See a bear, report a bear
Minnesota's black bear range has been slowly expanding southward and westward. If you see a bear outside of the animal's normal range, report it to the DNR.
Hunting information
- Bear season details
- Don't shoot collared and ear-tagged bears
- Bear hunting regulations
- Bear permit areas maps
- Tooth samples
- Hunting in the BWCAW
- Handling meat and trophy
- State forest OHV use & bear hunting
- Legal big game cartridges
- Before you hunt, sign up for a (non-mandatory) bear hunting clinic.
Bear Outfitter / Guides:
DNR provides names and contact information for current year licensed bear outfitters. This is not an endorsement of any individual on the list. We do not provide referrals or other types of information, and licensure by the state does not mean that the outfitter has been certified as to competence, quality of hunt, success, etc.
Bait Registration:
Bear registration stations:
- Register your bear online. Tooth sample still required; hunters must pick up a tooth envelope at a bear registration station.
- Listed by town | Listed by county
Hunting licenses - find license agents, get applications or purchase licenses by phone or the Internet.
Seasons:
Scroll table right to see more »
08/16/19 | Statewide | |
09/01/19 - 10/13/19 | Permit areas and no-quota area |
Black bear management
Reports and surveys
- 2018 Harvest Report
- 2017 Harvest Report
- 2016 Harvest Report
- 2015 Harvest Report
- 2014 Harvest Report
- 2013 Harvest Report
- 2012 Harvest Report
- 2011 Harvest Report
- 2010 Harvest Report
- 2009 Harvest Report
- 2008 Harvest Report
- 2007 Harvest Report
- 2006 Harvest Report
Maps and statistics
- 2015 bear harvest density
- 2014 bear harvest density
- 2013 bear harvest density
- 2012 bear harvest density
- 2011 bear harvest density
- 2010 bear harvest density
- 2009 bear harvest density
- 2008 bear harvest density
- 2007 bear harvest density
- 2006 bear harvest density