![Minnesota Bear Researcher Removes Radio Collars](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2014/05/Black-Bear.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Minnesota Bear Researcher Removes Radio Collars
ELY, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota researcher has surprised his followers and officials alike by removing radio collars from his research bears in the Ely area.
Lynn Rogers tells reporters it was a difficult decision. He blames the Department of Natural Resources for forcing them into a corner. He says the DNR gutted their program by restricting the number of radio collars and the kind of data they could collect to "to the point that it was hardly scientifically viable."
Rogers claims his collared bears also became targets for hunters. He says removing the collars now allows fur to grow back on their necks before hunting season.
DNR spokesman Chris Niskanen says Rogers' move is a mystery. He says Rogers was allowed leaves the collars on pending a final decision on his permit.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Deputy Finds & Relocates Bear Cub Found Along Isanti County Road](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/04/attachment-Image-Credit-Google-Maps-Canva-and-Isanti-County-Sheriff%2525E2%252580%252599s-Office.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Sheriff’s Office Rescues Bear Cub Found Laying On A Driveway](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2023/08/attachment-janko-ferlic-SDivo1PTBDs-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![More Bears? Becker Police Remind Residents To Report Any Bear Sightings](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2022/09/attachment-Bear-in-Clearwater-edit.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota’s Bear Lottery Has Opened Up For The 2023 Hunting Season](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2021/07/attachment-pete-nuij-lWHvAw1Inbs-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![WOW! 60 Minutes Tonight Will Feature This Minnesota Wolf Sanctuary!](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2022/11/attachment-Image-Credits-Wildlife-Science-Center-and-Anderson-Cooper-via-Facebook.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN Fish and Wildlife: Watch for Bears While Driving at Night](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2021/07/attachment-pete-nuij-lWHvAw1Inbs-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Souhan: Reason Vikings Swiped the Win From the Bears Sunday](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2022/10/attachment-vikings-vs-bears-10-10-22-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The First Snow of the Year Fell in Minnesota on Tuesday, September 27th](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2022/03/attachment-nicole-geri-rWlI4iGcSAo-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![DNR Seeking Help Monitoring Loons on Minnesota Lakes This Summer](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2021/11/attachment-j-photos-wNrRNR-9xd0-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)