UP: Bears. The state Department of Natural Resources reports that Wisconsin's black bear population has risen dramatically over the last two decades, from about 5,000 to about 30,000. The public is reminded that the best response to bear sightings is to leave the animals alone.
DOWN: Bears. A 300-pound black bear that wanders into a La Crosse park is chased into a tree by onlookers and shot to death by wildlife officials, who say they had no choice because the crowd ignored orders to disperse. Apparently, gunning down the onlookers would have really been considered bad form.
