DNR Continuing Investigation Of Barron County Black Bear Attack

Updated July 14 at 5:32 p.m.

COMSTOCK, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is continuing its investigation into a black bear attack that occurred the afternoon of Saturday, July 12 in Barron County.

The victim, 69-year-old Karen Frye, was attacked while outside at her rural residence near the town of Comstock. She was transported to a local hospital and later transferred to another hospital where she is recovering and in stable condition. 

Although the investigation is ongoing, preliminary findings, including information coming from the family, suggest the bear exhibited a sustained series of aggressive behaviors towards the victim.

Black bears can behave defensively when feeling surprised, cornered or to protect their food or cubs. True aggressive behavior is both rare and distinctive from defensive behavior.

Unfortunately, black bears displaying aggressive behavior are an elevated risk for repeating the behavior. While the investigation continues, the priority is human safety and therefore the goal is to capture and humanely euthanize the bear involved.

"Humane euthanasia is not always the standard practice in human/bear conflicts. Our actions in these types of situations are very carefully determined based upon the totality of the known evidence of each event," said Randy Johnson, DNR large carnivore specialist. "Although we're still working to piece together every element of what transpired in this incident, we know enough to warrant attempting to livetrap at the location of the incident and humanely euthanize this bear if captured."

Several bear traps have been set at the scene with efforts to live capture the bear focused at the site of the incident. As of Monday afternoon, the bear involved has not yet been captured, nor has its cub been captured.

If captured, the sow involved will be assessed once euthanized, including conducting a rabies test to determine whether injury or illness may have contributed to the bear’s behavior and to help assess rabies exposure and risk to the victim per standard human health protocols. 

If the cub is captured, it will be relocated and released in the wild. By this time of year, cubs are able to survive on their own and this cub will likely have a better opportunity to thrive in the wild without human intervention. Any other bears captured will be released unharmed.

Initial trapping efforts captured a boar (male) black bear, which was promptly released. Efforts to capture the bear involved in this incident are ongoing.

The investigation continues and no other details are available. DNR staff are unavailable for interviews on this topic. For tips on how to coexist safely with bears, view this DNR news release.

The original release from July 13 is below for context.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is investigating after a 69-year-old woman was attacked by a black bear near the town of Comstock in Barron County.

The victim reported the attack around 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12. She was able to call 911 and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The victim's condition is currently unknown.

Officers from Barron County and the city of Cumberland initially responded to the 911 call. Local DNR wardens and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services staff also responded to the incident. Upon arrival, they began looking for the bear and at that time they located a cub in a tree indicating this involved a sow and cub.

DNR wardens and USDA Wildlife Services staff attempted to track the bear with the aid of a trained bear hound dog, but the search was unsuccessful.

Efforts to capture the bear are ongoing. Several bear traps have been set at the scene. The goal is to euthanize the bear and assess its condition.   

It is unknown why the attack occurred. DNR wardens continue to investigate the incident to learn more details and a possible cause.

No other information on this specific incident is available at this time, and staff are unavailable to provide interviews. The DNR's Office of Communications will release new information as it becomes available.

Bear Conflict Information

The DNR partners with USDA's Wildlife Services staff to respond to bear complaints.

USDA Wildlife Services responds to 500-600 nuisance bear complaints annually. Between 70-80% of complaints are resolved by providing recommendations to the complainant, most often the removal of an attractant. Trapping and relocation of bears is the primary abatement option when direct control is needed.

Incidents of black bears attacking or killing humans are very rare but do occur both in Wisconsin and across the country.

No human fatalities have resulted from encounters with wild black bears in recorded Wisconsin history.

General Bear Information

There are an estimated 24,000 bear in Wisconsin.

Black bears are generally secretive, not aggressive and tend to avoid humans as much as possible but bears are sometimes known to be aggressive if cubs are present and feel threatened.

Bears primarily occupy the northern two thirds of the state, but are sometimes observed in the southern part of the state as well.

Bears are omnivores and eat both plant and animals. They are opportunistic feeders and will feed on natural foods as well as anthropogenic (human caused) foods.

Best Practices In Bear Country

Follow these tips to stay safe should you encounter a bear.

• Minimize food attractants around your residence or camps.
  • Bird feeders should be only used in the wintertime or brought in at night and made inaccessible to bears. Deter bears by hanging feeders 10 feet from the ground and five feet out from any surface. If a bear does find the feeder, remove it immediately.
  • Keep garbage cans secured, clean and inside sheds if possible. Do not leave loose garbage around.
  • Do not leave pet food outside.
  • Keep grills clean and secure.
     
• If you encounter a bear in your yard or around your home:
  • Place yourself in a secure area so the bear has a clear escape path.
  • Make a lot of noise by yelling, honking a car horn or banging pots and pans.
  • Consider installing motion-activated water sprinklers, lights or alarms.
     
• If you encounter a bear while hiking, hunting or camping:
  • Never approach a bear.
  • Do not run.
  • Do not lie down or play dead.
  • Talk to the bear or start shouting if it doesn’t leave.
  • Raise your arms above your head and wave them to appear larger than you are.
  • Slowly back away and don’t turn your back on the bear.
  • Always leave an escape route for the bear.
  • Fight back if attacked.

More info on living with bears in Wisconsin is available on the DNR website.