Students visit a bear’s den

By Chelsea Winiarski
Special to the Pioneer Times
    Three East Grand Outdoor Education students, Arthur Russell, my brother Kenneth Winiarski, and I went to a black bear’s den in the North Maine Woods west of Ashland on Feb. 15, with the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife staff.
    We were also accompanied by Dave Conley, our outdoor education teacher.
Photograph by Ken Lamb
WINTER HOME — East Grand Outdoor Education student Arthur Russell inside the tight quarters of a bear’s den that holds a mother bear and three year old bears. Russell is one of three students who drew names for this outing as only a limited number of students could take part. A four-minute video of the Bear’s Den visit produced by Outdoor Education student Kenneth Winiairski can visit the school’s website at www.eastgrandschool.org and click on the outdoor education page link.
    When we got near the den, we had to wait at a distance for wildlife biologists Lisa Bates, Matt O’Neal, John Wood and Jen Vashon to anesthetize the bears and remove them from their den so we could get close to them. Then we watched the biologists do a series of tests on the three yearlings and the mother black bear. When they were done, we were allowed to hold the cubs, pet them and even go into their den.
    It was a unique opportunity and I learned so much about bears and their habitat. I am very fortunate I was able to partake in this experience. I love outdoor education because I get to experience trips like this and it exposes us to great outdoor-related career opportunities.