The Department of Natural Resources invites the public to participate in the bear management planning process. The draft bear management plan is now available online and the DNR welcomes comments via e-email or U.S. mail through March 2, 2009.

In addition, five public open houses are planned to discuss the draft bear management plan.

"These open houses are the perfect opportunity to present the draft bear management plan and have a one-on-one conversation about the plan with the public," said Adam Bump, DNR bear specialist. "The citizen-based Bear Consultation Team, DNR staff and others involved with the recommendations for this plan have worked diligently to create this draft document."

Open house locations and dates are as follows:

• Monday, Jan. 26, 6-8 p.m. Eastern: Comfort Inn, 13954 State Highway M-28, Newberry;
• Tuesday, Jan. 27, 6-8 p.m. Eastern (5-7 p.m Central): Crystal Falls Township Hall 1384 West US 2, Crystal Falls;
• Tuesday, Feb. 3, 6-8 p.m. Eastern: Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, East M-115, Cadillac;
• Wednesday, Feb. 4, 6-8 p.m. Eastern: Hillman Recreation Center, 24220 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hillman;
• Thursday, Feb. 5, 6-8 p.m. Eastern: Best Western Midway, 7711 West Saginaw Highway, Lansing.

The draft plan is available on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr under Hunting and Trapping and then Bear Management Plan.

Individuals can submit written comments on the draft plan via e-mail or U.S. mail to: Adam Bump, DNR Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 30444, Lansing, MI 48909 or dnr-wld-wild@michigan.gov. Requests for hard copies can be sent to the same address. Following the comment period, DNR Wildlife Division staff will finalize the plan and present it to DNR Director Rebecca Humphries for information at the March 5, 2009, Natural Resources Commission meeting.

Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation in a meeting should contact Pauline Gray at 517-373-1263 or grayp@michigan.gov, at least five days prior to the meeting date to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.