehill.
The answer to your questions is NO, there is not a concern.

Wisconsin is not bear country or wolf country. My parents have a house that backs up to a forest outside of Madison, they have dogs, the most they have seen is deer and at night sometimes people spot coyotes or they say they hear them...but they go after small prey, and who leave, say, a Chiuahua out at night? Especially in Wisconsin? Too cold for that.

My parents walk their dogs around 9PM or so, and they never have a problem.

Now, if you are moving to the boondocks ANYWHERE in the US you will have predators to worry about, but Wisconsin isn't that rural, especially on the edge of cities.

Not bear or Wolf country? Not sure where you are at but I see plenty up north here while bowhunting and such. We did search had 2 collared wolves not a 80 away.
Coyotes are shy yes but plenty around also.
Seen the fisher thing they usually run away but if dog chases they will take any size dog on.
Ticks and mosquitos if take precautions like flea and tick meds and not the cheap stuff not to much a problem and vaccinate for lymes and have heartworm checks yearly.
I would say gator country is far more dangerous to kids and dogs than anything here.
Bears will usually run unless in between a sow and her cubs very dangerous situation but if in woods make lots of noise so they stay away.

[ali&ajsmom]

my grandma and my uncle have lived in hayward out in bfe and the only time she has a problem with bear is if she leaves food or soda cans in the trunk of her caror leaves her garbage out on the porch. I also would leave my children or small dogs unattended just like in florida for the gators. if you just use common sense you will be just fine. northern wisconsin is a very beautiful area and I think you will enjoy it here. just don't get to worked up on the what ifs.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by gallon

Snakes. I think there are two very rare presences of poisonous snakes within WI borders. There is a little rattler in the bluffs along the Mississippi river and part way up the Wisconsin river. Very rare though. Googling the state DNR site also points out a variation of timber rattler along the same waterways as the little rattler. Both of these are endangered or protected

Youre correct. There are 2 species of venomous snakes in WI, but theyre quite rare, rarely seen.

To the OP: I dont think you have anything to worry about. Coming from a place like FL, youll find WI to be about as safe as it gets.

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by berries

If you move to a small town near Eau Claire, then yes indeed you need to take precautions and anyone that tells you otherwise is a fool. Do you have kids?? I think you said you did. If they are young and smaller than the size of a full grown labrador than you indeed need to take precautions from wolves, coyotes, martins, fishers, and at times especially in the spring bears. If anyone tells you not to you could up in a situation you would rather avoid and you can avoid it by prudence

Since you seem to know everything there is to know about Wisconsin I was hoping that you'd provide some documentation of wolf attacks on people in the state - or attacks by coyotes, fishers, martins or bears for that matter?

No doubt about it, they're out there. The question is if they are a major concern or not. Failing documented evidence to the contrary - anecdotes need not apply - I'd say not but I'm happy to check out the evidence.

[GLJOHNSON66]

Its kind of funny. Your coming from gator country and your worried
about animals around the Eau claire area. There talking about eaglesand hawks carrying off small dogs, I guess it could happen but it would be very very very rare. Bear, they will avoid you at all risk. the only time you really might see one around here is in the spring. The young males get kicked out of another bears territory, when this happens they might wander abit. They do leave as fast as they come around. Wolves, to small of a population to worry about. coyote, nocturnal animal, theres a good population but are rarly seen. As for all the animals in Wisconsin I really dont see any as being aggressive. Most if not all the animals your talking about are in the northern part of the state. I can recall a couple times of an aggressive bear toward some bow hunters but that it. I had a bear walk ten feet behind me once deer hunting up by Hayward, I never even heard it. There was fresh snow and it walked right past me. I dont really even know how this thread is still going.

[dreamhunter65]

I know of a bear attack was my neighbor and guy went to school with.Bear climbed his tree and grabbed him. Never seen a pine martin in area even so no attack worries there, coyotes are scared of anything bigger and yes can be seen in daylight hours.
Fishers are growing rapidly but they to run had them close while hunting til they see movement and gone.
Do not worry most animals afraid of you as you are of them. Enjoy the northwoods for all its beauty and wild animals are a part of it. I lived in Wisconsin all my life and 90% up north. I take my 5 year old in woods with me and can leave sit in one area and me another while bowhunting and not worry.

[KateDaum]

We know there is a lot of wildlife in the area. I walk everyday in the country and haven't seem anything to be worried about. As long as you don't corner a bear cub and have the mom coming after you I don't think there is much to worry about.

[gallon]

Originally Posted by dreamhunter65

I know of a bear attack was my neighbor and guy went to school with.Bear climbed his tree and grabbed him. Never seen a pine martin in area even so no attack worries there, coyotes are scared of anything bigger and yes can be seen in daylight hours.
Fishers are growing rapidly but they to run had them close while hunting til they see movement and gone.
Do not worry most animals afraid of you as you are of them. Enjoy the northwoods for all its beauty and wild animals are a part of it. I lived in Wisconsin all my life and 90% up north. I take my 5 year old in woods with me and can leave sit in one area and me another while bowhunting and not worry.

Hey Dreamhunter, is there a story there? By any chance was your friend shooting at the bear,
were there cubs around, or what? I am wondering what the circumstances were, since this is really unusual.